Putting aside last year’s app update debacle for the moment; which has still not really been resolved to the satisfaction of its rather large customer base, Sonos has not had a strong track record of late. Every manufacturer releases a few pieces of hardware that fail to excite the market and Sonos is not unique in that regard. It happens.
Their first headphone, the Sonos Ace, impressed us somewhat but has not become the market disruptor that they were hoping for; nobody at Apple is losing sleep over it in case you are wondering. However, the company’s new ARC Ultra soundbar has had generally positive reviews, albeit at a relatively high price of $999, which doesn’t include subwoofer or surround speakers. We’d love to have more to say about that, but the promised review sample has yet to arrive.
So does Sonos think that a video streamer which is currently being called the Sonos ‘Pinewood’ (interesting project name… did your father make you build one of those cars in Scouts and then shrug as you crashed sideways during the race into some grandma in a wheelchair?) is going to be the piece of hardware that saves their bacon?
Based on what we know so far… we’re not so sure that is going to be the case.
Chris Boylan’s in-depth look at the Sonos App controversy is a great primer for those who have not been following the misstep that has eroded user trust and set the stage for the position that the company finds itself in right now.
Bad news (that app debacle and the recent departure of long term CEO, Patrick Spence) has the ability to create negative momentum in the market and that most certainly impacts sales. Sonos’ Q4 2024 financial update comes later this week and we suspect the numbers are not going to make investors or its Board of Directors very happy. We hope to be proven wrong in that regard but strong earnings are not the word on the street right now.
Sonos Pinewood – What We Know So Far
Since Sonos has not made an official announcement about any potential video streamer, so far the details on project Pinewood (official name still forthcoming) are coming from secondary, but reliable sources (such as The Verge). Here is a summary of what is being reported.
Price: To start with, the purchase price has been reported to be between $200 and $400, which is definitely a lot more expensive than even the highest-priced video streamer, the current Nividia Shield TV PRO which comes in at $199. Although images haven’t been posted publicly the Pinewood is also expected to have a similar look (and size) as the Apple TV 4K.
OS: Instead of developing its own OS, such as what Roku and Amazon have done, it looks like the Sonos Pinewood will run on Android. This is interesting considering the company’s somewhat contentious relationship with Google over the years. But it is certainly more plausible than the company expanding its own OS to accommodate video streaming.
Streaming Services: Just like other video streaming boxes and plug-in sticks, Pinewood will offer popular services, such as Netflix, Max, Disney Plus, and more, supported by a universal search feature to make finding content faster. The Pinewood will also reportedly support both WiFi 7 and wired Ethernet connectivity.
Control: For control, Sonos will provide both a physical remote with additional support from Sonos Voice Control. The physical remote will also reportedly have shortcut buttons for instant access to select apps.
HDMI: One feature that may be included is the ability to use the Pinewood as an HDMI switch. This means that the streamer may have several (number not known) HDMI inputs with passthrough capability. This would enable users to connect additional source devices such as Blu-ray players, UHD Blu-ray Disc players, gaming consoles, and other compatible source devices to the streamer and switch between them for content access in addition to what the Pinewood itself offers. We’re not convinced about this one as Sonos doesn’t even offer a second HDMI port on its otherwise well-designed ARC Ultra soundbar. And with HDMI eARC, we don’t see a pressing need for additional HDMI inputs on a standalone streaming box.
Wireless Audio: Another feature rumored to be included in the device is a wireless lag-free audio transmission to Sonos soundbars and other select Sonos wireless speakers (perhaps directly to the ACE headphones as well?). This could be interesting as it would eliminate the need for even a single HDMI cable between the TV and the soundbar.
Surround Sound Configuration: Probably the best feature (other than the streaming stuff) will be the reported ability for users to configure surround sound using several of Sonos’ wireless speaker models in addition to their soundbars. For example, one option might be that instead of including a Sonos soundbar, users can “assemble” their home theater audio system using several of Sonos’ other speakers, like perhaps the ability to build a Dolby Atmos capable surround sound system out of four of the ERA 300 speakers, similar to what Sony does with the Bravia Theatre Quad system.
The Bottom Line
If the Sonos Pinewood (or whatever its final name is) ends up being released and it includes all of the features that have been leaked ahead of time, it could be a formidable video streaming device. But until it actually arrives on the scene and we can use it, we just have to wait and see. And if the price comes in on the higher end of the $200 to $400 range, it might be a tough sell as almost all TVs are now Smart TVs, with streaming apps built in, and other video streamers from established brands are a lot less expensive.
However, one possibility that hasn’t been discussed is that Sonos may build this streaming capability into its soundbars. Both Roku and Amazon already offer soundbars with built-in streaming features. Building a streaming platform into the Sonos Arc Ultra or Sonos Beam would help differentiate it from competitors in the high-end soundbar space. But is that really necessary?
We’ll be tuning into the company’s earnings call tomorrow to see if project Pinewood is real, or if the company has anything else up its sleeve to get their customers and investors excited for the company’s prospects in 2025 and beyond.
Related Reading
Sonos’ Era 100 Pro is Their First Power Over Ethernet Wireless Speaker Solution
Is the New Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar Worth The Upgrade or Just More of the Same?
New Sonos Ace Headphones Do WiFi, But Not How You Might Think
