Sonos Introduces Versatile Portable Speaker, the Play
Sonos has unveiled its latest offering in portable audio: the Play, strategically positioned between the Roam 2 and Move 2 in terms of functionality and price, aligning it with the Apple HomePod 2. Notable for its portability, the Play features a removable utility loop on the back, enhancing ease of transport.
With a robust 24 hours of battery life, the Play boasts an IP67 rating, ensuring resistance to dust and the capability to withstand submersion in water. Furthermore, it includes a built-in power bank, allowing users to recharge their smartphones while on the move, akin to the widely praised JBL Charge 6.
The speaker’s name nods to Sonos’s earlier Play series, which included models like Play:1 and Play:3, suggesting a return to form after a challenging period marked by a problematic app update and the lackluster reception of its Ace wireless headphones.
Like Sonos’s other portable options, the Play supports Bluetooth connectivity, enabling pairing with up to four Play or Move 2 speakers without requiring Wi-Fi. However, it is also equipped to function seamlessly within a home network.
Matching the rugged Move 2, the Play comes with a wireless charging base and leverages Sonos’s TruePlay technology for optimal sound calibration based on the environment. Streaming service compatibility includes popular platforms such as Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect.
In addition to the Play, Sonos has launched the Era 100 SL, a variation of the Era 100 that omits the microphone, thus eliminating voice control but maintaining a more affordable price point. The standard Era 100 has already received high praise, earning a five-star review.
All Sonos products, including the Play and Era 100 SL, have been tuned with insights from the Sonos Soundboard, which consists of experts from music and film, promising a listening experience that is true to the artist’s vision.
The Sonos Play is priced at £299, $299, or AU$499, while the Era 100 SL is available for £169, $189, or AU$289, with pre-orders now open and shipping scheduled to begin on March 31.
Source: Original Source
