Oppo Sonica Wireless Speakers Review
Disclaimer: I am reviewing this Oppo Sonica speaker for Samma3a – I was not compensated or received a free device. The Oppo is since returned.
About Oppo:
After causing quite a stir in the Blueray, DVD and CD player world, then entering the headphones world with their amazing PM line that gained highest respect and were awarded wall of fame places and other high accolades. Now Oppo tries to cause seem stir in the wireless speaker world. Given the history of what happens when they enter any new market – this is reason to take notice. So let’s see how they do.
Appearance and Packaging:
Oppo Sonica speaker comes in a cardboard box, with nicely padded cardboard pieces to keep it safe. Inside the box you find the speaker, a power cord and the manual.
Oppo Sonica speaker itself has a nice heft to it. It’s all feeling good to the touch and the plastics and speaker grill feel like it can withstand relatively rough handling – though this speaker is purely designed for in-house use.
The only buttons are on top of the speaker – smart placement except if your Sonica is placed on a high bookshelf. However – all settings can be done from the companion app that is available for Android and iOS. I review it with the iOS version.
The build quality feels rock solid and elegant. I own the Oppo PM-2 and PM-3 headphones and am a fan of the Oppo build quality and material choices. Every part feels well though through and feels luxurious.
It’s a very pleasant and elegant design that doesn’t draw too much attention. The speaker is available in white and black.
Read: Oppo HA-2SE Portable Headphones Amplifier/USB DAC
Specifications
- Power Supply 100 V – 240 V ~ 50/60 Hz
- Power Consumption 35 W / 6 W (Standby)
- Size (mm) 301 (L) x 147 (W) x 135 (H)
- Weight 2.4 kg (5.3 lb)
- Wi-Fi Protocol 802.11.a/b/g/n/ac
- Bluetooth Standard Bluetooth 4.1
- AUX Max Input 2 Vrms
- Audio Formats AAC, AIF, AIFC, AIFF, APE, FLAC, M4A, M4A
- (Apple Lossless) ALAC, MP2, OGG, WAV,
- WMA
- Drivers 1 x 3.5” long displacement bass driver
- 2 x 3” balanced bass radiators
- 2 x 2.5” wideband drivers with Neodymium magnets
- Operating Conditions Temperature 5°C – 35°C Humidity 15% – 75% (No Condensation)
- Wall Mount Optional
- Usage:
Oppo Sonica Set up:
There are different ways to set up the Oppo Sonica, depending on how you integrate the Sonica in your network.
You can run the Sonica via the old fashioned AUX 3.5mm cable form any audio source, you can stream via Bluetooth 4.1 and lower or you can integrate the Sonica into your Wifi or cable (Ethernet) based network. You can even play music from USB sticks or hard drives that you can connect directly to the Sonica.
The setup is well described in the manual and is pretty easy to follow. Since I didn’t read the manual I struggled for a few minutes. But still haha everything setup and integrated in my network ion around 5 minutes. From then you just leave the Sonica alone – it switches on and off (standby) automatically.
Read: Marshall Kilburn Bluetooth Speakers Review
Technology and Specs explained
This speaker packs a lot of tech. Not only can you stream DLNA (Android) and Airplay (iOS) from nearly any device in lossless quality, but you can also stream via Bluetooth and AUX analog or files directly.
The Oppo Sonica supports also a multi-room setup – so you can have multiple Sonicas in various rooms and then choose via the app which ones should play the music. Directly from the Sonica app you can stream Tidal and since the last update Spotify, plus all music you have on your phone or other streaming services (but then you would use Airplay from them).
The DAC inside is capable of decoding lossless high resolution audio up to 24 bit / 192 kHz.
Inside you find a DSP for the room adjustments and 4 separate amplifiers that work in a 2.1 configuration. There are two 15 Watt amplifiers to drove the 3.5 inch bass woofer and the two 3 inch bass “radiators”. Another two amplifiers with 10 Watt each take care of the 2.5 inch wideband drivers for the left and right channel.
Everything is setup up to deliver high dynamic pressure and impactful sound that doesn’t distort. At every volume level the Oppo delivers the best sound quality it’s speakers are capable of thanks to the custom tuned amplifiers that work in tandem with the DSP (digital signal processor).
You can tell the system your specific room setup – the size and the placement of the device (bookshelf, free standing, corner placement etc.) and the Sonica will make sure to adjust it’s sound to give you the best soundstage and impactful sound.
If you want better Stereo sound you can buy two Sonica speakers and combine them to a stereo set up. Each Sonica will take care of only one channel then. And I think that way you have quite some punch for most homes.
Sound Quality
Let’s get to it. This is the best wireless speaker I have heard so far. Totally worth $299. My experience with Bluetooth/Wireless speakers consists of foxl Soundmatters V2 Platinum, J&L 12 A, Bose Soundlink and B&O Beoplay Beolit 15, Geneva Labs Model S, are the ones that I either own or have spend some considerable time with.
So, how does it compare. At the moment I am using the Model S at home for most of my wireless listening. I have used my Roland Binaural Microphone to record the difference. Have a listen to the mp3 I recorded sitting 2m away from the Sonica and Model S.
The Sonica sounds dynamic – detailed with a very nice soundstage. The amount of bass impact it creates from such a small package is impressive. The bass woofer and the two radiators really do a good job of getting some serious punch out.
The mids are present, acoustic instruments sound very natural and organic. The Oppo sounds good with electronic as well as with classical and acoustic music – quite a feat. Since you can adjust the sound via the presets or your mobile equalizer settings if you choose to – you can make this speaker sound perfect for you.
The highs are pleasant and maybe a tad rolled off which makes listening fatigue free and easy. However detail is not missing at all.
I created a recording to compare the sound quality of the Oppo with m y Geneva Labs Model S. I used Roland Binaural microphones (that are actually in-ear headphones with microphones on the outside) so you can have an idea how the Oppo sounds.
Important: while listening please use headphones….
Conclusion:
I doubt anyone would be disappointed with the audio quality the Oppo Sonica can deliver. I can recommend this speaker. It competes or even surpasses the Bang & Olufsen, Geneva Labs and other brands in regards to sound quality and certainly surpasses them in the amount of standards it supports and features it supports via it’s dedicated app.
If you prefer a more typical 2 speaker setup and don’t want to invest in 2 Sonicas, take a look at the Audioengine Speakers that are using Bluetooth only. They also pack an enormous sound quality with a more traditional approach of speakers in wood housings
If you need something you can take with you – take a look at the battery powered options like the Ultimate Ears, Marshall or Bose options. They won’t pack as much tech and will sound less impactful and involving but offer the added benefit of portability.
For a home setup that is the latest in streaming technology – future-proof for many years and sounds amazing – this is the one to choose.
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