Sonos Sub Mini Review: All About That Bass

Subwoofers appeared elusive to me for a few years—solely wealthy folks, automobile folks, or audiophiles actually handled them, and my household fell into none of these classes. After a lifetime of counting on actually horrible built-in audio system, my in-laws gifted us a sound system from Definitive Technology, however even then I by no means foresaw myself organising audio system past a Bluetooth connection. Luckily, the Sonos Sub Mini doesn’t require rather more than that so as to add far more bass to an current Sonos soundbar, however wouldn’t it have sufficient energy to fill my front room?

I nervously swapped my present soundbar and subwoofer for the Beam (Gen 2) and new Sub Mini, apprehensive that the area they saved would value the sound that stuffed the room. Much to my shock, the Mini produced a thumping bass and a transparent sound. If you’re after a compact means so as to add extra bass to your Sonos system, that is simply the ticket.

Adjustable Bass

I like that the Sonos Mini Subwoofer is wi-fi. Aside from plugging it into an influence supply, you join the Mini to your system via the Sonos app by including it to whichever system you want. In my case, I added it to the “living room” system, simply pairing it with my Beam (Gen 2) with mainly a single faucet. This makes it easy if you wish to change techniques, permitting you to plug the Mini in elsewhere and add it to whichever different rooms you’ve got arrange. Most folks might not have a subwoofer of their bed room, however it’s really easy to maneuver that I’ve thought of pairing the Mini with my Sonos Ray many instances.

During your preliminary Sonos setup, you’ll be able to join your chosen distant to your sound system. However, should you’re desirous about fine-tuning your listening expertise, the Sonos App is the way in which to go. Aside from setting bass and treble ranges, you too can modify sub and top audio, set quantity limits, and add encompass audio system to your setup.

It’s a bummer that Trueplay Tuning, which permits the audio system to tune themselves to your particular person room, hasn’t caught as much as the present iOS but, however that hangup spans all of Sonos and any non-iOS system in the meanwhile. That being stated, the Mini nonetheless produces nice sound all through the room. There have been instances I needed to examine if it was really raining outdoors as a result of the pitter-patters from my film dispersed so naturally.

But whereas a sub does loads for readability and element in different scenes, I might be remiss to not acknowledge what the folks need: that bass. Whether you’re bumping Biggie or blaring Thundercat, bass could make all of the distinction in case your enjoyment. Every film rating and Midnights pay attention was completely punctuated with percussion. Every quiet dialog and screaming match had crisp, articulate highs and lows. And each single time a dragon landed on HBO, it nearly felt prefer it stepped proper into my front room.

All Cylinders Firing

In my expertise, the straightforward physics of low-end (sometimes, an even bigger speaker plus extra mass means larger bass) subwoofers sometimes aren’t small. The just one I’ve ever had was a hefty field that always acted as additional tabletop space for storing out of necessity. On the opposite, the Sonos Mini is small, cylindrical, and trendy (very like its different Sonos brethren).

The wealthy, full sound takes up loads of air area in my one-bedroom, however the Mini is probably not for each front room. Much just like the Sonos Ray, this subwoofer is ideal for condominium residing rooms, smaller rooms, and starter sound techniques total. It packs sufficient punch to intensify no matter you’re enjoying with out disrupting the neighbors or different housemates, and it gained’t rattle your own home or condominium to the inspiration.

My solely criticism in regards to the design is that the cylindrical form could be tough to configure right into a room with Tetris-like furnishings. Every nook in my condominium issues, and the roundness doesn’t precisely click on proper into place subsequent to my rectangular leisure heart. That being stated, it appears like a delicate piece of decor, and with somewhat little bit of maneuvering it matches in simply high quality.

My different minor gripe with the Sub Mini is the associated fee. At somewhat beneath $450, it’s a really costly addition to most sound techniques, particularly when pairing it with different costly Sonos audio system just like the Arc ($900) or the Beam ($450). But it’s on par with different wi-fi subs of its caliber, and Sonos is understood for larger pricing than rivals in alternate for its wonderful ease of use (à la Apple) so sadly that’s simply the character of the beast right here.

All prices apart, I couldn’t imagine how properly this tiny, top-notch speaker took over my front room. It’s not an ideal alternative for bigger household rooms, however should you’re furnishing your condominium or different smaller rooms and actually wish to amplify your listening expertise, the Sonos Sub Mini is a good alternative—no audio nerdiness mandatory.