Sonos aims for AirPods Max, Apple TV with rumored headphones, streaming box

AppleInsider

Sonos may start to compete more directly against Apple in the future, with a report claiming that over-ear headphones and a set-top box are on the way to compete against the AirPods Max and Apple TV.

Sonos speaker

Sonos' line of smart speakers and soundbars have worked with Apple's ecosystem for quite a few years, with hardware like the Apple TV able to take advantage of Sonos' speaker networking. It now seems that Sonos wants to take on Apple's personal audio and set-top streaming products with its own versions.

In a Tuesday report by Bloomberg, Sonos is aiming to introduce its own high-end headphones, expanding its speaker range into the personal audio field. The over-ear headphones will apparently cost about $400 to $500, putting it in the same ballpark as Apple's AirPods Max and offerings from Bose.

The headphones, which have apparently been in development for years, may be comparable feature-wise to the AirPods Max, though with more of a focus on tuning the sound to the user with a Sonos "Passport" app.

It is rumored Sonos' headphones could arrive as soon as April 2024.

Versus Apple TV

The headphones can be one of two products Sonos has under wraps. The report adds that a streaming set-top box to rival the Apple TV is also being worked on by the company. Due late in 2024 or in 2025, Sonos' device will provide streaming capabilities and will be based on Android.

Sonos is reportedly in talks with cable companies so that the set-top box can offer live TV streams. There's even talk about a Sonos-branded video service.

More importantly for Sonos' ecosystem, it will also function as a central hub for a Sonos network. This would be somewhat reminiscent of Apple's ability to use an Apple TV as a HomeKit hub.

When it arrives, the set-top streaming box should cost between $150 and $200.

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glennh

Without them adding support for Siri ( App Intents API ), these will be DOA…. Take the hint SONOS….. 

gatorguy

glennh said:

Without them adding support for Siri ( App Intents API ), these will be DOA…. Take the hint SONOS….. 

They've never supported Siri, yet successful and admired despite that. You cn't use TruePlay on Android either. I'll guess they'll support Airplay, so mostly a non-issue, right?

I don't use voice control now with my Sonos system,  Alexa, Google, or Sonos own, so it doesn't matter to me, and probably most others who use their products.  They wouldn't buy them otherwise. 

polymnia

Though I like my Apple TVs, I trust Sonos to better execute on connected media devices. I LOVE my Sonos gear. Their neutral support of pretty much every streaming service, without favoring an in-house service is refreshing. Loading a queue of mixed content from various services is a superpower that I really like. 

I’m very interested to see what their vision for a streaming box looks like. And I’ll certainly take a look at their headphone, though I’m a bit more skeptical of how those might improve on Apple AirPods. 

gatorguy

polymnia said:

Though I like my Apple TVs, I trust Sonos to better execute on connected media devices. I LOVE my Sonos gear. Their neutral support of pretty much every streaming service, without favoring an in-house service is refreshing. Loading a queue of mixed content from various services is a superpower that I really like. 

I’m very interested to see what their vision for a streaming box looks like. And I’ll certainly take a look at their headphone, though I’m a bit more skeptical of how those might improve on Apple AirPods. 

The AirPods Max headphones are all but abandoned by Apple since they were first announced IMO. It might be the only Apple electronics product that has never received a firmware update three years after it went on sale, so they've certainly left the door open for Sonos. Now it's up to them to deliver. 

glennh

gatorguy said:

glennh said:

Without them adding support for Siri ( App Intents API ), these will be DOA…. Take the hint SONOS….. 

They've never supported Siri, yet successful and admired despite that. You cn't use TruePlay on Android either. I'll guess they'll support Airplay, so mostly a non-issue, right?

I don't use voice control now with my Sonos system,  Alexa, Google, or Sonos own, so it doesn't matter to me, and probably most others who use their products.  They wouldn't buy them otherwise. 

I just saw your comment since I do not live my life in the comment section as you do. 

Others and I do use our voice to control our products at home.

As far Sonos, I have used their products (plays 1, 3, 5’s and PlayBars) for years. However, the last few speakers have been outdated as far a voice control and smart AI. Hell the Roam cannot even keep a two minutes blue-tooth or WiFi connection outside the home.  

Sonos in the past has had a habit of not seeing where the market is going or paying ant attention to their loyal users. Just look at their stubborn refusal to include the various Dolby attributes in their products for years. Yeah, pcm was soooo much better and more modern than Dolby….

For me, I dumped all of my Sonos speakers with the exception of my Arc which has Dolby Atmos. It will be replaced in the coming months with a TV surround system bar that let me incorporate the new bar into my HomeKit Home with various App Intents App speakers and other device. The API has been free for developers like Sonos to use and incorporate into their products. Even old man “Bose” is expanding the use of the API in their product lines.

With Sonos being stuck on ignoring the API and losing the Patent case to Google, I do not think their speakers will be flying off the shelves like in the past. You are free to think and use whatever you please. My observations and thinking is different than yours. In my humble opinion, Sonos is becoming the new Sony Betamax. 

Ps. Must you negatively comment on everything in here? Word for the day is “disengage”. You should try that whenever you get the impulse to alway put you “half a cent” in ... 😎