The Sonos Sub Mini is official, and it’s disappointingly expensive

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Bringing a bit of bass to Sonos’ Ray and Beam Gen 2 soundbars

Sonos Sub Mini
(Image credit: Sonos)

After months of leaks and speculation, Sonos has finally announced the release of its latest speaker, the Sub Mini, a compact wireless subwoofer built to bring some bass to even the smallest of rooms.

With a cylindrical design measuring just 23cm by 30.5 cm, the Sub Mini uses a space-saving driver layout to help maximise its performance. Inside, a pair of 6-inch woofers, each powered by a class-D amplifier, face each other to create a force-cancelling effect that should minimise unwanted buzzes and rattles while producing a claimed low-frequency response down to 25 Hz.

Sonos Sub Mini

(Image credit: Sonos)

Available in Sonos’s standard matt monochrome finishes of black or white, the cabinet is entirely sealed to neutralise distortion, with a Dyson-like pill-shaped centre tunnel that, Sonos says, helps to move air efficiently while also evoking the looks of the original Sonos Sub.

Sonos has confirmed that the Sonos Sub Mini can mix and match with any of its full range speakers but suggests partnering with some of the brand’s smaller, more affordable models such as the Beam Gen 2, Ray, One, One SL or Symfonisk speakers in small to medium-sized rooms.

Sonos Sub Mini

(Image credit: Sonos)

Connectivity is via a low-latency 5 GHz WiFi connection, which means the Sub Mini only requires a cable for power. Once added to a soundbar or speaker system, volume changes between the two are linked automatically. However, bass level and EQ can be adjusted independently in the Sonos app where it can also be optimised to the acoustics of your space using Sonos’s Trueplay tuning technology.

The Sub Mini can be pre-ordered from today for an October 6th release in most territories, priced at £429 / $429 / AU$699, with availability in India and China to follow.

It joins the classic Sonos Sub in the brand’s line-up, which is recommended for use in large rooms with the Arc, Beam Gen 2, Five, and Amp. Priced at £749 / $749 / AU$1099, the Sonos Sub is only marginally cheaper than the flagship Sonos Arc.

Sonos sub family

(Image credit: Sonos)

While it’s great to see Sonos continuing to produce more affordable products, the price point of the Sub-Mini does seem slightly at odds with building brand accessibility, given that it skirts just below the Sonos Beam Gen 2, which costs £449 /$449 / AU$699, and is considerably more expensive than the Ray at £279 / $279 / AU$399.

How many customers will be willing to more than double the price of their budget system to improve its bass performance remains to be seen, but we look forward to putting the Sub Mini through its paces with all of Sonos's soundbars very soon.

MORE

Read our review of the original Sonos Sub

The best deals on Sonos speakers currently available

Our review of the Sonos Ray: Sonos’ budget soundbar

Mary Stone

Mary is a staff writer at What Hi-Fi? and has over a decade of experience working as a sound engineer mixing live events, music and theatre. Her mixing credits include productions at The National Theatre and in the West End, as well as original musicals composed by Mark Knopfler, Tori Amos, Guy Chambers, Howard Goodall and Dan Gillespie Sells. 

6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Stanny1
    Sonos is only "Mid-Fi" It is the new Bose - a "lifestyle" consumer product. For that kind of money for this sub, you could buy a real sub from SVS.
    Reply
  • Eric T Cat
    How on Earth does £429 equal $429? At today's rates it should be £374, that's a BIG difference! Shipping in containers from China is broadly the same, the road network less distance to travel. There's no way to justify this disparity in price, none whatsoever. Import duties to the UK/US look to be broadly equivalent. That's a hefty hit on UK customers that needs explanation. Under £400 it's an option. At £429 knowing it could be a lot less it's not, not is it ever likely to be.
    Reply
  • timoth
    Eric T Cat said:
    How on Earth does £429 equal $429? At today's rates it should be £374, that's a BIG difference! Shipping in containers from China is broadly the same, the road network less distance to travel. There's no way to justify this disparity in price, none whatsoever. Import duties to the UK/US look to be broadly equivalent. That's a hefty hit on UK customers that needs explanation. Under £400 it's an option. At £429 knowing it could be a lot less it's not, not is it ever likely to be.

    This aged well.... 13 days later
    Reply
  • Eric T Cat
    timoth said:
    This aged well.... 13 days later
    Well, in my defence, I didn’t know the government would mess up royally and destroy the currency, it’s almost a price match now, I expect a giant price hike any day soon. Put it up to £529 to keep profit margins going. Is it a better deal now or a worse one? It’s still expensive.
    Reply
  • timoth
    Eric T Cat said:
    Well, in my defence, I didn’t know the government would mess up royally and destroy the currency, it’s almost a price match now, I expect a giant price hike any day soon. Put it up to £529 to keep profit margins going. Is it a better deal now or a worse one? It’s still expensive.
    Well I completely agree. Government seemingly have no clue how to run the economy anymore.
    And I also expect price hikes so am considering buying soon.
    Reply
  • GSV Ethics Gradient
    timoth said:
    Well I completely agree. Government seemingly have no clue how to run the economy anymore.
    And I also expect price hikes so am considering buying soon.
    No politics, please. The strong feelings are understood, but it's against forum rules.
    Reply