Sonos to Launch $400+ Headphones and Set-Top Box, Competing with Apple Devices

Popular speaker company Sonos is planning to enter several new product markets that will see it competing with Apple devices, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

airpods max cyber
Upcoming over-ear headphones will take on the AirPods Max, which Apple has not yet updated. Sonos plans to offer the headphones in black and white, and features will include voice control navigation and synchronization with Sonos speakers, soundbars, and subwoofers. Sonos plans to price its over-ear headphones at $400 to $500, which is in line with the ‌AirPods Max‌ as well as over-ear headphones from companies like Sony and Bose.

Bloomberg's report suggests that Sonos isn't aiming to introduce a more technical feature set than Apple provides, with the company instead focusing on customization and fine-tuning sound with a "Passport" app. Sonos has been working on the headphones for several years, and they are set to be available as early as April 2024. In the future, the company may also develop a set of earbuds that would be similar to the AirPods.

In late 2024 or 2025, Sonos will introduce a set-top streaming box akin to the Apple TV. The device will serve as a hub for Sonos audio equipment with support for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, and it will offer apps and streaming services much like existing set-top boxes.

Sonos is developing an Android-based operating system for the set-top box, expected to be priced somewhere between $150 and $200. Talks are being conducted with cable companies about possible live television offerings, and Sonos may even create its own video service.

Sonos is developing new amplifiers and in-ceiling speakers for professional installers, a version of the Era 100 speakers for businesses, and a high-end TV sound bar that will be an update to the Arc. For consumers, Sonos is developing a new version of the Sub that will sync with the planned set-top box, along with an updated Roam speaker.

Earlier this month, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence confirmed that Sonos is planning to enter a new product category that will "complement" current Sonos devices and that will "delight customers and drive immediate revenue." Sonos expects to generate more than $100 million from new products in 2024.

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Top Rated Comments

abatabia Avatar
16 months ago
The headphones make sense. The set top box, does not.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
matttarantino Avatar
16 months ago
I think the ability for AirPods to magically connect and switch between Apple devices would keep me from exploring these
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
16 months ago
Competition is always good for consumers. Bring on some fresh ideas. Deliver some tangible improvements. We consumers simply win by MANY players competing for our dollars. Consolidate all down to only one player and we can only lose.

I own some Sonos speakers and they are generally GREAT. So hopefully a Sonos effort in these areas will deliver things that are similarly great.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
c84216 Avatar
16 months ago
This SCREAMS that Sonos is going to move toward walling off their ecosystem or walling certain features behind their own interoperation. In other words, I’d think twice about investing in Sonos equipment if I weren’t ready for that possibility.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iamasmith Avatar
16 months ago
Set top box? #latetotheparty ?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Baron Thompson Avatar
16 months ago
You lost me at "android based".
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)