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Sonos makes a great product and is the leader in the wireless speaker whole home entertainment market. However, the Sonos website doesn’t make it easy for current users and/or potential buyers to determine (locate) which sub to use with a particular Sonos speaker, stereo pair or the Sonos Amp. The information does exist but requires a bit of searching to locate. Currently, the best answer is found obscurely under the Sub 4 page.

https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/sub-4-black

 

 

While either the full size Sub or Sub Mini will work in many different scenarios. The Sub Mini does have a few specific use cases wherein the full size Sub may be overkill depending upon room size and Sonos or 3rd party speakers employed. 

One specific use case for the Sub Mini is with the Amp powering Small Book Shelf speakers. I have the following setup:

  • Sonos Amp
  • ProJect Sonos Edition Carbon Turntable
  • Cambridge Pre-Amp
  • Definitive Technology Demand D7 Book Shelf speakers
  • Sub Mini

Prior to the Sub Mini I used a Sub (Gen 3) although I don’t think it would have made a difference had it been a Sub Gen1 or Gen2; in the greater scheme of things. The D7’s and Amp ironically matched at 80Hz crossover point. However; as Trueplay is not an option, I had to manually adjust the level of the full size Sub downward to achieve a good balance of Low-end versus Mid and Highs. *

I decided to swap-out the full size Sub for the Sub-Mini. There was a dramatic out-of-the-box difference in tonal balance of the Low-end versus the Mid’s and Highs without any adjustment. 

Therefore, IMO the Sub Mini is a better choice when the Amp is used to power small book shelf speakers such as the D7’s.

 

 * I’m not one that prefers tremendous low-end in music as I prefer a somewhat flat response closer to what the sound engineer envisioned. Especially for vinyl.

I can’t see any reason to get a Sub gen 3 over a Sub 4 at this point, maybe if the gen 3 gets a fair amount cheaper.

I have a Sub 4 and two Sub gen 2s and I can’t tell any difference in the sound. My ears aren’t great and I didn’t A/B test them in the same room so take my opinion lightly here.

The Sub 4 is lighter than the Sub and has improved electronics, possibly an improved upgrade path too.

I’m listening to two different Sonos Rooms in my office, a Beam, Sub and 2 One SLs and two Era-300s and a Sub. The room is 10x10 feet, flat 8 foot ceiling, lots of hard surfaces but uneven as the walls are lined with shelving.

Neither system seems to be overpowered by the Sub but I’m sure the Mini would suffice for either or both. Probably would have bought one if it was available back then and saved a few bucks.

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