Sonos makes a lamp with IKEA

The rumours are now confirmed — Sonos has collaborated with IKEA on a range of speakers to be called ‘Symfonisk’, selling through IKEA stores beginning in August. And the two announced models don’t simply offer a speaker; they combine other functionality with sound — one is a lamp, the other designed to be used as a bookshelf, though it can also be used in vertical orientation.

For IKEA, the entry into the sound space hopes to “democratize the home sound system”, and continues its push into smart-home products, following smart lighting (TRÅDFRI) a couple of years ago and its connected blinds, which are just coming to market.

“For IKEA, the smart home is not about gadgets, it’s about making life at home better with solutions that create a better atmosphere, make you live a more convenient life and make you feel safe,” says Björn Block from IKEA Home Smart in Sweden. “Our goal is for our collective work to save space, get rid of cords, make clutter invisible.”

Of the lamp, Sonos says it has “a sound profile similar to Sonos One”. You can pair the lamps for stereo sound, and they can be used as surround speakers with the Sonos Beam, Playbar or Playbase.

The two models are due for release in August in the US and Europe; Australian pricing and even availability is unconfirmed.

In the US they will be US$199 for the lamp and US$99 for the bookshelf; in Europe €179.95 and €99.95. More info: www.sonos.com.au