Posted by When it comes to audio, Sonos is a brand synonymous with premium sound quality and seamless multi-room capabilities. The Sonos One SL, often viewed as the slightly stripped-down sibling of the Sonos One, has made waves for its minimalist design and outstanding audio performance. But what if we added Bluetooth compatibility to the equation?
While the Sonos One SL doesn’t officially support traditional Bluetooth pairing, there are ways to bridge that gap—and it opens up an entirely new world of versatility. After exploring the Sonos One SL with a Bluetooth workaround, I found myself pleasantly surprised by its adaptability.
Here’s an in-depth review of my experience, along with everything you need to know about the Sonos One SL and its potential Bluetooth capabilities.
First Impressions: Design and Build Quality
Right out of the box, the Sonos One SL exudes the premium quality we’ve come to expect from Sonos. It boasts a sleek, compact form factor that seamlessly integrates into any living space. Whether you’re placing it on a bookshelf, countertop, or nightstand, its understated elegance ensures it blends in without drawing attention.
The speaker comes in two classic finishes: matte black and matte white. Its durable build feels substantial, and it’s clear this device is designed to last. The absence of physical buttons adds to its minimalist appeal, with a responsive touch panel on top for controls like volume adjustment, play/pause, and track skipping.
Audio Performance: Punching Above Its Weight
Sonos has always been renowned for its audio quality, and the One SL doesn’t disappoint. Despite its compact size, this speaker delivers rich, room-filling sound with impressive clarity and depth.
- Bass: The low-end is punchy yet controlled, providing a satisfying thump that doesn’t overpower other frequencies.
- Midrange: Vocals and instruments are crisp and natural, making it ideal for a wide range of genres.
- Highs: The treble is clean and well-defined, adding a layer of sparkle without harshness.
For a single-speaker setup, the stereo separation is impressive, thanks to Sonos’s advanced tuning. Pairing it with another Sonos One SL or a Sonos One unlocks a true stereo experience, elevating the soundstage to new heights.
The Bluetooth Conundrum: What’s the Catch?
One of the most common misconceptions about the Sonos One SL is that it has Bluetooth functionality. Officially, the One SL connects to devices via Wi-Fi, relying on the Sonos app or AirPlay 2 for audio streaming.
However, with the right tools, you can introduce Bluetooth into the mix:
- Bluetooth Transmitters: Using a high-quality Bluetooth transmitter, you can connect the Sonos One SL to any Bluetooth-enabled device. The transmitter plugs into your device’s headphone jack or audio output port, converting the signal into a Bluetooth-compatible format.
- Adapters with Multi-Device Pairing: Some adapters allow pairing with multiple devices, letting you switch between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi effortlessly.
Although this isn’t as seamless as built-in Bluetooth, the workaround works surprisingly well for casual use.
How Bluetooth Expands Its Use Cases
Once I set up the Bluetooth transmitter, I discovered several new ways to enjoy the Sonos One SL.
- Portability: While the Sonos One SL isn’t designed to be portable, adding Bluetooth made it easier to move the speaker to areas where Wi-Fi was unreliable or unavailable, such as my backyard or garage.
- Device Compatibility: Bluetooth opened up connectivity to older devices that don’t support AirPlay 2 or the Sonos app, such as older MP3 players and laptops.
- Guest-Friendly Streaming: When hosting guests, allowing them to connect via Bluetooth was much more straightforward than asking them to download the Sonos app or connect to my Wi-Fi network.
Smart Features: What the One SL Lacks (and Why It Doesn’t Matter)
The Sonos One SL is marketed as the “non-smart” version of the Sonos One. It doesn’t have built-in voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. While this might seem like a downside, it has its advantages:
- Privacy Concerns: For those wary of always-on microphones, the One SL provides peace of mind without compromising on audio quality.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Without the smart assistant, the One SL is slightly more affordable, making it an attractive option for those who prioritize sound over smart features.
If you still want voice control, pairing the One SL with a separate Alexa or Google Assistant device is always an option.
Sonos Ecosystem Integration: A Seamless Experience
The One SL shines brightest when integrated into the broader Sonos ecosystem. Whether you have multiple Sonos speakers or are just starting with one, the ability to group and control speakers through the Sonos app is a game-changer.
- Multi-Room Audio: Syncing multiple speakers to play the same track or different music in each room creates a fully immersive audio experience.
- Trueplay Tuning: Using your iPhone, the Sonos app customizes the speaker’s sound profile based on the acoustics of your room. This feature significantly enhances audio quality, ensuring optimal performance no matter where you place the speaker.
- Streaming Services: The app integrates with nearly every music streaming platform, from Spotify and Apple Music to lesser-known services.
Comparing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Performance
After using both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with the Sonos One SL, I noticed some key differences:
- Audio Quality: Wi-Fi streaming provided superior audio quality, with no compression or latency issues. Bluetooth, while convenient, occasionally introduced minor delays and slight quality degradation.
- Range: Wi-Fi’s range was significantly greater, allowing me to control the speaker from anywhere in my home. Bluetooth, on the other hand, was limited to about 30 feet.
- Stability: Wi-Fi connections were rock-solid, while Bluetooth occasionally experienced drops if there were too many obstructions.
Is the Sonos One SL Worth It with Bluetooth?
After my experiment, I can confidently say that the Sonos One SL is a versatile speaker, even without native Bluetooth support. Its exceptional audio performance, minimalist design, and seamless integration into the Sonos ecosystem make it a standout choice for anyone seeking high-quality sound.
Adding Bluetooth via a transmitter expands its use cases, making it even more flexible for different scenarios. While this setup isn’t ideal for everyone, it worked surprisingly well for my needs.
Conclusion
The Sonos One SL has earned its place as one of the most reliable and high-performing compact speakers on the market. While the lack of native Bluetooth might be a dealbreaker for some, it’s a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things.
For those who prioritize sound quality, build durability, and integration with a robust audio ecosystem, the Sonos One SL is a no-brainer. And with a simple Bluetooth workaround, it becomes an even more versatile addition to any home.
If you’re considering investing in a speaker that balances functionality and exceptional audio performance, the Sonos One SL deserves a spot at the top of your list.