Experience high-quality sound like never before with the Sonos One SL speaker – the perfect addition to your home.
Sound Review Hub’s Verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Sonos has made quite a name for itself in the world of high-quality audio, and the Sonos One SL is no exception. As a microphone-free variant of the Sonos One Gen 2, this compact wireless speaker is designed for movie, TV, and music enthusiasts who want to enhance their sound experience without breaking the bank. With its impressive room-filling sound and sleek design, the Sonos One SL offers powerful audio performance in a small package.
2-Minute Review
I’ve been using the Sonos One SL speaker for a while now, and I must say, I’m impressed. If you’re looking for a compact speaker that can deliver quality sound without breaking the bank, then this might be the one for you.
One thing that stands out about the Sonos One SL is its design. It has a sleek, modern look that fits into any room decor. It’s also very lightweight, so you can move it around easily.
Sound-wise, the Sonos One SL is impressive. It has a wide soundstage, and the sound is clear and detailed. I love how it delivers a balanced sound and can handle various music genres. The bass is punchy but not overpowering, and the mids and highs are well-defined.
Setting up the Sonos One SL is straightforward. You can connect it to your Wi-Fi network using the Sonos app, and you’re good to go. You can also use the app to control the speaker and adjust the settings. I find it very user-friendly and intuitive.
One thing to note is that the Sonos One SL doesn’t have a built-in voice assistant, so you can’t control it using your voice. However, you can still control it using the app and connect it to other Sonos speakers to create a multi-room audio system.
With that being said, let’s dive deeper into the Sonos One SL speaker and see how it can perfectly fit in your home!
Design and Build Quality
- Modern design, compact size
- Solid and durable build quality
When it comes to design and build quality, the Sonos One SL speaker doesn’t disappoint. Just like the One, the One SL has a clean and modern finish making it a great fit in any room of your home. Its compact size means you can place it virtually anywhere, while its impressive build quality guarantees it can withstand frequent use.
The Sonos One SL comes in a monochromatic color finish, which is a stylistic upgrade from the Play:1. The Sonos One SL comes in either black or white and features a fingerprint-proof soft matte finish. There are capacitive touch controls on the top of the unit for play/pause, volume up, and volume down controls. Additionally, you can skip tracks if you swipe across the entire area. The absence of microphones or a dedicated microphone button sets it apart from the One.
A subtle light grey Sonos logo is on the front side of the One SL. It’s small and hardly visible, which I think is a great touch, as it prevents the branding from being too overbearing.
Overall, the build quality feel of the One SL is solid and durable. The small LED status light shows when the One SL is connected to the network. A matte white or black grille of tiny oval holes covers the speakers, which wraps around almost 360°, though leaving a small gap at the back for a pairing button and an Ethernet port. The power cable attaches seamlessly to the bottom of the unit, keeping things looking neat and tidy.
Features and Connectivity
- Apple AirPlay 2
- Trueplay and Loudness
- No Bluetooth
When it comes to the Sonos One SL’s features and connectivity, it’s hard to know where to start. Let’s begin with the set-up process, which is remarkably straightforward. To get started, all you need to do is plug in your speaker, download the Sonos S2 app, and follow the simple instructions.
Once set up, you’ll have access to a wealth of sound features via app settings. Two of these stand out in particular: Trueplay and Loudness. Trueplay is a unique feature that analyzes the acoustics of your room and adjusts the speaker’s sonic balance accordingly. To use it, walk around your listening room while waving your phone, and the Sonos One SL will do the rest. This impressive feature is topped off with thrilling lightsaber noises that come from the One SL’s drivers!
Another feature worth noting is AirPlay 2, which is an excellent addition for those deep in Apple’s ecosystem.
One feature missing is Bluetooth. For that, you’ll need to look to the more portable Sonos Move. It’s worth mentioning that your Sonos One SL speaker will also be down if your Wi-Fi network goes down.
The One SL also boasts a touch-control panel, which you can disable via app settings. The status light can also be turned off if you find it distracting, which is a small yet useful feature. If you want to add voice-activated smarts to your Sonos One SL, you can add an inexpensive Google Mini or opt for the Sonos One speaker, which comes with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
I’d say the Sonos One SL has an impressive range of features that’s easy to use and works hard to make your music sound great. The lack of Bluetooth is a bummer, but AirPlay 2 is here to stay. Like me, you’ll likely find the Trueplay feature enough to make the One SL worth your investment.
Audio Performance
- Powerful sound quality
- Balanced treble and bass
- Great addition to Sonos system
When it comes to Audio Performance, the Sonos One SL speaker definitely packs a punch. With neutral EQ presets, Trueplay, and Loudness toggled on, I played a variety of music genres to test its capabilities. No matter what I played, the powerful sound quality was undeniable.
One standout example was when I played “Los Angeles” by The Midnight on Spotify. The bass was agile, solid, and remarkably weighty for a speaker of this size. The treble and midrange frequencies were also well-balanced and noticeable. Vocals were upfront and central, perfectly set apart from the low bass tones, which were perceptible and musically cohesive in relation to the high hat. The bass performance was every bit as energetic, punchy, and detailed as in the voice-controlled sibling.
The Sonos One SL is an amazing addition to a living room 5.1 system with a soundbar such as the Sonos Beam or Sonos Arc, and Sonos Sub. I love the immersive experience of combining all of these Sonos products together. However, in terms of standalone use, some users might find that the Sonos One SL lacks the depth and fullness of a larger speaker.
Setup and Ease of Use
Setting up the Sonos One SL speaker couldn’t be easier. You’ll be up and running in mere minutes. All you need to do is plug the speaker into an outlet and connect it to your Wi-Fi network using the Sonos app or through the speaker’s touch controls.
The app is simple and sleek, making it easy for you to navigate its features. You can control everything from the app, including grouping speakers, playing music, and adjusting the volume. Plus, the app provides tutorial videos, guiding you through setting up and controlling the Sonos One SL.
The downside to this speaker’s ease of use for some is that it is strictly a Wi-Fi-connected speaker. It does not support Bluetooth; therefore, it limits the listening options of the user depending on their device compatibility.
Should You Buy It?
If you’re looking for a wireless speaker that delivers excellent sound quality, the Sonos One SL is definitely worth considering. This speaker provides a perfect balance between robust sound and minimalist design.
One of the standout features of the Sonos One SL speaker is its incredibly easy setup process. In just a few minutes, you can have your new speaker up and running without any technical knowledge. You can connect it to your phone, tablet, or laptop with a simple touch of a button.
Another great thing about the Sonos One SL is that it can be used alone or as part of a larger Sonos system. It’s the perfect reference for a 5.1 sound system if you want an immersive home theater experience. Plus, you can seamlessly control the entire system using the Sonos app.
In terms of design, the Sonos One SL looks great in any room. The minimalist look not only fits with the current trend but is also timeless. Thanks to its all-black or all-white matte color and simple form factor, it will blend easily with any room decor.
However, before you make your purchase, it’s important to note that the Sonos One SL comes with a higher price tag compared to other wireless speakers. Additionally, it doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity; it is solely dependent on Wi-Fi.
If you’re in the market for a premium wireless speaker, the Sonos One SL is a great option to consider. It delivers amazing sound quality, has a sleek design to fit your home interiors, and can easily integrate with other Sonos smart speakers for a customized sound experience.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent Sound Quality: The Sonos One SL delivers crisp and clear audio with powerful bass, making it a great option for music lovers.
- Easy Setup: Using the Sonos S2 app, the setup process is straightforward and quick.
- Flexible Connectivity: It can connect wirelessly to other Sonos speakers and supports Apple AirPlay 2, making it easy to integrate into an existing home audio setup.
- Great Aesthetics: The speaker’s minimalist design looks sleek and modern in any living space.
- No voice assistant means more privacy: If you’re concerned about privacy, the absence of a microphone means that Sonos One SL is not listening to you.
Cons
- Price: The Sonos One SL is more expensive than other smart speakers on the market, which may be a dealbreaker for some buyers.
- No built-in voice assistant: It does not support voice commands without additional hardware, which can be a drawback for those who rely on voice assistants in their everyday life.
- Lack of Bluetooth Connectivity: It does not have Bluetooth connectivity, which limits connectivity for some devices.
- No physical controls: The speaker does not have physical buttons, which can be a bit frustrating if you prefer physical controls over touch controls or voice commands.
- No stereo pairing with Play:1: The Sonos One SL cannot be paired in a stereo setup with the original Sonos Play:1, unlike the Sonos One, which has an integrated voice assistant.
Final Verdict
Hey, thanks for sticking around till the end! Now, let’s talk about the final verdict on the Sonos One SL speaker.
Overall, I’m pretty impressed with this little guy! It’s a great option for anyone who wants the quality sound that Sonos is known for without the extra cost of a built-in voice assistant.
Personally, I already have a few Sonos One speakers in my home, and I love them. But when I heard about the One SL, I knew I had to give it a try. And I was not disappointed.
The sound quality is top-notch, just like other Sonos speakers, and it’s easy to set up and control with the Sonos app. Plus, the lack of a voice assistant can benefit those who want a straightforward speaker with privacy.
So, what didn’t I like? Honestly, there’s not much. The only thing I can think of is that it doesn’t come with a built-in voice assistant. But that’s not really a negative, just a different choice that might not suit everyone’s preferences.
All in all, if you’re a fan of Sonos and want a quality speaker without the extra cost of a built-in voice assistant, the Sonos One SL is definitely worth considering. I wish I had considered it before purchasing my pair of Sonos One speakers for my living room setup. Live and learn, right?
Specifications
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| AUDIO | |
| Amplifier | Two Class-D digital amplifiers. |
| Tweeter | One tweeter creates a crisp and accurate high frequency response. |
| Mid-woofer | One mid-woofer ensures the faithful playback of mid-range vocal frequencies plus deep, rich bass. |
| Stereo pair | Turn two speakers into separate left and right channel speakers to create wider, deeper sound. |
| Home theater | Add two speakers as surrounds for a true surround sound experience. |
| NETWORKING | |
| Wireless connectivity | Connects to WiFi network with any 802.11a/b/g/n 2.4 or 5GHz broadcast-capable router. |
| Ethernet port | One 10/100Mbps Ethernet port. You can plug a Sonos product directly into your router if your WiFi is unstable. |
| GENERAL | |
| Power supply | Auto-switching 100 – 240V ~ 50-60 Hz 1A AC universal input |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6.36 x 4.69 x 4.69in. (161.45 x 119.7 X 119.7mm) |
| Weight | 4.08lb (1.85kg) |
| Operating temperature | 32° to 104°F (0 to 40°C) |
| Storage temperature | -4° to 158°F (-20° to 70°C) |
| Humidity resistant | Designed to withstand high humidity, like in a bathroom with a running shower. (It is not waterproof or water-resistant.) |
| Product finish | White with white grille; black with black grille |
| Package contents | Sonos One SL, power cord, and Quickstart Guide |
