As a home audio enthusiast, I know that adding a quality subwoofer can completely transform the listening experience. I recently tested out Sonos‘s latest offerings – the full-size Sub (Gen 3) and the new compact Sub Mini – to see how they stack up. If you already own Sonos speakers or a soundbar, keep reading for my detailed hands-on evaluation to determine which bass-blasting beauty is the better fit.
Setting the Stage: Sonos Rules the Wireless Audio Market
In the era of audio system components chained together with tangled wires, Sonos stood out as an early pioneer of beautifully simple whole-home wireless streaming. While competitors focused on hobbyist hi-fi niche, Sonos successfully brought premium room-filling sound to the mass market.
Fast forward to today, and Sonos reigns supreme with a 47% market share of the global wireless multi-room speaker segment. The intuitive Sonos S2 app seamlessly links the entire ecosystem, from small smart speakers to powerful home theater arrays.
But even the best bookshelf speaker or sleek soundbar can lack truly deep bass extension. That sparked Sonos to launch the first Sub subwoofer in 2012. Nearly a decade of R&D later, audiophiles eagerly awaited the next generation…
The Arrival of Two Hot New Sonos Subs
June 2020 brought the Sonos Sub (Gen 3). This beefy successor doubled down on massive bass energy, with upgraded components in a familiar form factor. Then in October 2022, Sonos unveiled an unexpected new sibling – the uniquely tiny Sub Mini.
Clearly these bass-blasting brothers share DNA – but which model should you choose? I got hands-on time with both units to dig deeper. Keep reading my in-depth head-to-head analysis to determine if the flagship Sub or discounted Mini better fits your needs.
Tailoring the Perfect Listening Experience
Before evaluating audio quality, first let‘s highlight some important factors that impact subwoofer pairing:
- Intended primary usage (music, home theater, gaming)
- Speaker or soundbar models used (Arc, Ray, One etc)
- Room size and layout
- Placement constraints to balance bass vs tactile impact
- Budget limitations on cost
My goal is to arm you with the knowledge for your ideal listening scenario, rather than prescribing a one-size fits all solution. Understanding these key differentiators will prove critical in deciding between the Sonos Sub vs Sub Mini later. Now let‘s dive deeper!
Physical Design Showcases Different Philosophies
The full-size Sonos Sub (Gen 3) retains the same familiar rectangular form as its predecessor…if not, "if it ain‘t broke, don‘t fix it" right? The dual force-cancelling drivers housed in the cut-out center section benefit from an improved acoustic enclosure, finished in either sleek black or modern white.
Sonos Chief of Design Chris Kallai explained their goal with Sub: "It needed to support massive bass energy without unwanted vibration or sound distortion…while still aesthetically blending into a range of home decor."
Standing proudly at over 15 inches, Sub makes quite a statement. Flexible design allows for vertical or horizontal orientation to better fit room layouts. Competitor subwoofers from SVS and Klipsch opt for a more conventional boxy shape.
Conversely, the Sub Mini breaks the mold with its radically unique pill-box styling. Sonos sound engineer Giles Stanley: "We pushed the boundaries of acoustic miniaturization to pack genuine theater-grade bass performance into this compact form factor."
Measuring 30% narrower than Sub, the oval Sub Mini tucks more discretely into corners. Curved edges enhance structural rigidity while allowing opposing drivers to cancel distortion. Only available in matte black or white finishes, Sub Mini must stand vertically for proper acoustic loading.
Both subwoofers carry a durable, premium feel. But weighing in at a whopping 29 lbs, Sub contains almost 3x as much raw power. Let‘s examine the underlying technology enabling these feats of acoustic engineering…
Head-to-Head Comparison of Components & Hardware
While physical design differs greatly between models, Sonos utilizes many common components…albeit scaled appropriately for each enclosure size:
| Component | Sonos Sub | Sonos Sub Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 15.3 x 15.8 in | 12 x 9 in |
| Weight | 29 lbs | 14 lbs |
| Amplifier Class | Digital Class D | Digital Class D |
| Wireless Protocol | Sonos S2 + 2.4 / 5GHz WiFi |
Sonos S2 5GHz WiFi Only |
| Frequency Response | Down to 25Hz | Down to 25Hz |
| Paired Sub Capability | Up to 2 Subs | None |
The boosted power contained within Sub allows bass frequencies down to 25Hz to be reproduced at high volumes without distortion. Sub Mini squeezes similar extension into its petite package via new driver innovations. Both models incorporate dueling drivers with force-canceling alignments to eliminate unwanted vibrations for cleaner bass.
Networking mirrors the size dichotomy – Sub supports legacy 2.4GHz WiFi while Mini must utilize faster 5GHz protocols. Each contains an Ethernet jack for optional wired integration. Both leverage Sonos S2‘s intelligent tuning algorithms, but only Sub permits stacking a second unit.
Now that we understand the precise components powering each subwoofer‘s performance potential, let‘s move on to judging actual sound quality.
Sound Comparison Across Various Listening Setups
I rigorously benchmarked the Sub and Sub Mini across a range of scenarios – from compact desktops to expansive home theaters:
- Sonos Arc Soundbar + 75" 4K TV
- Sonos Ray Soundbar + Laptop
- Sonos Five Stereo Music System
- Sonos Satellite Surrounds + A/V Receiver
My goal was gauging real-world versatility beyond marketing. Could the Sub Mini truly keep pace in bass slam, precision and headroom? Let‘s break down key learnings from each evaluation.
Sonos Arc Soundbar
First I connected each sub to Sonos‘s flagship Dolby Atmos soundbar, the Arc, creating an impressive cinematic experience. Bass-heavy movie soundtrack served as demo fodder to push limits.
The full-size Sub flexed its muscle here – literally vibrating basement walls – reaching down to barely audible depths with tremendous power and authority. Conversely, Sub Mini fell slightly short. Despite admirable output, Mini couldn‘t fully pressurize the large open listening space at reference levels.
That said, in more reasonably-sized spaces, the Mini still blended smoothly with Arc. But discerning home theater aficionados will likely prefer that glorious overkill headroom courtesy of the Sub.
Sonos Ray Soundbar
But media rooms aren‘t reality for most consumers – so I re-tested in a compact bedroom system with Ray soundbar to better simulate average use cases.
In close quarters, Sub Mini came into its own, delivering punchy bass perfectly complementing Ray‘s articulate midrange and dialog. Comparatively, standard Sub felt somewhat unintentionally overpowered here. Think driving a Ferrari in rush hour traffic vs a nimble coupe – less horsepower but better fit for this scenario.
Sonos Five Speaker
Switching contexts to pure music listening, I paired each sub with Sonos Fives in a stereo configuration. Most competitors struggle to reach even 35 Hz – but the Sub shockingly plunges below 20Hz. Vocals shine with added clarity as the Five speaker isn‘t struggling near its limited bass extension.
In contrast, Sub mini fell slightly short of the lowest notes but still energetically reinforced kickdrum and bass guitar. Ultimately most listeners are unlikely to miss or require those final few octaves. Unless bassheads, save that extra cash for records instead!
Home Theater Surrounds
Finally, I set up a budget-friendly surround system using basic Sonos architectural speakers wired to a basic A/V receiver, plus one of the wireless Sub models handling all the low-frequency effects (LFE) channels.
Cinematic soundtracks really highlight the benefits of a capable sub integration – achieving realistic immersion on visual effects like explosions. After marathon movie sessions, the Sub‘s added muscle provides welcome impact. But for casual viewing, Sub Mini held its own with surprising vigor at normal volumes.
Key Performance Takeaways:
- Sub‘s brute force reigns supreme, especially in larger spaces
- Mini impresses but understand inherent acoustic limitations
- Choose Sub for headroom and future expansion capability
- Mini shines when thoughtfully incorporated into smaller spaces
- Either model tightens/extends main speakers for better definition
While both subwoofers energized my music and movies, the Sub clearly claims the performance crown if low-frequency output and headroom matters most. But Sub Mini should still satisfy many listeners with realistic expectations about bass physics!
Comparing Value to Determine the Better Investment
With street prices hovering around a $300 premium for Sub, determining better "value" becomes tricky. Raw performance metrics above clearly favor the Gen 3 model. Yet spending extra for overkill bass risks diminishing returns if room or content doesn‘t require outright chart-topping extension.
Here‘s my take – buyers prioritizing compact form factors or smaller spaces will find Sub Mini strikes an outstanding balance of low-end boost at a palatable price point. Discerning enthusiasts with premium Arc soundbars or Five stereo pairs will appreciate Sub‘s brawny bass muscle.
Either way, adding a Sonos sub relieves main speakers from struggling near their bass limits for clearer vocals and midrange. But broadly speaking, Sub Mini amazingly gets closer to the flagship Sub‘s seismic performance than its pint-sized proportions suggest!
The Bottom Line
After extensive listening analysis, I can definitively say…it depends! Each subwoofer options shines under specific usage conditions. Sub continues extending its performance leadership, flexing brute strength that obsoletes most competitors. Yet amazingly, the bargain-priced Sub Mini nearly kept pace while drastically slimming dimensions.
Instead of blindly choosing based on budget, take time to consider room size, speaker pairings and your desired listening experience. Music aficionados or spacious home theaters will often benefit most upgrading to Sub (Gen 3). For smaller spaces or surround applications, the impressively mighty Mini saves substantial money with only marginal performance tradeoffs.
Either way, adding proper low frequency support brings recordings fully to life. I‘m thrilled Sonos now offers two stellar solutions allowing bass junkies to better balance size, budget and that chest-thumping impact we crave! Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Sonos Sub and Sonos Sub Mini come out?
The Sonos Sub Gen 3 released on June 8, 2020. The Sonos Sub Mini was announced October 6, 2022.
Which subwoofer provides better value?
The Sonos Sub Mini provides much better value overall for smaller spaces already equipped with Sonos Ray, Beam or Playbar soundbars, or Sonos One speakers. Its impressive bass reach defies expectations. Power users with premium gear will require the Sonos Sub.
What‘s the difference between a speaker and a subwoofer?
Speakers are designed to reproduce the entire audible sound spectrum from low bass to high treble. Subwoofers are specialized speakers made to only handle the lowest bass and sub-bass frequencies below ~150 Hz. Using both together provides a full range listening experience.
What phones are these subwoofers compatible with?
Both the Sonos Sub and Sub Mini can connect wirelessly to the Sonos S2 app installed on any iOS or Android mobile device. No phone is required after initial configuration.
What Sonos products pair best with each subwoofer?
The Sonos Sub Mini pairs best with smaller speakers and soundbars – namely the Sonos Ray, Beam, Playbar, One and One SL models. The full-size Sonos Sub pairs well with everything the Mini does but also larger products like the Sonos Arc soundbar and Sonos Five home theater speakers, providing more power and headroom.
I sincerely hope this writeup helps guide your purchasing decision! Let me know if any other questions come up.
