Sonos, renowned for its compact speakers, has just unveiled the Move 2, the successor to its best-selling Move speaker. With promises of spacious stereo sound and an impressive battery life of up to 24 hours, this speaker is designed to be the life of the party. While it's tempting to embrace these claims wholeheartedly, let's dive into the details, particularly the battery life, with a touch of skepticism.
Spacious Stereo Sound and Durability
The Sonos Move 2 boasts several enhancements, both in terms of hardware and software, making it a compelling upgrade. One of the key features is its next-gen acoustics, which promise wide stereo sound and deep bass, regardless of where you're enjoying your music.
The addition of dual-tweeters aims to deliver spacious stereo sound with crisp vocals, aiming to replicate the emotional intensity of a live performance. Meanwhile, a precision-tuned woofer promises dynamic bass, even when you're taking the party outdoors.
Connectivity: Bluetooth and WiFi
The Move 2 offers a significant advantage with its dual Bluetooth and WiFi capabilities. This flexibility allows you to stream audio via Bluetooth when connected to a stereo pair of Move 2 speakers on WiFi. Moreover, you can seamlessly integrate the Move 2 with the rest of your Sonos system via WiFi, elevating your party to the next level.
Extended Battery Life: A Cause for Doubt?
One of the most eye-catching claims for the Move 2 is its purported battery life of up to 24 hours. While this sounds incredibly appealing for extended outdoor gatherings or road trips, it's essential to approach this claim with a degree of skepticism.
Battery life estimates often depend heavily on usage patterns, volume levels, and environmental factors. Achieving the full 24 hours of playback might not be a typical experience for all users. Real-world usage may reveal a different story. Thus, it's advisable to plan for slightly shorter battery life to avoid disappointment during your adventures.
Sustainability and Durability
Sonos emphasizes its commitment to sustainability with the Move 2. It reduces idle energy usage by over 40%, incorporates recycled plastics, and features a removable and replaceable battery to extend its product life. These eco-conscious features are certainly commendable and align with the growing demand for sustainable tech products.
Rugged Design and Versatility
Designed to endure the challenges of outdoor use, the Move 2 boasts an IP56 rating, making it resilient against accidental drops, splashes, rain, dirt, and sun exposure. Additionally, automatic Trueplay tuning ensures that the speaker continually optimizes its sound based on its surroundings, promising consistent audio quality no matter where you take it.
Design and Controls
Sonos has paid attention to aesthetics with the Move 2, offering an Olive colorway to blend seamlessly with indoor and outdoor environments, along with Black and White options to match other Sonos products. The user interface includes a capacitive volume slider for straightforward control, and you can utilize Sonos Voice Control, Amazon Alexa, the Sonos app, Apple AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth for added convenience.
Connectivity Options
The Move 2 aims to provide access to all your favorite audio content. You can stream via WiFi or Bluetooth, and if you're looking to expand your listening horizons, the Sonos Line-In Adapter enables connections to turntables, computers, and various audio sources.
In conclusion, the Sonos Move 2 brings several promising features to the table, most notably its extended battery life and dual connectivity options. However, it's wise to approach the 24-hour battery life claim with a dose of skepticism, as real-world usage may vary. As with any tech product, the true test of its capabilities will come from hands-on experience. Nevertheless, the Move 2's focus on sustainability, durability, and versatile design make it a compelling option for those seeking a portable speaker for various outdoor and indoor scenarios.
