Sonos introduced the Sonos One good speaker in 2017, adopted by the Sonos One SL in 2019. They remained the primary entry-level audio system for Sonos up till 2023 when the multi-room speaker firm revealed the Period 100. That is to not say the Sonos One and Sonos One SL are redundant nevertheless. It is nonetheless attainable to purchase each in some locations, although they’re much more durable to seek out as of late.
When you do discover them nevertheless, you will discover they’re each cheaper than the Period 100 too. The principle distinction between the Sonos One and Sonos One SL is that One is a brilliant speaker (fairly actually) and the One SL is not.
When you’re not fairly positive what meaning, otherwise you’re attempting to work out if the Sonos One or the Sonos One SL is the precise speaker on your Sonos setup quite than the Sonos Period 100, then learn on as we clarify precisely how they evaluate to at least one one other.
Sonos One vs One SL: Design and construct
The Sonos One was Sonos’ first good speaker, with the One SL following a few years later, preserving each facet of the One’s seems, with its all-over grille and squat form.
Measuring in at 6.36 x 4.69 x 4.69 inches (161.45 x 119.7 x 119.7mm) and weighing 1.78kg, the One and the One SL are small audio system – not HomePod Mini small – extra on a par with the likes of the most recent Echo and Nest Audio.
They’re just about an identical, save for the panel on the highest which differs very barely. There is not any microphone array or mic icon with the One SL.
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You may nonetheless get capacitative buttons on the highest, to manage quantity, monitor skipping, play and pause, in case you do not need to use your cellphone and the Sonos app.
Just like the Sonos One, the SL is available in both black or white.
Sonos One vs One SL: Value
Within the US, the good assistant boasting Sonos One value $219 when it initially launched, whereas the SL was $20 cheaper at $199. The value has diminished barely now nevertheless following the launch of the Period 100, however as talked about, they’re more durable to pay money for as they’re being phased out with the arrival of the Period 100.
Within the UK the distinction was £20 at launch; it was £199 for the One and £179 for the One SL.
Sonos One versus Sonos One SL: Sensible assistants
The unique One, which was the pure successor to the now-discontinued Play:1 and the predecessor to the Period 100, featured Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant constructed proper in. Google’s Assistant was additionally added to the combo quickly after launch – one thing the Period 100 lacks with it providing Alexa however not Google Assistant.
The Sonos One boasts a six microphone array to allow customers to manage their Sonos system. Identical to on an Amazon Echo or a Google House speaker, sound ranges will dip on listening to the “Alexa” or “Hey Google” command, enabling you to bark instructions to the on-board assistant.
Bear in mind that you must select one voice assistant to dwell in your Sonos One – you possibly can’t have Alexa and the Google Assistant being stablemates, although you possibly can have Sonos Voice Management working alongside both Alexa or Google Assistant.
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In probably the most primary of classifications and, as talked about up prime, the One SL is not technically a wise speaker because it would not have a voice assistant baked in. Let’s be sincere, that is the entire level of its existence. It is a Sonos One for those that don’t need Massive Tech eavesdropping of their properties.
However that is to not say it is a dumb speaker both. Clearly each audio system sync up seamlessly inside a Sonos multi-room system however in addition they each boast AirPlay 2 and Spotify Join as nicely.
Sonos One or Sonos One SL: Sound high quality
By way of sound high quality and audio efficiency, once more, you might be getting an an identical story with whichever One you select.
For a speaker of its measurement the One vary sounds really implausible. Clear at each frequency, splendidly balanced. Punchy bass that doesnât dominate and so, so loud. Its design additionally allows it to ship sound evenly throughout 360 levels and it may well really fill a room.
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Clearly, as a bookshelf speaker, each variations of the One additionally lend themselves completely to being connected as a stereo pair – and sure, you possibly can combine and match One and One SL audio system as stereo pairs.
Sonos One v One SL: Which is greatest?
The unique One could have been the primary nail within the Play:1’s coffin but it surely was the Sonos One SL that basically changed the Play:1 because the core speaker within the Sonos ecosystem. After all, the Period 100 has since been the primary nail within the Sonos One coffin, however the One SL nonetheless has a spot by eradicating the good assistant function not everybody might want.
If you have already got a Sonos One, for instance, you won’t want one other microphone-enabled speaker, by which case the One SL might be a logical selection.
When you’re trying to get Alexa or the Google Assistant concerned in your Sonos system then the One is the speaker for you, in fact – or the Period 100 for those who’re pleased with simply Alexa.
Whether or not the Sonos One or Sonos One SL is in your sights although – and for those who can nonetheless pay money for one – you will be getting Sonos’ entry-level-but-still-great audio efficiency at a good value level.