Posted by When you think of wireless speakers, Bluetooth is the first feature that often comes to mind. It’s universal, it’s convenient, and it’s the go-to for many when it comes to connecting a portable speaker to their devices. So, when you encounter a speaker like the Sonos One Gen 2, which lacks traditional Bluetooth functionality, it may leave you scratching your head.
Buy Now at Amazon
Why would Sonos, a company known for delivering high-quality sound, opt out of Bluetooth? And is this a dealbreaker for the potential buyer? In this article, we’ll explore why the Sonos One Gen 2 doesn’t include traditional Bluetooth and why, in reality, this design decision makes it a superior option f=]or most users.
From the unique capabilities of Sonos’ Wi-Fi-based system to how it integrates into your smart home setup, we’ll break down everything that makes the Sonos One Gen 2 one of the best smart speakers you can buy today.
The Sonos One Gen 2: A Smart Speaker with Wi-Fi Connectivity
The Sonos One Gen 2 is primarily a Wi-Fi-based speaker, which is one of the reasons it doesn’t come with traditional Bluetooth. Unlike Bluetooth, which typically connects directly between devices like phones and speakers, Wi-Fi allows the speaker to be connected to a broader home network. This means you can stream music, podcasts, and other audio from multiple devices within your home or even remotely.
By using Wi-Fi, the Sonos One Gen 2 integrates into the Sonos ecosystem, making it a great choice for those already invested in the brand or looking to expand their smart home audio setup. One of the key advantages of this system is its range and reliability.
Unlike Bluetooth, which has limited range (often just 30 feet), Wi-Fi can reach throughout your home and doesn’t suffer from interference as easily, giving you a smoother, uninterrupted audio experience.
Why No Bluetooth? Let’s Explore the Pros and Cons
While it might seem like a huge miss to exclude Bluetooth from a speaker that’s designed for a wide range of users, Sonos has carefully considered its functionality and target audience. So, let’s dig into the pros and cons of this decision.
The Advantages of Wi-Fi Over Bluetooth
- Better Sound Quality: One of the main reasons Sonos opted to exclude Bluetooth is because Wi-Fi streaming offers superior sound quality. Bluetooth, especially with standard codecs, often compresses audio to ensure quicker data transfer, which can impact the clarity and richness of the sound. Wi-Fi, on the other hand, can handle much larger amounts of data at higher fidelity, making it ideal for high-quality audio streaming.
- Multi-Room Audio: If you’re looking to build a multi-room audio setup, Bluetooth just isn’t the right choice. With Bluetooth, you can only connect one device at a time, limiting your ability to play music across multiple speakers. However, Sonos’ Wi-Fi-based system allows you to sync multiple speakers in different rooms, creating a seamless audio experience throughout your home. Whether you’re having a party, or just enjoying music in different rooms, the Sonos One Gen 2 connects effortlessly with other Sonos products.
- Smart Home Integration: The Sonos One Gen 2 isn’t just a speaker; it’s a key component of your smart home. With Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant built-in, you can control your music, set alarms, or ask questions using voice commands. Wi-Fi makes this integration even more seamless, allowing for a more stable connection to your smart devices. Bluetooth, with its limited range and more limited functionality, wouldn’t support this type of smart interaction as effectively.
- More Reliable Streaming: With Wi-Fi connections, you don’t have to worry about Bluetooth dropouts. Wi-Fi offers more consistent performance, which is especially important when you’re streaming audio over long periods. You won’t experience the annoying disconnections or lower audio quality that can come with Bluetooth interference.
The Disadvantages of Not Having Bluetooth
- Limited Portability: Bluetooth speakers are known for their portability. You can take them anywhere without needing to rely on a home network. Since the Sonos One Gen 2 relies on Wi-Fi, you need to be within your home network or a Wi-Fi hotspot for it to function. So, if you want a speaker you can take to the beach or to a friend’s house, Bluetooth may still be the more practical option.
- Less Immediate Connectivity: Bluetooth speakers are often more convenient when you want to quickly connect and play music from your phone. With the Sonos One Gen 2, you will need to use the Sonos app or smart assistants to manage the speaker’s connection, which could be seen as an additional step.
A Seamless Experience with the Sonos App
One of the major advantages of Sonos speakers is the Sonos app, which is available for both iOS and Android. The app allows you to control all your Sonos speakers from one place, including adjusting volume, selecting music, and setting up your speakers. Since the Sonos One Gen 2 connects over Wi-Fi, you can access the app from anywhere in your home to control your speaker setup.
Using the Sonos app, you can easily add the Sonos One Gen 2 to your existing setup, group it with other Sonos speakers, or create playlists. The app also integrates with popular music services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more, giving you access to a massive library of content. The lack of Bluetooth won’t impact your ability to enjoy these services—if anything, it enhances the experience by providing more reliable, high-quality audio.
Why It’s Still Worth It
While some may see the lack of Bluetooth as a limitation, there’s no denying the advantages that come with the Sonos One Gen 2’s Wi-Fi connection. For those who want to enjoy premium sound quality, reliable multi-room audio, and seamless integration with smart home systems, the Sonos One Gen 2 is an excellent choice.
For users who prefer Bluetooth for the sake of portability, the Sonos Move might be a better alternative, as it supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. However, if you’re building a home audio system that prioritizes sound fidelity, reliability, and smart home integration, the Sonos One Gen 2 is tough to beat.
Conclusion: The Future of Smart Speakers
The decision to exclude traditional Bluetooth in the Sonos One Gen 2 is a deliberate one, aimed at ensuring a superior listening experience that focuses on home connectivity and sound quality. The lack of Bluetooth doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing anything important—in fact, it allows Sonos to offer a more consistent and higher-quality listening experience.
With the Sonos One Gen 2, you get more than just a speaker; you get a hub for your smart home that provides easy control, superior audio, and seamless integration. Whether you’re a casual listener or a serious audiophile, this speaker offers a range of features that make it worth considering.
By focusing on Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth, Sonos has proven that sometimes, less is more. Instead of providing basic connectivity, the Sonos One Gen 2 provides something much more valuable: a truly connected, reliable, and immersive audio experience. If you’re ready to elevate your home audio, this speaker could very well be the key to unlocking a world of superior sound and seamless smart home integration.