KUALA LUMPUR, 10 March 2021:
Launching its lightest portable speaker yet, Sonos also partially addressed one key peeve of many by incorporating its automatic Trueplay – which compensates for the environment for better audio – its latest Sonos Roam device and also upgraded the software to further improve the same speaker tuning capability on both WiFi and Bluetooth on its heftier cousin, the Sonos Move.
With Trueplay now handled automatically within these two portable speakers, Android device users no longer need to tune their speaker equalisers with iOS appliances. However, the same doesn’t apply yet for other devices within the Sonos range.
Speaking at a virtual launch briefing today, TC Acoustic chief executive officer Christian Honegge also highlighted the waterproofing capability of the new Sonos Roam – which can safely be submerged in 1m-deep water for up to 30 minutes, though this portable speaker isn’t exactly designed for such usage.
He explained the IP67 rating for water and dust resistance is meant to ensure the Roam device can be used with too much concern in outdoor environments.
“My young daughter took into the shower during the weekend. I wouldn’t recommend it, but you know how children can be. Luckily the Sonos Roam can handle such treatment,” he laughed.
Weighing just 430g and with a built-in rechargeable battery that offers 10 hours of music playback, the Sonos Roam also automatically goes into sleep mode when not in use and last up to 10 days.
Charging is via USB-C cable (provided) or using standard Qi wireless chargers, Sonos is also launching its own magnetic snap-on charging base.
While the Sonos Roam can only connect to a single device via Bluetooth 5.0, it can be paired with another using WiFi to offer stereo and another nifty trick is that the device can seamlessly switch between WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity and connected devices without the user having to do so.
There’s also an all-new Sonos Swap feature, which lets owners hand off whatever music the Roam is playing to the nearest Sonos speaker by long-pressing the play/pause button.
Though it’s fitted with built-in microphones for Google Assistant or Alexa voice controls, Honegge said this device isn’t designed to be used for Zoom calls or virtual meetings.
Priced at RM1,099 (higher than the overseas retail price of US$169, due to Malaysian taxes), the Sonos Roam will be available at Harvey Norman & Lazada from April 21 onwards.