Sonos Sub Mini vs. Sonos Sub: Which growth do you have to purchase?

Sonos is likely one of the most revered names in each residence and transportable audio markets, famend for its vary of Wi-Fi-connected audio system, soundbars, amplifiers, and — the main focus of right now’s extrapolation — subwoofers.

Again in 2012, Sonos launched its very first subwoofer, billed merely because the Sonos Sub. With a design in contrast to any thump-inducer that got here earlier than it, the corporate has since launched two further generations of the Sub, with the newest Gen 3 iteration altering from a matte end to a shiny end. However whereas the standard Sonos Sub is incredible, the $750 price ticket and 35-plus-pound type issue doesn’t match the invoice for some people, particularly these in search of that further low-end oomph with out the hefty value.

That’s the place Sonos’ newest subwoofer design comes into play. Generally known as the Sonos Sub Mini, the all-new sub sports activities a cylindrical design and is way extra light-weight than its older brother and fairly a bit cheaper, too. However does it match the Sub in relation to sound high quality? Do I would like the large man, or will the Sub Mini do the trick for my wants?

Let’s examine each the Sonos Sub Mini and the Sonos Sub (third Gen), weighing in on key standards like design, efficiency, and worth, that will help you resolve which Sonos subwoofer is the one to your residence.

Design

Sonos has all the time been cutting-edge in relation to speaker design, and the Sonos Sub was an eye-popping addition when it was launched to the corporate’s lineup over a decade in the past, with Sonos sustaining the identical core aesthetic ever since.

The third-generation model of the Sonos Sub is 15.3 inches huge, 15.8 inches huge, 6.2 inches deep, and weighs 36.3 kilos, and it’s accessible in shiny white and black finishes, which some homeowners and reviewers have complained attracts consideration to issues like greasy fingerprints. That mentioned, there’s actually no motive to the touch the factor as soon as it’s positioned, so that is type of a non-issue.

Iconic because the Sub’s inception, the Gen 3 mannequin additionally contains a rectangular cutout in the midst of the woofer, which is the place the Sub’s inward-facing drivers are situated. Greater than an eye catching stylistic selection, the cutout can be used to chop down on undesirable cupboard vibrations.

That mentioned, there’s nonetheless no getting round the truth that the unique Sub mannequin is way bulkier and heavier than the Sub Mini.

Measuring 9.1 inches deep, 12 inches tall, and weighing 14 kilos, the cylindrical Sub Mini is extra light-weight, compact, and much simpler to relocate than the Sub. We additionally love the round perch on the high of the Mini, which can be utilized to seat lamps and different residence requirements that may assist the Mini mix together with your decor. And for distortion discount and drive cancellation, the Sub Mini additionally makes use of the identical centralized cutout because the bigger mannequin, with the form of the void replicating the spherical fashion of the Sub Mini’s outer shell.

The Sub Mini is on the market in matte white and black finishes, which, in contrast to the shiny Sub, matches the matte end of different Sonos audio system that you just’d pair it with, just like the Ray, Beam, and Arc soundbars. And whilst you gained’t be capable of tuck the Mini below a sofa, it’ll undoubtedly be rather a lot simpler to relocate if you wish to transfer it into a distinct room or simply shove it out of the best way while you’re vacuuming.

Each Sonos Subs additionally characteristic an Ethernet port, an AC energy enter (with included twine), and an NFC pairing button for fast Wi-Fi connectivity.

As talked about, Sonos usually comes out on high in relation to design, and the Sub Mini honors lots of the unique Sub’s geographic fundamentals whereas additionally lowering the majority. That being mentioned, we’ll award a degree to the Sub Mini for its contemporary, fashionable design.

Winner: Sonos Sub Mini

Setup and networking

Bear in mind the times of getting to put in a Sonos system with software program on your private home laptop? Nicely, again in 2012, that was a requirement for including any and all Sonos {hardware} to a Sonos ecosystem. Fortunately, these years are behind us, and including each the Sonos Sub and the Sub Mini to your Wi-Fi by way of the Sonos app is as simple as will be.

And because of the inclusion of an NFC pairing button on each the third-generation Sub and Sub Mini, connecting to Wi-Fi is solely a matter of launching the Sonos app, urgent that NFC button, and confirming the link-up within the Sonos app.

Each the third-gen Sub and Sub Mini are additionally geared up with wired Ethernet ports, which let you plug each Subs into your router for a wired community connection or to make use of both Sub as an Ethernet bridge for different elements should you select to attach them to Wi-Fi.

As soon as both Sub is added to your community, you’ll wish to reap the benefits of Sonos’ Trueplay characteristic, which robotically calibrates the Sonos sub to ship simply the correct quantity of output primarily based on the listening surroundings you’ve positioned it in. And whereas Trueplay continues to be solely accessible for iOS gadgets (sorry Android mates), you’ll be able to all the time use a buddy’s iPhone to activate a Trueplay calibration (the completed calibration will probably be saved to your Sonos gear) to your gear or manually regulate your sub’s sound settings by way of the Sonos apps’ built-in EQ.

Lately, most properties are geared up with dual-band routers that ship each 2.4GHz and 5GHz networking choices, and also you’ll be capable of use both set of Wi-Fi frequencies for each the standard third-gen Sub and the Sub Mini. That is particularly handy for earlier Sonos Sub (Gen 1 and Gen 2) homeowners who’re used to having to hook up with a 5GHz band, because the older {hardware} couldn’t run off a 2.4GHz connection.

Maybe the one benefit the Sonos Sub has over the Mini, when it comes to setup, is that you could add a number of Subs to a single-room setup for much more immersive, balanced low-end sound. The Sub Mni is restricted to at least one. Nonetheless, so far as total setup and networking, they’re each a cinch, so we’re going to name this class a tie.

Winner: Tie

Efficiency

Score the general sound high quality of each Sonos subs was perhaps the hardest side-by-side of this woofer battle, contemplating each peripherals use the identical core Sonos tech to ship pulse-pounding low-end. However as they are saying, the satan is within the particulars, and we’ve acquired lots to supply, contemplating we’ve taken each the Sub merchandise for a spin.

Proper out of the gate, we’ll go on document to say that almost all people will adore the kind of rumble created by the Sub Mini. Harnessing the facility of Class-D amplification and two 6-inch woofers that fireside in opposition to one another, the audible end result isn’t going to take the roof off your home, however it should definitely add nuance and presence the place it could have been missing, whether or not your Sub Mini is linked up for a Sonos encompass configuration (i.e. a Mini plus Beam soundbar plus two One audio system within the again), Sonos stereo (equivalent to two One or 5 audio system linked collectively), or simply one Sonos speaker.

We additionally love that Sonos carried over the common Subs’ iconic force-canceling characteristic, which fires the drivers in opposition to one another to scale back undesirable distortion and vibrations. Every part from rock and hip-hop tracks to motion pictures and TV reveals will profit from the additional blast that the Sub Mini delivers, and due to the smaller cylindrical design, it’s additionally simpler to suit the Mini into space-starved areas.

However when it’s each precision and energy you’re in search of, particularly if your private home theater is rocking {hardware} just like the Sonos Arc, the bigger Sonos Sub will be the higher option to go. And whereas the Gen 3 Sub makes use of the identical Class-D energy and inward-firing drivers because the Mini, there’s barely higher frequency response total, extra quantity, and a squared-off design that makes it simple to tuck beneath furnishings like couches and finish tables.

Whereas the Sub Mini definitely will get the job completed in relation to bringing the bass, there’s no beating the unbridled growth of the Sono Sub, and that’s disregarding the value issue (we’ll get into that in a minute).

Winner: Sonos Sub

Versatility

Sonos recommends the bigger Sub be utilized in a medium- or large-sized room, with splendid pairing to the Sonos Arc, Beam, Playbase, or Playbar soundbars, the Sonos Amp, and the 5, Play: 5 (Gen 2), or Play:3 audio system. When it comes to the Sub Mini, the corporate recommends the smaller woofer for small to medium-sized rooms, ideally paired up with the Beam, Ray, One, One SL, and Play:1 audio system or the Sonos Amp.

When you think about all of the specs, these advised configurations make a ton of sense. And whereas most owners and residence dwellers will probably be greater than happy with the ample output of a Sonos soundbar/Sub Mini combo, those who favor the larger drive of the bigger Sub will seemingly be linking the heavier woofer as much as Sonos {hardware} just like the flagship Arc, particularly for immersive encompass experiences like Dolby Atmos.

Sure, you should utilize the Sub Mini for a simulated Dolby Atmos configuration, too, however should you’re fascinated with scoring Atmos sound on a small scale, you’ll want at the very least the Sonos Beam to even reap the benefits of the codec, and try to be ready for a weaker Atmos simulation total. And let’s be frank: If you happen to’re pondering of shopping for a giant Sonos soundbar, you must spend the additional $320 to pair it with the larger Sonos woofer.

And right here’s one thing else to chew on: As talked about above, you’ll be able to solely use one Sub Mini at a time. Certain, for many Sonos homeowners, one Sub is lots, however the Sonos Sub permits you to run as much as three woofers in the identical zone. For the true encompass sound devotees on the market, there’s no beating a 5.1.2 or 7.1.2 Atmos setup, a feat one can really obtain with a Sonos Sub, however not the Sub Mini (at the very least not proper now).

To that finish, we’re awarding a degree to the Sonos Sub.

Winner: Sonos Sub

Worth and guarantee

The Sonos Sub Mini and third-gen Sonos Sub will be bought by way of Sonos immediately, on-line retailers equivalent to Amazon, and brick-and-mortar/on-line shops like Walmart and Finest Purchase.

The Sonos Sub Mini sells for $430 and comes with a full one-year guarantee. The third-gen Sonos Sub sells for $749 and contains the identical one-year guarantee.

You can even discover each Sonos Subs bundled with different Sonos {hardware}, like this Sonos Sub Mini Residence Theater Completion Package and this Sonos Sub Premium Immersive Set with ARC.

If we’re talking purely when it comes to affordability, although (and we’re), the Sonos Sub Mini wins this one.

Winner: Sonos Sub Mini

The underside line

Whereas we all the time attempt to keep away from a draw (as a result of there’s all the time one thing that leads us to favor one product over one other), that is a type of conditions the place we’ve to grant this as a stalemate between the Sonos Sub Mini and third-gen Sonos Sub.

The Sub Mini is ideal for smaller properties, delivers wonderful low-end punch, can be utilized with quite a lot of Sonos peripherals, and is rather more reasonably priced than the third-gen Sub whereas nonetheless packing a punch, which is the large bonus right here. However for these in search of as a lot energy as attainable with out sacrificing sound high quality, the Sonos Sub delivers the larger thump for larger encompass sound gadgets (such because the Dolby Atmos-equipped Sonos Arc), together with a variety of EQ choices and different options, for a couple of hundred {dollars} greater than the competitors. It actually comes all the way down to your room and wishes on this case, so the most effective Sub relies on that — they’re each nice.

Winner: Tie

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