Lyra Martin Tech 08.25.2022 03:Aug AM EDT

Is Sonos Developing a New Flagship Speaker? | Here's What We Know So Far

A new flagship speaker from Sonos is reportedly in development. It will likely be dubbed the Optimo 2 and has the ability to emit sound in all directions.

Sonos is Reportedly Developing a High-End Speaker Called Optimo 2

As cited in Engadget, The Verge reports Sonos is building a new flagship speaker. The website has seen early photos of a new high-end speaker, Optimo 2. If the device's modern design is adopted, it will have a dual-angled casing and be able to project sound almost anywhere, including above.

Photos suggest that the device is the same size as the Sonos Five, an older flagship model that debuted in 2015 and had an upgrade only last year. Black and white versions will also be made available upon their release.

Sonos plans to keep enhancing the Optimo 2 for a very long time, as shown by the fact that it will contain eight times as much flash memory as its predecessors. WiFi and Bluetooth, formerly only found on the company's portable speakers, will be built in.

The firm is also reportedly considering implementing a USB-C line-in playback option. Although Five has line-in playback capabilities, it uses a 3.5mm port for audio input.

Based on its purported features, the Optimo 2 might replace the Five. On the other hand, the publication claims that Sonos is also developing the Optimo 1 and 1 SL, two more new speakers.

These two more models are likely to have reduced speaker volume, with the latter model's SL denoting "speechless" and implying the absence of microphones and voice commands. Sonos has not yet verified any of these models, but we have reached out to them and will update this article accordingly.

After Reporting Weak Third-Quarter Earnings, Sonos Postponed the Release of a Product

In a statement released on August 10, Sonos said that after reporting shaky third-quarter profitability, it has decided to delay a product launch that was initially planned for the near future. Nearly the long-awaited $749 Sub Mini, a less costly subwoofer that would complete the business's existing home theater lineup.

It wouldn't have taken long to be ready if Sonos had adhered to its usual release timetable, but it won't be until the first quarter of 2023. We analyze the goods and the time, CEO Patrick Spence said at the results announcement on August 10. According to Spence, Sonos will continue to introduce two new products annually.

Erin Pategas, a Sonos spokeswoman, confirmed the story by stating, "I can confirm we decided to push an anticipated product launch from Q4 '22 into Q1 '23," in an email to The Verge. If so, the revised delivery date would fall between October and December.

Sales for Sonos in the third quarter fell short of expectations. In the business's results statement, Spence pointed out that the increase in the currency and costs had harmed consumer sentiment overseas, particularly in the industries in which the company participates.

Weak TV sales were the cause of Sonos' income deficit, while the $279 Sonos Ray soundbar had little interest. Brittany Bagley, the departing CFO, predicted that Sonos would have a challenging fourth quarter. Because of its favorable reviews and affordable pricing, they were confident that the Ray would be a well-liked entry-level soundbar.