Sonos Transfer 2 Evaluation – A Nice Level Of Entry

The Sonos Transfer 2 is the US audio producer’s fourth transportable speaker, following the Roam SL from 2022, the unique Roam from 2021, and the primary Transfer from 2019. However whereas Sonos would possibly name the Transfer 2 a ‘transportable’ speaker, we couldn’t assist however query that.

Not due to shoddy battery life or a reliance on web connectivity. The latter was by no means an issue for the unique Transfer, being the primary Sonos speaker to help music playback through Bluetooth. That’s been improved with the Transfer 2 and as for battery life, Sonos has greater than doubled it.

What Sonos hasn’t modified from the unique Transfer is its cumbersome design and appreciable heft. It nonetheless isn’t going to slot in your pocket or most backpacks. Even for those who purchased the specially-made carry pouch (offered individually), we wouldn’t advocate taking it on a hike or any stroll additional than to your yard except there’s additionally a 15kg tub of whey protein dwelling in your cabinet.

Then there’s the worth. At R11,500, the primary Transfer wasn’t low-cost. The Transfer 2 is even pricier at R13,000, the identical as Sonos’ newest (and arguably greatest) speaker – the Period 300.

Nicely, you’re in all probability pondering, is the Transfer 2 even price shopping for? Surprisingly, sure.

Sporting its Sunday greatest

Sonos undoubtedly makes you are feeling such as you’re getting your cash’s price. The unboxing expertise doesn’t disappoint, nor does the Transfer 2’s construct high quality. Sonos has taken the ‘if it ain’t broke’ method to the Transfer 2’s design. At 241 x 160 x 127 mm, there’s little to inform the Transfer 2 aside from the Transfer – apart from the ‘2’ on the field, the brand new olive inexperienced colourway, and the redesigned contact controls on high.

We will’t say we’re too upset about that. The unique Transfer appeared fairly sensible and also you get extra of the identical with the Transfer 2. If we needed to search for one thing to complain about, the rubberised base can really feel a bit sticky and tends to carry on to mud or pet hair. However that’s simply remedied with a moist fabric or a fast rinse beneath the faucet as a result of the Transfer 2 carries an IP56 score. No want to fret about your outside social gathering being rained out, the Transfer 2 ought to survive. Your friends would possibly really feel much less enamoured.

Again to these dimensions, a fast look at a measuring tape will inform you the Transfer 2 fares on the bigger facet of transportable audio system. Sonos’ different transportable speaker, the Roam, will match between your towels in your seaside bag however the Transfer 2 is way greater and weighs 3kg. That would make issues troublesome.

To Sonos’ credit score, the Transfer 2 weighs the identical because the OG Transfer but has greater than double the battery life. It’ll handle 24 hours of steady playback between expenses. That’s no small feat. Once you do want a cost, merely plonk the Transfer 2 down on the included wi-fi charging base. We appreciated the two-metre cable and the way straightforward the method is.

Just like the Period 300, the Transfer 2 additionally contains a rear USB-C port however you’ll want to purchase Sonos’ proprietary Line-In adapter to go any additional. In contrast to the Period 300, you possibly can nonetheless get some use out of the port with out the adapter. It permits for reverse charging appropriate gadgets, like smartphones. You’ll solely get 7.5W out of it however it’s higher than a lifeless telephone.

Good sound doesn’t have to remain at house

Together with the battery life, audio efficiency has additionally improved. The Transfer 2 can now handle stereo sound because of an additional tweeter. There are two in complete, tuned as devoted left and proper channels for a little bit of stereo separation, with a mid-woofer for, effectively… mid- to lower-end frequencies. Having mentioned that, you continue to can’t count on the identical stage of stereo separation you’d get from separate left and proper models, however it’s undoubtedly higher than the primary Transfer’s mono output.

The Transfer 2 doesn’t solely trump the Transfer in stereo separation, it additionally offers a extra refined sound. You continue to get the signature Sonos sound with punchy presence within the lower-mid and mid-range frequencies and because of that second tweeter, vocals profit from a bit of additional character. Most folk can be pleased with what they paid for.

Being a Sonos product, if you wish to make adjustments to the Transfer 2’s sound you possibly can by the Sonos app and its comparatively restricted EQ. It solely permits for small tweaks to ‘Treble’ and ‘Bass’, that means you received’t stray too removed from the unique Sonos sound.

Once you and your Transfer 2 enterprise outdoors, the app’s ‘loudness’ toggle will present a bit additional oompf on the expense of cohesion, though we doubt too many partygoers will discover or care. They’ll be too busy marvelling at the way it isn’t greater for the sound it’s producing.

The grasp of multiroom audio

That’s not all of the Sonos app is nice for. When you’ve ever had the pleasure of utilizing it, you’ll know what we imply. It’s one of the streamlined and painless setup processes we’ve skilled, whether or not you’re working with a single gadget or including a brand new one to your present setup.

It gives a good vary of radio stations and different music sources to stream freely and a straightforward method to signal into the companies you already use – Spotify, Apple Music, and so forth. When you’re a Spotify podcast listener, it’d take a bit longer to determine you possibly can solely begin them from the Spotify app when you’ve opened the Sonos app however that’s greater than seemingly Spotify’s fault.

Like different voice-enabled Sonos gadgets, hands-free voice management is feasible through Sonos’ personal voice assistant or Amazon’s Alexa. Nonetheless no Google Assistant, nonetheless. And there’s at all times the trusty Bluetooth connection to fall again on for those who’re out of Wi-Fi vary. Sadly, Sonos has not but deemed it crucial to incorporate help for hi-res audio codecs like LDAC or aptX HD.

You’ll additionally want the app if you wish to make use of Sonos’ TruPlay characteristic which may be began manually or, if the built-in microphones are left enabled, triggered mechanically each time you progress the Transfer 2 round. It can measure and optimise the speaker’s sound output primarily based on its new surroundings.

Sonos Transfer 2 verdict

Sonos has put the Transfer 2 in an fascinating place. The unique Transfer was a reasonably succesful speaker when it launched and the corporate has finished a fantastic job bettering issues throughout the board with the Transfer 2. However are these enhancements price the additional money?

When you purchased the OG Transfer and also you’re nonetheless pleased with it, save your cash. The added stereo sound and line-in capabilities aren’t actually price an improve on their very own however for those who consistently discover your Transfer operating out of battery, the Transfer 2 could be price a re-examination.

It is also place to begin your Sonos journey for those who’re nonetheless new to the model and wish to get essentially the most out of your buy. What higher manner to try this than to take it with you wherever you go? Positive it may well’t match the audio high quality and spatial audio smarts of the Period 300, however that one’s much more trouble to cart round. When you’ve already grown some roots or don’t really feel the necessity to rating each second of your life, you’ll in all probability be higher off with the Period 300.