Sonos followers have been ready ages for a house theater subwoofer that’s cheaper than the $749 Sub, and now it’s right here. After design leaks and a delayed launch, Sonos at this time is formally introducing the Sub Mini. It’s priced at $429, which is actually decrease than I used to be anticipating; I figured this factor wouldn’t go for lower than $499, however I’m glad to be flawed. The Sub Mini is offered for preorder at this time and might be launched on October sixth. It is available in both black or white, each that includes a matte end.
Simply how “mini” is the Sub Mini? It weighs 14 kilos, lower than half of the 36.3-pound Sub. It stands 12 inches tall in comparison with the Sub’s 15.3 inches, and the cylindrical design has a 9.1-inch diameter. These measurement and heft variations imply that Sonos’ two subwoofers now have their very own beneficial use circumstances.
Sonos says the Sub Mini is designed for use in small- to medium-sized rooms; the common Sub remains to be greatest geared up for greater areas. The corporate envisions the Sub Mini being paired with the Beam or Ray for dwelling theater audio. If you happen to’re shopping for it for music, the Sub Mini goes properly with a single or stereo Sonos One audio system or Ikea’s Symfonisk merchandise. “Sub Mini can also be beneficial for smaller bookshelf audio system powered by Amp,” Sonos says in its web site FAQ.
Picture: Sonos
However these searching for the perfect audio expertise ought to nonetheless go for the prevailing Sub. If you happen to personal the flagship Arc soundbar or one (or two) Sonos Fives, that’s the way in which to go. The identical will probably be true of the corporate’s deliberate 5 successor.
There’s nothing stopping you from utilizing the Sub Mini with another Sonos product — even the short-lived Playbase is supported — however the line of separation is obvious. If you happen to personal a top-end Sonos speaker, the Sub is for you. If you happen to’re making an attempt to save cash or your system is in a smaller area, the Sub Mini may very well be the extra sensible resolution.
Each the Sub and Sub Mini share comparable design traits. The Sub Mini has twin force-canceling 6-inch woofers that produce “surprisingly deep, dynamic low finish whereas minimizing buzz, rattle, or distortion so you’re feeling extra immersed in each scene and tune,” in accordance with Sonos. The cutout within the middle maximizes airflow to enhance bass response.
Every of Sonos’ subwoofers can attain as little as 25Hz, however loudness is absolutely what separates them. Product supervisor Scott Fink advised me that the Sub can ship output that’s three to 4 instances as loud because the Sub Mini. However there are different variations. You’ll be able to embrace a number of Subs in a house theater setup for the final word bass expertise, however that’s not doable with the Sub Mini. It’s only one per soundbar.
Picture: Sonos
Like with the usual Sub, Sonos creates a devoted 5GHz wi-fi connection between the soundbar and subwoofer to stop dropouts and different audio frustrations. You’ll be able to modify bass degree within the Sonos app, and much like the corporate’s different current audio system, including the Sub Mini to your system ought to require only a fast faucet of your cellphone on the high of the product.
Like another dwelling theater setup, including a Sub to your Sonos system can actually take it to the subsequent degree. Doing so lets the subwoofer deal with the lows whereas permitting your soundbar or audio system to focus rather more on treble and mids as a substitute of getting to juggle the complete frequency vary. Hopefully the identical will show true with the Sub Mini — solely on a smaller scale. Keep tuned for our full assessment coming quickly.
With its dwelling theater portfolio now rounded out, Sonos will quickly flip its consideration to different merchandise. Final month, I detailed the corporate’s subsequent flagship desk speaker, codenamed Optimo 2, that’s set to reach within the coming months.
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