Sonos this week announced a new version of the Sonos One speaker with upgraded internals. These improvements include Bluetooth Low Energy, a faster processor, and more memory than the original Sonos One, all without any changes to the external design of the speaker (via The Verge).
The new Sonos One doesn't have any exclusive features, and sound performance is said to be the same. Sonos is simply beefing up the Sonos One, about a year and a half after the first model launched in the fall of 2017.
At the same time, the original Sonos One is being discounted by $20, and will now be sold for $179 at participating retailers. As the old model gets a markdown, the upgraded Gen 2 device will be priced at the original point of the first Sonos One: $199.
Sonos has yet to detail how the upgraded memory and faster processor will benefit the Sonos One (Gen 2). Previously, Sonos has stated that some older speakers "simply don't have the horsepower to support AirPlay 2," during the announcement that AirPlay 2 would be coming to Sonos One, Play:5, and Playbase speakers.
Because of this, it seems Sonos is simply future-proofing the Sonos One with better internals that ensure more features will be available to Gen 2 owners down the line. You can purchase the Sonos One (Gen 2) for $199 in Black or White on the Sonos website. The Sonos One (Gen 1) is also available for $179 starting today.
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Top Rated Comments
This makes me glad that I'm investing in SONOS at home. I can't stand it when they leave a stale product on the market for years. I feel no obligation to replace any SONOS product that I have but I'm reassured that when I do buy a SONOS product I'm getting the (very nearly) best specs they have available. Premium priced products should be upgraded incrementally.
[doublepost=1551972636][/doublepost]This is absolute nonsense, I see that this is (clearly) a strongly held belief of yours, but the idea that an updated product somehow impacts your 'sunk costs' of something you purchased (as much as 18 months ago) you ignore the 18 months of enjoyment that you've gotten when you imagine yourself as a beta tester for the previous version of a product. I think purchasers of premium-priced products should be getting (very nearly) the best that is available at that time.
Is this a commercial? I like SONOS products but I am very disappointed that only 18 months after release they are updating the speaker. It's not a computer. I get that the original Sonos play one needed upgrading after 5 years, but this? Its more like the gen 1 Sonos one was rushed to market and we early adopters go to be beta testers. Such is the tech world these days I guess. But a speaker? I think the author downplays the significance.