Sonos Roam power button - poor implementation

D
Userlevel 2

Hi all,

I was so excited to receive my Sonos Roam this week. First Sonos product for me, but I love the brand and my interactions with other Sonos products in the past (friends, showrooms) have always been great. 
 

Unfortunately, I sent my Roam back to Sonos for a refund. The problem? That power button at the back.  Everything else is excellent, sound, design, size, I love it. But the power button is a really poor implementation. There is no click whatsoever unless you press the button really strongly. I never knew if I was successful switching it on or off. If you press the button a bit on one side it just doesn’t work. It got on my nerves and I ended up sending it back. 
 

I was thinking maybe I got a bad unit, but I have seen a few comments in Reddit which are consistent with my experience. 
 

how is it working for you? I might go to a brick & mortar store to try one out. If I can confirm all units are the same I will have to wait until this is fixed or get an alternative brand which, to be honest, I am not happy about. 
 

thanks

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33 replies

R

Pressing the button for short (sleep), 2s (bt connect) and 5+seconds works fine. 

However. Roam does not stay off, when buttons is pressed 5+ seconds and the off-chime sounded. It shows offline in the Sonos App, and after a few minutes, returning to the app and looking at the devices, it is back online.

This has resulted many times in drained battery, which is a bit disappointing when the Roam has been advertised with long-lasting batterylife.

At first I thought, the battery of my device just wasn’t very good. Even when only using the provided (extra ordered) Sonos Wireless Charger. But then I found, the device turns itself back on… and draines battery without being used. Is this just because there are other Sonos devices in the app which are being used more often?

Anyway, nice product, but I hope Sonos will improve power management and consumption...

R

I have just been onto the helpline, and the lady explained everything about this button.

Firstly, this is how the button is meant to be. It does not click.

Out of the box you’re supposed to hold it down for 5 seconds and release. This switches it on.

For Bluetooth mode you hold it down for two seconds and let go. (and the LED on the front above the logo flashes blue). This takes some practice. Getting it out of Bluetooth you repeat: 2 second press.

And to switch off it’s a 5 second press. I thought you just pressed it, but no. That explains a lot. Just pressing it I think just disconnects it or stops what it’s doing. It does not switch it off.

Understanding the chimes -- its language! -- it’s like Close Encounters!.

But, the lady on the Sonos helpline did say that it was a tricky button. But once used to it, it is now fine for me.

S

Hello Roamulans

While we are at it, i would like to bring up a couple other power button issues. I have recently acquired the Roam as my first Sonos device - and it is fairly positive - good sound, good aesthetics, and wifi + bluetooth connectivity is brilliant for a portable. I agree the power button is a weakness - i have been unsure of what my (attempted) presses were doing since i started using the Roam.  

One thing i wonder about is why the Sonos app does not have a function to put the Roam into standby, and wake it up from standby - i also have a Naim QB2 wireless speaker and the Naim app does that.  If the Sonos app had that, it would eliminate a certain amount of dealing with the sketchy power button.

Another curious thing i have experienced, which sort-of relates to the power button - after a few times powering down, and hearing the 2 second bluetooth chime and the 5 second “off” chime, i stopped hearing the chime when pressing the power button to standby or power down. (which made me even more uncertain if i was pressing the power buttom properly)  This was a mystery until i realized i had to press the physical volume up buttons on the Roam to increase the unit volume again - even though it was playing at normal volumes when using it on wifi through an app connected by Upnp.  This happened multiple times, so it wasn’t a one time errant volume “down” button press.  This may not be a Sonos issue - eg maybe the Upnp application zeroes the Roam physical volume control for its own purposes - but my point is, in addition to the physical power button issue previously reported, it is also possible to inadvertently lose the audio chime cues from the Roam that tell you where you are in the power down cycle.

But even after all that, Roam - I still like you.

 

 

F

Hi all,

I was so excited to receive my Sonos Roam this week. First Sonos product for me, but I love the brand and my interactions with other Sonos products in the past (friends, showrooms) have always been great. 
 

Unfortunately, I sent my Roam back to Sonos for a refund. The problem? That power button at the back.  Everything else is excellent, sound, design, size, I love it. But the power button is a really poor implementation. There is no click whatsoever unless you press the button really strongly. I never knew if I was successful switching it on or off. If you press the button a bit on one side it just doesn’t work. It got on my nerves and I ended up sending it back. 
 

I was thinking maybe I got a bad unit, but I have seen a few comments in Reddit which are consistent with my experience. 
 

how is it working for you? I might go to a brick & mortar store to try one out. If I can confirm all units are the same I will have to wait until this is fixed or get an alternative brand which, to be honest, I am not happy about. 
 

thanks

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.

N
Userlevel 1
Badge +1

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

P
Userlevel 1

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.  

Xander P
Userlevel 6
Badge +15

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 :)

C

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.

C

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.

C

Hi @chrisjph  - if you’re not getting any kind of click from the power button, then it may be worth reaching out to our Support Team via live chat or phone call :)

 

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.


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!!!

C

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.

C

Hi @chrisjph  - if you’re not getting any kind of click from the power button, then it may be worth reaching out to our Support Team via live chat or phone call :)

 

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.

C
Userlevel 5
Badge +9

Hi @chrisjph  - if you’re not getting any kind of click from the power button, then it may be worth reaching out to our Support Team via live chat or phone call :)

 

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.   

Xander P
Userlevel 6
Badge +15

Hi @chrisjph  - if you’re not getting any kind of click from the power button, then it may be worth reaching out to our Support Team via live chat or phone call :)

C

I'm having this problem too.  The Roam power button has absolutely no tactile feedback and I can't tell if I have operated it or not.  There are times when I hold it down and nothing happens and other times it seems like it does.  Pretty flaky really for an otherwise good device.  As as example it took me several goes to get the Bluetooth led to come on

C

I also was excited to hear my Roam was about to be delivered.  My issue with the power button is the darn unit is too easy to turn on.  With the button where it is, when I toss it in my backpack to take it to a friend's place or on a trip with me I find it’s always on when I pull it out.  What use is a portable speaker if it has no juice left when you pill it out??  Seems to me it would have been easier to either recess it design a guard around it.

James L.
Badge +17

However the unit keep powering on by itself, it starts again after I shut it down, drowning the battery. My understanding is that a quick press will turn the unit into sleep mode and a long press shut it down. But when I do a long press it sometime goes into pairing mode (light blinking blue) or shutting down.  I’m confused.

The long press to turn it off is around 5-7 seconds, so just make sure you’re holding it down for that long else it will switch to Bluetooth.

Mark good posts by pressing the like button, and select the best answer on questions you've asked to help others find solutions.
B

I’m also having weird issues with the roam power button.

The button behavior is unclear, the ‘click’ feeling was inexistent the first time, but I’m getting used to it now.

However the unit keep powering on by itself, it starts again after I shut it down, drowning the battery. My understanding is that a quick press will turn the unit into sleep mode and a long press shut it down. But when I do a long press it sometime goes into pairing mode (light blinking blue) or shutting down.  I’m confused.

C
Userlevel 3

The power button is in fact not well implemented.

I never know if I had hit it. Switching between WiFi and BT is a lucky game. The  my device turns on alone.

I would prefer a real on and off button that remains off if off. And buttons I can really feel if pressed or not.

For me it is not intuitive. I have to play around too much until I know where I am. I will keep my UE Boom and send back the Roam.

I think I need to wait for the second generation Roam.

D
Userlevel 2

At least I hope the inconsistencies in the app are easy to resolve. 

C
Userlevel 5
Badge +9

Quick update: back from a local store that had a while somos roam in display. No stock available which means sales must be going really well!

Good news first: the back button worked much better on the display unit when compared to the one I sent back. Less wobbly around the sides and easier to operate. This makes me think there is some sort of QC issue with these first units. 
 

Now the bad: even with a button operating better, powering the Roam on and off was still a bit hit and miss. At times I wasn’t sure if I was applying enough force as the unit failed to power up. 
 

I will have to wait a bit and see how Sonos responds to this before buying my portable speaker. Shame. 

I think there is inconsistency (hit and miss) on waking in general - whether via the app or the power button.  Particularly the app.  Woke up this morning and opened the app.  Roam still showed as offline. Used the power button - it woke.  (Button gave no clear feedback - but light turned on).  

D
Userlevel 2

Quick update: back from a local store that had a while somos roam in display. No stock available which means sales must be going really well!

Good news first: the back button worked much better on the display unit when compared to the one I sent back. Less wobbly around the sides and easier to operate. This makes me think there is some sort of QC issue with these first units. 
 

Now the bad: even with a button operating better, powering the Roam on and off was still a bit hit and miss. At times I wasn’t sure if I was applying enough force as the unit failed to power up. 
 

I will have to wait a bit and see how Sonos responds to this before buying my portable speaker. Shame. 

T
Badge

No “click” feedback from the button here too - or it is so subtle that the force required to press it prevents proper feeling of this click.

Either a whole batch of Roam have an issue or the person above is mistaken.

C
Userlevel 5
Badge +9

I respect your view also @John B and it’s great that for you this is not important enough. For me, the moment I need more than one attempt and checking whether lights are on/off then the product is not solid enough. I wasn’t sure how long I needed to press or how hard. Not ideal, in my view. 

It’s annoying if you need to use the power button to wake it up (as I do in the shower).  I don’t bring my phone with me there.  Would be better if you could use the top buttons to also wake it up -- and not fuss with a more difficult button on the back.

 

D
Userlevel 2

I respect your view also @John B and it’s great that for you this is not important enough. For me, the moment I need more than one attempt and checking whether lights are on/off then the product is not solid enough. I wasn’t sure how long I needed to press or how hard. Not ideal, in my view. 

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