Skip to main content
Contributor I
May 9, 2021

Sonos S2 - what has it actually delivered so far?

  • May 9, 2021
  • 19 replies
  • 440 views

I decided to hold off on Sonos S2 upgrade when it was all the rage last year. I was concerned about messing up my system and wanted to see how it was all going before applying the upgrade.

I’m unable to find any coverage about what, if anything, it has actually delivered. It implied sweeping changes and delivery of cutting edge concepts, but nearly a year of water under the bridge, there doesn’t seem to be anything new.

I was hoping it might restore the ability to play directly off iPhone/iPad devices, which was a huge deterioration in functionality which didn’t seem to affect other brands of smart speakers.

if someone could let me know what new functionality I am missing out on with Sonos S2, so I can make an informed decision whether to upgrade or not, that would be great.

cheers all 

This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

19 replies

May 9, 2021

I decided to hold off on Sonos S2 upgrade when it was all the rage last year. I was concerned about messing up my system and wanted to see how it was all going before applying the upgrade.

I’m unable to find any coverage about what, if anything, it has actually delivered. It implied sweeping changes and delivery of cutting edge concepts, but nearly a year of water under the bridge, there doesn’t seem to be anything new.

I don’t recall any such claims, but perhaps I have forgotten - please provide references.

I was hoping it might restore the ability to play directly off iPhone/iPad devices, which was a huge deterioration in functionality which didn’t seem to affect other brands of smart speakers.

if someone could let me know what new functionality I am missing out on with Sonos S2, so I can make an informed decision whether to upgrade or not, that would be great.

cheers all 

What Sonos said was that the limitations of the old devices that were deemed ‘legacy’ were preventing Sonos from developing the system and products in ways that they wanted.  The nature of Sonos is a considerable amount of interconnectedness, so what new products can do can be constrained by old products.  So S2 is a platform for development, an enabler, not an end destination.  Nothing was said about timescales.  This is about the next 5 years, at least, IMO.

The Arc, Roam and Sub gen 3 are new products that are compatible with S2 only,  Some hires support is available and likely to expand.  Named room groups are possible  Various unspecified ‘performance enhancements’ have been made in updates.

Therefore many users will be able to stay on S1 without missing out on anything they really want.  But anyone who wants an Arc (for example) has to be on S2.  It’s entirely your call.

May 9, 2021

Btw if you thought there was the remotest chance of 'on this iPhone' returning then you never understood the reasons for its being withdrawn. But I'm not going to get into another debate about that dead and ancient topic.

May 9, 2021

 

I was hoping it might restore the ability to play directly off iPhone/iPad devices, which was a huge deterioration in functionality which didn’t seem to affect other brands of smart speakers.

 

For my information - these other brands play from iPhone how? Via bluetooth? Or Airplay?

jgatie
May 10, 2021

Bluesound removed the ability to play from an iPhone at same time that function started to deteriorate on Sonos.  Sonos at least spent a year trying to fix it, Bluesoundsimply yanked it and (rightfully) blamed Apple.

Enthusiast I
May 10, 2021

I don’t recall any such claims, but perhaps I have forgotten - please provide references.

 

By yours truly… Quote Patrick Spence:

 

“We are working on a way to split your system so that modern products work together and get the latest features, while legacy products work together and remain in their current state. “

 

I agree with the OP, what are the “Latest Features” of the S2 app that is better than S1 and what else is coming?

Even this post only states some High res audio, and then a lot still go on to say its disappointing.

 

 

bockersjv
Local Superstar
May 10, 2021

“But what have the Romans ever done for us?”

May 10, 2021

I don’t recall any such claims, but perhaps I have forgotten - please provide references.

 

By yours truly… Quote Patrick Spence:

 

“We are working on a way to split your system so that modern products work together and get the latest features, while legacy products work together and remain in their current state. “

 

I agree with the OP, what are the “Latest Features” of the S2 app that is better than S1 and what else is coming?

Even this post only states some High res audio, and then a lot still go on to say its disappointing.

 

 

I remember that post very well - where did it promise ‘sweeping changes and cutting edge concepts’, and where did it imply these would be evident immediately? But you are welcome to persist in your misinterpretation of the purpose and nature of S2.

Enthusiast I
May 10, 2021

I don’t recall any such claims, but perhaps I have forgotten - please provide references.

 

By yours truly… Quote Patrick Spence:

 

“We are working on a way to split your system so that modern products work together and get the latest features, while legacy products work together and remain in their current state. “

 

I agree with the OP, what are the “Latest Features” of the S2 app that is better than S1 and what else is coming?

Even this post only states some High res audio, and then a lot still go on to say its disappointing.

 

 

I remember that post very well - where did it promise ‘sweeping changes and cuting edge concepts, and where did it imply these would be evident mmediately?

The OP never said Immediately. He is asking a year later! You can twist the words anyway you like, but S2 was supposed to deliver the “Latest Features” as what Patrick said, and there doesn’t seem to be many great or Latest features which is what the OP is trying to find out. 

Rather than belittle his comment and twist the words, would be best to help answer his question.

I just found another thing other than the High Def. That is I think the S2 does the “sound swap”. Nothing major, but I guess a feature over S1. 

Any others features that S2 has over S1?

Corry P
Sonos Staff
May 10, 2021

In addition to what has been mentioned already, in S2 the entire setup process of adding speakers has been completely over-hauled to make it very easy, and start automatically.

Also, with S2, you no longer need an ethernet cable to connect a multi-unit Sonos system to a new WiFi network.

Finally, new products will now only come with S2 compatibility, therefore new features - like Sound Swap or Bluetooth line-in, and other things stillto come - will only ever be available on S2.

 

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein
Enthusiast I
May 10, 2021

In addition to what has been mentioned already, in S2 the entire setup process of adding speakers has been completely over-hauled to make it very easy, and start automatically.

Also, with S2, you no longer need an ethernet cable to connect a multi-unit Sonos system to a new WiFi network.

Finally, new products will now only come with S2 compatibility, therefore new features - like Sound Swap or Bluetooth line-in, and other things still to come - will only ever be available on S2.

 

Thanks Corry, certainly interesting to understand that. But good to know right now overall, its not an earth shattering difference yet. I guess in another year we will hear even more. :smiley:

The thing i’m worried about though in the S1 app is loss of certain streaming services like YouTube Music or Spotify. I think there was talk previously about that was another reason why upgrades were done.