Sonos introduced a new sound system in the Sonos One, which is one of many attempts to make smart speakers more consumer-friendly. The second generation model has improved upon these design flaws by adding an HDMI output for 4K content and increased RAM capabilities.
The “sonos one gen 1 vs gen 2 how to tell” is a question that has been asked many times. The answer is simple, the first generation of Sonos One speakers are black and white, while the second generation are black and grey.
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When it comes to audio equipment production, Sonos is a household name. The new Sonos Gen 2 is an improvement to the original Sonos and includes various additional features to enhance your musical experience.
Because they share the same speakers, the Sonos One (Gen 1) and Sonos One (Gen 2) have identical sound quality. They are similar in size and weight. The Gen 2 model, on the other hand, has more memory and a quicker CPU. The Sonos 1 is less expensive, although it has been discontinued by the company.
Continue reading to find out more.
Specifications
Sonos One Generation 1 ![]() |
Sonos One Generation 2 ![]() |
|
Dimensions | The dimensions are 6.4 x 4.8 x 4.8 inches. | 6.36 x 4.69 x 4.69 x 4.69 x 4.69 x 4.69 x 4.69 x 4. |
Weight | 4.08 lb | 4.08 lb |
Channels | Mono | Mono |
Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth | No | No |
Multi-Room | Yes | Yes |
Connections between people | Ethernet | Ethernet |
Portable | No | No |
Water-resistant | No | No |
Speakerphone | No | No |
Assistant by Voice | Alexa | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
Features
Gen 1 Design/Portability
Sonos One Generation 1 is quite similar to Play:1 as they both share the same coffee can-like design and measure 6.3 by 4.7 by 4.7 inches in a squarish near-cylinder construction.
A grille wraps nearly entirely around the sides of the speaker.
Gen 2 Design/Portability
Gen 2 is also a 15 centimeters small-sized speaker that is built to sit vertically on the table. Like the Sonos One Generation 1, Gen 2 has a squarish near-cylinder build and is a one-hand carry. It is, however, less portable as it requires to be plugged into a power source before you can use it.
Pricing/Budget For Sonos One Generation 1
The Sonos One Generation 1 is a favorably priced speaker that is largely considered Affordable going by its performance and features.
The speaker’s price has been reduced as a result of the company’s update to Gen 2. However, it is still available for a little less than $200.
Sonos One Gen2 Pricing and Budget
This speaker is substantially similar to the Sonos One Generation 1. Most of the added features are, therefore, mainly upgrades to the features that exist in Gen 1.
When Sonos first released this device, it lowered the price of the Gen 1 a bit. As a result, the Gen 2 was priced somewhat more than the Gen 1, but still around $300.
Sound Quality For Sonos One Generation 1
The speaker becomes louder, and at 50% volume, you may completely enjoy music. The quality is also incredible.
The lows become more resonant, and bass notes emerge without concealing the mids. Mids sound amazing, and the guitar strums and voices have a lot of depth.
Sound Quality For Sonos One Generation 2
Gen 2 resembles Gen 1 a lot more. It has a dedicated mid-woofer that offers deep, powerful bass, and the mid-ranges are well defined. The tweeter and six far-field microphones are powered by two Class-D amps, which provide excellent sound.
Sonos One Generation 1 Connectivity
Sonos One Generation 1 is a smart speaker that is much easier to connect. The speaker uses AC power mains inputs and must be plugged with the Sonos One power cord to play.
The speaker, on the other hand, uses an Ethernet connector to connect to the internet. You may connect to a router, computer, or network-attached storage (NAS) device with an Ethernet connection.
The installation of the speaker is simple. During setup, use the join button to connect.
Sonos One Generation 2 Connectivity
The Sonos One Generation 2 has made more updates to the previous version. Although the speakers come with more versatile connectivity options, these are mainly updated from the earlier version.
Gen 2 is, on the other hand, still plug-and-play and works with AC power. It also has an Ethernet connector for connecting to the internet and is simple to set up.
Space Considerations For Sonos One Generation 1
Sonos One Generation 1 is a small speaker that easily fits into most spaces. Because of its shape and size, you can place it on top of the table or near the corner of the house.
Space Considerations For Sonos One Generation 2
As previously stated, Gen 2 is a functional increase over Gen 1, but not in terms of size. As a result, the speaker’s size remains same, and Gen 2 is also less demanding in terms of space use.
Pros/Cons
Pros Of Sonos One Generation 1
- Detailed
- Exceptional audio quality
- It’s a dream to use with other Sonos speakers.
- It is compatible with Amazon.
- The sound is well-balanced and rich.
- The software is considerably more organized and simple to use.
- Apple Music subscribers will love HomePod.
- The beam has a nice sound and is quite adaptable.
- The user interface is clean and simple to use. audio that is both dependable and properly synced
- Compatible with a wide range of third-party items
- Design that is fashionable
- Durable
- Support for Spotify voice
- Voice is consistently picked up by microphones.
- Compact
- Affordable
Cons Of Sonos One Generation 1
- Sonos One’s capacity to react to Alexa requests has been gone.
- It’s a little more difficult to hang them now.
- It is not compatible with Apple Music.
- The sound isn’t of audiophile caliber.
- It’s difficult to detect treble sounds.
- Setup is complicated.
Pros Of Sonos One Generation 2
- Sliders for bass and treble are available in the companion app.
- Good directivity
- Audio that packs a punch
- Airplay is encouraging.
- Audio in many rooms
- Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Assistant are both helpful.
The Drawbacks of Sonos 1 Gen 2
- At high volumes, the audio distorts.
- There are no wired or Bluetooth connections available.
Sonos One Generation 2 comes with a fast processor and increased memory, though it lacks Bluetooth audio streaming. Also, Gen 2 comes with Bluetooth low energy to help facilitate the internal speaker setup. Therefore, the features are not new but upgrades from Sonos One Generation 1.
Furthermore, Gen 2 has a higher processing capacity than Gen 1. As a result, it now costs a bit more than Gen 1 and is somewhat more expensive. The change is minor, and most individuals will have almost identical listening experiences with the two Sonos versions.
Which Is Better? Sonos One Generation 1 Or Gen 2?
Sonos Gen 1 and Gen 2 speakers are of comparable quality and output. Gen 1 is preferred by most PC and MAC users, whereas Gen 2 is a piece of cake for iOS users.
Also, as previously said, Gen 1 is substantially less expensive and may be a suitable option if you are on a limited budget.
However, for Smart Home fans, Gen 2 will be an excellent pick since it has much-needed improvements. Take your time reading the review so you can make an educated Conclusion.
Conclusion
While many people claim that the two speakers sound the same even after the modifications in Gen 2, it is critical to listen to the two speakers for yourself to gain a personal impression. This will help you decide whether to upgrade to the future-proof Gen 2 Sonos One speakers or continue with the older version. Check out our comparison of the Sonos Sub Gen 2 versus Sonos Sub Gen 3 if you’re searching for a Sonos subwoofer.
The “sonos one (gen 2 model number)” is the latest version of the sonos speakers. It supports voice commands, and has a built-in microphone for controlling your home automation devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Sonos generation 1 and 2?
A: The generation 1 is the original Sonos One and it was released in 2016. The second one that came out, which I believe is a little better than the first because some of its features were new to this model, has been dubbed as gen 2 but its actually just called Sonos.
Can you mix Gen 1 and 2 Sonos?
A: Unfortunately, it is impossible to mix the two in Sonos.
What generation is the latest Sonos One?
A: The latest Sonos One is the 5th Generation.
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