Sonos Sub Mini Review: More bass than expected

The Sonos Sub Mini is a compact wireless subwoofer designed to integrate with any Sonos home theater system and works together with the Sonos Arc or Sonos Beam (Gen 2). It stands a mere 12 inches high, weighs 14 pounds, and features a center tunnel design that maximizes bass performance. The subwoofer provides a very wide frequency response that can go as low as 25 Hz which delivers a fuller sound experience with very deep bass response. Because the Sonos Sub Mini is much smaller than the Sonos Sub (Gen 3), it allows for flexible placement in a room or in compact spaces. The setup process is simple and guided by the Sonos app which allows for easy integration into an existing Sonos sound system.

The Sub Mini is designed for small or medium-sized rooms and is intended to be paired with Sonos soundbars such as the Beam, Arc or Ikea Symfonisk hardware. While it may not be as powerful as the standard Sub, it is designed to provide an immersive audio experience that complements a Sonos home theater system and we did find in our tests that the Sub Mini is capable of delivering some pretty deep bass notes down to 25 Hz. The Sonos Sub Mini allows for customization of the EQ and bass level through the Sonos app, allowing you control over the entire sound listening experience. If you do use the Sub Mini with other Sonos speakers, the audio settings will automatically equalize with other paired Sonos speakers to balance with the Sub Mini.

Sonos Sub Mini Full Specs Guide

The Sonos Sub Mini comes equipped with dual 6-inch cone woofers that delivers pretty deep low-end bass frequencies. It comes with a unique cylindrical design, allowing it to blend in nicely with any modern home living space. The Sub Mini also offers advanced processing for deep dynamic low end, and it also features acoustically sealed cabinet to prevent buzz or rattle. The setup process is quick and simple with the Sonos app.

Sound Performance

In terms of sound performance, the Sub Mini delivers really deep bass that adds authority to the entire immersive listening experience (especially for home theater setups). From the intricate basslines in George Ezra’s “Dance All Over Me” to the dynamic lows in Marcus Mumford’s “Cannibal,” the Sub Mini showcases a controlled, musical bass that enhances without overpowering. Its performance remains robust even in complex mixes, maintaining clarity and avoiding distortion at higher volumes. Despite a slight gap in the upper bass frequencies which could be mitigated with an adjustable crossover, the Sub Mini consistently supports lower frequencies with deeper bass presence and depth.

The subwoofer’s frequency response can go as low as 25 Hz and during our tests we felt that the bass was solid, deep and full of sonic presence. It features a space-saving driver layout with a pair of opposing 15cm woofers which are each powered by a class-D amplifier, creating a force-cancelling effect to minimize unwanted mechanical vibrations.

We paired the Sonos Sub Mini with the Sonos Arc and the entire listening experience was very impressive while watching movies. We watched Batman Begins using the Sonos setup and it sounded spectacular with 3D sound effects with really good directional cues. The bass on the subwoofer hits hard and punches very deep, and accompanying 3D sound effects such as the sound of an aircraft or plane flying pass sounded especially realistic and impactful. Despite the Sonos Sub Mini’s smaller size, the bass carries a heavy impact and feels deep.

One thing we liked about the Sonos Sub Mini is that it automatically pairs with the Sonos Arc soundbar using the Sonos app, and it will be configured alongside the Sonos Arc for home theater. This means that the bass never sounds too overwhelming or muddies into the midrange or dialogues – everything is where is should be and the bass stays where it should be as bass without muddying into the midrange frequencies.

Design and Specs

The Sub Mini is equipped with dual 6-inch cone woofers operated by a Class-D amplifier, and it delivers powerful bass output within a compact structure. Its dimensions measure 9.1 inches in width, 12 inches in height, and 9.1 inches in depth, with a weight of 14 pounds, and you can easily fit this subwoofer into any compact living space or home theater setup. Despite its smaller size relative to the larger Sonos Sub, it maintains a significant bass presence due to its force-cancelling woofers which mitigate vibration and prevent excessive bass resonance.

The Sonos Sub Mini comes with all the features that you would get with the Sonos Sub (Gen 3), including Trueplay tuning technology which automatically optimises the bass performance for better sound acoustics. We also liked the fact that the Sonos Sub Mini syncs with the soundbar, and the volume automatically adjusts along with the soundbar (you can also use the Sonos app to tune the EQ). The Sub Mini uses 5 GHz Wi-Fi connectivity to enhance the audio transmission speed so that you get fast sync with the Sonos soundbar and the TV. We liked the cylindrical shape of the Sub Mini and it blends in nicely with home interior décor.

Both the Sonos Sub Mini and the Sonos Sub (Gen 3) are equipped with two Class-D digital amplifiers tailored to their acoustic architecture. Compared to the Sonos Sub Gen 3, the Sub Gen 3 utilizes a pair of force-canceling drivers, while the Sub Mini employs dual 6-inch woofers facing inwards to eliminate cabinet rattle. Each subwoofer provides a frequency response as low as 25 Hz, though the Sub Gen 3 delivers much deeper bass and power due to its larger size and more powerful drivers.

The Verdict?

If you are looking for a Sonos subwoofer that is compact than the Sonos Sub Gen 3 but still delivers really deep bass for living room spaces, the Sonos Sub Mini is definitely the one you should get. This subwoofer delivers a massive 60W RMS of output power and can deliver frequency ranges as low as 25 Hz, allowing it to reproduce deep sound effects and powerful bass notes especially while watching movies. It also syncs seamlessly with Sonos Arc or Beam (Gen 2) soundbars through the Sonos app and you can also tweak the EQ settings on the app if you want more bass response. While the Sub Mini was designed for smaller living spaces, we still enjoyed the bass that this subwoofer delivers and the bass goes very deep with plenty of gusto and depth. It’s a more affordable option compared to the Sonos Sub and we highly recommend them.