According to a new report in The Verge (opens in a new tab), Sonos is currently working on a new line of individual speakers that should include multi-directional speaker drivers and Dolby Atmos support. The Verge says it's seen photos of the larger flagship model still in development (a recreation of which is just below), which is apparently known as the "Optimo 2" at this point.
The report says that a smaller 'Optimo 1' loudspeaker is also in development, alongside an 'Optimo 1 SL'. It looks like the "Optimo 2" would replace (or its equivalent) the Sonos Five, while the "Optimo 1" and "Optimo 1 SL" would replace the Sonos One and Sonos One SL respectively.
Along with the speaker and Dolby Atmos updates, The Verge says the flagship speaker is also built with more advanced computing power, Bluetooth audio support in a non-portable speaker for the first time, and new features in the Sonos app. There will also be microphones for voice control (although probably not on the 'Optimo 1 SL'), and the company is considering a USB-C audio input (the Sonos Five currently supports a 3,5mm cable).
The 'Optimo 2' will apparently have a new angular design, which would seem to help it accommodate a variety of speakers firing in all directions.
From what The Verge says in their report, we don't expect these new speakers to arrive any time soon. In its earnings report, Sonos mentioned another release in 2022, but that should be the long-awaited Sonos Sub Mini.
And there is also no guarantee that this will be the final design.
When the Sonos Ray launched, we interviewed Brandon Holley, Sonos' head of product creation, and he told us that the Sonos design process includes a period of testing different physical forms in people's homes, to see how well They work in practical terms. These may not have audio technology; they are to aid in the overall design process.
We suspect this is one of those prototypes that The Verge has seen images of, meaning the product could be anywhere in the engineering process, where neither the acoustic nor cosmetic designs are final, or it could be a test unit. quite advanced. . So don't hold your breath, just in case.
The other big question is whether these speakers will use the new super-small speaker technology that Sonos acquired when it acquired Mayht earlier this year. Mayht's HeartMotion technology would allow Sonos to squeeze a lot more power out of speakers in the same kind of space as its current speakers, but whether it'll be able to fit the technology into its speakers any time soon is anyone's guess. If so, this could be very exciting.
Review: We've been waiting for this Dolby Atmos boost
Regardless of the technology found inside the new 'Optimo' speakers, Sonos does some deep Dolby Atmos that the company desperately needs.
The Sonos Arc is still a fantastic and popular soundbar, and its ability to work with other Sonos speakers in a surround system delivers great audio quality, but it's being left behind in the tech race…and the race precious.
Using the Sonos One as rear speakers means you only get Dolby Atmos sound from the Arc soundbar, not the rear, so you only get half the height experience you could have.
Some of the best high-end soundbars now include rear speakers that deliver exciting Dolby Atmos sound, creating a fuller "sound dome" for home theater excitement. And they do it at extremely competitive prices: The Samsung HW-Q930B packs a soundbar, subwoofer, and rear speakers with powerful drivers, and costs about half of what you'd pay for an equivalent Sonos setup, despite better Atmos effects. And the Sonos system wouldn't fail in sound quality or anything.
Soundbars and home theater speakers are now Sonos' main way to make money, so you can't afford to be left behind here - these new speakers with Dolby Atmos support are the perfect way to catch up, so I hope they are not too far away. behind.
And while we're at it, here's what we'd like to see from a Sonos Arc 2 to go with them...