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Sonoro introduces VIBES L and VIBES XL outdoor speakers as successors to the ESCAPE series, bridging stationary HiFi systems and portable outdoor audio solutions.
Both models support Bluetooth 5.4 with Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast, enabling synchronized multi-speaker playback and sharing across compatible devices.
VIBES L uses two 3-inch full-range drivers plus a 6.5-inch subwoofer, while VIBES XL upgrades to four 3-inch drivers and an 8-inch subwoofer.
Sonoro’s pivot from the ESCAPE lineage to VIBES feels less like a cosmetic refresh and more like a platform rethink. The move to Bluetooth LE Audio with LC3 and Auracast isn’t just about check-box futureproofing; it signals a shift toward broadcast-style audio distribution rather than the traditional point‑to‑point Bluetooth paradigm. From a technical angle, LC3’s efficiency allows Sonoro to prioritize stability and battery management without leaning on aggressive compression artifacts, while Auracast opens the door to time-aligned playback across multiple endpoints—closer to a distributed HiFi concept than the usual “party mode” found in lifestyle speakers. This positions VIBES as a semi-stationary system that happens to be portable, rather than a portable speaker pretending to be HiFi.
The acoustic topology also hints at careful DSP voicing rather than brute-force loudness. By combining multiple full-range radiators with a dedicated low-frequency section, Sonoro appears to be chasing coherent midband reproduction and controlled bass coupling, instead of the scooped, bass-forward tuning common in outdoor designs. The larger model’s expanded driver array should theoretically offer better horizontal dispersion and lower intermodulation at higher SPLs, which matters more in open-air environments than sheer wattage. Audiophile forums tend to scrutinize such designs for phase consistency and crossover execution, and here the promise lies in how Sonoro balances scale with tonal discipline.
Equally telling are the omissions and integrations. A USB‑C port reserved strictly for service underscores that VIBES is conceived as a wireless-first node, not a digital hub. Control via app and onboard buttons suggests parallel user paths, but the real ecosystem play is compatibility with Sonoro’s own components, effectively allowing VIBES to function as an extension of a broader domestic audio setup. IPX4 protection and physical carry handles reinforce its outdoor brief, yet they also impose constraints on cabinet damping and resonance control—areas where Sonoro’s HiFi heritage will be quietly judged by listeners who expect more than background sound, even on the patio.
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