Sonos one Gen 1 vs Gen 2: Detailed Comparison 2023
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The smart speakers of Sonos allow their users to control their smart devices more efficiently and comfortably.
The company has recently come with the latest generation of much-acclaimed Sonos. The Sonos One works well with all the available assistants so there is no need to worry about its compatibility.
However, because of its smartness, it is mostly preferred by most audiophiles.
It is also known for its excellent delivery of sound. The second-generation speaker, the tilted Sonos One Gen 2 is the latest version of this company.
The major question asked by the customers is that what is the major difference between these two and what has changed?
There are two generations of the Sonos One smart speaker, which are Sonos One Gen 1 vs Gen 2
Let’s dig into this article to find out the differences so you can easily decide which one you want to buy
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Contents
Sonos One Gen 1 and Gen 2 – Changes
The major difference between these two is in the three main parameters. It is said by the company that the Sonos Gen 2 comes with a more powerful processor, increased memory, and is more advanced in features.
You might think that the improvement in the features might give you the best performance, but it can’t be fully true.
The updates in this Sonos Gen 2 don’t include any exclusive feature to the speaker from now onwards.
The company says that these upgrades are organized with an onward-looking perceptive. Also, they say that they have not planned any features for Sonos Gen 2.
However, the manufacturer might be working to improve the device’s smartness.
Gen 1 and Gen 2 don’t have major differences especially when it comes to the speaker. Furthermore, both looks and sounds the same, so below are some similarities they share in common:
- Humidity resistive
- Smart voice assistants
- Custom build sound drivers
- Play one-based class D amplifiers
- Easy to remote control through Apple Airplay and Sonos App
Furthermore, we are going to discuss both these generations in detail which will help you to select the one easily.
Sonos Gen 1 and Gen 2-The difference:
If both Gen 1 and Gen 2 are the same speakers then what are the differences? Well, the latter comes with a fast processor and increased memory but the Bluetooth audio streaming is not available.
The Gen 2 also comes with Bluetooth low energy that helps to facilitate the internal set-up of the speaker. Hence, there are no new features that were introduced into this device.
It means that you can have the same features from Gen 1, but upgrading it to Gen 2 might be a waste of your money.
The price of Gen 1 has been decreased with the introduction of Gen 2. Gen 2 is more expensive and has more processing power that can come in handy.
But when you look at the audio quality and the other functions, you might not be able to find any difference. If you are an audiophile then both the speakers will sound the same to you.
We consider both models effectively alike in terms of experience you would get from each of them.
What we like:
Sono 1 Gen1:
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- Durability
- Spotify voice support
- Excellent sound quality
- Microphones pick up voice reliability
Sonos 1 Gen 2:
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- Powerful audio
- Multi-room audio
- Airplay is supportive
- Amazon Alexa and Google assistant are supportive
What we don’t like:
Gen 1:
- Convoluted set-up process
- Treble notes are hard to hear
Gen 2:
- Audio distorts at high volume
- No wired or Bluetooth connections
Specifications:
Gen 1:
- Dimensions are 6.4 x 4.8 x 4.8 inches
- Weighs 4.08 lb.
Gen 2:
- Dimensions are 6.36 x 4.69 x 4.69 inches
- Weighs 4.08 pounds
Sonos Gen 1 Vs Gen 2 Features
Smart audio systems are the trendy craze, and there is an entire war happening that you could or won’t have found out you are already part of clever assistants.
What started as a groovy new characteristic in your smartphone is fast blossoming into a whole new environment of products.
And in case, you don’t pay attention, you would possibly come to be dividing your lifestyles in disturbing ways. One employer that doesn’t want you to pick out is Sonos.
Whichever assistant you come to be letting run your lifestyles, your Sonos will work with it.
How do Sonos Gen 1 and Gen 2 sound?
The Sonos Gen 1 sounds loud even at 50% of the volume. The lows get deep due to the mid-woofer and are a little too much for everyone. The bass comes out without covering the mids.
Mids too sound great that allows you to hear every detail of your guitar strums and vocals. Lows will handle just fine if you want to hook up this one with the other speakers.
Although, there is a slight weakness in the high frequencies this Sonos Gen 1 still sounds great. Sonos Gen 1 does a good job of handling the transition.
It has a tweeter and 6 far-field mics all of them are powered by two-class D amplifiers.
The one can get loud for its size but you should not expect powerful low-end to come out of its small size.
The Sonos Gen 2 outshines comparably with the Google Home, Amazon echo, and stands out against its ancestor.
This speaker struggles a little with our bass check track, the bass synth notes and kick drum hits distort a little that inflicting a little crunchiness within the flat consistent audio.
But you can cover it by slightly dialing the volume dial. It produces some considerable sub-bass roar.
How do Sonos Gen 1 and Gen 2 build?
The Sonos Gen 1 is 15 cm tall and comes with a far-field microphone that instantly registers voices. There is a matte white grill around the speakers but is also available in matte black.
On the top, there are touch-sensitive controls that allow you to off/on a microphone and control the volume.
However, the plastic finish is smooth to touch and doesn’t feel cheap. It is humidity resistive but is not waterproof. It is a Wi-Fi home speaker but not a portable one.
Whether you place them on your bookshelves and the kitchen counter, it blends perfectly and stick to the minimal design.
The most interesting feature of this model is the Alexa feature and connection.
The compact design of Sonos Gen 2 makes it versatile enough to easily fit in the areas where the space is at a premium.
The sleek finish and touch panel control makes this speaker an aesthetically pleasing addition to any room whether it is tucked away or on display.
It is also available in the black and white color so you can buy anyone that suits your interior. It is a coffee can-like design that is 6.3 x 4.7 x 4.7 inches in measurement.
The top is smooth and the solid cap adds an inch of height past the grille.
The sides of the grill stop on the back, solid strip that holds an ethernet port and set-up buttons, and leaving room for a wide.
The power connector is in a recess with the channel plugs in the bottom which allows the cable to run out of the back, under the ethernet port.
How do Sonos One GEN 1and Gen 2 connect?
The set-up of Sonos Gen 1 is each top-notch smooth and weirdly convoluted. After plugging it in, the Sonos One routinely discovered our Wi-Fi, and we become capable of picking this at the tool control in Spotify.
But what becomes a perplexing mess of screens, permissions, and applications become the method of connecting.
You need to download the Sonos App, which then makes you download the Alexa app, which then desires to be connected and then desires the permissions.
It is a little confusing but not difficult, a streamlined process is a bit easy for the regular person. Sonos One allows voice-controlled playback only via the streaming services which was Amazon music which now also works with Spotify.
While Sonos Gen 2 is easy to connect, what you need to do is just download the Sonos S2 app and follow the given instructions to easily connect the soundbar to your music streaming services and Wi-Fi network.
It also makes it easy for you to select between Google assistant or Alexa but also you can use both of them.
Alexa is not supported in the middle east but thanks to the inbuilt microphone in the soundbar because of this you can control playback by just using your voice. You can also control your home smart devices.
You might face the problem of setting up the Google assistant from the app of Sonos but the Google assistant will automatically help you to recognize the beams to set it up without any difficulty.
Additional features
One connects any 2.4 gigacycle Wi-Fi community with the utilization of an 802.11b/g router. Confine in mind that the 5 GHz networks (802.11n/ac/ax) are incompatible with the speaker.
One additionally comes with a 10/100 Mbps ethernet port. While the Sonos controller app serves as a far-flung manager for One, the speaker functions as fundamental pinnacle panel controls for sound volume, pause/play, next/preceding tune, and microphone /voice assistant mute.
The pinnacle panel additionally has LEDs displaying reputation and microphone indicators. Gen 1 and Gen 2 could also be controlled by the use of both the S1 and S2 apps.
All Sonos audio systems are Apple-friendly, and One is not an exception. While the Sonos controller app may be downloaded for android, one wishes iOS to take complete benefit of all of One’s functions.
For example, Sonos, True play-which fie tunes the sound of the speaker to the specific acoustical surroundings of your listening area, can most effectively be used with iOS 7 or later versions.
Compared to Gen 1, Gen 2 sellers an enhanced processor and advanced or updated memory. This advancement reports as ‘’Future Proofing’’ Gen 2 if the company enhances the firmware of the speaker.
In our opinion, use Gen 2 to avoid any Apple Airplay 2 snafus because many customers face difficulties while using Airplay with Gen 1.
One is also multi-room supportive with the controller app. You can use the application with the dozens of music files and music streaming services stored on the Network-Attached Storage device (NAS).
FAQs
Which one is better Sonos One or SL?
Sonos One and Sonos One SL are very alike in terms of design and sound but the One and One SL are a little bit refined in the finish, which offers capacitive touch controls like the other all-new Sonos speakers. However, the Sonos One features voice control.
Can you pair Sonos Play with the Gen 2?
The Sonos One comes in Gen 1 and Gen 2 both of them are Alexa enabled. However, you cannot stereo pair Play:1 with the Sonos One but you can group them.
Furthermore, you can stereo pair the Sonos One Gen 1 and Gen 2 together.
Is Sonos better than Bose?
The Sonos speakers give their customers original audio and inbuilt voice control through Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. But when it comes to connectivity and pairing, Bose is better than Sonos.
The Sonos one plays songs over Wi-Fi and Airplay 2 but Bose streams music through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Airplay.
Can Sonos connect to T.V?
The Sonos comes with iOS and Android applications but they are not compatible with the Android and Apple T.V.
To connect a Sonos One with your T.V you have to make it a part of a large Sonos system connected to your T.V.
Can you use Sonos speakers without using soundbars?
The amplifier works like the Sonos port but is also an amplifier with an HDMI ARC port. It means you can play the audio of your T.V if you have some other Sonos speakers, deprived of having one of the soundbars of Sonos.
How can you link Amazon to Sonos?
Open the Sonos application for the Android and iOS apps. From the settings select the Services and Voice > Add a Service> Amazon Alexa then Add Amazon Alexa.
Select the enable to sign in to the Sonos account after being readdressed to the Alexa application then enable the Sonos skill.
Final words
The Sonos One is worthy and has excellent features and performance, it sounds better than the Amazon Echo and Google Home.
The PC and MAC users prefer to go with Gen 1 but if you are a devotee of iOS then go with Gen 2. If money, is your issue then you will be able to reserve it by choosing Gen 1.
People who use virtual assistants, stream music from multiple services, and podcasts place an important load on the One, might need composure by selecting the Gen 2.
Furthermore, if you are an enthusiast of gadgets who is into the stuff of smart homes and into some other stuff with a needed level of curiosity to explore then can go with Gen 2.
We hope that this article will help you to learn more about the speakers so that you will be able to find and buy the one according to your requirements.
This is Lucas , Loving Songs 24 X 7, I love to Test New Speakers Everytime Because I love Music and It,s my One Of The Fav Hobbies. I have Created This Website To Review Some Of The Best Sound Quality Speakers.