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The Sonos Transfer 2 is a conveyable speaker that not solely trumps the unique for audio high quality however almost doubles the battery life too. It is expensive – and the Period 300 is a greater sounding Sonos speaker – however you may’t take the Period 300 to the seaside with you. The Transfer 2 is, due to this fact, Sonos finest Bluetooth speaker to this point and nicely definitely worth the outlay.
- Stereo sound
- Improved battery life
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on board
- Fairly costly
- No Dolby Atmos
- Line-in want adapter
Key options
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay
- Ecosystems: Alexa, Apple Dwelling, SmartThings
4 years after the unique Transfer hit the retailers, the Sonos Transfer 2 was formally revealed by the multi-room audio specialist large in late 2023.
4 years is a very long time in tech and the Transfer 2 is testomony to that; most notably with the battery life, which is up from 10 hours on the unique Transfer to a formidable 24 hours.
It is also the primary transportable Sonos speaker able to stereo sound by itself; the unique Transfer and the Sonos Roam are each mono audio system and also you’d want two of every to create stereo pairs.
Nonetheless, all that further punching energy comes at a price – the Sonos Transfer 2 prices $449 / £449, which is $50 / $50 greater than the unique Transfer (which stays on sale).
That makes it the identical value because the Sonos Period 300 – a incredible spacial audio speaker that has been designed from the bottom as much as take Sonos to the subsequent degree with its sound profile.
Verdict: Sonos Period 300 assessment
Nonetheless, it is not likely designed to go head-to-head with the Period 300, as that is a speaker that very a lot has to remain put, whereas the Transfer 2 will be taken out and about – so that you’re paying for the portability side too.
So, is it definitely worth the money? Learn our full Sonos Transfer 2 assessment to seek out out.
Design and construct
- New slider quantity controls
- USB-C port can cost your cellphone
- Line in and Ethernet each attainable
The Sonos Transfer 2 could be transportable, however make no mistake, this isn’t a speaker you may simply chuck in a bag and neglect about. A light-weight Bluetooth speaker for on the go, it isn’t.
At a stable 3kg, it’s fairly bloody heavy. It’s nearly 10 inches tall too, and somewhat over 6 inches huge. Aspect by facet to the unique Transfer, it would not look too completely different in any respect.
And whereas it may be taken out with you, it’s totally a lot a ‘plan forward’ affair; be sure you’ve obtained a large enough seaside bag or an area for it within the backyard.
For those who’re on the lookout for a Sonos speaker that may reside within the backside of your rucksack then check out the Sonos Transfer.
Transportable showdown: Sonos Roam vs Sonos Transfer
I am reviewing the white Transfer 2 mannequin and right here it’s side-by-side with my unique black Transfer.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
In addition to black and white, there’s additionally a brand new fancy wanting olive inexperienced shade on supply for the Transfer 2.
That further bulk dimension makes room for higher audio system and, after all, a much bigger battery.
As talked about, the Transfer 2 appears to be like a helluva lot like the unique, however it options that new quantity slider that Sonos launched on the Period 100 and 300 earlier this 12 months. So up high it appears to be like fairly completely different certainly…
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
Extra intuitive than the faucet buttons you will discover on older Sonos audio system and the unique Transfer, the slider makes it a lot simpler to realize a exact desired quantity, though previous habits die exhausting and I do usually discover myself nonetheless tapping on the slider to no avail.
In addition to the brand new slider you will discover the standard array of Sonos contact buttons; play/pause, observe skip ahead/again and likewise a button to summon a voice assistant.
Like the unique, the underside of the Transfer 2 is made from rubber, so you may place it on the grime, some grass, the sand, a moist floor – wherever it’s possible you’ll be – and you will not have to fret about it being scratched or broken.
If and while you do knock it over, worry not because the Transfer 2 has been constructed to resist all kinds of abuse. In any case, you’re going to be taking into the outside, the place “the weather” lie. As such, the Transfer is IP56 rated, which means it’s very protected in opposition to mud and might face up to moisture.
I have been informed that you should utilize the Transfer 2 (and the unique too) as a toilet speaker and never fear about condensation, however should you’re taking it for a pool get together, do not knock it within the water as it is not meant to be submerged.
On the again of the Transfer 2 you will discover a recessed space that you may hook your fingers inside to hold it round with you.
There’s additionally three buttons around the again. There is a energy button will be tapped to wake the speaker or put it in sleep mode, or be held down for 10 seconds to energy the speaker off completely.
Under that’s the Bluetooth button, which you faucet to modify between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modes.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
And beneath that’s the microphone slider so you may cease Alexa and Gus Fring listening in in your conversations; however extra on that in a bit.
Down the underside you will discover a USB-C port which is definitely extra intelligent than the one on the unique Transfer.
Not solely can you employ it to cost your Transfer 2 utilizing a USB-PD, you can even use it as a lifeline to your different devices, making it your go-to energy financial institution on the go.
It additionally permits for line-in and Ethernet choices too. Sonos sells a combo adapter for 3.5mm and Ethernet for $25 / £25.
Once you’re not out and about and utilizing the battery, the Transfer 2 sits on a charging base that juices it up. It additionally offers the Transfer a extra sturdy base to relaxation on, although a good middle of gravity means the Transfer will not tumble simply when it is not docked.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
A full cost from the bottom takes round 3 hours and, when you’re totally loaded, you may count on as much as 24 hours of life – though that is dependent upon how and what you are streaming, and the way loud. I’ve had almost 20 hours from the Transfer 2 streaming lossless audio at round 65% quantity over Wi-Fi.
The Transfer 2 mechanically switches to sleep mode after being idle for half-hour and you can even configure the Battery Saver choice within the Sonos S2 app to energy the Transfer 2 off after 10 minutes of sitting idle.
We’re informed that the packaging is responsibly designed, utilizing sustainably sourced supplies with zero virgin plastic and is curbside recyclable.
Sonos states that the Transfer 2 additionally reduces idle vitality consumption by over 40% and incorporates recycled plastics.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
Options
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi work in tandem
- Auto TruePlay produces finest efficiency
- Wi-Fi 6E for seamless streaming
Like Sonos’ different transportable audio system, the Transfer 2 is able to being an everyday Bluetooth speaker, whereas on the similar time capable of grow to be a part of your common Sonos system by means of the common Sonos Wi-Fi mode.
Nonetheless, it truly trumps the unique Transfer on the Bluetooth entrance as, identical to the Sonos Roam, it is capable of be on each Bluetooth and Wi-Fi mode on the similar time.
Due to that, it may ping a Bluetooth tune round your different Sonos audio system while you’re in vary of them.
Primarily, you should utilize any music app in your cellphone that you just wish to ship to the Transfer 2 after which group the Roam with different Sonos audio system.
You possibly can even stream by way of Bluetooth to a stereo pair of Transfer 2 audio system when linked to Wi-Fi.
Moreover, the Transfer 2 can play part of an AirPlay 2 multi-room system and it’s also appropriate with Spotify Join.
The Transfer has each Amazon Alexa and Sonos’ personal voice assistant, voiced by Giancarlo Esposito of Gus Fring fame, baked in. There is no signal of the Google Assistant sadly.
This being a Sonos speaker it does, after all, have an absolute wealth of cloud and native streaming choices accessible together with the likes of Sonos Radio, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, Tidal, Qobuz and Pandora.
Information: Easy methods to use Sonos Voice
Sonos’ Auto TruePlay is inbuilt, so it adjusts dynamically to its environment, registering the entire completely different reflection patterns of every particular person house.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
When the unique Transfer went on sale this was solely attainable whereas streaming over Wi-Fi and also you have been locked to an ordinary Bluetooth sound profile, however gladly that is not the case on both the Transfer 1 or 2 now; you get one of the best sound high quality attainable on each Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modes.
Primarily, Auto TruePlay adjusts the speaker’s sound profile dynamically to optimize audio high quality primarily based on the encompassing surroundings, to make sure a superb listening expertise whether or not you are indoors or exterior.
Wi-Fi (6E) can be on board and the Transfer 2 additionally helps line-in; though you’ll have to purchase a separate adapter ($19 / £19 for simply the three.5mm one or $6 / £6 extra if you need Ethernet too).
Audio high quality
Contained in the Sonos Transfer 2 is a totally revamped dual-tweeter acoustic structure, alongside a precision-tuned woofer that produces deep, dynamic bass, which is ideal for outside events.
The Sonos Transfer 1 was already an ideal sounding Bluetooth speaker, however the Transfer 2 undoubtedly surpasses that. Not simply due to its stereo capabilities; all the things simply sounds fuller with vocals seemingly now extra separate.
It isn’t an ideal stereo expertise; that is fairly not possible with a comparatively compact one-speaker setup because the tweeters are at all times going to in close-ish proximity, however you may undoubtedly decipher completely different ‘sides’ to recordings.
It is nothing like a pair of stereo audio system, after all, however that can be an choice as a result of, in addition to working as a standalone speaker, you may pair a duo of Transfer 2 audio system in a stereo pair.
However you do not essentially must; it is an ideal audio expertise from the one – and one that provides you loads of flexibility as you may choose it up and take it wherever you go, with that Auto TruePlay tech maintaining the sound sounding as tip-top as is feasible.
It isn’t a 360-degree speaker although and Sonos tells us that, for peak efficiency, it is best to eave no less than an inch of house across the again of Transfer 2 when putting it subsequent to a wall.
It is value noting that there is been a soar in Bluetooth from the Transfer 1 to the two, with the latter’s Bluetooth 5.0 trumping the previous’s 4.1.
That may not sound too necessary within the grand scheme of issues – Bluetooth is Bluetooth, proper? Effectively, yeah – but when there’s one factor Bluetooth fails on, time and time once more, it is latency and also you should not expertise that as a lot with BT 5.0 on board.
True audiophiles may lament the truth that Sonos’ Transfer vary nonetheless would not embrace aptX HD or LDAC, with the usual SBC and AAC codecs on supply for Bluetooth streaming. However true audiophiles would not stream over Bluetooth anyway, in order that’s a little bit of a non-runner.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
Primarily, it does imply that there are higher Bluetooth audio system on the market… however there aren’t higher Bluetooth Sonos audio system on the market.
In the case of Wi-Fi streaming, there’s help for streaming as much as 24-bit/48kHz high quality, so it makes your lossless streaming subscription value it.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
Ultimate ideas
The Sonos Transfer 2 takes the already spectacular sound high quality of the Transfer 1 and refines it with enhanced amplifiers and improved tweeters, promising an much more immersive and satisfying audio expertise.
It provides stereo sound, line-in capabilities, enhanced Bluetooth playback choices and greater than double the battery life… all for not a substantial amount of further money.
How we check
Once we publish our evaluations, you may relaxation assured that they’re the results of “dwelling with” long run assessments.
Sensible speaker normally reside inside, and even management, a sensible residence ecosystem, or a spread of merchandise that – supposedly – all work in concord. Subsequently, it’s not possible to make use of a linked speaker for every week and ship a verdict.
As a result of we’re testing sensible residence equipment all day, on a regular basis, we all know what issues and the way a selected sensible speaker compares to options that you may also be contemplating.
Our evaluations are complete, goal and honest and, after all, we’re by no means paid on to assessment a tool.
Learn our assessment course of for sensible audio system to be taught extra.
FAQS
Does the Sonos Transfer 2 have spatial audio?
No, there is no Dolby Atmos or spatial audio with the Transfer 2.
Does the Sonos Transfer 2 work with the S1 app?
No, you will want the newer Sonos S2 app.
Can you employ Siri to regulate the Sonos Transfer 2?
Sure you may, you’ll want to add it as an Airplay speaker within the Apple Dwelling app first although.
Sonos Transfer 2 specs:
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Peak: | 9.53 in (242 mm) |
| Width: | 6.29 in (160 mm) |
| Depth: | 4.96 in (126 mm) |
| Weight | 6.61 lb (3 kg) |
| Colours | Black, Olive, White |
| End | Matte |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 – 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax 2.4GHz/5GHz |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery | 44Wh |
| Voice | Sonos Voice Management and Amazon Alexa |
| CPU | Quad Core 4xA55 1.4 GHz |
| Reminiscence | 1GB SDRAM 8GB NV |
| Apple AirPlay 2 | iOS 11.4 and better |
| Amplifiers | Three class-D digital amplifiers precision-tuned for the speaker’s distinctive acoustic structure energy your sound expertise. |
| Tweeters | Two angled tweeters create a crisp and correct excessive frequency response and stereo separation. |
| Woofers | One midwoofer ensures the trustworthy playback of mid-range vocal frequencies and deep bass. |
| Microphones | The far-field microphone array makes use of superior beamforming and multichannel echo cancellation for fast and correct voice management and Trueplay tuning. Flip off the mic change to disconnect. |
| Adjustable EQ | Use the Sonos app to regulate bass, treble, and loudness. |
| Speech Enhancement | Flip this setting on within the Sonos app to spice up voice frequencies and make clear dialogue. |
| Trueplay | This software program regularly optimizes the speaker’s sound for its surroundings and the audio content material enjoying. |
| Night time Sound | Flip this setting on within the Sonos app to scale back the depth of loud sounds and enhance the extent of quieter sounds. |
| IP56 | Protected against mud and high-pressure water streams. |
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