Sonos’ soundbars have at all times provided an awesome frequency response, with good readability within the high-end and stable bass extension — particularly for the costlier Sonos Arc. However typically that good bass extension may simply…be a bit of higher. A subwoofer may give you that rumbling low-end and chest-thumping bass that you’d solely in any other case get on the cinema.
Just one drawback. Thus far, you’ve needed to pay a hefty $749 for the Sonos Sub — and greater than two of its three soundbars. That may be a bitter capsule to swallow. Now, nevertheless, the corporate is lastly altering that, with the brand new $429 Sonos Sub Mini. Certain, it’s nonetheless not low-cost, however at greater than $300 lower than the bigger mannequin, it makes a compelling case for itself.
The Sub Mini is suitable with all of Sonos soundbars too — although the corporate notes that it’s not as efficient when paired with the already bass-capable Sonos Arc. Is the Sonos Sub Mini price shopping for?
Sonos Sub Mini
Ranking: 4 Stars
The Sonos Sub Mini critically extends the bass response of Sonos soundbars with out breaking the financial institution.
BGR might obtain a fee
BGR might obtain a fee
Execs
- Stable design
- Nice bass response
- Compact
- Simple to make use of
Sonos Sub Mini design and setup
The Sonos Sub Mini, because the identify suggests, is compact and suits proper in Sonos’ ecosystem of merchandise, by way of design. It is available in the identical matte black or white as its different merchandise, and is sufficiently small to be simply positioned in a nook, so it’s not seen on a regular basis.
The Sub Mini measures in at 12 inches tall and 9.1 inches in diameter, and I used to be simply capable of conceal it in a nook subsequent to the sofa. It has a slot within the center, the place two customized subwoofers face one another, and it connects wirelessly to your system, so that you don’t have to fret about putting it close to your soundbar.
After all, a subwoofer is proscribed in measurement by physics. It nonetheless needs to be large enough to ship sufficient bass response, and the results of the Sub Mini being smaller than the bigger Sub does have an effect on sound — however we’ll get into that a bit of later.
Organising the Sonos Sub Mini was quite simple. You’ll begin by merely plugging it in and opening up the Sonos app. Then, the app ought to immediate you to start out the setup course of. Observe the on-screen directions, and you have to be good to go. Alongside the way in which, you’ll be prompted to hyperlink it together with your soundbar. I initially examined it with a Sonos Beam, after which linked it to my Sonos Arc, which is the soundbar I exploit more often than not.
Sonos Sub Mini app and options
As you’d count on from Sonos, the Sub Mini is full of good options and touches that make it sound higher, and simpler to make use of.
As soon as the Sub Mini is linked to the app, there are a selection of options that you should use. A few of them are apparent — like the truth that you possibly can management the quantity on the Sub Mini. I turned it down a bit of from its default degree.
Like Sonos’ different audio system, the Sub Mini additionally helps the much-loved TruePlay characteristic that leverages your telephone’s microphone to tune your setup to your room. Sadly, this characteristic continues to be restricted to iOS, so that you received’t have the ability to use it from Android. Typically, it’s a characteristic I actually like.
The Sub Mini additionally works with the soundbar’s Night time Mode to restrict rumble. That’s a characteristic that your neighbors will admire.
Sonos Sub Mini sound
When you may purchase a Sonos soundbar for its good options or compatibility, mixed with its nice sound, the one cause to purchase the Sub Mini is to reinforce the audio high quality. Fortunately, it completely does so.
The Sub Mini, to be clear, is constructed for smaller and mid-sized dwelling rooms, which is ideal for my apartment. The truth is, as talked about, it was highly effective sufficient to the place I needed to flip the quantity down from its default — only for the sake of my neighbors.
When utilizing the Sub Mini with a Beam, I discovered that it significantly enhanced the listening expertise, critically enhancing on bass extension and serving to make the Beam sound rather more like a costlier system. The Beam’s bass response is already not unhealthy for a soundbar in its value vary, however certainly, the Sub Mini is an ideal companion for it.
Even when utilizing the Sub Mini with the Arc, nevertheless, I noticed a stable enchancment. Sonos markets the system as primarily a companion for the Beam and Ray, however Arc customers who need a bit of further bass however don’t wish to purchase the Sub ought to critically think about the Sub Mini.
Typically, the Sub Mini ensured that issues like explosions, bass strains, and different deep sounds have been a lot fuller than with a soundbar alone. It positively doesn’t get as deep or highly effective because the bigger Sub, however for the value, it sounds wonderful.
Conclusions
The Sonos Sub Mini isn’t as huge or spectacular as the usual Sonos Sub, however when paired with the suitable soundbar it nonetheless critically extends bass response with out breaking the financial institution. When paired with the Beam or Ray, it provides spectacular oomph, nevertheless I even discover it useful when paired with the Arc. Should you’re in search of some further bass response and don’t wish to spend the money on the Sonos Sub, the Sub Mini is totally the way in which to go.
The competitors
Should you’re in Sonos’ ecosystem there’s no competitors at this value level. Should you’re deciding between this or the Sonos Sub, your determination ought to come right down to how huge your lounge is. For small or medium measurement dwelling rooms, the Sub Mini will simply do the job, however in case you have a bigger lounge the usual Sonos Sub might be your finest guess.
Ought to I purchase the Sonos Sub Mini?
Sure, particularly in case you have a Sonos Beam or Sonos Ray.
Sonos Sub Mini
Ranking: 4 Stars
The Sonos Sub Mini critically extends the bass response of Sonos soundbars with out breaking the financial institution.
BGR might obtain a fee
BGR might obtain a fee
Execs
- Stable design
- Nice bass response
- Compact
- Simple to make use of
