Sonos Roam power button - poor implementation

Xander, I don’t think that’s accurate.  Generally there is no obvious tactile response from pressing the power button.  If I want to bring it out of standby, I can only tell the press worked if the led light comes on.  Many others have commented on this as well.   There is no clicky feel (like the buttons on the top) -- and, unfortunately, I don’t think there is supposed to be one.   

Hi both Xander P and Caesar327

I did call support and they have been helpful but I had already arranged to see the store.  I’ve just been to the store (Richer Sounds) and tried one there.  It has a positive but very gentle feel to it so you can tell you have it pressed.  They have agreed to replace it under warranty and will ship a new one to me.  So we will see how that one performs!?!

Thanks all, I will report back when the new one arrives.

Thank you for your comments.  I contacted Sonos and they’re telling me that the button on the roam is supposed to be a slight push.  Again, nonsensical for a portable speaker you should be able to throw in a bag.  Even a hardshell case would do the trick.

So I have had the new one for just over 24 hrs now.  I can report that the power button does have a more positive feel to it.  Not as strong a click like action as the one in the shop but definately there compared to the original one that had no positive feel to it at all.  This one you can feel the depression and slight “pop” as pressed.  So I’ll be keeping it.

I will remark that it was difficult to get it into Bluetooth pairing mode though I did achieve it after about 5 minutes of trying.  Typically holding the button for several (more than 5) seconds only resulted in the unit turning on or off!.

So there it is, not wonderful but just about OK!!!

I have SONOS throughout my house and just bought two ROAM speakers for the garden/bathroom. I made a ‘Group’ and paired them together. I assumed if I subsequently chose the ‘Group’ they would start as a pair. It doesn’t happen and often only one speaker appears and then I have to ‘switch on’ [at least press on or maybe off the POWER button which doesn’t ‘click’] the other speaker and occasionally it connects or I have to go through the whole setup process again.

I have a similar issue with the Power button and am disappointed to hear it is likely to switch on if you put the speakers in a bag or rucksack .. as the whole point is for the speakers to be mobile. Otherwise the design, with the exception of the Power button, is great and the audio is terrific,

SONOS have always had an issue with ‘Power’ … I hate the fact that I cannot turn off my other SONOS speakers from a central control. All of the plugs are difficult to access and when I travel sometimes for weeks the system is left ON in SLEEP mode but nonetheless still ON. Now that we are all so much more aware of climate change, energy usage etc BOSE should introduce this capability.

I agree with your comments, especially the one on the remote control of power.  I have alarms set to turn on a radio station at times and there are instances where I have been away and find on my return that the speakers have been playing to themselves for days at a time.  I have implemented an alarm turn off after a period but that is not perfect.  Sonos should provide a “sleep” control that inhibits alarms and is actionable from the app or windows app etc.

Hi @chrisjph, glad to hear the replacement Roam is giving you the expected tactile feedback.

Regarding setting the Roam to Bluetooth mode, this should only require a second of holding the power button (followed by another second of holding to enter pairing mode, if your device is not already paired), while 5 seconds is indeed expected to power the Roam off :)

I agree that the button design is mechanically poor implementation (little to no tactile feedback, too small, wrong shape, etc.) and overly relied upon for too many functions.  There’s too much emphasis in product design for “clean” design, void of buttons, knobs and so forth.  Just not good - should be a dedicated on/off button, dedicated paring button.  

My Roam also has a rigid shallow feel. No click there. Sometimes when I have turned it off fully ( chimes heard) I note that it still appears in app and obviously drains battery as per known problem. The white light is also on. However when this happens and I try to play music to it then the message “unable to connect to Sonos product” appears. So I have to then turn it “off” again. Then turn it back “on” which resolves the problem. As I say I do absolutely understand the 5-7 sec press and hear chimes to ensure my Roam is off but it doesn’t always work as it should. Regarding Bluetooth quick press… I don’t use it.All I do is connect from my IPhone and BT switches automatically on the Roam . Obviously it needed pairing initially but once it’s known then it’s a breeze to connect. No having the hit and miss game with the Roams iffy back button

Hi,

I have exactly same Situation and Frustration like @dggontan. I was very excited receiving my Roam first day it was out to the market. I already have various Sonos speakers and so far I was very happy with it. But for me the Power button of the Roam is a big hassle and poor implemented. it almost never works with the first try as you don’t get a clear response from the button and especially when I want to switch it off I have to always double-check if it’s really off, as otherwise it’s just in standby mode and then it has almost no battery anymore when I want to use it next time (happened already several times and I needed to switch back to my old Music box).

It’s actually the first time I am disappointed with the quality and function of a Sonos device, But For me this clearly needs improvement.