There are two variations of Sonos’ entry speaker… the Sonos One and the Sonos One SL.
The principle distinction between the 2 is that One is a smart speaker (fairly actually) and the One SL is not.
In case you’re not fairly positive what meaning, otherwise you’re making an attempt to work out if the Sonos One or the Sonos One SL is the precise speaker on your Sonos setup, you then learn on as we clarify precisely how they examine to at least one one other.
Sonos One vs One SL: Design and construct
The Sonos One first got here out in 2017 and was the multi-room speaker model’s first smart speaker. The One SL arrived in late 2019, holding each facet of the One’s appears, with its all-over grille and squat form.
Measuring it 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 newest Echo and Nest Audio.
They’re just about similar, save for the panel on the highest which differs very barely. There isn’t any microphone array or mic icon with the One SL.
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You may nonetheless get capacitative buttons on the highest, to regulate quantity, observe skipping, play and pause, in case you do not need to use your telephone 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 smart assistant boasting Sonos One prices $219, whereas the SL is $20 cheaper at $199.
Within the UK the distinction is £20; it is £199 for the One and £179 for the One SL.
Sonos One versus Sonos One SL: Smart assistants
The unique One, which was the pure successor to the now-discontinued Play:1, featured Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant constructed proper in. The Google Assistant was additionally added to the combination quickly after launch.
The Sonos One boasts a six microphone array to allow customers to regulate their Sonos system. Identical to on an Amazon Echo or a Google Home 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’ll be able to’t have Alexa and the Google Assistant being stablemates.
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In probably the most fundamental of classifications and, as talked about up prime, the One SL is not technically a smart speaker because it does not have a voice assistant baked in. Let’s be trustworthy, that is the entire level of its existence. It is a Sonos One for those who don’t desire Huge 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 additionally they each boast AirPlay 2 and Spotify Join as effectively.
Sonos One or Sonos One SL: Sound high quality
When it comes to sound high quality and audio efficiency, once more, you might be getting an similar story with whichever One you select.
For a speaker of its measurement the One vary sounds actually incredible. Clear at each frequency, splendidly balanced. Punchy bass that doesnât dominate and so, so loud. Its design additionally permits it to ship sound evenly throughout 360 levels and it might actually fill a room.
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Clearly, as a bookshelf speaker, each variations of the One additionally lend themselves completely to being attached as a stereo pair – and sure, you’ll be able to combine and match One and One SL audio system as stereo pairs.
Sonos One v One SL: Which is finest?
The unique One might have been the primary nail within the Play:1’s coffin however it’s the Sonos One SL that basically changed the Play:1 because the core speaker within the Sonos ecosystem.
If you have already got a Sonos One, for instance, you won’t want one other microphone-enabled speaker, during which case the One SL will likely be a logical alternative.
In case you’re trying to get Alexa or the Google Assistant concerned in your Sonos system then the One is the speaker for you, after all.
Both manner, you are getting Sonos’ entry-level-but-still-great audio efficiency at a good value level.