According to Sonos, the Roam is a small speaker that hides a big sound inside. As we can see from its technical specifications, Sonos intends it for nature walks. The Roam has IP67 certification and the Sonos feature "drop resistant", so we won't break it if we drop it or get it wet! Compared to "regular" portable speakers, the Roam can connect not only via Bluetooth but also through our Wi-Fi network with our devices. This allows us to use various advanced Sonos features such as grouping, which allows us to create either a simple stereo set of Roam speakers for stereo listening, or group Sonos devices to listen to our music in more than one room, or add a Sonos subwoofer to our Roam for more bass, etc. In addition to the classic and simple direct connection with Bluetooth from our mobile or TV or PC, we can use the Sonos app for Android, iOS, and Windows, which also offers some extras like online radio station feeds from Sonos itself. With the Sonos app, we can adjust the bass and treble frequencies, as well as the Loudness function for further customization of our sound. Finally, with the built-in microphone, in addition to voice commands, the Roam can adjust the sound to the space we are in thanks to the TruePlay function. It is available in black and white matte finish. For Bluetooth connection with the computer, if prompted for a pin, enter "0000". With Wi-Fi, it can store several Wi-Fi networks in its memory, so you don't have to connect to Wi-Fi every time you go somewhere else! From the "Ground Plane" measurement in an outdoor space with the measuring microphone at 2 meters, we can see that the Roam, apart from the logical "weakness" in the low bass (there are bookshelf speakers that don't have low bass!), plays very well, with few irregularities in its frequency response. On the balcony and finally in the indoor space, in a medium-sized living room and at a distance of 3m from the listening position, thanks to the "room gain", we got a little more low bass, and despite the influence of the space, we had quite good sound. With the exception of the peaks in the bass region, the response in our living room was almost in line with the desired target curve for human hearing. Its Bluetooth and Wi-Fi have a good range, it is very difficult to lose the signal (especially in the case of Wi-Fi... but Bluetooth is not far behind, as it comfortably plays up to 15m without obstacles!). And its battery seems quite good, with a high probability of reaching the 10 hours that Sonos claims! Charging the Roam with an Anker PowerPort fast charger from 0% to 100% took less than 2 hours. As for the wireless charger, Sonos claims that it charges from 0 to 50% in 2 hours

This specific speaker has proven to be unexpectedly good. And I'll explain why:
1) I have had it for 8 months already and its battery health is still over 90%. I have changed two jbl flips for this reason, within a span of 2 years. Also, in terms of duration, it does what it promises. Many times, I even forget that it needs charging because it lasts so long.
2) Being a musician, I was never interested in loud volume and strong bass (which is always exaggerated..). In this specific speaker, I found what I wanted and what I hadn't been getting from the jbl flip for so long. That is, clean sound without unnecessary bass. And for those who don't understand what we mean... clean sound means that what you hear is much closer to what the producer of the respective music heard in the studio.
3) It also has airplay for iPhone users.
4) It still receives regular updates from the company.
5) It belongs to a very powerful ecosystem as Sonos produces several audio products and has ensured that they all communicate very well with each other. For the enthusiasts: you can synchronize up to 20 Sonos devices via Wi-Fi and create the ultimate sound system at home.

In summary, it is a product with impeccable battery and very clean sound quality. Personally, I believe that this specific speaker is aimed at those who are looking for as raw/studio-quality sound as possible in their ears and not for those who want bass and loud volume.

I am writing this review with special attention, not as an expert but as a lover of both sound and technology, so I will be as specific as possible to help anyone considering buying a Roam. The next paragraph will be a summary for those who prefer the essence of the matter. Otherwise, I will talk about sound, portability, and connectivity, which I believe make up the overall experience of the speaker.

In summary, the Roam is an extremely versatile speaker that, although not the most powerful in its category, and more expensive than most similar speakers, stands out for the clarity of the sound it produces, both in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. It withstands high temperatures, impacts, water, dust, etc., very well, and its size and shape are designed for a truly portable experience, both indoors and outdoors. The uniqueness of the Roam mainly comes from its multifaceted nature as both a home and outdoor speaker, as well as its smart functionality (supports Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant). Therefore, it offers you the possibility, when you don't need it outdoors, to place it as an indoor speaker, where it works wonderfully and easily fills medium-sized spaces. If you can afford the price it demands, and you are not swayed by cheaper competition considering the features of the Roam, I would highly recommend it.

Starting with sound, of course, the situation is very good, and clear, as one would expect from someone who already knows the quality of other Sonos products. Personally, I have had a Sonos One for a year now, which allowed me to compare it with the Roam. As you will read elsewhere online, the Roam is equally "clean" in the sound it produces compared to other Sonos products, but with lower volume (and bass) due to its size. For those who are not impressed by the speaker's smart features or its brand, a cheaper and bass-heavy JBL will probably please you more. Otherwise, the Roam produces an extremely rich sound for its size, and in indoor use, things are even better as the sound bounces off the surrounding walls. Like all speakers, the practical volume is reduced in outdoor spaces due to the non-bouncing of sound, but the speaker's pure tones are not lost. Noteworthy is the Auto Trueplay function that allows the speaker to automatically adjust at intervals for optimal sound reproduction in the given space. As a user of Sonos products without automatic TruePlay, I can say that the improvement is significant. In short, the sound of the Roam is exceptionally clear but with lower volume than other speakers in a similar price range (or other Sonos products).

The portability of the speaker is evident from the beginning as an important characteristic of the product. From its size to the automatic switch from WiFi to Bluetooth, the speaker is suitable for transportation, without losing its second nature as a stationary indoor speaker when no transportation is required. The perfect balance of these two natures makes the speaker, for me, worthy of the good reviews it often receives. As for the battery, the Roam does not perform miracles, and its actual life depends on factors such as temperature and sound intensity, but in general, you will not run out of battery if it is charged before a trip. For many hours of music outdoors or for long trips, I recommend a power bank that, from personal experience, works wonderfully and does not affect the speaker's function in the slightest while charging. The only negative thing I want to mention about portability is that I have noticed that the speaker automatically reduces the maximum volume when operating in extremely high temperatures. I emphasize that this has happened to me in extreme temperatures (above 34-35 degrees) but I feel the need to mention it because on one hand we live in a country with heatwaves and on the other hand, it is an outdoor speaker with durability.

Finally, I will mention all the smart features of the speaker that give it its unique character beyond its dual nature as an indoor and outdoor speaker. I should note that, as a technology enthusiast, this group of features was decisive for my purchase, especially the supported AirPlay. I'll start with the basics. Smart assistants work fine (I use Alexa), as does Bluetooth (no issues with connection or playback). In case you don't know, it is widely accepted that playback via Wi-Fi has slightly better quality than Bluetooth, but the difference is small. The other smart services like Spotify, Sonos Radio, etc. work perfectly. Now, regarding the AirPlay feature that interested me particularly, things are very good with one exception: when I return from a trip or from somewhere where I had taken the speaker and used it via Bluetooth, AirPlay doesn't work even though the speaker has returned to my Wi-Fi. I have to restart it for it to appear. Functionally, it's not a problem, but I would expect such an issue not to exist from the beginning with Sonos and especially to have been resolved after so many months since the release of the Roam. From what I've searched online, I haven't encountered other people with a similar issue, but mine persists despite my efforts, and I felt the need to mention it. Otherwise, the smart experience of the Roam is perfect, both for those who want to expand their Sonos collection and for those looking for an exceptionally high-quality speaker that is also their first smart speaker. Encyclopedia-like, I mention that there is the possibility of connecting two Roams in a Wi-Fi (not Bluetooth) environment for those considering having a pair of speakers at home.

In the end, the Roam is an excellent speaker for many functions, both inside and outside the house. The sound quality is exceptional, but have reasonable expectations for its volume. Personally, I'm happy to enjoy good quality sound even at slightly lower volume. If you are: users of other Sonos products for connecting multiple speakers in a sound system, new users of smart speakers who want quality sound in the category, or users who are frequently outside the house, I believe the Roam will more than satisfy you. Its portability and functionality have often made me take it with me more than I expected, and I have enjoyed it a lot. Finally, on the technological front, the fact that it is smart is a big plus, and additionally, although it is not for everyone, the support for AirPlay will set it apart from the competition for those specifically interested in it (including myself).