Sonos and Ikea Part Ways: End of an Era for Stylish, Affordable Speakers

Sonos, a name synonymous with premium wireless audio, has recently been making headlines, not for groundbreaking innovations, but for strategic retreats. The company has publicly stated it will not revive its previous app version, which was once lauded by its user base. Similarly, whispers within the tech world suggest that Sonos has abandoned any plans to enter the streaming video player market. Now, adding to the list of discontinued ventures, Sonos has officially confirmed the cessation of its partnership with Ikea, the Swedish furniture giant celebrated for its affordable and stylish home furnishings.

This marks the end of a collaboration that yielded some of the most unique and accessible wireless speakers in recent memory. The partnership, which began in 2019, produced the celebrated Symfonisk line, merging Sonos’ audio expertise with Ikea’s design sensibilities and affordability. Among the first fruits of this collaboration were the Symfonisk lamp and bookshelf speakers, which quickly became a hit, garnering an Editors’ Choice award and demonstrating the potential for home audio to be both high-quality and aesthetically pleasing without breaking the bank.

The Symfonisk speakers were not simply audio devices; they were cleverly integrated into everyday objects, transforming the way consumers perceived and interacted with home audio. The lamp speaker, for example, seamlessly blended a functional light source with a powerful wireless speaker, eliminating clutter and providing an elegant audio solution for bedrooms, living rooms, and offices. The bookshelf speaker offered a more traditional form factor but retained the same emphasis on affordability and ease of use, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious audiophiles and casual listeners alike.

Sonos has assured its customers that existing Symfonisk speakers will continue to be supported, ensuring that users can continue to enjoy their products without concern for obsolescence. However, the company has confirmed that no new Symfonisk models will be developed, and the existing speakers will remain on sale only while supplies last. This decision marks a significant shift in Sonos’ strategy, signaling a move away from the collaborative, design-focused approach that characterized the Symfonisk line.

"Over the past eight years, we’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Ikea and are proud of what we’ve achieved," a Sonos spokesperson stated, acknowledging the success of the partnership. The spokesperson added that "our work together has largely wound down and we won’t be releasing new products as partners," confirming the end of the collaboration.

Beyond the initial lamp and bookshelf speakers, the Sonos/Ikea partnership expanded to include other innovative products, such as the Symfonisk floor lamp speaker, which featured a bamboo light shade, a design element distinctly reminiscent of Ikea’s aesthetic. The partnership also produced an updated Symfonisk Speaker Lamp 2 and a Symfonisk picture-frame speaker, demonstrating the continued commitment to integrating audio technology into unexpected and stylish forms. While not all of these products received universal acclaim, they showcased the inventive spirit of the collaboration.

The end of the Sonos-Ikea partnership is disappointing for several reasons. First and foremost, the collaboration sparked some of the most creatively designed speakers to hit the market. The concept of a floor lamp doubling as a high-quality speaker was innovative and challenged the traditional notions of audio equipment. The seamless integration of technology and design made the Symfonisk line stand out in a crowded market.

Moreover, the Symfonisk speakers were remarkably affordable, making high-quality audio accessible to a broader audience. The original Symfonisk speaker, for example, retailed for a mere $99, significantly lower than the $199 price tag of the cheapest Sonos speaker at the time. This affordability allowed consumers to experience the Sonos ecosystem without committing to a premium price point.

The news of Sonos ending its partnership with Ikea follows closely on the heels of the company’s decision to forgo entering the streaming video business. This move has been largely viewed as a wise decision, as the streaming video market is already saturated with established players. Sonos’s core competency lies in audio technology, and focusing on its strengths is likely a more prudent strategy than venturing into a new and highly competitive market.

Meanwhile, Sonos is actively working to address the criticism surrounding its recently revamped app. The app update, which was released last year, was met with widespread disapproval from users who complained about its poor performance and the removal of several features. The backlash was so significant that then-CEO Patrick Spence, who initially suggested the possibility of restoring the old app before retracting his statement, ultimately stepped down from his position.

The app debacle highlights the challenges that Sonos faces as it navigates the evolving landscape of consumer technology. While the company has consistently delivered high-quality audio products, its software development has been less successful. The failure of the app update underscores the importance of user experience and the need for Sonos to prioritize software improvements in order to maintain its reputation and customer loyalty.

As Sonos moves forward, it will be interesting to see how the company addresses the void left by the end of the Ikea partnership. Will Sonos seek out new collaborations to expand its reach and explore new design possibilities? Or will the company focus on refining its existing product line and improving its software offerings? The answers to these questions will likely shape the future of Sonos and determine its success in the ever-competitive home audio market. The departure from Ikea represents a strategic shift, potentially refocusing on higher-margin products and a more premium brand image, leaving behind the accessible and design-centric niche that the Symfonisk line so effectively occupied.