Sound QualityThe Sonos Roam has Good overall sound quality. Bass has decent impact, is slightly subdued, and doesn't go deep. Midrange is even, but is somewhat hazy and grainy, and a bit etched. Treble is somewhat smeared, a touch sizzly, slightly subdued overall and upper treble is muted. So-so recovery of room ambience, sounds a bit congested, and lacks fine detail. The unit is monophonic. There was no significant difference between WiFi and Bluetooth sound quality. Can be paired with a second Roam to form a stereo pair that can be placed to provide better stereo separation. When stereo paired, the deep bass doesn't improve, but the mid and upper bass is no longer subdued, the room ambience improves to decent, and the overall sound improves but remains in the Good range. Provides a decent volume level in a medium sized room, but gets harsh at max volumes, so is better suited for near field listening.
Versatility
Versatility is Very Good. It's a monophonic speaker, with multi-room support and can stereo pair with another Sonos Roam. Wireless: WiFi supports dual-band and this unit has Bluetooth but lacks speakerphone functionality. Communications: Lacks support for calling , messaging and SMS texting capability. Digital Assistant Muting: Has a dedicated function to disable the digital assistant by muting its microphones. Audio Connections: Lacks analog audio input and output. Audio Tailoring: Has Bass and Treble user tone controls. OS Support: Android and iOS. Other connections and features: Lacks a USB device port. Streaming by voice command: Supports voice command of many common streaming services such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Google-Play Music, Pandora, Spotify, Tune-In, and iHeart Radio. Voice ID: Supports voice identity - a feature which allows the account holder with their "voice print" to access personal information.
Ease of Use
Overall ease of use of the Sonos Roam is very good. Wireless setup: Setup requires an app downloaded to a device or device connection, easy and intuitive - need instructions (may be included in app), may or may not involve inputting WiFi network password, and account setups. Console controls: The volume controls have low-contrast labeling marked with only (+/-) located on the top/side of the console depending on orientation of unit during use. Volume lacks graphical position marking but has a index "marking" via verbal command and acknowledgement. Audio mute: Poor labeling (Black/Black), well placed, lacking indication when engaged. Microphone mute: Dedicated control but the marking is not the most obvious, clear indication when it is engaged. Source selections: Requires app to be installed, app installation is straight forward. Once app is installed switching between inputs is fairly intuitive. App remote: Volume controls are prominent and have graphical position marking but lacks specific index markings. Mute: (Remote) Well marked, well placed, clear indication when it is engaged and mutes the line input. Voice transport controls: Natural language control of transport (Play/Pause/Skip/Mute), volume controls and source selection was easy and intuitive.