Our Sonos gift guide to Avoid Disappointment
Know anyone who loves their music? Bring real joy to them this Christmas with the help of Sonos speakers.
Ever received a Christmas present you didn't like and had to fashion a smile to conceal your underlying disappointment? We’ve all been there. The constant tit-for-tat style exchange that happens every December, unfortunately, leads to many recycled or discarded Christmas pressies.
I’ve always found that getting as personal as possible with your gift and aligning them with their interests resonates much more than generic gifts like chocolate, flowers and toiletries.
Music is a different kind of gift as it invokes real emotions. You can use music to provide atmosphere, to comfort, to reminisce, to energise and much more. Being able to listen to the music you love easily and in pristine sound quality goes a long way.
We know there have been numerous studies conducted on the effect of music on happiness levels. On a purely biological level, music releases the neurochemical serotonin in our brains which is responsible for feelings of happiness.
In the home, we know music makes chores more bearable, brings the family closer together, encourages dancing, fuels inspiration, creativity, nostalgia, romance and much more.
In essence, music makes us happier and if there’s a better, easier or smarter way to listen to our favourite music, we believe this makes for an unbeatable gift that's guaranteed to sidestep disappointment.
Sonos Christmas Idea no.1
Sonos One Gen 2. - £199 down to £169
Winning the 2018 T3 Gadget of the Year award, the smallest of the Sonos smart speaker family certainly does a fantastic job of filling smaller sized rooms like bedrooms, studies, conservatories and bathrooms. You’ll be notably impressed by the clarity, balance and depth of sound Sonos One can offer.
Recently revamped for 2019, the Sonos One Gen 2 now features a more powerful processor, making set-up even easier. All you'll need to do is plug it into mains power, connect it to your home WiFi, import your music streaming service (accounts such as Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music are all supported) and off you go.
The award-winning Sonos app, free from all app stores, is a straightforward way to control your Sonos speaker.
Other great features include both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice control support, making Sonos the first smart speaker company of its kind to offer both. Voice Assistant allows for entirely hands-free music control whilst also acting as a useful schedule keeper, alarm setter, handy source of world news and much more.
Don't feel voice assistant is for you? Not to worry, the Sonos One SL has the same great internal speaker without the inbuilt microphone.
Airplay 2 is another very convenient feature that lets you cast any audio from your iPhone or iPad straight to your Sonos speaker, bypassing the Sonos app - great for popular apps such as Youtube.
View Sonos One
Sonos Christmas Idea no.2
Rega Planar 1 Plus Turntable - £329
Ask any vinyl-enthusiast what the difference is between vinyl and streaming, and they will probably struggle to describe the feeling in words.
Taking the vinyl out of the sleeve, loading it on to the platter and moving the tonearm on to the vinyl with the faint crackling sound of analogue is a satisfaction like no other.
What’s the use in a vinyl collection gathering dust? Restore it to its former glory with a turntable connected up to Sonos.
Here at Smart Home Sounds we stock one trusted turntable brand, Rega, in whom we have 100% confidence. As a British Heritage brand, Rega have been making quality turntables and AV equipment for over 40 years.
All of the Planar turntables on our website can connect to a Sonos system, but we've chosen to feature the Planar 1+ as its inbuilt pre-amp makes for a sleek and simple installation. If you're more interested in the Planar 1 or Planar 2, connect it to the pre-amp and either a Sonos Play:5, Amp or Port to enjoy vinyl all around your home.
Need more information on listening to vinyl through Sonos? Read the full blog.
View Rega Planar 1 Package
Sonos Christmas Idea no.3
Sonos Beam - £399 down to £349
With 70% of all sound bar purchases under £500 going to the Sonos Beam, it's clear to see why we've had to include it in our Christmas gift run-down. Uniting both Movie and Music lovers alike, the Beam offers a wide soundstage and exceptional performance on detail and bass for the compact size.
Offering both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, the Beam is incredibly versatile and great for those looking to expand their smart home. One of the things we love most about Sonos sound bars is how easy it is to flick between TV and music audio, meaning you don't need to compromise on great music when opting for a sound bar over a more traditional speaker.
Like the Sonos One, the Beam also features Apple Airplay 2, making the speaker even simpler to use with a diverse array of control methods.
The Beam leaves users with room to grow, accommodating up to a 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound set up when accompanied by a pair of Sonos Ones or SLs and a Sub. We see the Beam fitting perfectly in a small-medium sized room, adding drama to any action movie you throw at it. If your space is larger or more open plan, perhaps the Beam's big brother, the Sonos Playbar, might be the option for you.
Currently reduced to £349, the Beam definitely packs a punch for the price and would be a welcome addition to many TV stands.
Sonos Christmas idea no.4
Sonos Move - £399 down to £359
As one of their most recent additions, the Move sees Sonos dip their toes into portable audio whilst retaining the same top sound quality we've come to know and love.
Standing at 24cm, the Move is on the larger side when compared to other portable speakers on the market and you can definitely hear that in the bass and detail it can output. This is because Sonos' haven't neglected their true roots as a home audio company, ensuring the speaker earns its rightful place as part of your home Sonos ecosystem.
With a 10 hour battery life, IP weather rating, carry handle and drop-proof design, you don't need to worry when taking the Move out and about. The Move allows you to easily flip between wifi and bluetooth at the push of a button. Coming complete with a discreet charging stand, you don't have to worry about purchasing any extra accessories with this speaker.
When in wifi mode you'll still be able to access Amazon Alexa, Google assistant and Airplay 2, meaning you don't need to sacrifice great smart features for motility. The Move really offers the best of both worlds, perfect for the party lovers and world travellers amongst us.
sonos christmas idea no.5
Add voice control to an existing Sonos set up
If you know someone who has a Sonos Play speaker (Play:1, Play:3, Play:5, Playbar or Playbase), to control the speaker using their voice, they will need a separate Amazon Echo device.
Amazon are onto their 3rd generation of Echo Dot, currently on offer for £24.99. The Dot will make a perfect gift for people with existing Sonos, giving them an extra perk.
If you’re sceptical about voice control being just a fad, then I understand entirely and I felt the same until I started using it. It’s not only the convenience of starting music using your voice; it’s how quickly you can find information or complete tasks without pulling out your phone.
Voice control adds a very welcome, simple level of home automation without getting technical.
View Amazon Echo Dot
Sonos Christmas Idea no.6
Sonos Accessories
Accessorise your Sonos using Flexson’s popular floor stands, desk stands or wall mounts. They are inexpensive and a great way to help your Sonos speakers blend into the environment
One of our favourites is the desk stand for Sonos One or Play:1. At only £24.99, this creates the perfect desk companion for your Sonos and positions your speaker towards listening height.
Browse Flexson’s range of Accessories
Still needing more inspiration? Chat with one of our Sonos specialists today for personal help and advice.
