SONOS makes really good speakers. They hook into a number of music services, come in a few different configurations, and (to me) sound great. They've had their ups and downs, especially after a short-lived policy of bricking perfectly-good speakers when customers were upgrading. They've now announced that speakers coming in 2023 will be more repairable and use less energy. They call it their “Design for Disassembly” program.
This includes changes like swapping out adhesives for fasteners, which can make it easier for consumers to take apart Sonos products for repair. But the program is intended to “make it easier to repair, refurbish and, eventually, recycle future Sonos products.”
The Verge
By 2023, Sonos says that all of its products will include “sleep mode,” a feature that cuts down on power consumption while the device is idle. The goal is for Sonos products to ultimately use less than 2 watts while idle. According to Sonos, about 75 percent of the company’s carbon footprint comes from the energy its products’ use over their lifetime.
Given how technology always marches on, it is nice to see SONOS moving toward repairable products. This is something Apple has recently embraced (though their motives are suspect). Either way, less power usage and the ability to repair your stuff is always a good move. I look forward to seeing what SONOS releases as their first wave in this line.