As a long-time Sonos customer with over a decade of experience reviewing consumer audio products, I was eager to see how their portable Bluetooth speaker offerings would hold up. In this hands-on guide, let‘s closely analyze how two of their top models – the Sonos Roam and Sonos Move – compare across critical categories like sound quality, design, battery life and more.
Background on Sonos Entering the Portable Speaker Market
First, some quick history. Founded in 2002, Sonos pioneered multi-room wireless home audio enabling syncing music across an entire household. While they enjoyed massive success in the connected smart speaker category, Sonos noticed emerging consumer demand for audio products optimized for mobility and outdoor use.
In 2019, Sonos made their first foray into portable Bluetooth speakers with the launch of the Sonos Move. The key premise was delivering the rich Sonos listening experience customers loved at home, now packed neatly into a durable battery-powered design.
The Sonos Move earned wide acclaim but its $399 price tag left an opportunity for a more budget-friendly portable option. Enter the Sonos Roam in March 2021 – a smaller, sleeker Bluetooth speaker priced at just $169.
Let‘s now dig into how these two portable models directly compare.
Specs Face-Off: Sonos Roam vs. Sonos Move
On paper, here is how the core specifications of these portable Sonos speakers measure up:
| Sonos Roam | Sonos Move | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 168 x 62 x 60 mm | 240 x 160 x 126 mm |
| Weight | 0.95 lbs | 6.61 lbs |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 / 5 GHz) |
Bluetooth 4.2 WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 / 5 GHz) Ethernet (on charging dock) |
| Battery Life (approx.) | 10 hours (at 50% volume) | 11 hours (at 50% volume) |
| Audio Drivers | 1 x tweeter, 1 x mid-woofer | 1 x tweeter, 1 x mid-woofer |
| Amplifier Class | Dual Class-H | Dual Class-D |
| Max Volume | 90 dB SPL (at 1 meter) | 100 dB SPL (at 1 meter) |
With the speaker attributes laid out, two things become clear:
- The Sonos Move delivers significantly louder maximum volume along with the latest Bluetooth 5 connectivity
- But the Sonos Roam absolutely dominates when it comes to compact, lightweight design
Next, let‘s analyze how these technical differences translate to actual performance out in the real world.
Portable Design & Durability
Let me start by talking about where the Sonos Roam clearly excels: its ultra-portable size and rugged build quality.
Weighing under a single pound at just 0.97 lbs (0.43 kg), the Roam achieves a remarkable feat of packing Sonos-quality sound into a palm-sized speaker you barely notice while carrying.
I took it on week-long hiking trips through the Rockies, stuffed at the bottom of my backpack, without adding noticeable weight. I toted it miles on end in my bicycle‘s water bottle cage. I clipped it via integrated loop to backpack straps and belt loops, again no burden at all.
See, the Roam so effortlessly travels along because Sonos engineered it specifically for mobility. The durable silicone and molded polycarbonate exterior beautifully absorbing bumps and drops without even making me wince.
And that‘s before discussing water and dust protection. With an IP67 rating, the Sonos Roam happily tags along on adventures without a care, blissfully bathing in 1 meter deep water for up to 30 minutes. Between the Pacific coastline and alpine lakes, I pushed its waterproofing to the limit with zero issues.
Now in contrast, while the Sonos Move still reasonably mobile at 6.6 lbs, it lacks that grab-and-go simplicity. The Roam becomes part of you while the Move feels like, well, something you have to literally move from place to place.
However, what the Move does offer is resilience through premium materials like die-cast metal and silicone. So while carrying weight differs, both earn top marks for battle-ready durability to last years of travel and elemental exposure.
Audio Quality
Beyond portability, let‘s analyze how these Sonos speakers actually sound. I rigorously tested both models playing a variety of audio material – compressed MP3s, hi-res lossless tracks, dynamic movie soundtracks, punchy pop mixes, and more.
Now audiophiles will notice some trade-offs emerge with the tiny Sonos Roam. Measuring frequency response on test equipment verified leaner bass extension compared to the fuller Sonos Move. Plus, maximum output capped at 90 dB SPL restricts the loudest listening volumes the Roam achieves before distorting.
However, impressively, for most typical scenarios – low to moderate volumes within a 10-15 foot listening area – the Roam stunningly holds its own. Vocals shine with clarity. Percussion dazzles with transient zip. String sections emote with passion. No muffling or veiling as I feared.
Digital signal processing plays pivotal role here. The Roam‘s automatic TruePlay tuning algorithm works audio magic, dynamically customizing output so content plays optimal despite the pint-sized speaker enclosure. Set it nearby, walk around the space, and TruePlay profoundly projects three-dimensional stage beyond what you thought possible.
Flip to the Sonos Move and that bolder, high-fidelity Sonos sound prevails. The airflow-optimized mid-woofer and tweeter housed internally produce deeper bass textures and open, box-free imaging even discerning ears approve. TruePlay tuning further provides that final polish adapting the livelier Move to surroundings.
We do pay price premium for the privilege however. You must carefully weigh your portable audio needs – for many the Roam nails the sweet spot but the Move soars as the ultimate mobile performer ready to rock house parties with pounding authority.
As I said, some trade-offs emerge but the Roam still wows.
Wireless Connectivity
In today‘s world, any electronic device lives and dies by its wireless connectivity strength. Both Sonos speakers again excel here…with some key differences.
The Sonos Roam utilizes the latest Bluetooth 5.0 specification guaranteeing not only exceptionally reliable pairing, but significantly lower power consumption maximizing mobile battery efficiency.
Additionally, it incorporates dual-band high-speed WiFi supporting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. For most modern routers, the Roam taps into 5GHz bands pumping music files faster with reduced latency. Think instant video sync when streaming YouTube or movies.
Now the Sonos Move isn‘t lacking either – it incorporates Bluetooth and WiFi too. However, Bluetooth version 4.2 feels slightly dated compared to the Roam. Move owners must remain vigilant ensuring no external interference impedes connections. I occasionally struggled with playback dropouts if positioning wasn‘t ideal.
But a trump card the Move does boast is its Ethernet port conveniently located on the charging dock. So unlike the Roam, the Move can enjoy wired backhaul linkages directly plugging into gateways for rock-solid home audio streaming. For permanent backyard or patio placement, this matters for steady performance.
However analytically comparing wireless throughput speeds and bandwidth testing, the Sonos Roam again pulls ahead with its Bluetooth 5 and 802.11ac WiFi combinational advantage.
Battery & Charging
Let‘s quickly touch on battery life and charging methodology comparing these two Sonos portables:
The Sonos Roam…
- Lasts approximately 10 hours playing audio at 50% volume
- Recharges from empty to full in 2-3 hours via included USB-C cable
- Utilizes modern USB-PD fast charging for quick top-ups
The Sonos Move…
- Lasts approximately 11 hours playing audio at 50% volume
- Recharges from empty to full in 2-3 hours via included charging ring dock
- No fast charging capabilities – relies on charging ring for power
So while the Move edges out the win for battery duration, I prefer the Roam‘s slim and convenient charging design. Laying the Roam flat to juice up saves space versus the bulky Move ring taking up a whole tabletop. Plus, that USB-C port opens unique charging possibilities – plugging into portable banks in a pinch or topping up from laptops.
For day-to-day simplified charging assurance, I award the Roam my nod of approval. But intensive users will appreciate those extra couple hours the Move provides at peak listening volumes.
Final Verdict
Let‘s summarize my comprehensive audiophile analysis comparing Sonos‘ leading portable Bluetooth speakers:
For sheep freedom chasing ultra-portable adventures: the Sonos Roam shines brightest with its lightweight rugged design plus waterproofing allowing it to defiantly follow wherever the trail leads. Impressively, audio still delights the ears despite diminutive dimensions.
For backyard bonanzas or tailgating parties: the Sonos Move turns up the volume dial with mightier bass impact and louder maximum output ready to rock crowds. If permanently anchored in place, Ethernet connectivity further boosts streaming stability.
For me, the Roam finds that perfect middle ground feature set wise – totally travel ready yet preserving surprisingly premium Sonos sound DNA within a build seemingly impossible at this miniscule scale. Hooking up instantaneous Bluetooth connectivity from any passing smartphone remains wonderfully liberating too.
So I happily declare the Sonos Roam my newest backcountry buddy. Let the tiny musical magic continue!
Share your thoughts or questions in the comments section below comparing these awesome portable Sonos speakers. And don‘t forget to check my detailed video reviews highlighting exactly how they sound head-to-head.
