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Sonos One Gen 1 Review

The growth in technology has contributed significantly to the rising craze for smart speakers. From smart assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant, Sonos One Gen 1 brings this reality to your doorstep. In this article, we look into details of the Sonos One Gen 1 speakers.

Sonos Gen 1

Specifications

  Sonos One Gen 1
Dimensions 6.4 x 4.8 x 4.8 inches
Weight 4.08 lb
Channels Mono
Wi-Fi Yes
Bluetooth No
Multi-Room Yes
Physical connections Ethernet
Portable No
Water-resistant No
Speakerphone No
Voice Assistant Alexa

 

Features

Design/Portability of Gen 1

Preceding the Sonos One Gen 1 is the Play:1. Sonos One Gen 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. Besides, they are bot built in a squarish near-cylinder design. 

If you are looking for speakers that bear a striking balance between design, appeal, and functionality, Sonos One Gen 1 excels in that. It has a far-field microphone array to help in registering voices much faster. 

The speaker is surrounded by a matte grill (available in white and black) save for a plastic stripe down along the back where the Ethernet input exists. The Ethernet port is provided just in case you prefer to hardwire the speaker instead of using the WiFi. 

If you use sensitive words that you do not want to pronounce in public, the speaker comes with touch-sensitive controls situated on the top panel. You can use these controls to turn the microphone or volume on and off.

The plastic finish gives it a gorgeous expensive look and blends perfectly well with the bookshelf, bathroom, kitchen counter, and many more home and office spaces. Also, even though the speaker is not waterproof, it is humidity resistant. 

Sonos One Gen 1

Pricing/Budget For Sonos One Gen 1

The Sonos One Gen 1 is a favorably priced speaker that is primarily considered affordable going by its performance and features.

Sonos One (Gen 1) - Voice Controlled Smart Speaker...
  • Sonos One - The powerful smart speaker with voice control built in.
  • This product has been replaced by Sonos One (Gen 2).
  • (Playback Languages)

However, the speaker has had a reduction in pricing after the company upgraded it to Gen 2. It still sells at slightly less than $200, though. 

Sound Quality For Sonos One Gen 1

The speaker gets loud, and you can fully enjoy music at 50%. The quality is also awe-inspiring. The lows get deep, and bass notes come out clearly without masking the mids. Mids also sound great, and you will hear detail from the guitar strums and vocals. 

Sonos One Gen 1 Connectivity 

Sonos One Gen 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 WiFi connectivity is automatic, and you can easily select available networks in Spotify. 

You must, however, download the Sonos app, which then allows you to download Alexa, which then has to be connected and special permissions granted for access. Although this process can be confusing, it is seamlessly easy. 

On the other hand, the speaker connects to the internet through an Ethernet port. With an Ethernet cable, you can connect to a router, computer, or network-attached storage (NAS) device. 

Setting up the speaker is straightforward. Press the join button to connect during setup. 

Space Considerations For Sonos One Gen 1

Sonos One Gen 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. The speaker is made to perfectly fit in small spaces like desks, bathrooms, and even counters

Pros/Cons 

Pros Of Sonos 1 Gen 1

  • Superior sound quality
  • It plays amazingly with other Sonos speakers 
  • It plays well with Amazon
  • The sound is balanced and full-bodied 
  • The app is much cleaner and easier to navigate 
  • HomePod is great for Apple Music subscribers 
  • The beam sounds excellent and is remarkably versatile
  • Interface slick and easy to use reliable and perfectly synchronized audio 
  • Broadly compatible with third-party products 
  • Stylish design 
  • Durable 
  • Spotify voice support 
  • Microphones pick up voice reliably 
  • Compact 
  • Affordable 

Cons Of Sonos 1 Gen 1

  • Sonos One lost its ability to respond to Alexa commands
  • A bit harder to mount them on the wall now
  • It does not work with Apple Music 
  • The sound is not audiophile-quality 
  • Treble notes are hard to hear 
  • Convoluted setup process

Sonos One Gen 1 Vs. Gen 2: How To Tell 

It is not easy to tell between Sonos One Gen 1 and Gen 2 as the physiology remains precisely the same.

However, Sonos One Gen 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. 

In addition, Gen 2 has more processing power than Gen 1. Besides, its price has been increased and is a little higher than Gen 1. 

For more information on the Sonos Gen 1 vs Sonos Gen 2, check out this guide

How To Connect Sonos One Gen 1

Setting up the Sonos One Gen 1 is easy. Here’s the process. 

Step 1: Placement

Place the speaker in the WiFi field where the signal is strong. Then plug it into the power outlet. The LED on top of the speaker will begin to flash green, signifying that the speaker is ready to connect. 

Step 2: Connect To The Sonos App

Install the Sonos Controller App, launch it, and select set up a new Sonos system. Create a new account or sign in to the existing one, select continue to proceed with set up, and select “Standard setup.”

Step 3: Power The Speaker

Power on the speaker and select “Next” to proceed. You should see a green light flashing on the speaker. Once you see this, select “Continue.” The Sonos app should now begin to search for the Sonos One speaker and configure it. 

Select “Next” and tap on “SONOS” appearing on your mobile to proceed. 

Step 4: Select Sonos Network

Now open the WI-Fi settings and select “Sonos Network” to complete the setup. 

Sonos One Gen 1 Vs. Gen 2

Both Sonos Gen 1 and Gen 2 have similar speaker quality and output. Most PC and MAC users prefer to use Gen 1, while Gen 2 is a cake for iOS users. Also, as we said already, Gen 1 is much cheaper and may be a good choice if you are working on a tight budget.

However, for gadget enthusiasts who are into Smart Homes, Gen 2 will be a perfect choice as it comes with much-needed updates. Take your time to go through the review to make an informed decision. 

FAQs 

What is the difference between SonosGen 1 and Gen 2?

Both Gen 1 and Gen 2 are the same speakers. However, Gen 2 bears the upgraded and new features such as the increased bandwidth and Apple’s AirPlay 2, which Gen 1 has been missing.

Does Sonos One Gen 1 have Bluetooth? 

The Sonos Gen 1 speaker does not have Bluetooth.

Does Sonos One Gen 1 have Alexa? 

Yes, the SonosOne Gen 1 is compatible with Alexa. 

Can you pair Gen 1 and 2 on Sonos?

Yes, Gen 1 and Gen 2 can be stereo paired. 

For more information on the Sonos Gen 1 vs Sonos Gen 2, check out this guide.

Conclusion 

The Sonos One Gen 1 speaker is a versatile smart speaker designed and built for the future. The speaker combines excellent sound quality with superior built design. Get this speaker today and revamp your home listening experience.