Sonos Transfer 2 evaluate: a slam-dunk sequel | Digital Noch

Whenever you’re contemplating the sequel of any tech product, it’s straightforward to leap to the conclusion that it’s “all the pieces the unique ought to’ve been.” And as I’ve been testing out the brand new $449 Sonos Transfer 2 speaker over the past a number of days, it’s been tempting to lean on that narrative. The Transfer 2 improves upon the corporate’s first moveable speaker with higher, broader sound — it now does stereo as an alternative of simply mono audio output — and large strides in battery life. It’s additionally extra versatile because of the inclusion of line in and the power to reverse cost your telephone and different gadgets through the speaker’s USB-C port. The one draw back is likely to be that every one of these enhancements include a $50 value hike.

However in fact, the primary Transfer was by no means going to be something like this. It got here earlier than Sonos discovered learn how to seamlessly juggle Bluetooth audio with music performed over its Wi-Fi-based whole-home audio platform; you had to decide on one or the opposite through a button on the again. (Sonos solved that awkward dilemma with its way more compact Roam speaker.) On the time of the Transfer’s launch, the entry-level Sonos One was additionally restricted to mono playback. It wasn’t till the Period 100 that the corporate crammed two tweeters into a comparatively small single speaker enclosure. Now, it’s operating the identical play with the Transfer 2, giving the product devoted left and proper channels as an alternative of mixing all the pieces collectively. However time hasn’t benefited the Transfer 2 in all methods: amid an ongoing authorized rift between Sonos and Google, this good speaker ships with out Google Assistant, which is current on the first-gen {hardware}.

Save for the tweaked controls on prime, the Transfer 2’s appears haven’t modified a lot. It’s nonetheless the identical form. And it’s nonetheless pretty tall (9.53 inches) and weighty (6.61 kilos) to be thought-about very “moveable” — however at the very least you’ve bought the built-in deal with for carrying it round. As with the primary Transfer, that is actually designed to be moved round totally different spots inside and outdoors your property, not a lot to accompany you to the seashore like a conventional Bluetooth speaker.

Aside from the usual black and white choices, Sonos is providing a inexperienced shade of the Transfer 2, and I’ve actually come to benefit from the olive shade whereas reviewing it. It’s not overly daring, however it’s trendy and never boring. Within the field, you get a wi-fi charging base station, and in contrast to the primary time round, this one will be indifferent from its wall plug as an alternative of the entire thing being hardwired. As earlier than, the Transfer 2 can alternatively be charged via its USB-C port.

Round again is the ability button, Bluetooth pairing button, a bodily change for the Transfer 2’s built-in microphones, and the USB-C port. In step with the unique, the Transfer 2 helps computerized Trueplay, which makes use of the microphones to investigate the speaker’s environment and optimize the sound everytime you transfer it to a brand new spot. Arms-free voice controls are attainable with each Sonos Voice Management and Amazon Alexa. There are two methods to disable the mics: you’ll be able to faucet a speech bubble button on prime of the speaker to deactivate voice assistants whereas conserving options like auto Trueplay enabled. If you wish to shut off the microphones altogether, that’s what the rear change is for.

However Google Assistant stays absent after first being dropped from the Period lineup. With JBL now providing a speaker that concurrently runs Alexa and Assistant, I’m actually hoping that Sonos and Google can put their authorized quarrels apart and determine a technique to convey Assistant again into the fold. For a sure set of consumers, its absence makes the Transfer 2 a nonstarter. 

One other facet of the Transfer 2 that disappoints me (albeit to a lesser diploma) is that it will possibly’t function a speakerphone for calls. If the factor works with Bluetooth and has mics that I’m already chatting with on a semi-regular foundation, why not go the remainder of the best way, Sonos? Many lower-priced Bluetooth audio system and even Apple’s Bluetooth-less HomePods embody this characteristic, so it’s irritating to see Sonos omit it but once more.

However there are a number of methods through which the corporate has favorably expanded the Transfer 2’s capabilities. Just like the Eras, it helps line-in (if you buy Sonos’ $19 USB-C adapter) so you’ll be able to plug any audio supply, resembling a turntable, into the speaker and play that content material throughout the remainder of your Sonos system. Something you’re listening to over Bluetooth can be synchronized throughout your grouped audio system, which is a comfort that the first-generation Transfer lacked. Sonos continues to help Apple’s AirPlay 2, and you may immediately management its audio system with music providers together with Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, and plenty of extra. 

One other new trick is that the rear USB-C port can be utilized for charging exterior gadgets. It provides 7.5 watts of energy, which isn’t significantly quick, however it’s a very good fallback in case your telephone battery is operating low whenever you’re taking part in tunes on the park or seashore far faraway from any outlet.

Battery life on the Transfer 2 has greater than doubled, with Sonos saying it will possibly attain as much as 24 hours of steady playback. That huge leap will be attributed to 2 issues: there’s a bigger 44Wh battery inside, and the corporate additionally made power-saving optimizations below the hood. The larger battery is backward-compatible with the unique Transfer, however dropping it into that speaker received’t magically get you 24 hours of listening time for the reason that first-gen Transfer lacks a few of the newer effectivity tweaks.

“Putting a Transfer 2 battery in an unique Transfer will improve the Transfer’s battery life by about 25 p.c, yielding round 13.5 hours of battery life,” Sonos spokesperson Olivia Singer informed me by e-mail. “Transfer 2 has a way more environment friendly system which contributes to the extra playback enhancements.” Both means, I very a lot admire that the battery is definitely replaceable to start with; this ensures a protracted lifespan for the Transfer 2 in comparison with many client audio system the place the battery will progressively maintain much less of a cost over time. 

I’ve stated quite a lot of occasions that the unique Transfer grew to become my favourite total Sonos product due to its portability and potent sound. The Transfer 2’s improve to stereo isn’t a monumental change — a single-unit speaker is restricted in how a lot separation it will possibly produce — however you’ll be able to clearly hear the distinction. When taking part in a check file, I might simply distinguish the left and proper tweeters inside the Transfer 2. The principle good thing about this stereo association is that you just received’t want to fret about particulars of a track being misplaced within the background as can occur when all the pieces is downmixed to mono.

The general sound signature is devoted to the unique Transfer, that means the Transfer 2 nonetheless tends to underemphasize treble; I’m additionally at the moment testing the brand new equally formed Final Ears Epicboom, and the UE speaker places an even bigger concentrate on these crisp higher frequencies whereas Sonos takes a extra even-handed strategy. In order for you extra excessive finish, that’s straightforward to perform utilizing EQ sliders within the Sonos app. Bass response was greater than ample for my wants, however I can see some folks wanting extra oomph from the Transfer 2 when actually cranking the quantity. 

Amongst Sonos’ different audio system, I’d rank the Transfer 2 under the flagship Sonos 5 and the Atmos-oriented Period 300. You’re mainly getting a wi-fi Period 100 that may be taken anyplace, and that’s an attractive thought. Like every of the corporate’s audio system, you’ll be able to stereo-pair two Transfer 2s if you would like that wider, extra immersive presentation {that a} single unit can’t fairly pull off by itself. However as it is a gadget meant to be moved round, a stereo pair won’t be as sensible right here as with Sonos’ different audio system.

On that time, the Transfer 2 is on no account as “moveable” or straightforward to pack with baggage as a Roam, however it’s no hassle to hold round the home, convey out to the yard, or throw into the trunk when touring. In the event you plan to take it on the highway continuously, Sonos sells an especially overpriced $79 carrying case. The unique Transfer got here with a material carrying bag, however that’s gone this time, and Sonos informed me it was solely ever supposed to maintain the speaker protected throughout transit and delivery. 

In the event you already personal the unique speaker, you’re little doubt questioning whether or not this one is price an improve. Usually, assuming you’re happy with what the Transfer has supplied up to now, I’d say the reply is not any. The unique stays a wonderful product — particularly should you purchased it on sale. However should you continuously end up exhausting the Transfer’s battery or have already got a use in thoughts for the Transfer 2’s line-in characteristic, then stepping as much as the brand new one begins to make extra sense. The stereo sound will probably be extra satisfying and more true to your favourite music, however that alone isn’t sufficient to fork over $450. 

As an entire package deal, the Transfer 2 is a slam-dunk sequel that can solely get higher whenever you consider Sonos’ long-term software program help. The corporate wanted to attract on classes discovered from different merchandise to get right here, however anybody who liked the primary Transfer will discover even better worth in its successor. Hopefully Google Assistant will finally make a comeback. However even when not, the Transfer 2 presents loads of options and adequate sound to make it a singular standout in Sonos’ {hardware} lineup. 

Pictures by Chris Welch / The Verge