Sonos Roam SL: A Smart Speaker That Doesn’t Eavesdrop

Some smart speakers listen when they’re supposed to hibernate. Smart Speakers from companies like Amazon, Google, and Apple should respond to “wake words” that tell them it’s time to pay attention. Otherwise, they’re not supposed to listen to conversations. However, is this something you should be concerned about? And is there anything you can do about it? Here’s what you need to know about the Sonos Roam SL won’t listen to your conversations.

According to a study by Northeastern University and published in Consumer Reports, extensive tests have found that certain words trick the speakers into waking up.

Even more, these accidents can happen several times a day. On the positive side, the speakers generally stop recording after a few seconds. In addition, when prompted by repeating the dialog, the smart speakers appeared to have “learned” they made a mistake and did not repeat it.

Thus, the problem of speakers listening when they shouldn’t exists, but it doesn’t appear calculated or damaging. Still, some people have concerns over an invasion of privacy. While these people would like to enjoy the benefits of a smart speaker, they have hesitated to buy one because they want to protect their privacy.

The Sonos Roam SL, a speaker that doesn’t listen, might provide an excellent solution. This portable speaker costs less than its predecessor. And unlike the Sonos Roam, the Roam SL does not come with a microphone. So this speaker cannot listen for wake words at all.

According to CNET, Sonos plans to sell this speaker for $159, and the company will pre-orders starting on March 15. Some other features of this speaker include:

The Sonos Roam SL won’t satisfy everybody. For instance, many people prefer to buy a smart speaker that offers voice commands via intelligent assistants like Alexa, Apple Siri, or Google Assistant. The Roam SL also leaves out a few other features of the Roam, like Automatic Trueplay and Sound Swap. If these features don’t matter, the Roam SL does everything else the Roam does for $20 less.

On the other hand, others have reasonable concerns about their privacy when they keep a device that’s always listening. Other folks would simply enjoy saving $20 by passing on a feature they can access on their smartphones and other devices. After all, the Sonos Roam SL also represents the most affordable Sonos speaker on the market.

Sonos makes a variety of speakers, including equipment for home theater and portable speakers. Unfortunately, portable speakers are vulnerable to damage from drops or dust. The best option to protect your new speakers is by pairing them with an extended warranty from Upsie.

Upsie’s warranties are affordable, intuitive, and comprehensive. Highlights of Upsie extended warranties for speakers include:

Besides Sonos Speakers, Upsie also covers other brands and many kinds of electronics and appliances. Take the time to find devices with the perfect set of speakers, and then visit Upsie.com to register a warranty.