Sonos Playbase

Good looks, solid build ; Seamless app integration ; Sonos app is still be best remote app ever ; Responsive touch keys ; Can be expanded with extra speakers

No HDMI ; Expensive if you want to build a system

A convincing argument for throwing out your stereo.

Excellent sound quality ; Apartment-shaking bass ; Works flawlessly with other Sonos products ; Easy to set up and use

Optical-only connection ; Virtual surround sounds artificial ; TruePlay calibration for iOS only ; Expensive

The Sonos Playbase continues the company’s philosophy of making easy-to-use and good-sounding speakers in an attractive package. But, due to the lack of support for many surround sound formats, artificial sounding processing and ecosystem lock-in,...

Impressively big, wide soundstage ; Solid, natural bass ; Stylishly minimalist and sturdy build ; Streams just about anything ; Can be part of multi-room and surround systems

Harsh treble detracts from sonic strengths ; Setup by the single optical input can be fiddly ; Lacks high-res audio support ; Won't work perfectly in all rooms

One of the simplest, most stylish and streamiest soundbases around, but the Sonos Playbase isn't flawless

Amazingly big, wide sound for a box this compact ; Natural, punchy bass ; Does all of the great things any other Sonos speaker can ; Can be upgraded to a full 5.1 system

Treble is harsh, often annoyingly so ; Optical-only isn’t very flexible – or even necessarily that simple ; Won’t work perfectly in every room

One significant sonic flaw prevents the otherwise excellent SoundBase getting the full five stars

The Sonos Playbase is a low-slung sound base with impeccable design and impressive sound. Its bass is even better than the Playbar's, so there's no need for a sub. Sonos' app and other speakers make it part of one of the best multiroom systems available.

The wide effect needs breathing room -- unadorned walls, too, if you please. No DTS support, HDMI ports or Bluetooth. If you have a "clawfoot" TV, it may not fit on top.

The Playbase adds excellent home theater and music sound to Sonos' superb multiroom music system. Just make sure your TV fits.

Good bass reproduction ; Clear vocals ; Solid and elegant design ; Multiroom expandability

App not up to par ; Too colored sound ; No DTS or Dolby Atmos support

Great design ; Brilliant sound ; Works perfectly with existing Sonos system ; Excellent design for TVs on stands

Expensive ; Built-in woofer can't shake a room

The Sonos PlayBase is an excellent soundbar, but the $699 price of admission may be too high for many.