The adventure between Sonos and Ikea is coming to an end. The Symfonisk range, which combined interior design and sound quality, will no longer welcome new models. The information, confirmed by Sonos to The Verge, marks the end of a partnership that had attracted attention thanks to its original speakers—lamps, photo frames, and shelves—all compatible with the American manufacturer's multi-room audio ecosystem.
Affordable speakers... but have become cumbersome for Sonos
"Although our collaboration is coming to an end and no new products are planned, we will continue to support existing Symfonisk products," said Erin Pategas, a spokesperson for Sonos. The speakers in question will remain available for purchase as long as stocks last, according to Ikea.
This decision comes at a delicate time for Sonos. A year ago today, the brand launched a redesign of its mobile app that significantly degraded the user experience: invisible products, impossible to launch music, and widespread instability. The disaster cost the then-CEO his job, who has since been replaced by an interim. The watchword now: get back to basics, that is, audio.
With its affordable prices, the Symfonisk range offered an accessible entry-level option for homes looking to create an AirPlay 2-compatible multi-room sound environment without breaking the budget. Their discreet aesthetics and ability to integrate into a 5.1 system made them particularly attractive.
But this accessibility no longer really has a place in Sonos' current strategy, which is seeking to preserve its margins. The brand has also reduced the price of several of its models in the United States (including the Era 100 and the Ray soundbar) to revive demand, which has been sluggish in recent months. It also has to deal with the uncertainty surrounding possible customs tariffs in the United States, which could have a direct impact on its costs and public prices.
For users, the end of this range does not mean an abrupt end to their operation: the Symfonisk speakers will continue to receive software updates, at least for a while. And as a last resort, their AirPlay 2 compatibility guarantees that they will remain functional, even if the Sonos integration were to deteriorate.
However, for those who would like to complete their installation or equip themselves at a lower cost, time is running out! The last available units may not remain on Ikea shelves for long.
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