Ikea and Sonos conclude their collaborative venture on 'Symfonisk' home audio solutions
Sonos, the popular audio technology company, has announced a significant change in its strategic direction. The company's CEO stepped down at the start of 2025, marking a new era for the company [1]. The new leadership is focusing on developing Sonos' own hardware and turning the company into a unified platform company [3].
As part of this change, Sonos has ended its eight-year partnership with Ikea on audio products [5]. The collaboration, which produced multi-room speakers in the form of bookshelves, lamps, and picture frames, will be phased out gradually. Sonos is currently concentrating on polishing its existing products and software rather than launching new collaborative hardware [3].
Regarding the future support plan for existing Symfonisk devices, the available information indicates that while these products will be phased out, no official public statements detail an abrupt termination of support [5]. Sonos historically has provided software updates and continued support for its products for several years after release, though there has been some controversy over older product support in the past [1].
The company is also addressing customer concerns by focusing on improving its core audio products to win back trust [5]. However, no specific details about a new Sonos speaker to buy have been revealed yet. The development of a streaming box by Sonos is reportedly on hold for the time being.
On a positive note, Sonos has reported a 3% year-on-year growth in revenue in its quarterly earning report, largely due to a 14% reduction in operating expenses [5]. The first-gen lamp and bookshelf speaker from the Symfonisk series earned four stars in reviews, and Sonos has cut the price of its five-star Era 100 speaker to £199 from its launch price of £249.
In summary, the partnership with Ikea has ended, and Symfonisk products will be phased out over time. Current Symfonisk owners should expect continued but potentially limited support, with no new Symfonisk product launches planned after the partnership ended in mid-2025. The company is focusing on improving its core products and reducing expenses to win back customer trust.
- Sonos' new leadership is aiming to transform the company into a unified platform company, abandoning its previous collaborative hardware initiatives with partners like Ikea.
- The end of Sonos' eight-year partnership with Ikea will result in the gradual phasing out of audio products they co-developed, such as multi-room speakers in bookshelves, lamps, and picture frames.
- In contrast to the decision to phase out Symfonisk products, Sonos remains committed to providing continued but potentially limited support for existing Symfonisk devices.
- The company has shown its commitment to addressing customer concerns by focusing on improving its core audio products to rebuild trust.
- No specific details about new Sonos speakers available for purchase have been disclosed yet, but the development of a streaming box has reportedly been put on hold for the time being.
- The Era 100 speaker, which received five stars in reviews, has been price-reduced by Sonos to £199 from its original launch price of £249.
- Sonos' recent quarterly earnings report showed a 3% year-on-year revenue growth, a significant increase partly due to a 14% reduction in operating expenses.
- As part of its new strategic direction, Sonos is showing a keen interest in integrating its audio technology with smart-home devices and the latest gadgets in today's technology-driven world.
