Sonos - Roam 2

Okay, so I grabbed the [JBL Flip 6](https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Waterproof-Bluetooth-Protective-Hardshell/dp/B09LWVXPYB?crid=30MSR5MQCUQIG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bZx0yvQfMo4RAfaei-Q5gHrhxPa6pSKz4oGosq0TceVv0ZHbEc0h92ZJl2G6BQUAtDweRQNPKxzzX-GV7JUoarTN_1ux7pE6J0NVqJVgMFHkNWmIzhA5rbnEyiM2zxHIQ0Y3X_6NaW-uHLytQnu_84se2OpE2q4jDhTN71HqE0rV43P6s3dH8NbGLGvpsXWkMkN2SEYKcaOJ6r65aWzcHIHonHcgSJviW0OsGo0DtDM.yOIHgt4nRBYhqc5xxQREv-VDzq5tkL540LaIl_SZnC4&dib_tag=se&keywords=jbl%2Bflip%2B6&qid=1739935664&sprefix=JBL%2BFlip%2B6%2Caps%2C479&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mymy011-20&linkId=fe4421924cb79dc8b7876df08fec81b6&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) in early 2024 because I needed something tough for my outdoor adventures. It's super portable, can handle splashes, and the bass is killer, which is awesome for parties or just chilling in the park. Then, in the summer of 2024, I picked up the [Sonos Roam 2](https://www.amazon.com/Roam-Portable-Waterproof-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B0CY6S748H?crid=2LU5TCWI1CZ3P&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.COqkE2_jlq4hYz34EpRRI4hp8rXt6JJ4XzHgPlgTyr53wPgnvj4gyZTi-1j1p1iAHNw34KBLtTHa07Oc-XcSqRz3TIdUBUF5q6-8jVYEmS7hwB-0Ld9DFRVH35_WyAvmTNGJfCcrWtrFtgAx9y8hpRy_lLYM-wp9abxg4jV5ORKidfsdIXAXCJCBN7HBjH0tAGfQ2e_F2b4KNmTmWrIcV4FKC4tCfN76MdN8IXtL6Wc.pQLFXJaWb-gYf8kuwxy1V2gNcYtJqnI9xsdlqtiajl4&dib_tag=se&keywords=sonos%2Broam%2B2&qid=1739935739&sprefix=sonos%2Broam%2B%2Caps%2C451&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.9fe8cbfa-bf43-43d1-a707-3f4e65a4b666&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mymy011-20&linkId=5e0a9b5b743aad0b22a3239b36164ba4&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) . I was really after a speaker that would play nice with my Sonos system at home but could still be carried around. The Roam has a more even sound, which is perfect for listening indoors. Plus, it tunes itself to the room, which is pretty cool. Feature-wise, the Sonos Roam is a bit smarter with its Wi-Fi and voice control. It lets me stream right from the Sonos app and works with AirPlay 2. The JBL Flip keeps it simple with Bluetooth, but it has PartyBoost, so you can link up with other JBL speakers for a stereo effect. Both are easy to tote around and are rated IP67, so water and dust aren't a problem. The Flip has a bit more juice with a 12-hour battery, while the Roam gives you 10 hours. Basically, if you're all about that bass and need something rugged for the outdoors, the JBL Flip is your go-to. But if you're after a more sophisticated sound and smart features for home, the Sonos Roam is the way to go.

I’m the OP and wanted to give an update. Thank you to everyone who gave me advice and recommendations, especially SVLibertine. I tested the Sonos Roam 2, the Brane X, and the Sonos Move 2. I eliminated the Bose Smart Speaker because I was worried about it having a lower level of water resistance and do not think it could withstand the degree of splashing my speaker will endure poolside. (I have a very aggressive water slide which is a crowd pleaser that creates huge splashes) The Sonos Roam 2 was fairly easy to set up. Once i got my Alexa account signed in and working with the Sonos app, I was able to use voice commands such as “Alexa, play Poolside Lounge Playlist on Spotify”, and it responded well to my voice and played the correct music. Unfortunately, I felt that the sound was pretty weak from the Roam 2. I say that as someone who really isn’t picky about sound. I am definitely not an audiophile. Yet I thought the sound was weak and I am not sure who the target market is for this device. I really wanted to LOVE the Brane X. But I didn’t. Setup was a bit difficult. Walking through the app, it struggled to connect the speaker to my wi-fi. After the 5th try, it finally worked. I don’t know why it failed on the first 4 attempts yet worked on the 5th. The most disappointing discovery was that the Brane X does not seem to support voice commands to control Spotify via Alexa. When I vocally commanded Alexa to “ play jazz on Spotify” or play anything on Spotify, it responded with “I’m sorry. This device does not support that feature.” In this regard, I think that Brane’s marketing messages are deceptive. The words in their website lead me to believe that I could voice-control Alexa to perform functions on Spotify, but apparently it does not do that. I called Brane Audio’s tech support to ask about it. I left a voice mail and have not heard back 3 days later. Also, the Brane X constantly has a very faint noise … it sounds like a very old car’s engine sputtering. The Brane X did indeed sound nice and loud when playing ACDC’s Thunderstruck. But when it was idle not playing music, it sounded faintly like an old jalopy car. And it didn’t support voice control of Spotify, so did not meet my requirements. I then tried the Sonos Move 2. It checks all my requirements but I am a little worried about how it’s water resistance can hold up against big pool splashes. Sounds great. The voice control to play certain Spotify playlists works well, voice control to turn volume up/down, etc works well after I connected Alexa into the Sonos app. I am a little worried about it surviving big water splashes. However, it is really easy to pair the Move 2 (great sound) with the Roam 2 (very weak sound but good waterproofing). So my solution is that I will put the Roam 2 at the edge of my pool (big splash zone), and I will put the Move 2 near my BBQ (not in splash zone but also where party goers are located), and the music plays through both speakers seamlessly for a cohesive party vibe. So I am keeping the Sonos Move 2 and Sonos Roam 2, and will be returning the Brane X.

If you only want to play music and radio in the shower and can live with Alexa, I recommend the Sonos Roam or Roam 2. Any mention of Google assistant on that device is nonesense; it doesn't work. But Alexa works very well for simple stuff.

Yes, Sonos Roam, Roam 2, and Roam SL all can be recharged wirelessly.

The majority of my speakers aboard Zissou (we live on a trawler) are WiFi, running through Apple TV and AirPlay 2. We have a number of Sonos speakers, including a pair of Move 2s. They’re terrific sounding, and have good battery life. Beam 2, Era 300 and Sub Mini for TV viewing. We mostly listen to music, though. We also have a Bose Smart Speaker in the forward head/bath, Charge 5 WiFi (it’s “okay”), Sonos Roam 2 (meh), HomePods (great), and a pair of Bowers-Wilkins Formation Wedges (insanely great!) and Formation Flex (on par with Move 2s). I was thinking about another Formation Flex, but for the money am ordering a Brane X. Heard on in person and was absolutely blown away by its sound. Small package, HUGE SOUND! I’ll post a review after I get mine next week.

Austin is such a killer town! I heard it in person here in SF. Since it’s WiFi, I’ll probably keep it. The Move 2s are portable, but don’t travel well off the boat or the docks. And my Roam 2 is only “okay.” But it was free…

Since you identified the speakers you’re interested in, I’ll comment on them since I currently own all of them but the Brane. I’ve heard it in person, though, and have one ordered. I run Apple TV and WiFi speakers on my boat (we live on a 52-foot trawler), with a healthy mix of WiFi speakers including Bang & Olufson and Bowers & Wilkins. Bose Smart Speaker is very “Bose,” with a warm sound, good bass, and nice details. Goes Loud. Sonos Roam 2: Meh. Mine was free, so I kept it. Gathering dust right now. Sonos Move 2: Brilliant speaker, with excellent sound and clarity. Very good bass. Goes loud. I have mine paired, and love them. The JBL I haven’t heard, but it gets recommended here quite a bit by knowledgeable owners. I had the Charge 5 WiFi, but decided to send it back and replaced it with the Bose. I prefer the Bose, but it’s also pricier.

Returning mine..the bass and frequency response are absolutely trash. My Sonos Roam 2 on my golf bag has better bass and response. The Ranger loses all highs when bass hits. Yes the Ranger gets louder but at the cost of trash can tinny sound profile.

Same experience, spent thousands and the software makes them unusable. They were so stubborn about it and I spent hundreds of hours trouble shooting trying to get them to work together. Just a complete failure from a good start. Absolutely agree.

But do not touch the Sonos Roams. Great sound but the setup is so finicky I want to hurl it at a wall. I think it’s because it defaults to trying to use wifi rather than Bluetooth.