Alongside the new Move 2, the Sonos Move is the largest portable speaker in the manufacturer’s portfolio.
The speaker with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi not only offers the expected Sonos-quality sound, but is also one of the best smart speakers on the market for indoor and outdoor use thanks to its built-in rechargeable battery.
It also features Sonos Voice Control, Google Assistant and Alexa, making it a useful companion for voice-activated smart home control.
It is also waterproof to IP56, making it one of the best waterproof speakers.
However, the second portable speaker from Sonos, the much smaller Sonos Roam, is even better protected against external influences.
In my comparison between Sonos Roam and Sonos Move you will find all the differences between the two speakers.
Sonos Move features
The most important features of the Sonos Move are the additional Bluetooth and the rechargeable battery.
The Move supports the standard Bluetooth codecs AAC and SBC, although it’s a shame that aptX or aptX HD are not included in the music menu for higher quality Bluetooth transmission – especially as support for these codecs is increasing on Android smartphones.
But the Sonos Move is first and foremost a wireless speaker. In this context, I am also pleased that Sonos has taken the opportunity to improve the reliability of the Wi-Fi connection.
Sonos claims that the Move offers its “best Wi-Fi performance yet”, which should reduce the likelihood of signal dropouts – even when the speaker is used outdoors.
Move: Good battery life for everyday use
The second important point is the Move’s battery. Sonos states that a full charge provides around ten hours of playback time.
However, this only applies when listening at an average volume of around 60 to 70 percent.
The higher the volume, the faster the battery is drained. A one-hour charge brings the battery back to around 50 percent, while it should be fully charged again after three hours.
As an alternative to connecting a USB-C charging cable directly to the Move, the speaker can also be placed in the charging ring supplied.
All you need to do is ensure that the two contact surfaces on the underside of the Move match those on the edge of the ring.
With a portable speaker for €399, very few users would expect the battery to need replacing at all.
But Sonos has designed the Move so that the battery can be replaced with a new one when the time comes – after around three years or 900 charges, according to Sonos.
Instead of sending the speaker back or paying for a new Move, all users have to do is pull off a silicone strip on the underside of the speaker, remove a few screws and replace the batteries.
Streaming, voice assistants and TruePlay
Despite its additional functions, the Move is still a Sonos Wi-Fi multiroom speaker at its core.
The Move has all the streaming functions and app support of its siblings – direct access to over 30 music services, including Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, Tidal and Deezer.
In addition, there is full compatibility with Sonos’ own app, Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay 2, voice control via Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control and even the option of connecting two Moves to form a stereo pair.
However, they cannot be used as home theater surrounds with a Sonos Arc, Beam or Ray. In this table you can see exactly which devices are compatible with each other.
Sonos Move TruePlay
An internet connection is still required to unlock most of these features – including Auto Trueplay, a new version of Sonos’ automatic calibration technology.
The software, which has been integrated into Sonos speakers since the Play:5, traditionally optimizes sound performance based on the speaker’s environment using an iPhone or iPad.
The software was revised for the Move, mainly because the Move is set up on different surfaces and in different environments and its sound cannot simply be tailored to one scenario.
With the automatic TruePlay function, the Move speaker itself performs the measurement and self-calibration for perfect sound quality. It uses its microphones to measure the frequency response of its surroundings.
As calibration is automatic, it is always triggered when the Move is moved to a new location.
For example, if it is moved from the living room to the garden, it needs around 30 seconds to process its new surroundings. The audio output is then recalibrated accordingly.
According to Sonos, the sound is continuously improved even if the speaker is not moved.
Sound of the Sonos Move
When the Sonos One and Sonos Move are placed next to each other, they have much more in common in terms of sound than physically.
Both could be described as powerful and full-bodied, with a tonality that is beautifully even and not without solid, deep bass.
As expected from a larger speaker, the Move’s presentation gains in size, scope and space as it uses the large driver to its advantage.
It is also capable of much higher volumes than most other Bluetooth speakers, which is particularly useful for garden parties.
The most important thing is that it remains clean in its reproduction even when it reaches its limits.
Users can also expect a similar level of sonic satisfaction with Bluetooth playback.
The Move can play different music genres just as well as any other Sonos speaker.
So if you already have Sonos speakers in your home, you will immediately recognize the high-quality playback.
Reset Sonos Move
In rare cases, it is necessary to reset the Sonos Move to the factory settings. This may be the case, for example, if you have purchased a used device and want to integrate it into your own Sonos system.
Resetting the Sonos Move is slightly different to the other devices: First, the speaker must be switched off by disconnecting it from the charging station or USB-C cable and holding down the power button for five seconds.
Then press and hold the connection button on the back and place it back on the charging station until the LED flashes orange and white alternately.
Conclusion on the Sonos Move
Sonos’ foray into the world outside the four walls of the home is a pleasant surprise for me and without alternatives.
Especially in direct comparison with the Sonos Roam, the Sonos Move makes the most of its large body and offers a particularly full and dynamic sound.
The workmanship is of the usual high quality and the improved maximum volume should please anyone who can actually use it.
All in all, the Sonos Move is really good, even if its size and weight make it less suitable for a trip to the park or the beach.
Lars Grudzinski has been working as a sound and lighting technician since the 90s, was a DJ for electronic music, has a large collection of vintage speakers, and has been working for various radio stations in Germany for 20 years. At home, he enjoys high-quality home theater products such as soundbars and projectors and has installed an extensive Sonos system in his own home.