Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential. It ranks #66 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $130; the Sonos Roam 2 ranks #71 and costs $177, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the JBL Flip Essential side: Aux input for wired sources. Set against that: Less bass than a Flip 5.
What the Sonos Roam 2 offers: Very neutral. Watch for: Exact same sound quality as the original Roam.
Buy the JBL Flip Essential. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sonos Roam 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | Sonos Roam 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $177.00 |
| Ranked | #66 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #71 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Sonos S2 App |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g | 0.9 lbs / 429 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 1x ~45mm racetrack mid-woofer + 1x tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 2.4" x 6.6" x 2.4" (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 16W RMS | - |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX5 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 63Hz |
| Stereo | - | No |
| Wifi | - | Yes |
| Max Volume | - | 95dB |
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- Sonos Roam vs Sony ULT Field 3
- JBL Charge 2 vs Sonos Roam
- Beats Pill 2024 vs Sonos Roam
- Sonos Roam 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- JBL Charge 2 vs Sonos Roam 2
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip Essential: $130
Pros: Aux input for wired sources. IPX7 rated. Genuinely portable at under a pound; a cheaper, more basic alternative to the Flip 5.
Cons: Less bass than a Flip 5.
Full JBL Flip Essential review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Sonos Roam 2: $177.00 Amazon
Pros: Very neutral. Additional button for pairing instead of being shared with power button
Cons: Exact same sound quality as the original Roam. Bass extension isn’t very good. Not stereo. Gets distorted as you turn up the bass.
Full Sonos Roam 2 review and specifications →
| App | Sonos S2 App |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.4" x 6.6" x 2.4" (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x ~45mm racetrack mid-woofer + 1x tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Max Volume | 95dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 429 g |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons