Sonos in 2025: Bouncing Back? The Speakers Still Worth Your Cash
Let's be honest, it's been a tumultuous year for Sonos.
After all the self-induced drama, especially around that contentious mobile app, I wouldn't blame anyone for hesitating to drop their hard-earned cash on the company's products
Background
For a brand built on seamless multi-room audio, the widespread frustration with a buggy application was a significant blow to consumer trust, echoing concerns among tech-savvy users globally and here in Southeast Asia
But here's the thing: newly appointed CEO Tom Conrad seems genuinely determined to steer the ship back on course, aiming to revitalize Sonos as the go-to brand for whole-home audio
While some folks still hit snags – speakers randomly vanishing can be a real headache – the overall situation is moving in the right direction
For me, Sonos's decision to scrap its much-anticipated video player was a telling sign, a promising pivot back to its core strength: audio.
It felt like a renewed focus, and frankly, I’m all for it, suggesting a company listening and prioritizing its foundational promise
So, no, I'm not selling any of my Sonos gear. Not a chance.
Because the company’s whole-home platform offers conveniences competitors just can't match without a lot of fiddling. Most days, I’m effortlessly streaming tunes.
But then there are those moments, like watching a nail-biting sports game, where I can instantly pipe the audio from my Sonos soundbar to a speaker in the kitchen. Imagine not missing a single play.
Or, if I’m playing something over Bluetooth, I can spread that music across my entire Sonos system with recent speakers.
It’s seamless, it’s brilliant, and once you’ve experienced it, it’s hard to go back
This unparalleled ecosystem integration is what keeps Sonos a compelling choice. Why Trust My Take.
Navigating Sonos in a Shifting MarketI’ve been knee-deep in Sonos for years here at The Verge, covering everything from breaking news to meticulous product reviews
I was right there, bringing attention to that app fiasco, which played a significant role in former CEO Patrick Spence’s departure
Audio and home theater are two of my absolute sweet spots, so trust me when I say I know a great speaker or soundbar from just another 'also-ran.
' This hands-on perspective is crucial when evaluating a brand that has had such a public struggle and subsequent recovery
Now, I wouldn’t fault anyone in Southeast Asia for wanting to wait and see where Sonos lands next. This caution is especially warranted given recent price bumps on several products due to US tariffs.
While the direct tariff impact might differ regionally, global pricing pressures often trickle down, meaning consumers here will still want to weigh value carefully against their budgets
Fluctuating exchange rates and potential import duties in markets like Thailand, Vietnam, or Indonesia can further complicate the final cost
However, despite these bumps, Sonos still churns out genuinely terrific hardware.
If you're wondering which ones are the true standouts for your apartment, condo, or family home in a bustling city like Singapore or Bangkok, I’ve got you covered
The Best Sonos Speakers to Buy in 2025: Audio Excellence for Every CornerThe Perfect Starting Point: Sonos Era 100Score: 8Looking for a compact, decent-sounding speaker to tuck away in your kitchen, home office, or just about any room
The Era 100 is your go-to
Sonos really upped its game from its predecessors, the Play:1 and Sonos One, by gifting this speaker with stereo drivers for richer, wider audio – a big step up
This means a more immersive listening experience even from a small footprint, appreciated in urban living spaces
You can finally stream over Bluetooth, and for analog purists, there's line-in audio support (though you'll need a separate USB-C dongle).
They've reworked the physical controls, giving us a satisfying volume bar and, at long last, dedicated track controls
It’s got an elegant design, and for hands-free convenience, you’ve got Amazon Alexa or Sonos Voice Control.
While it saw a price dip then a hike back up, I’d still argue that $219 is a fair price for what you're getting, offering a fantastic entry point into the Sonos ecosystem for many in our region, balancing performance and accessibility
The All-Round Audio Champion: Sonos FiveThis isn't just Sonos’s best-sounding speaker; it's genuinely at the pinnacle compared to all competitors in its class
From an audio quality perspective, the Sonos Five absolutely blows away the HomePod, Echo Studio, Nest Audio, and other mass-market contenders
We're talking rich, detailed sound reproduction that truly brings your music to life. Could you find better hi-fi bookshelf speakers.
But those aren't natively tied into music services quite like Sonos gear, nor do they offer the multi-room integration. The Five is a hefty unit, taking up desk space.
But trust me, its powerful stereo output is more than enough to handle any dinner party or get-together, filling even larger living rooms.
There's nothing 'smart' about the Five – no microphones, no voice assistant – but that simplicity is precisely its charm, emphasizing pure audio quality
You're getting a phenomenal speaker that integrates perfectly into the Sonos platform. Plus, with a regular 3.
5mm aux input, it’s a brilliant companion for your turntable, especially if you spring for a stereo pair.
Just be warned: you'll likely want two, and that gets pricey fast, but for discerning audiophiles in Southeast Asia, the investment delivers unparalleled sound fidelity within the Sonos ecosystem
Your Portable Powerhouse: Sonos Move 2Score: 9When we talk portable speakers, the Move 2 isn't just in a different league than Sonos’s tiny Roam 2 – it’s playing a whole different sport
Yes, it’s bigger and heavier, but that built-in handle makes it surprisingly easy to haul around your home or out to the backyard for that poolside BBQ
When it comes to audio, there’s simply no comparison: the Move 2 absolutely smokes the more compact Roam 2.
Like the Era 100, it boasts a stereo driver arrangement, avoiding the muffled, mono sound you get from the Roam, providing a much wider and engaging soundstage
That larger size also gives the Move 2 a clear advantage in bass punch, making your music feel much fuller.
Besides wireless playback, you can plug in other devices over USB-C for line-in audio – super versatile
What I really love is that the battery in the Move 2 is user-replaceable, offering exceptional longevity.
With an IP56 dust and water resistance rating, it can handle splashes; just don’t drop it in the pool
For me, the Move 2 easily trumps traditional portable speakers because at home, it connects over Wi-Fi for superior fidelity, and it supports Apple AirPlay and Spotify Connect
For weekend getaways or just moving music around the house, this speaker is a winner, perfectly suited for the indoor-outdoor lifestyle common in many parts of Southeast Asia
Elevating Your Home Theater with Sonos: Immersive Sound Made SimpleThe Immersive Experience: Sonos Arc UltraScore: 8Introduced late last year, the Arc Ultra isn’t just an incremental update; it’s a significant leap forward
We're talking substantially more powerful bass response, thanks to Sonos’s newer SoundMotion technology
It delivers a low-end wallop from a soundbar not much larger than its predecessor, meaning many buyers could get away with the Arc Ultra on its own without needing a separate subwoofer – a game-changer for cleaner setups
Vocal clarity has also improved significantly with better center channel performance. Oh, and yes, it finally boasts Bluetooth audio support.
Now, for the caveats: the app can still be a bit buggy for some, and unfortunately, older Play:1 and Play:3 speakers are no longer supported as surrounds
Still no DTS:X, and building a full surround setup will quickly skyrocket the cost
But if you're serious about home theater in your living room, perhaps in a spacious condo in Kuala Lumpur, the Arc Ultra is a truly compelling option, delivering an almost cinematic experience from a single elegant unit
The Smart Choice for Smaller Rooms: Sonos Beam (Gen 2)Score: 8Let’s face it, the Arc Ultra is a beast, and there are plenty of scenarios where it might simply be overkill
If you’re in a smaller space, perhaps a cozy living room in a city apartment in Ho Chi Minh City, or you don't need the absolute pinnacle of surround sound, the Beam (Gen 2) makes a lot more sense
You still get Dolby Atmos, but the effect is virtualized
Even so, the home theater experience you’ll get from the Beam will utterly blow away any speakers built into your TV, dramatically improving audio for movies, TV, and gaming
Plus, its sleeker design looks fantastic and unobtrusive, and HDMI eARC ensures better performance
It’s a brilliant way to get room-filling sound and tie into the Sonos ecosystem without breaking the bank for the flagship model, making it a highly practical and popular choice for many urban dwellers in Southeast Asia
The Bass Boost You Actually Need: Sonos Sub MiniScore: 7Unless you're absolutely intent on rumbling the foundations of your home, the $499 Sub Mini subwoofer is more than enough to layer some serious oomph and growl onto Hollywood blockbusters and your favorite TV shows
Sonos’s flagship Sub 4 costs a hefty $899, but countless people have saved hundreds by pairing the Sub Mini with any soundbars and have been ecstatic.
It provides crucial low-end extension without overwhelming a smaller space
As its name suggests, the Sub Mini is more compact than the Sub 4, making it far easier to find an inconspicuous spot – a real bonus in smaller Southeast Asian living spaces where floor area is at a premium
Even if you put it somewhere in plain sight, its sleek, unique design looks far more stylish than the blockier Sub 4
Just remember, Trueplay tuning is an iOS-only affair, and while it delivers good bass for its size, it might not entirely fill a very large, open-plan living room
Nonetheless, for its price and performance, it's an excellent addition
Budget-Friendly & Second Chances: Smart Choices and Overlooked GemsThe Smart Gateway: Ikea Symfonisk Bookshelf Speaker (Gen 2)Score: 7It’s true, the Sonos and Ikea partnership might be winding down, but that doesn’t mean you should sleep on the existing Symfonisk products before they vanish
The Symfonisk Bookshelf Speaker (Gen 2), in particular, remains the most affordable way into the Sonos ecosystem, even after its recent price increase
Sound-wise, it's not far off from the old Sonos One or Play:1 – a very enjoyable speaker for its size. Plus, that lower price tag makes it easier to justify grabbing two for a proper stereo pair.
These, or even the Symfonisk Picture Frame Speaker, make excellent rear surround speakers if you're building a home theater on a budget – a smart move for many consumers in this region looking for value and quality without compromising on the multi-room experience
They represent an accessible entry point for those keen to dip their toes into the Sonos world
The Redemption Story: Sonos Ace HeadphonesScore: 7Boy oh boy, did Sonos’s wireless Ace headphones arrive at the worst possible moment.
Released right smack in the middle of the company’s infamous app crisis, they were completely sidelined
Some customers were also disappointed they couldn't play music over Wi-Fi or be grouped with in-home speakers – features many hoped for.
But here’s the thing: the Ace headphones are still *fantastic*
They’re incredibly comfortable, boast a gorgeous design (with easily swappable ear pads), and deliver detailed, powerful, and expressive sound that rivals top-tier competitors
They support wired audio over USB-C alongside Bluetooth, offering versatility
And that TV Audio Swap feature. It’s genuinely useful late at night when my Arc Ultra would disturb everyone.
You can route any audio from your TV through two pairs of Ace headphones and listen privately, complete with spatial audio surround sound.
Sonos’s new TrueCinema mode even fine-tunes that experience to reflect your room’s acoustics, incredibly clever for immersive gaming or movie nights
No, the Ace headphones might not be the *ideal* wearable product from Sonos, and their launch timing was unfortunate, but they remain a wholly impressive debut that, sadly, fell victim to the company's poor software decisions
Don't let the past overshadow their present brilliance; they're worthy of a second look
The Bottom Line: Sonos Is Still Here, and It's Still GoodWhile Sonos certainly stumbled last year, the company is clearly making strides to win back trust and re-establish its brand as a leader in home audio
Their hardware remains genuinely top-tier, offering a unique blend of convenience, quality, and multi-room magic that's tough to beat
The renewed focus on core audio features, coupled with app improvements, signal a promising trajectory.
Whether you're looking to start small with an Era 100, build a powerhouse home theater with the Arc Ultra, or just want stellar portable audio with the Move 2, there's still plenty to love in the Sonos ecosystem
For consumers in Southeast Asia, the situation requires a bit more nuance.
You'll need to be mindful of local pricing and availability, as global supply chains and regional duties can impact the final cost here
However, the growing appetite for premium home entertainment and smart living solutions in cities like Jakarta, Manila, and Bangkok means that demand for high-quality audio experiences continues to rise
Sonos, with its strong product lineup and unique ecosystem, remains a strong contender
Budget-friendly options like the Ikea Symfonisk speakers further broaden its appeal, making the Sonos experience accessible to a wider demographic. What does this all mean for you.
If you were on the fence about Sonos, perhaps put off by the recent controversies, 2025 might just be the year to give them another listen.
With a clear direction from new leadership, improved software, and consistently excellent hardware, Sonos is proving that it's bouncing back
The company is actively addressing past missteps, showing resilience, and continuing to innovate.
For those seeking a reliable, high-fidelity, and truly integrated multi-room audio solution, Sonos still holds a very strong position
It's an investment, yes, but one that continues to deliver a transformative audio experience for your home, wherever you are in the world.
Photography by Chris Welch / The VergeUpdate, October 23rd: Pricing and availability adjusted, with copy updated to reflect Sonos’s recent price increases
Brandon Widder also contributed to this post.
