New Sonos Move 2 Wireless Speaker Rated

For years, I viewed Sonos with a bit of suspicion. I always feel that way about products that other people rave over. However, I’m putting my hands up and admitting I was wrong to doubt Sonos. The latest speakers from Sonos – Era 300 and Move 2 – are nothing short of superb and the Sonos eco-system is brilliantly easy to use and set up, plus the sound is top-notch.

The Move 2 is the latest portable speaker from the Sonos stable and has a chunky built-in battery that can deliver up to 24 hours of playtime. The Move 2 also supports Apple AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth, making it ideal to use almost anywhere without an Internet connection. You can play music stored on your phone or patch through a radio feed using your phone’s data allowance. To use Bluetooth, pair the Sonos Move 2 with a smartphone or tablet, then sit back and enjoy the music.

This speaker is the first portable stereo model from Sonos and the Move 2 benefits from having a couple of precision tweeters that create an excellent soundstage and stereo effect. There’s an integral handle sculpted into the body of the Move 2, making it easy to carry from room to room or even out into the garden. An IP56 water-resistant rating makes the Move 2 ideal for use next to a pool or even in the rain.

Inside the Move 2 are three class-D digital amplifiers, each tuned to match the speaker’s sound chamber. The two tweeters are angled outwards to create a convincing soundstage, while the woofer takes care of the mid-range and the bass frequencies. The Move 2 has an incredible bass for its size and it’s truly impressive. The mid-range is forward, making vocals and the spoken word wonderfully clear.

The Move 2 can be used on the move, relying on its rechargeable battery for power. When it needs topping up, it can be put back on its charging base and will run on mains power. A separate USB-C port at the rear of the Move 2 can also be used to charge the battery and functions as a power output for recharging or powering a smartphone.

Also at the rear is a Bluetooth button for pairing with a streaming device, plus a power switch. Sonos hasn’t included an Ethernet port, although you can use Ethernet if you buy the Sonos Line-in or Combo adapter. Without the adapter, you can access the Internet and Apple AirPlay 2 using Wi-Fi. The Move 2 supports Wi-Fi 6 on the 2.4 and 5GHz bands.

Undoubtedly, the star of the Sonos show is the app. This elegant software makes setting up a speaker and playing music very easy. The intuitive app can add your favorite music streaming services like Spotify or Tidal. The Sonos radio tuner offers access to thousands of radio stations and podcasts worldwide.

As you’d expect from a wireless speaker, the Move 2 supports Amazon Alexa and has an array of far-field microphones that use advanced beamforming and multichannel echo cancellation for faster and more accurate voice control. As well as Alexa, the Move 2 supports Sonos voice commands. And for those who like proper physical controls, the Move 2 has a volume slider and music transport controls on its top plate.

The mic array is also used for the speaker’s automatic TruePlay tuning. Just initiate TruePlay and the Move 2 will calibrate itself by playing and listening for an audio signal. Whenever you move the speaker, the app will prompt you to rerun the TruePlay routine so that your Move 2 is always adjusted perfectly for the acoustics of the space you’re using the speaker. The microphones can be turned off to ensure privacy and there is a physical toggle slider at the rear of the speaker to do just that.

And like all Sonos speakers, the Move 2 has controls in the app for adjusting the bass, treble and loudness levels manually, although with TruePlay that isn’t necessary. The sound from the Move 2 is one of the most solid and clear that I’ve heard from a wireless speaker and the Move 2 handles music with passion and aplomb. There’s no spatial sound or Dolby Atmos function with the speaker, which suits me fine as I am still not a convert of 360-degree spatial audio; give me proper stereo any day.

And speaking of stereo, the Move 2 can be paired with a second Move 2 to create a stereo pair. Two Move 2 speakers can widen the soundstage considerable and belt out plenty of volume, even in a large space. As with all Sonos speakers, the Move 2 can be grouped with other models to create multiroom audio that can pipe music all around the home so that you could, for example, have a Move 2 in the kitchen and maybe an Era 300 in the dining room, both streaming the same playlist or radio show in perfect sync.

Not only does the Move 2 have a new and bigger battery than the original Move, but like its predecessor, it can be replaced to extend the life of the speaker. The new longer-lasting battery can even be installed in the first generation Move speaker to give it a longer playing time, thanks to some clever energy-saving options when used in battery mode. It seems that Sonos has thought of everything.

The Move 2 has an upgraded physical design to its predecessor and is now available in a new Olive colorway ideal for the garden. The build quality of this speaker is superb. It feels solid and well-constructed, perfect for carrying around the home or even taking on a picnic, where it can be used in Bluetooth mode.

Verdict: The Move 2 is an evolutionary step up from the original Sonos Move. The sound is better than ever, thanks to using two tweeters to produce a convincing stereo soundstage. The user-replaceable and rechargeable battery offers an incredible 24 hours of playtime. The sound has ample bass, a superbly forward midrange and a silky treble that makes music so good to listen to. I think Sonos has produced a cracking speaker with the Move 2 and it would make a perfect kitchen, dining room or bedroom speaker. I’ve tried looking for faults, but I really can’t. Some might have wanted Google Chromecast built-in, but I like that you can use the Sonos network or Apple AirPlay 2 for multi-room sound. If you want a wireless speaker that will stand the test of time and has a sustainable pedigree, the Sonos Move 2 is a clear winner.

Pricing & Availability: The Sonos Move 2 is available worldwide and priced at $449 / £449 / €499.

More info: www.sonos.com

Tech Specs:

• Dimensions (HxWxD): 241x160x127mm.
• Weight: 3kg (including battery).
• Finish: Matte Olive, Black and White.
• IP rating: IP56 for protection from dust and high-pressure water streams.
• Controls: Capacitive touch controls to play, pause, skip, replay, adjust volume, mute voice assistant, group or ungroup Sonos products.
• Mic privacy switch: Yes.
• Bluetooth pairing button: Yes.
• LED: Light on the product indicates connection, microphone activity and mute status.
• Power and networking: Wi-Fi 6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax 2.4 GHz/5 GHz.
• Bluetooth version: 5.0
• Battery: Up to 24 hours of continuous playback on a single charge.
• Charge: USB-C for charging a phone or connecting to an audio source using an auxiliary cable and the Sonos Line-in Adapter.
• Apple AirPlay 2: Works with AirPlay 2 on Apple devices iOS 11.4 and later.