Sonos Sub Mini review: The low-end lastly prices much less
MSRP $429.00
“Clear, highly effective, and versatile low-end bass is now inside attain for extra Sonos patrons with the arrival of the Sub Mini.”
Professionals
- Elegant design
- Tremendous-simple setup
- Extremely versatile
- Satisfying low-end bass
Cons
- Nonetheless comparatively costly
- Will not rock your couch
Sonos lastly has a subwoofer that doesn’t price as a lot as its flagship soundbar, and the world is a greater place due to it. Properly, a greater place for Sonos followers not less than, who now have the choice of shopping for the $429 Sonos Sub Mini, a wi-fi subwoofer that may be paired with virtually any Sonos speaker or part.
Frankly, it shouldn’t have taken Sonos a decade (the first-gen Sonos Sub debuted in 2012) to take this step. However now that it’s right here, the Sub Mini will get a variety of factors only for present.
A smaller sub
Simon Cohen / Digital Tendencies
Design-wise, that is precisely what I’ve come to anticipate from Sonos. It’s easy and chic and accessible in your selection of matte black or matte white, identical to the remainder of the corporate’s newest wi-fi audio system and soundbars — however very totally different from the gloss-white or piano-black end on the Sonos Sub.
No, this sub doesn’t search the highlight like its bigger sibling. Its cylindrical form is brief sufficient and slender sufficient to mix into any room. Through the use of the identical twin, horizontally opposed driver design because the Sonos Sub, the Mini’s physique reveals little or no in the way in which of vibrations, even when pumping out copious quantities of low-end frequencies. So sure, go forward and put a vase or another decor merchandise on high — the peerlessly flat floor virtually begs for use as a stand.
Simon Cohen / Digital Tendencies
The central slot offers the Mini some nice visible curiosity, must you need to name consideration to the speaker, however it can work simply as effectively no matter which means you orient it. So should you suppose the slot would possibly show too nice of a temptation for the small arms in your family, be happy to make it rather less accessible (although attempt to keep away from sticking the Mini deep in a nook as this would possibly have an effect on the sound).
The low-end produced by this compact speaker continues to be loads highly effective.
The Mini’s measurement is also the important thing to its best power (apart from worth): It’s extremely versatile. There’s versatility of placement, to make certain, but additionally versatility of sound. The unique Sub is a truck — a heavy and high-powered speaker able to powering bigger dwelling theater setups centered across the Sonos Arc or the older Playbar. The Mini is extra like a hatchback — the proper complement to quite a lot of setups together with smaller soundbars just like the Beam and the Ray, but additionally the rising variety of smaller audio system just like the One, One SL, and the Ikea-branded Symfonisk Bookshelf, Desk Lamp, and Image Body audio system.
Sonos Sub Mini (left) and Sonos One. Simon Cohen / Digital Tendencies
You probably have a number of rooms with Sonos audio system, you’ll be able to even transfer the Mini from room to room effortlessly. Simply go into the Sonos app, decide your room, and select the Join Sub possibility. Inside a minute or two, you’re good to go. The one catch? It could actually’t be paired with both of Sonos’ transportable audio system, the Transfer or the Roam.
Stirred, not shaken
So how does it sound? Fairly implausible, contemplating its measurement.
Be mindful, it’s not going to rattle your home windows or shake your couch, however the low-end produced by this compact speaker continues to be loads highly effective. In a small-to-medium-sized room, it can provide your favourite Hollywood blockbusters the form of visceral punch they’ve been lacking should you’ve been counting on only a Sonos soundbar.
Simon Cohen / Digital Tendencies
Tron: Legacy may not have received many accolades for its storyline, however the soundtrack is an absolute bass-fest, full of fixed low-frequency sound results and music. And not using a subwoofer, even the Sonos Arc fails to provide the full expertise, however add the Sub Mini and also you’re instantly proper there within the midst of the film’s mild cycles and disc tournaments.
Motion films and exhibits at all times do higher with extra low-end, however even much less dynamic fare — exhibits corresponding to Higher Name Saul or Fargo — can profit from the grounding a sub just like the Mini can present.
I’ve at all times been mightily impressed with how a lot bass the tiny Sonos Play:1/One/One SL can produce, and by no means actually felt the necessity for a subwoofer whereas listening to them. However drop the Sub Mini in, whether or not you’ve bought a single speaker in mono mode or a stereo pair, and you’ll discover the additional presence it offers your tunes, whether or not your tastes veer towards classical or hip-hop.
Flip it on, tune it in
However right here’s a professional tip: Regardless that Sonos makes it laughably straightforward so as to add the Sub Mini to your system, you’ll need to make some changes to ensure you’re getting probably the most from this speaker. Subwoofers are implausible add-ons, however they will additionally create some disagreeable sounds in the event that they’re not managed effectively.
For many Sonos homeowners, the Sub Mini goes to be the arms down best option.
First up, after you add the Sub Mini to a room, make sure you use the Sonos Trueplay characteristic. It routinely balances the Mini and your present audio system on your room’s acoustics. Which will sound like a “effectively, no matter” assertion, however belief me, it can sound means higher when you do it. Sadly, Trueplay continues to be an iPhone-only characteristic. So should you’re an Android consumer, you’ll be able to both borrow an iPhone from a pal (Trueplay settings keep together with your system as soon as they’re utilized) otherwise you’ll have to play with each the place of the Sub Mini and the section controls within the Sonos app to discover a sound you want.
Second, you’ll need to reap the benefits of the separate EQ and subwoofer degree changes. Consider it this fashion: the subwoofer degree controls how a lot of that low-end sound you need to hear. Protecting it set to the midpoint means it acts as an accent, giving your audio an additional layer of depth. Push it greater and you’ll begin to really feel that further bass each in your ears and presumably your chest too.
The EQ, alternatively, helps you to determine on the general tonal stability of the entire speaker setup, with an emphasis on kind of bass and treble.
Sonos’ recommendation, which I believe makes a variety of sense, is to first alter the sub degree, after which the EQ.
Price it for some
Chances are you’ll be questioning if the Sub Mini is price its $429 worth. It — look forward to it — relies upon. Sorry, I do know that’s in all probability not what you’re in search of. However right here’s the fact. For those who already personal Sonos audio system and particularly should you personal one of many firm’s soundbars, you solely have two choices if you wish to add a subwoofer (the $749 Sub or the $429 Sub Mini). For many Sonos homeowners, the Sub Mini goes to be the arms down best option and completely price the additional funding, until you occur to have a very large house to fill.
This brings us to a small, however annoying draw back to the Mini. Not like the full-size Sub, you’ll be able to’t run two Minis in a single room. For most folk, that is irrelevant, however there are good explanation why you would possibly need to run two subwoofers, which I received’t get into right here. However I digress …
You purchase Sonos for the entire bundle. That bundle now has further low-end punch for lots lower than it used to price.
Then again, should you aren’t but steeped within the Sonos ecosystem, let’s take a look at some numbers. The least costly, sub-equipped Sonos dwelling theater system is the Ray/Sub Mini combo ($279 plus $429 for a complete of $708), and it could’t do Dolby Atmos even should you add encompass audio system. To get into Atmos territory, you’re wanting on the Gen 2 Beam/Sub Mini for $878, however take note, it’s a weak type of Atmos when in comparison with soundbars which have devoted up-firing peak drivers, one thing the Beam doesn’t possess.
And truthfully, for about the identical worth, you may get a Dolby Atmos-capable system from Vizio just like the Elevate or M-Collection Elevate, that can blow the doorways off both of those Sonos techniques if it’s purely film magic you’re in search of.
In different phrases, simply because Sonos now has the extra inexpensive Sub Mini, it doesn’t imply {that a} Sonos dwelling theater system is now a more sensible choice — it simply means it’s a extra inexpensive selection than it was once.
However Sonos has by no means been a system you purchase as a result of it’s going to compete purely on sound for the cash. With its elegant and easy, but very highly effective software program, its painless setup, its unbelievable versatility for every kind of audio listening, and its practically infinitely expandable structure, you purchase Sonos for the entire bundle. And that bundle now has a good way so as to add further low-end punch to any room in the home, for lots lower than it used to price. Lastly.
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