Sonos Roam SL is the mic-free version of the original

Source: Sonos

Sonos updates its Roam speaker to release a version without its built-in microphone. The Sonos Roam SL looks identical to the original but costs US$20 less than it. This small speaker can still connect to your Wi-Fi network and be included in a Sonos multi-room audio system. It has a built-in battery and Bluetooth capabilities. And it is waterproof and dust-resistant (IP67 rated), with a battery life of up to 10 hours.

Since it doesn't have a microphone, it loses the Auto Trueplay feature, which uses the mic to tune the speaker to sound better in the room you've placed it in. As Engadget pointed out, it makes sense the feature isn't available since the Roam SL is designed to be taken around with you. In some markets, the Sonos Roam SL is now available for pre-order on the company's website, and it'll launch on March 15.

Is Sonos working on its long-rumoured headphones?

Sketch of Sonos' rumoured headphones from a patent application (Source: German Patent and Trademark Office)

A recent Sonos acquisition adds fuel to rumours that the company is finally working on launching headphones. The company bought audio startup T2 Software, which has been developing implementations of the new Bluetooth LE Audio standard and LC3 codec. The tech is designed to deliver improved audio quality at lower bitrates, boosting headphone battery life.

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What you need to know about the Sonos Roam

Source: Sonos

The Sonos Roam is the company's second attempt at making a portable speaker. And it looks like it has learned from the Move to make it a viable option.

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Sonos Roam tipped to let you pass audio to other speakers

Photo by Jako Janse van Rensburg/Unsplash

Sonos is reportedly launching its new Roam speaker during a March 9 virtual event. Ahead of the launch, we're learning about some of the portable speaker's advantages over other Sonos products. It will reportedly have a Sound Swap feature that will reportedly let you pass audio playing on the Roam to another nearby Sonos speaker. All you have to do is hold the play/pause button. Theoretically, that means it's much easier to transfer from one room to the other and have your music or other audio content follow you around the house.

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