Sonos Outdoor Speakers Review

Sonos Outdoor Speakers Review

Sonos, a leader in wireless home audio, partners with Sonance to offer the Sonos Outdoor Speaker Pair, designed for permanent outdoor and marine installations, including yachts and coastal boats. These passive speakers, powered by the Sonos Amp, deliver rich sound and integrate seamlessly with Sonos’ multiroom audio ecosystem. Engineered to withstand harsh conditions, they’re a popular choice for boaters who want high-quality audio with smart connectivity. Below, we explore the key features, reasons boaters choose Sonos, and their place in the marine audio market.

Key Features

Rich, Full-Range Sound with Sonos Amp

The Sonos Outdoor Speaker Pair features a 2-way design with a 1-inch tweeter for crisp highs and a high-excursion pivoting woofer for rich midrange and bass. When paired with the Sonos Amp (125W per channel), they deliver clear, detailed sound that fills open spaces, even at high volumes. The Sonos app’s Trueplay technology optimizes sound for the environment, ensuring balanced audio on a boat’s deck or cabin. Reviewers praise the speakers for their clarity and robust bass, especially when tuned via the app.

Seamless Multiroom Integration

Sonos’ strength lies in its ecosystem. The Outdoor Speaker Pair integrates with the Sonos app, supporting streaming from services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Sonos Radio, plus AirPlay 2 for Apple devices. Boaters can control audio via the app or voice assistants (e.g., Sonos Voice Control, Amazon Alexa) when paired with a Sonos One or Move. This allows seamless music transitions from cabin to deck, making it ideal for yachts with multiple zones.

Marine-Grade Durability

Designed for harsh environments, the Sonos Outdoor Speaker Pair is engineered to withstand humidity, water, salt spray, UV rays, and extreme temperatures. The speakers feature sealed enclosures and corrosion-resistant materials, making them suitable for marine use. While not IP-rated like the portable Sonos Roam 2 (IP67), they’re built for permanent outdoor installations and backed by a one-year warranty, ensuring reliability in coastal settings.

Size and Power Handling

The Outdoor Speaker Pair is available in a 6.5-inch format, rated for use with the Sonos Amp (125W RMS per channel at 8 Ω). A single Amp can power up to three pairs, offering flexibility for larger boats. The speakers are passive, requiring professional installation with the Amp, which supports WiFi, AirPlay 2, and wired connections for consistent performance.

Additional Details and Options

• Grille Options: Paintable white grilles to blend with boat aesthetics.

• Sonos Amp Integration: Required for power and app control; supports HDMI, AirPlay 2, and multiroom audio.

• Mounting Hardware: Includes brackets for wood, brick, or stone surfaces, suitable for boat decks or cabins.

• System Expansion: Compatible with Sonos subwoofers and other Architectural speakers for a complete setup.

Why People Buy Sonos Outdoor Speakers

Premium Sound Quality

The 2-way design and Sonos Amp deliver clear, full-range sound with strong bass, ideal for open-air marine environments. The Trueplay tuning ensures optimized audio, earning praise for its clarity and volume capability.

Smart Ecosystem

Sonos’ app and multiroom integration allow boaters to control music across multiple zones, syncing indoor and outdoor speakers. Support for voice control and streaming services makes it a favorite for tech-savvy yacht owners.

Marine Durability

Engineered for salt spray, UV rays, and water, these speakers are reliable for marine use, especially when installed under cover or in protected areas. Their rugged design suits coastal boating.

Professional Installation

The passive design and included brackets simplify permanent installation, though professional setup is recommended for wiring the Sonos Amp, appealing to boaters seeking a polished, integrated system.

Considerations and Limitations

Requires Sonos Amp

The speakers are passive, requiring a Sonos Amp (sold separately, ~$599), which increases cost and installation complexity. Each zone needs its own Amp for independent volume control, adding expense for multi-zone setups.

Limited Size Options

Available only in 6.5-inch, these speakers lack the size variety of competitors like JL Audio, potentially limiting fit for boats needing larger drivers.

Bass Limitations Outdoors

While the bass is robust indoors, some users note it can feel weak in open marine environments without a dedicated subwoofer, requiring additional investment.

Shorter Warranty

The one-year warranty is shorter than the two-year warranties offered by competitors like JL Audio or Roswell, which may concern boaters in harsh saltwater conditions.

Laurie & David’s Take

Laurie: “Sonos’ speakers bring a modern, connected vibe to boating. The app control and clear sound make it easy to enjoy music across the yacht, and the sleek design fits beautifully. Families will love the tech and the way it ties the boat together.”

David: “Sonos’ integration with the Amp and Trueplay tuning is smart, delivering solid sound for a mass-produced speaker. The marine-grade durability is impressive, but the coaxial design with tweeters and crossovers introduces potential failure points in saltwater environments. At DC GOLD, we handcraft single full-range cones in the USA, eliminating those vulnerabilities for a purer sound and unmatched longevity. Sonos is great for tech lovers, but our approach prioritizes enduring audio excellence.”

Conclusion

The Sonos Outdoor Speaker Pair by Sonance offers a premium, tech-forward solution for marine audio, with clear sound, smart app integration, and durability for salt spray and UV exposure. Paired with the Sonos Amp, they deliver a seamless multiroom experience, ideal for yachts with networked setups. However, the reliance on the Amp, limited size options, and one-year warranty may deter some. For boaters who value connectivity and modern design, Sonos is a strong contender, but audiophiles seeking ultimate durability may look elsewhere.