When Sonos revealed its first-ever Bluetooth-toting moveable speaker, the Sonos Transfer, in 2019, it’s protected to say it wasn’t fairly what we’d anticipated.
Bucking the pattern of small, rugged, carry-in-your-bag moveable Bluetooth audio system that we had been used to seeing (from the likes of JBL, Final Ears and others), the Transfer was a giant, chunky beast that you possibly can realistically solely shuffle in between rooms or enterprise out into your house backyard. It additionally got here full of all the traditional Sonos wi-fi streaming and multi-room smarts, and was priced on the premium finish.
The eventual sequel, the Sonos Transfer 2 we’re reviewing right here, hasn’t modified this template one bit. Actually, Sonos has totally embraced the Transfer 2’s uniqueness on this market by sticking to its cumbersome measurement and its bulging function set, enhancing the sound high quality and providing it at an much more costly worth – is it a successful gamble?
Worth
The Sonos Transfer 2 might be yours for the hefty sum of £449 / $449 / AU$799. Not solely is {that a} £50/$50 rise in worth over the earlier Transfer (£399 / $399 / AU$649), nevertheless it’s additionally fairly steep for a ‘moveable’ speaker.
What’s puzzling to us is that it’s now priced near-identically to the Sonos Period 300 wi-fi speaker additionally launched this 12 months at £449 / $449 / AU$749. The Period 300 was designed from the bottom up, with a novel inner driver association devoted to spatial audio playback, boasts high-resolution audio streams over wi-fi and is, alongside the Sonos 5, the height of Sonos’s premium wi-fi audio system. The Transfer 2, whereas incorporating most of the design and have upgrades launched within the new Period 300 and smaller Period 100 audio system, stays an evolution relatively than an entire reinvention of the unique mannequin’s USP. In worth alone, it now sits alongside the model’s flagship speaker fashions as an equal.
At this larger finish of the wi-fi speaker market, the merchandise that mix high-quality Bluetooth streaming with moveable design are few and much between, and the function set varies wildly between them, too. Our Award-winning Dali Katch G2 is Bluetooth-only however is luxuriously constructed and is extra genuinely moveable at £329; whereas the brand-new Final Ears Epicboom goals to offer Sonos a run for its cash with a equally cumbersome measurement and worth (£330 / $350 / AU$499.95).
Options
In fact, none of those rival audio system is furnished with the huge array of streaming options that the Transfer 2 is, because of it being a part of Sonos’s much-lauded ecosystem.
Which means alongside Bluetooth (5.0 model, a giant step above the unique Transfer’s 4.1), you can even play music wirelessly utilizing Apple AirPlay 2 and Wi-Fi 6.
Connecting to Bluetooth is so swift that we barely have time to blink between urgent the pairing button on the again and the Transfer 2 showing in our iPhone’s settings. We lamented the dearth of any higher-quality codec in our first-gen Transfer evaluate and we’ve to echo that sentiment right here. Sonos, like Apple, hasn’t felt the necessity to embody aptX HD, LDAC or in any other case in its units, with the usual SBC and AAC codecs nonetheless accessible.
Over wi-fi, nonetheless, there’s assist for streaming in as much as 24-bit/48kHz high quality when you’re an Amazon Music Limitless or Qobuz subscriber. In order that’s one thing. For those who want the wired route, now you can join exterior audio sources (an MP3 participant or perhaps a turntable) into the Transfer 2’s USB-C connection, though keep in mind you’ll want a particular and separate line-in adapter from Sonos to make use of this enter, which is a further value. Arguably extra usefully, you possibly can cost your smartphone utilizing this USB-C port and a regular USB-C cable.
Sonos Transfer 2 tech specs
Energy N/A
Bluetooth? Sure (5.0)
Wi-fi? Sure
Mains- or battery-powered? Battery-powered
Battery life 24 hours
Options Stereo pairing, Sonos Voice Management, Amazon Alexa, Computerized Trueplay, Adjustable EQ, multi-room
Connections USB-C (charging, line-in)
App? Sure
Dimensions (hwd) 24.1 x 16 x 12.7cm
Weight 3kg
Finishes x3 (white, black, olive inexperienced)
For those who’ve used a Sonos product just lately, you received’t be stunned by how straightforward it’s to make use of the Transfer 2 from the second it’s arrange. For these unfamiliar with Sonos, you’ll take pleasure in simply how slick and user-friendly it’s, particularly when utilizing the well-organised app. From the preliminary set-up to normal playback and day by day use, taking part in music by way of the Transfer 2 is easy it doesn’t matter what methodology you employ.
By means of the app, there’s entry to an enormous variety of streaming providers and web radio stations, from Absolute Radio and Apple Music to Tidal and TuneIn. It’s also possible to tweak numerous speaker settings, add the Transfer 2 right into a larger Sonos multi-room ecosystem (if in case you have extra Sonos merchandise in your house) and create a stereo pair with two Transfer 2 items (in case your pockets can accommodate it).
One level of distinction between your customary Bluetooth speaker and a Sonos Bluetooth speaker is that you will want to arrange the Transfer 2 utilizing the app and join it to wi-fi earlier than you possibly can even hook up with Bluetooth. This would possibly really feel like an added complication, however contemplating the quantity of the way you possibly can play music by way of the Transfer 2, it’s a obligatory step. It’s additionally essential to have wi-fi arrange if you wish to use any of the Transfer 2’s additional options, from voice instructions (Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Management) to streaming songs over Bluetooth to a stereo pair.
Having the Sonos app at hand additionally enables you to observe the Transfer 2’s battery life, because of the tiny icon and proportion displayed subsequent to its title. The Transfer 2’s battery life has elevated twofold to 24 hours now, a large enchancment over the beforehand paltry 10-11 hours.
As earlier than, the battery is replaceable and a wi-fi charging base is included within the field. For those who’re not utilizing the Transfer 2, we’d advocate holding the speaker positioned on it so its battery is all the time topped up. What’s good is that this new base additionally works with the unique Transfer – one other nod to Sonos’s drive to be extra sustainable.
One other returning perk is Computerized Trueplay, which calibrates and optimises the Transfer 2’s sound at any time when it’s moved to a brand new location. You’ll need to preserve the inner mic turned on all the time, nevertheless it’s value it if you find yourself shifting the Transfer 2 round repeatedly. Just like the Apple HomePod 2, you’ll be capable of hear minute however particular modifications within the speaker’s sound because it adjusts to new environment.
Construct & design
We’ve intimated simply how massive and hulking the Transfer 2’s design is compared to different moveable audio system, and when you would usually want two arms to choose it up, the cleverly recessed again enables you to choose it up with one hand simply.
The scale are unchanged from the earlier mannequin, measuring 24.1 x 16 x 12.7cm and weighing 3kg. You received’t be capable of sling it into your bag or backpack like you possibly can with a JBL Flip 6, however the Transfer 2’s measurement can also be indicative of its function to ship a a lot larger and extra highly effective sound.
Other than the longer battery life, the most important replace to the Transfer 2 comes within the type of stereo sound. The Transfer 2 now sports activities twin angled tweeters alongside a woofer. Customized waveguides additionally assist to direct the frequencies, whereas there’s a Class D amplifier for every of the three drivers.
Externally, little or no of the Transfer 2 has modified. The speaker itself is constructed to Sonos’s sometimes excessive requirements, with a minimal end and responsive contact controls and buttons. We additionally just like the addition of the brand new olive inexperienced colourway, which makes a pleasant change from the normal crisp matte white or black end we see throughout Sonos’s product household. The speaker is IP56 rated as properly, so ought to be protected in opposition to water splashes and mud ingress, whereas Sonos claims its robust shell will survive the odd knock and bump, too.
The highest of the speaker has had a beauty refresh that’s now equivalent to the Period 300 and Period 100’s design, with up to date icons and a quantity “trough” that you may slide your finger alongside to make incremental quantity modifications. The buttons on the again (energy, Bluetooth pairing, microphone on/off) have been reworked too, and all of it works easily.
Sound
There’s been a step up in readability and class with Sonos’s new Period audio system, and we hear the identical with the Transfer 2. The massive unfold of sound with highly effective heft returns, nevertheless it’s accompanied by a sound that’s properly balanced, clear and detailed, and straightforward to take heed to.
Comparisons with the older Sonos Transfer make it clear as day that the Transfer 2 is the higher performer. The Transfer sounds relatively cluttered, with voices sounding muffled and the bass lumping alongside inelegantly in contrast with the Transfer 2’s extra deft and agile supply when taking part in Run The Jewel’s Legend Has It. There’s extra depth, grip and tautness to the bassline. It’s nonetheless a beast of a speaker that prioritises throwing sound out at get together ranges, however there’s extra space and organisation with the Transfer 2.
There’s simply sufficient snarl and chunk to EL-P and Killer Mike’s vocals, with the Transfer 2 capable of ship the variations in texture and tone of their voices extra convincingly than earlier than. Play Coi Leray’s Gamers and the speaker handles the playful, funky tune admirably with clear, worth edges and a punchy beat – it will get your toes tapping and fingers snapping. We discover the Transfer 2 has the upper frequencies beneath higher management, too, and it sounds extra composed when pushed to louder volumes. Total, it’s a extra composed, refined and detailed sound than earlier than.
There may be respectable solidity to the piano notes in Taylor Swift’s Exile, whereas the gruff texture of Bon Iver’s voice has depth and grit. However these parts all sound extra detailed, extra layered and spacious by way of our Award-winning Dali Katch G2. The Dali opens up the tune much more, locations devices extra exactly within the soundstage and relays voices with a richness and authenticity that sounds extra real than the Transfer 2. Piano notes are extra elegant and nuanced by way of the Dali, too – you possibly can hear the resonances and decay of notes extra faithfully by way of the Katch G2.
As compared, the Transfer 2 sounds a contact bass-heavy with its emphasis on boldness and punch. How does it fare in opposition to its non-portable however similarly-priced sibling, the Period 300? Even ignoring any spatial audio tracks, the Period 300 delivers extra energy, extra element and an even bigger, spacious sound than the Transfer. Songs sound that bit extra balanced, stable and detailed, voices have extra texture, they usually time higher by way of the Period 300. Dynamically, the Period speaker ebbs and flows with larger fluidity, and delivers higher bass depth and agility. The Transfer 2’s barely ahead stability will reward you when listening outside, however when you needed to spend £450 of your cash on one product solely, it’s the Period 300 that earns our agency advice.
Verdict
The Sonos Transfer 2 stays a curious proposition, however we are able to see a spot for a premium wi-fi speaker that has the comfort of portability and isn’t completely tethered to the mains. Whereas it might not seem to be an enormous reinvention, the longer battery life and extra mature and clearer sound make the Transfer 2 a compelling case when you’re after the actual area of interest it covers.
That prime price ticket is what’s going to deter many and the truth that you may get rivals at this worth that provide a extra nuanced and extra rhythmic sound, albeit with fewer streaming options. For those who’re after high-quality wi-fi sound that gives one of the best Sonos expertise, go for the Period 300. For those who’re after high-quality moveable sound, the Dali Katch G2 is your finest guess.
The Sonos Transfer 2 is caught in the course of each worlds, however we think about its versatile design, quite a few options and pleasant sonic method could have its followers. So long as they will afford it, in fact.
SCORES
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Learn our evaluate of the Dali Katch G2
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