If you’re spending the extra cash on Sonos speakers, it’s probably because you want to take advantage of the premium features Sonos devices are known for: high quality sound, easy set up, and the potential for an even better experience if you buy more of them. Multiple $249Sonos Era 100purchases aren’t feasible for everyone, but you’re able to take advantage of some of the smartest features of Sonos' speakers with the more budget and portable Sonos Roam.
Sonos Roam vs Sonos Roam SL: Do you really need microphones?
Sonos sells two versions of its portable Bluetooth speaker, but only one of them supports voice assistants like Amazon Alexa.
TheSonos Roamoriginally went on sale in 2021, and it remains a great an introduction to Sonos' audio software as it is a Bluetooth speaker. I loved the sound performance it was able to pull off given its size when I reviewed it, and it remains a versatile member of the Sonos lineup thanks to features likeAutomatic Trueplay. Whether you’re considering getting a speaker of your own or own one already and want to use it to its fullest potential, read through below for the first things you should try.
Sonos Roam
The Sonos Roam combines the best of Bluetooth speaker’s with Sonos' excellent Wi-Fi-connected smart speaker software.
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1Voice Control
Skip that song hands-free
Sonos has supported voice assistants likeAmazon Alexaand Google Assistant for controlling music and executing other smart home tasks for years now. Other than audio tuning features like Trueplay, it’s one of the main benefits of a speaker that has built-in microphones.
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But as of 2022, the company has also started supporting its own assistant it callsSonos Voice Control(which rolled out not long after the companywon in a lawsuit against Google) as an even faster option.
Unlike other voice assistants, Sonos Voice Control works entirely locally on your speaker.
Unlike other voice assistants, Sonos Voice Control works entirely locally on your speaker, meaning if you’re out-and-about with your Sonos Roam, you’ll still be able to control playback and volume with just your voice.
And when your speaker is connected to Wi-Fi you’ll have even more control over your overall Sonos system, with the ability to control playback in specific rooms. Sonos Voice Control is also voiced by a recognizable actor, Breaking Bad’s Giancarlo Esposito, which adds some gravitas to everyday tasks like playing a favorite playlist.
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Essentially, Sonos Voice Control is designed to be forgiving, and allows for follow-up commands. Here’s how to use Sonos Voice Controls on your Roam:
2Set a volume limit
Control your music playback
Even though the Sonos Roam functions as a totally standalone Bluetooth speaker, it’s a useful way to expand your existing Sonos setup, especially if you don’t need the powerful bass or surround sound capabilities of the company’s other speakers.
But just because you have a Roam in your bathroom, doesn’t mean it should ever get as loud as theSonos Arcin your living room. That’s why you might want to consider setting a volume limit.
Even though the Sonos Roam functions as a totally standalone Bluetooth speaker, setting volume limits is a way to expand your existing Sonos setup, especially if you don’t need the powerful bass or surround sound capabilities of additional speakers.
A volume limit just means creating a software-based cap on how loud one of your Sonos speakers can ever get. Drag your volume slider all the way up, and it’ll still only ever reach your pre-established maximum volume. Setting a volume limit on your Sonos Roam is pretty easy:
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3Use it as an alarm clock
Wake up to your favorite songs
Nowadays, smartphones have largely replaced alarm clocks as the things that get us up in the morning, but if you’re looking for a compelling replacement to the radio alarm clock,you should try using your Sonos Roam.
Using the Sonos app, you’re able to set up a sleep timer that automatically turns off your music if you want to listen to something as you fall asleep and an alarm to be woken up by your favorite song, radio station, or playlist.
To set a sleep timer:
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If you’re interested in setting an alarm:
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4Hand-off music between speakers
Teamwork makes the dream work
When your Sonos Roam is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your other Sonos speakers, it’s largely indistinguishable from the others in its ability to be placed into speaker groups that can all be controlled together. But the Roam is portable, which opens up an entirely different way for your speakers to interact.
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Using Sonos' Sound Swap feature, you can push audio from one speaker to another just by pushing a button. You could literally carry music from one side of your house to another just by passing music to your Roam, taking it with you, and then passing it to another speaker in another room.
To grab music from another speaker and “put” it on your Roam:
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To pass music from your Roam to a Sonos speaker in another room:
If this feature feels familiar, it’s because you can do something similar byholding an iPhone playing audio near a HomePod. Sonos' version isn’t quite as seamless, but it still works very well.
5Create custom playlists across streaming services
The multiverse of sound
The Sonos app mostly functions as a controller for your speakers and a simple way to keep them up to date, but if you want it to, it can act as a place to create universal playlists. Essentially, any service you connect to the Sonos app, whether it’sTidal,Spotify,Apple Music, or whatever other service Sonos supports. That way, if you have a preferred version of a song that’s only on one streaming service or an exclusive album, they can all live in the same playlist.
To add a song to a playlist:
You can also add a whole queue full of songs like this:
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6Camouflage your sound system
Make the speaker incognito – not your sound
Your Sonos Roam is small enough to be easily hidden on a crowded kitchen counter or bookshelf, but it’s LED status lights can stand out like a sore thumb in a dark living room or bedroom, especially if you’re sensitive to light. If you want to try letting your Roam completely disappear, you’ll need to disable two different LED lights, the status light on the front of the speaker and the microphone light at the top.
Disabling the status light can be done inside the Sonos app:
That will turn off the front light of your Sonos Roam, but to disable the light at the top, letting you know the microphone is on, you’re going to have to disable your speaker’s microphone completely. Doing that is as simple as pressing the microphone button at the top of the Sonos Roam.
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7Use it as a radio
Live stations at your fingertips – or voice
You don’t have to have a deep library of music or access to multiple different streaming services to start listening to music on the Sonos Roam. Sonos' built-in Sonos Radio service can give you multiple live stations of music to choose from without paying a dime.
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Listening to Sonos Radio from your speaker is as simple as going to the Browse tab in your Sonos app, selecting Sonos Radio, and then picking a station that speaks to you.
Q: Does my Sonos Roam have to be connected to Wi-Fi?
No, the Sonos Roam is specifically designed to be used without being connected to Wi-Fi. you may stream music to it just by connecting a device to it over Bluetooth and even Sonos Voice Control works without having to use an internet connection. For Sonos' more complex features, like grouping speakers together, passing audio between speakers, or accessing third-party voice assistants, you do need the internet, but most of the features in this guide should be accessible.
Q: Is there a way to disable the microphones on the Sonos Roam?
You can mechanically disconnect the microphone of the Sonos Roam by pressing the mute button at the top of the speaker. This will prevent your Roam from being used for voice assistants or Automatic Trueplay, and those features work until you enable them. Alternatively, you can buy a Sonos Roam SL which has no built-in microphones and not have to worry about turning microphones on and off at all.
