Sonos S2 will add Hi-res sound and Dolby Atmos
Sonos is taking a new major step regarding its multiroom home audio strategy, the company is planning to introduce a new software platform that includes a new OS for its speakers as well as a new app, Sonos S2. This new platform will be officially released later in June and will power many of the company’s current speakers as well as be the foundation for Sonos’ new products. Unfortunately, older Sonos speakers will be considered part of the company’s legacy and will be left behind with no more new features.
This new operating system will add hi-res audio capabilities to Sonos speakers but it will require a new app that users have to download instead of the older S1 app. However, older speakers will keep being supported by the S1 app and will keep receiving security updates and bug fixes.
The Verge reported the company’s new plan regarding the new Sonos S2: “Switching to a new OS will result in expanded capabilities, according to Sonos. Sonos S2 will allow for higher-resolution audio, whereas right now the company’s speakers are limited to CD-quality lossless audio. The revamped software underpinnings could let Sonos go hi-fi in the same way as Amazon’s Echo Studio. It could also finally result in Sonos adopting Dolby Atmos for home theater sound in the next Playbar, Playbase, or Beam.
Sonos S2 will also allow for usability enhancements (there will be improved room groups functionality in June) and “more connected and personal experiences,” according to the company. There aren’t many details on the latter just yet, but in past conversations with Sonos employees, they’ve hinted at a future in which your Sonos speakers might automatically start playing a certain playlist or podcast when you arrive home (or wake up in the morning) based on your listening patterns.”
According to The Verge, While the company’s speakers still support Google Assistant and Alexa, Sonos might at some point create its own smart assistant. Personally, I don’t see how such a step might benefit the company.
Sonos identified its legacy products and this includes the original Sonos Play:5, Zone Players, and Connect / Connect: Amp devices manufactured between 2011 and 2015. All other products are considered modern products and will be included in the new Sonos S2 upgrade. However, as we mentioned earlier, older devices will not receive software updates anymore but they will keep being supported by Sonos S1 app.
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This will create a problem for loyal Sonos users who built their Sonos multiroom setup over the years since you can mix between the S1 and S2 apps. Although Sonos is offering a 30 percent discount on a newer product through its “trade-up” program, I can imagine that many Sonos users will not like this deal.
If you are a Sonos legacy device owner, The Verge explained the four options you will have after the launch of the update:
1) Remove the S1-only products from your system. With only S2 compatible products remaining, you’ll be ready to download the new Sonos app in June.
2) Trade up S1-only products to their S2 compatible equivalents. For customers who choose this option, we continue to offer a 30 percent discount as part of our Trade-Up program.
3) Run your existing system on the S1 app. You’ll still get bug fixes and security patches, and we will work with our partners to keep your music and voice services working for as long as we can.
4) Separate your system into two. Unfortunately, it won’t be possible to group an S1 system with an S2 system.
For now, we are waiting for the upcoming Sonos event to get to know more about the new S2 platform, we will keep you updated.
