Speakers

Sonos Play Evaluation: Merging Efficiency and Ease

Sonos Play Evaluation: Merging Efficiency and Ease

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It’s more streamlined and mobile than the bulky Move, yet sufficiently large to provide a fuller sound in comparison to the compact Roam. It can stay put on its charging stand like the home-focused Sonos Era 100, or follow you wherever you go. Fundamentally, it represents Sonos’ versatility, and now that it’s operating smoothly, it’s hard to resist.

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The unboxing of the Play’s brown cardboard box exudes a blend of Scandinavian elegance and sustainability, mirroring recent items like the Arc Ultra soundbar. Inside, a white cloth reveals a sturdy, cylindrical speaker with a rubber loop, measuring 7.6 x 4.4 x 3 inches and weighing just under 3 pounds. It comes with simple setup instructions and a wireless charging dock, but no wall adapter. You will need an adapter that supplies at least 9 volts and 2 amps (18 watts), but a 15-volt, 3-amp (45-watt) one is optimal for “best” charging. Sonos states that omitting the adapter is to help minimize e-waste, though they’ll offer one for $29.

Other than this, the Sonos app is all that’s needed for setup. Following a mandatory firmware upgrade, my Play was connected to my home network in minutes. Sonos directly supports over 100 streaming services, and you can also stream through third-party platforms like Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Apple AirPlay, and others. The speaker appears as a separate “Room” on the app’s main page, allowing you to swipe to pair it with other Sonos devices on your network, or access settings to modify features like EQ, Room name (crucial if you own more than one Play), and Sonos Trueplay for audio tuning to your surroundings.

A Battery Saver feature is available by default, powering down after being idle for too long. This feature, according to Sonos, caused the connection issues I faced while confirming the speaker’s 24-hour battery life claim. Sonos has pinpointed the main issue, and after the firmware update, I’ve let the speaker power down multiple times without experiencing any subsequent network problems during a week of further testing.

Start Your Surround Sound Journey with $50 Discount on This Klipsch Soundbar

Start Your Surround Sound Journey with $50 Discount on This Klipsch Soundbar

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If you’re tired of the audio from your TV speakers yet don’t want a complete subwoofer arrangement, there’s a solid choice available. The Klipsch Flexus Core 200 is currently discounted by $50 on Amazon, making it a fantastic entry point if you’re seeking a soundbar with options for future enhancements.

Although it has fewer channels compared to some leading choices and lacks side-firing drivers for surround sound, it still produces remarkable audio. With a width of 44 inches and 2.25-inch drivers, it provides clarity and nuanced sound, particularly with its strong bass. Our reviewer, Ryan Waniata, commended its sound quality.

The soundbar comes with built-in controls for essential features like adjusting the volume, but you can also utilize a mobile app for more precise adjustments. In addition to standard functions, it boasts a three-band equalizer and advanced settings for additional speakers. With eARC for TV connectivity, you may find you don’t need the remote or app frequently.

A key aspect of the Klipsch Flexus Core 200 is its ability to expand. The Klipsch Flexus Surr 100 bookshelf speakers and Klipsch Flexus Sub 100 connect wirelessly to the Core 200, providing versatility in speaker arrangement. If you prefer a specific subwoofer, there’s an RCA jack to link it, adding to the variety in this price category.

If you’re poised to enhance your sound system for movie evenings, you can claim a $50 discount on the Flexus Core 200. Alternatively, browse through our best soundbars guide for additional choices.