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Jake_11
Jake_11
Trending Lyricist I
October 22, 2019
Answered

What are people using for USB C charger for Sonos Move?

I asked this question over in the sonos reddit forum and others are having same issues so thought I would bring over here.

What are people using for their usb charger for the Sonos move? I attempted to use my MacBook pros charger but it didn’t work. I have the 60watt brick but from what I read it should be able to still work.

So then I read it might be the cord as they have chips in them and knowing Apple they locked their cord down. So I bought an anker power line 3.1 usb c cable and tried it with the MacBook brick again and it still didn’t work.

So before I keep buying and returning curious if anyone has had success with certain chargers with the move. Thanks!

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    Airgetlam
    AirgetlamAnswer
    October 24, 2019

    OK, I was too lazy to include it in my last post, but then I went and found it in the introduction post, straight from Sonos,  here:

    https://en.community.sonos.com/announcements-228985/introducing-sonos-move-brilliant-sound-anywhere-6829500

    Specifically this:

    Power and battery:
    Move’s battery will last for up to 10 hours of uninterrupted playback. If left off the charging base and unused, Move will automatically go into suspend mode to reserve battery for up to 5 days. The battery is rechargeable with an included indoor charging base or with any USB-C charger with the following output levels: 12V/3A, 15V/3A, or 20V/2.25A. After about three years, or 900 charges, Move’s battery can easily be replaced so you can keep listening for years to come.

    Bruce
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    143 replies

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    yo3ggx
    Lyricist III
    July 27, 2020

    I’ve tried several USB-C PD chargers, including the one below, with the exact specs required for Sonos Move. Unfortunately even the amber LED in the front lights up for the whole duration the charger is connected, no charging occurs. It would have been so difficult for Sonos to allow charging the speaker from any PD enabled charger, even at a lower speed? This is my first Sonos product, with high expectations for the price, but I’m already disappointed. How many chargers I have to buy just to find the right one?

     

      yo3ggx
      Lyricist III
      July 27, 2020

      And to spare some people the frustration, I also own loads of other Anker’s and none of them worked - please note, the following chargers do NOT work:
      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IUTIUEA
      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2HIR9R
      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071WLTPTY
       

       

      Power Delivery protocol is supported only over USB-C connectors, but anyway, something else is specifically required by Sonos, as just chargers following specifications (15V/3A or 20V/2.25A) are not enough (see my post above).

      yo3ggx
      Lyricist III
      July 27, 2020

      Would help if Sonos listed one on their website

       

      Unless they have some sort of partnership with them, Sonos never makes recommendations on third party hardware.

      Then they must provide the full required specifications for the charger/cable, as only voltage/current is not enough. Is a shame.

      bockersjv
      bockersjv
      Local Superstar
      July 27, 2020

       I think some of the issues are that the cable AND charger must also be PD rated?  Of the three listed in the Amazon post above none looked to be PD compatible chargers and one was also less than 45W

      Sonos Manual stated Power Sources

      • USB port (USB type C PD power with 45W, 20V/2.25A).

      yo3ggx
      Lyricist III
      July 27, 2020

       I think some of the issues are that the cable AND charger must also be PD rated? 

      • USB port (USB type C PD power with 45W, 20V/2.25A)

      The charger from the picture is with the USB-C cable integrated and following PD specification, as you can see, but Move is not charged.

      bockersjv
      bockersjv
      Local Superstar
      July 27, 2020

      I can’t see where it says it is PD rated?

      yo3ggx
      Lyricist III
      July 27, 2020

      https://www.chiconypower.com/en/item/view?item_id=554

      First one from the list.

      I have tens of USB-C PD cheargeable devices (including notebooks, chromebooks, tablets, portable speakers, smartphones) and all of them can be charged with this charger except one. Guess which one.

      To present as a feature that Sonos Move can be charged over PD USB-C is a clear exaggeration.

       

      And, by the way… here:

      https://support.sonos.com/s/article/3640?language=en_US

      is specified that:

      “We recommend using a 45 watt USB-C PD charger, outputting a minimum of 20V/2.25A or 12V/3A. You may also use a 36 watt charger that outputs at least 12V/3A or 14V/2.4A, but the charging speed will be reduced.”

      So, is stated “we recommend”, not “is mandatory”. More, 14V/2.4A does not follow any standard and PD for sure not. Anyone can asume that if a lower power PD charger is used, the charging speed will be lower, but will continue to charge the Move, which is not true at all.

       

       

      bockersjv
      bockersjv
      Local Superstar
      July 27, 2020

      I’m not trying to argue I was just pointing out that when looking to purchase that charger it does not state PD, and nor did it on the case so thought that might be the issue.  I do wonder if Sonos has implemented the later PD standards. 

      I too would like a compatible charger to travel with that will also work with my iPad.

      As an aside USB standards in general are becoming a confusing mess, and I’m not saying that exonerates Sonos.

      yo3ggx
      Lyricist III
      July 27, 2020

      From the local Sonos seller, I have the information that the following PD charger is compatible with Sonos.

      Samsung EP-TA845

      In the mean time I’ve ordered another one that I hope to be compatible too.

      https://www.banggood.com/BlitzWolf-BW-PL4-45W-PD-Type-C-USB-Charger-EU-Adapter-With-Power3S-Tech-p-1347712.html

       

      Anyway, is not something expected from a company like Sonos, to count on users to test their own product compatibility. A list of compatible/certified chargers must be presented on their web site.

        Bumper
        Bumper
        July 27, 2020

         

        Anyway, is not something expected from a company like Sonos, to count on users to test their own product compatibility. A list of compatible/certified chargers must be presented on their web site.

        Totally agree. 

         

        The charge issue along with the power discharge bug has turned me off from buying one. I'll stick with my old bt speaker for now.

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