Sonos’ subsequent moveable speaker is close to — even when it’s going to overlook the height of the outside summer season season. I’ve discovered that the Transfer 2 will likely be launched across the finish of September. Sure, it’s known as the Transfer 2 and never Transfer (Gen 2). The system may have an identical design to the first-generation mannequin. And it’s nonetheless a hefty sucker at over six kilos. However Sonos has made substantial enhancements to audio efficiency, battery life, connectivity, the charging base station, and extra. The picture above, obtained from sources accustomed to Sonos’ plans, is your first have a look at the Transfer 2.
The most important improve for listeners is that the Transfer 2 will change from mono output to true stereo playback due to the inclusion of twin angled tweeters; the unique Transfer solely had one. Like earlier than, the speaker may even include a woofer that handles bass frequencies. Automated Trueplay will once more optimize the Transfer 2’s sound everytime you change its place.
Battery life has seen important features in comparison with the unique Sonos Transfer. The corporate’s new speaker will ship steady playback of as much as 24 hours — far eclipsing the marketed 10 hours of the first-gen Transfer. The battery will once more be replaceable, and the Transfer 2 has been designed to make use of much less power when idle, which ought to enhance standby endurance. The Transfer 2 may have tweaked controls carried over from this 12 months’s Period 100 and 300 — together with the devoted quantity slider.
Similar to the Sonos Roam, the Transfer 2 will have the ability to play Bluetooth audio throughout the remainder of your Sonos system whenever you’re at residence. The unique wasn’t able to this handy trick as a result of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi couldn’t be used concurrently. The brand new speaker will help line-in audio over its USB-C port (should you purchase the mandatory adapter), and also you’ll additionally have the ability to cost cell gadgets utilizing that very same port, which may show useful should you’re outdoor someplace far, far-off from an influence socket. Many bigger Bluetooth audio system can cost exterior gadgets, so I’m glad Sonos is catching up on this regard. Talking of outside use, the Transfer 2 retains the unique’s IP56 mud and water resistance and once more makes use of shock-absorbent supplies to guard towards drops and unintended tumbles.
Sonos has paid consideration to some smaller particulars as effectively: for instance, the wi-fi charging base station now has a removable energy adapter in comparison with the hard-wired unique. The speaker options Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, and there’s a brand new change on the again of the product for disabling the voice assistant microphones. (Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Management are supported, however Google Assistant continues to be MIA after being dropped from the Period audio system.)
The Transfer 2 will likely be supplied in three colours: black, white, and a brand new olive possibility. It’s set to be priced at $449 in the USA — a $50 improve over the unique’s present MSRP — and is due for launch in late September.
Even when it’s a bit heavy, the unique Transfer has step by step turn out to be maybe my favourite product in Sonos’ total lineup due to its sheer versatility and spectacular sound high quality. Now, Sonos is taking the plain subsequent step by evolving the system in a number of vital methods — with stereo audio and all-day battery life on the high of the checklist.
The Verge has reached out to Sonos for a press release, however the firm usually doesn’t touch upon rumor and hypothesis.
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