It sort of feels most probably {that a} smaller Sonos subwoofer is at the means in the future – in all probability referred to as the Sub Mini. It is been rumored for some time, and lately some extra details leaked about the Sub Mini, including its possible design. For its section, Sonos best advised TechRadar “there may be numerous merchandise we imagine” when requested immediately concerning the life of a smaller Sonos Sub.
The explanation other people (me) are determined for a smaller Sonos Sub is as a lot to do with value as measurement… despite the fact that let’s be transparent that Sonos’ present subwoofer is relatively a beast, and may not swimsuit numerous houses for this reason. However nonetheless at a worth of $749 / £749 / AU$1,099, it is rather a lot about value too.
Now remember that the Sonos Arc soundbar prices $899 / £899 / AU$1,499 formally. In overall with the Sub, that may be a lot of cash. There are entries in our listing of the best soundbars that include each soundbar and sub ranging from about $400 / £350.
I had this significantly pushed house for me nowadays, after I gained Samsung’s newest and, in many ways, maximum attention-grabbing soundbar: the Samsung HW-S800B, which prices $799 £749 / AU$999 for each bar and sub.
This soundbar itself is simply as large because the Sonos Arc (so is highest for TVs of 55 inches and up), however is general a few quarter of the quantity of the Arc, whilst nonetheless packing in 8 speaker drivers, together with upfiring Dolby Atmos drivers.
The subwoofer is a compact and good-looking dice with rounded corners, measuring simply 238 x 240.8 x 238 mm / 9.4 x 9.5 x 9.4 inches, packing in two bass drivers. It simply tucked well in area I took place to have on both sides of my TV unit, although it is tucked in a nook lovely well – I did not have to arrange a factor.
This Samsung subwoofer is strictly what I would like from a smaller Sonos Sub, and listening to it in motion simply drives house that Sonos’ present ‘cross giant or cross house’ manner simply does not paintings for actual existence. The picture on the best of this text is of the Sonos Arc with the S900B’s subwoofer – they cross so smartly in combination! If best they in reality attached whatsoever…
And here is the item: the small Samsung soundbar sounds unbelievable. In usual viewing, arguably higher than the Sonos Arc, and an enormous a part of this is all the way down to the inclusion of the subwoofer. It handles the bassy meat of a soundtrack with keep an eye on and grit, leaving the super-small soundbar to paintings on positional audio, speech and different higher-end sounds, and the entire thing sounds detailed, cinematic and ethereal.
In comparison to my Sonos Arc with out the Sonos Sub, the Samsung provides extra have an effect on to soundtracks, and sound feels a bit of free-er from the soundbar, offering much more convincing overhead Dolby Atmos than the Arc, as an example.
A big a part of it’s because the Arc is making an attempt to do the entirety. It has 11 audio system, however it is the usage of the ones to hide the entire dynamic vary from a unmarried field. There is not any sub to take the force off on the low-end.
Sub-$400, please
I like my Sonos Arc and Sonos One encompass gadget setup – it is all the time been nice for the gap I’ve. The Sonos Sub is simply too giant, and I are not looking for that a lot energy – maximum smaller homes or flats do not – so I am going with out it.
If I have been opting for nowadays, despite the fact that, I do not know if I would cross Sonos; the Samsung S800B proves that you’ll be able to get ultimate sound for my more or less residing area in an much more way of life pleasant bundle. And you’ll be able to upload wi-fi rear audio system for an additional $299 / £250.
So may just Sonos use a inexpensive, smaller sub to compete with merchandise like this? If the Sub Mini value round $350 / £300, I feel that would paintings – particularly if Sonos introduced the cost of the Arc down too. If you must get the Arc with Sub Mini for round $1100 / £1000, that will most definitely stay it aggressive.
The Sonos Arc and present Sonos Sub supply much more quantity and tool than the likes of the Samsung S800B, however few other people in reality want the extra grunt. What we wish is the most efficient steadiness of sound for a traditional room the place you will have to fret concerning the neighbors.
A Sonos Sub Mini is strictly what Sonos wishes for that – I simply hope that each time it launches, it and the two-year-old Arc are nonetheless in a position to compete with how briefly inexpensive fashions are matching them.