Reports of some Sonos Roam speakers overheating are circulating online, with a few users claiming their devices have experienced partial melting. These reports have raised concerns among the user community about the safety and reliability of the popular portable speaker. On Reddit, for instance, a user posted an image of their Sonos Roam, claiming that it “set itself on fire”. While the exact cause of the overheating is still unclear, these reports have prompted a response from the company, which is now taking steps to resolve the issue.
The original Sonos Roam was a significant product for the company, marking its entry into the ultra-competitive portable speaker market in 2021. The device was praised for its sound quality and features, designed to deliver the premium audio experience Sonos is known for, but in a mobile form factor. Since then, Sonos has expanded the lineup with the Sonos Roam SL, a version without a microphone, and the Sonos Roam 2, which was released in June 2024. These successors have continued the Roam’s legacy as a lightweight and durable speaker for users who want to take their music on the go.
This incident, however, comes at a difficult time for Sonos, as the company has experienced a few recent setbacks. The launch of the Sonos Ace, the company’s first headphones, was reportedly delayed due to software issues. More significantly, a major app redesign in mid-2024 was met with widespread criticism from users who complained about bugs, a confusing interface, and missing features. These issues created a lot of frustration within the Sonos community and were a major public relations headache for the company. The overheating reports, therefore, are not an isolated incident but rather another speed bump in a period of change and transition for Sonos.
The Company’s Response
In response to the overheating reports, Sonos has acknowledged the issue and is taking action. A Sonos spokesperson confirmed that the issue affects a “very low number” of the original Roam speakers and that the company is “actively investigating” the matter. This quick and direct response is a good sign that the company is taking the reports seriously and is committed to ensuring customer safety. The company has also begun a process of replacing the affected units for free. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that come with designing and manufacturing portable electronic devices, particularly those with internal batteries.
In a statement to Bloomberg, the company noted, “We’ve closely tracked a limited number of reports involving the USB-C charging connection on some first-generation Sonos Roam speakers,” a Sonos spokesperson told Bloomberg in an emailed statement. “While the overall incidence rate is very low, and environmental conditions appear to play a role, we’ve taken several proactive steps to even further reduce the likelihood of this issue, including software updates and hardware improvements.””
