The Sonos Sub gets a mini-me, but is it a biter?
Subwoofer | £429 | whf.cm/SonosSubMini
Have you ever wondered where our preoccupation with bass stems from? According to a study published in the Journal of Social Psychological and Personality Science, listening to music with a strong bass element can evoke a sense of power in listeners. Or, as Suzi Quatro more bluntly put it, “bass gets you in the groin”.
Whichever way you like to think of it, a robust low end can add thrilling depth to music and scale to film soundtracks, bridging the gap between rhythm, harmony and melody, and is one of the main differentiators between the domestic and the theatrical or live audio experience.
It’s no wonder, then, that high on the wishlist of those looking for a home cinema sound system is a desire to bring a touch of bombastic bass to the humble living room. But in most household spaces, you want a sub that can deliver a powerful punch while not disturbing the neighbours, one that’s capable of cinematic low-end extension, but in a cabinet that’s easy to hide away. And, because brands rarely produce more than one or two models, it must also integrate equally well with soundbars.
With a cylindrical design measuring just 23 x 30.5cm, the Sub Mini uses a space-saving driver layout to help maximise its performance while remaining stable within a small cabinet. Inside, a pair of opposing 15cm woofers, each powered by a class-D amp, create a force-cancelling effect to minimise unwanted mechanical vibrations caused by the drivers’ motion and produce a claimed low-frequency response of as low as 25Hz. The cabinet is sealed to reduce distortion, with a centre tunnel designed to move air efficiently.
Quick, responsive sound
The Sub Mini can be linked to any of Sonos’ full-range non-portable speakers. However, Sonos suggests it will fare better with smaller, more affordable models such as the Beam Gen 2 and Ray, soundbars, and One, One SL or IKEA Symfonisk speakers in small to medium-sized rooms.
We pair the Sub Mini with all three of the brand’s soundbars, including the Arc, and how well it fares varies with each model – however, there are some consistent characteristics across the board. The Sub Mini has a quick, responsi
