Sonos Transfer 2 launch date, worth, options and specs

It would not really feel like all that way back we have been writing concerning the Sonos Era 100 and Period 300 audio system, which have been the newest units to affix the Sonos portfolio. Till now not less than. Sonos has introduced a second era of the Sonos Transfer moveable Bluetooth speaker within the Transfer 2, however what does it provide and the way does it change in comparison with the unique?

We have lined off how the Move 2 is different to the Move in a separate characteristic, and how the Move 2 is different to the Era 300 elsewhere, however right here we’re specializing in every part you’ll want to know concerning the Transfer 2 speaker. When will it launch, how a lot will it price and what options does it provide?

Sonos Transfer Gen 2 launch date and worth

The original Sonos Move arrived a number of years in the past now – three to be exact, gracing us with its presence in September 2019. It was the corporate’s first moveable speaker, and the primary providing Bluetooth too, so it was a reasonably large deal on the time for Sonos followers. The Sonos Roam adopted in April 2021 as a way more moveable providing, although the Sonos Transfer remained a compelling possibility with excellent sound efficiency. It would not even really feel dated – not by any stretch of the creativeness the truth is – although Sonos clearly determined it wanted a refresh.

Sonos Transfer 2

The Sonos Transfer 2 will go on sale on 20 September and it’ll price $449 within the US and £449 within the UK.

The Sonos Transfer 2 – which it’s referred to as slightly than Sonos Transfer (Gen 2) – was introduced on 6 September 2023. Will probably be in the stores from 20 September 2023. With regards to worth, the present Transfer is $399 in the US and £399 in the UK however the Transfer 2 is barely dearer than its predecessor, hitting the Sonos Era 300 ballpark. It’s going to price $449 within the US, £449 within the UK and €499 in Europe when it arrives.

Sonos Transfer 2 design

The design of the Sonos Transfer 2 hasn’t modified all that a lot in comparison with its predecessor – it is extra about refinement than a redesign. That is not a nasty factor although. The Sonos Transfer 2, just like the Transfer, has a stable and durable design, with a intelligent built-in carrying deal with on the again and an IP56 rating. It is fairly heavy (3kg) so it isn’t as moveable because the a lot smaller and more versatile Roam, however it can possible proceed to be a terrific speaker to make use of within the residence after which carry exterior for a BBQ or pool get together.

It is oval in form once more, although there have been some refined adjustments which are value mentioning on the subject of the design. The Transfer 2 is 1mm taller than the Transfer (not that you’d discover), and it switches out the pairing button for a microphone on/off {hardware} swap on the again. The Wi-Fi to Bluetooth toggle has additionally modified to only Bluetooth as this transition is now extra seamless, although the facility button stays, together with USB-C and the steel charging factors on the backside of the speaker. The USB-C port can cost different units too now although, in addition to act as a line-in port, permitting you to attach different audio units to the Transfer 2, akin to a turntable or laptop.

On the highest, issues have modified a bit on the Transfer 2 in comparison with the unique Transfer as nicely. Instead of the all capacitive contact controls on the highest, there are contact controls for play/pause, skip and rewind, in addition to turning the microphones on and off, however there may be now a trough for quantity management, just like the Period 100 and Period 300 provide.

Elsewhere, the second era Transfer is available in an additional color possibility. There aren’t as many selections as Roam nonetheless, however there may be an Olive color on high of Black and White.

Sonos Transfer 2 options

Sonos

The Sonos Transfer 2 gives every part the present Sonos Transfer does as you’ll count on, although there are some new options too. The Sonos Transfer 2 gives the standard Sonos options when related to Wi-Fi, together with compatibility with over 100 music services, the power to regulate EQ settings, the power to stereo pair two Sonos Transfer 2 audio system collectively (you possibly can’t stereo pair a Transfer and Transfer 2) and many extra, like grouping audio system collectively for seamless listening in numerous rooms. We have a Sonos tips and tricks feature that dives into loads of element on every part Sonos audio system are historically able to.

The unique Sonos Transfer gives compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, although given the Period 100 and Period 300 each dropped assist for Google Assistant, it isn’t shocking to see the Sonos Transfer 2 drop assist for Google’s voice assistant too. Sonos Voice Control is on board although, together with automated Trueplay tuning once more, like the present Transfer gives. The Period 100 and Period 300 have the choice to make use of their built-in microphones as a way to adapt the sound to room slightly than requiring an iOS system (although its not as superior), although it would not seem to be that is an possibility on Transfer 2 primarily based on the press supplies.

Elsewhere on the options entrance, you possibly can’t use two Sonos Transfer 2 as surrounds to a Sonos Arc or Sonos Beam Gen 2, as you possibly can with the wired merchandise, however Bluetooth capabilities are on board as talked about, and automated switching between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth too, which ought to be nice. There’s additionally the USB-C line-in port, and the Sonos Transfer 2 is promising a considerably improved battery lifetime of 24 hours in comparison with the unique Transfer’s 11 hours.

It is value mentioning, there have been reviews to recommend the Sonos Transfer 2 will not be appropriate with the legacy Sonos S1 software program that audio system like the unique Play:5 run on. As an alternative, it is going to be a Sonos S2 speaker only, which implies it would not work with the unique Play:5 and also you would not be capable of group them collectively, for instance. This is not confirmed as but although.

Sonos Transfer audio

Sonos

With regards to acoustic structure, the Transfer 2 sees a redesign in comparison with the unique Transfer. We absolutely count on this to be a superb speaker like its predecessor is, however we’ve not heard it but so we’ll replace this characteristic when we have now. it would not have Spatial Audio support just like the Period 300 but it surely gives stereo output as a substitute of mono, due to dual-angled tweeters just like the Period 100 gives. The Transfer 2 has two woofers to deal with bass frequencies – one additional than the unique Transfer. It additionally has an additional driver with three Class-D digital amplifiers on board.

For reference, the unique Sonos Transfer has two Class-D amplifiers, a mid-woofer and a tweeter, together with customized waveguides and as we talked about, it’s excellent in its efficiency. We’re due to this fact anticipating the Sonos Transfer 2 to ship within the sound division with all of the enhancements talked about.

Sonos Transfer 2 rumours: What occurred?

That is every part we heard concerning the Sonos Transfer 2 earlier than it was introduced.

28 August 2023: Sonos Transfer 2 renders leak

Whereas getting near the September launch, MySmartPrice leaked a sequence of photos exhibiting off the design of the Transfer 2.

2 August 2023: Sonos Transfer 2 particulars revealed forward of imminent launch

The Verge published a report providing up quite a lot of particulars on the upcoming Sonos Transfer 2.

24 March 2023: Sonos Transfer 2 moveable speaker tipped for summer season launch

The Verge reported {that a} second-generation Sonos Transfer (mannequin quantity S44) is within the works and will launch in late summer season 2023.