Sonoro Vibes L Black

At German manufacturer Sonoro, the Vibes series succeeds the Escape speakers and marks a new generation of portable speakers designed for outdoor use. The Vibes L adopts a vertical format dressed in acoustic fabric and aluminium, with an integrated subwoofer for present bass without sacrificing portability. It incorporates the latest Bluetooth standards, including LE Audio and Auracast for multi-speaker broadcasting.

A vertical format built for mobility

The Vibes L stands 55 cm tall and weighs 7.5 kg. It occupies an intermediate position in the Sonoro range: more compact and lighter than the Vibes XL (73 cm, 12.3 kg), it remains easy to handle when moving from the living room to the patio. The integrated aluminium handle at the top makes carrying straightforward.

The multifilament polyester fabric covering wraps around the structure, protecting the drivers while allowing sound to pass through. The aluminium metal parts (handle, decorative elements) provide rigidity and a refined finish. Three colour options are available: black, white, and tan, a camel shade that stands out from the usual blacks and greys on the market.

IPX4 certification guarantees splash resistance. The speaker can handle light rain or water splashes near a pool, but it is not designed for submersion or prolonged exposure to bad weather outdoors.

2.1 acoustic configuration with integrated subwoofer

The Vibes L features two 7.62 cm (3-inch) full-range drivers paired with a 16.51 cm (6.5-inch) subwoofer. This 2.1 configuration covers a stated frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz — a broad spectrum for a portable speaker.

The integrated subwoofer sets the Vibes L apart from typical compact Bluetooth speakers, which are usually limited in bass reproduction by their reduced internal volume. Here, the column format accommodates a woofer of respectable size, which partly accounts for the overall weight.

Compared to the Vibes XL, the Vibes L features two full-range drivers instead of four, and a slightly smaller subwoofer (6.5 inches versus 8 inches). This translates to a more modest maximum sound level and slightly less pronounced bass, but the trade-off remains consistent with the gain in portability.

Bluetooth 5.4 and Auracast broadcasting

Connectivity is based on Bluetooth 5.4 with support for SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and LC3 codecs. aptX HD enables higher-quality audio transmission from compatible Android smartphones, while the LC3 codec (Low Complexity Communication Codec) is associated with the Bluetooth LE Audio standard.

The Vibes L integrates Auracast technology, an audio broadcasting feature introduced with Bluetooth LE Audio. Auracast operates on a broadcast principle: a source device (smartphone, tablet) transmits an audio stream that multiple receivers can pick up simultaneously, without prior individual pairing. In practice, it becomes possible to stream the same music to multiple Vibes speakers placed around a garden or on a terrace, with synchronisation managed by the protocol.

This feature requires that source devices also be LE Audio compatible. This is the case for several recent smartphones (Pixel 8 series and later from Google, Galaxy S23 and onwards from Samsung, certain Xiaomi models), but not yet all devices on the market. The Auracast ecosystem has been gradually expanding since 2023.

The Vibes L can also work in conjunction with other Auracast-compatible Sonoro products, such as the Avaton system, to create a multiroom setup without a dedicated Wi-Fi network.

Battery life and power

The integrated battery offers a stated battery life of 16 hours. This duration depends on listening volume and the codec in use, but it corresponds to a full day of use at a moderate level. The speaker charges from mains power (230 V, 50/60 Hz) via the supplied power cable.

The USB-C port visible on the speaker is reserved for maintenance operations and does not support charging external devices or playing audio files from a USB drive.

Control via app or direct controls

Control is handled through the Sonoro Vibes app, available on iOS and Android. The app allows you to adjust volume, manage Bluetooth connections, and access audio settings. The physical controls on the device handle basic functions without needing to reach for your phone.

The app supports Auracast configuration for broadcasting to multiple speakers. Management is simpler than traditional Wi-Fi-based multiroom systems, as it relies solely on Bluetooth.

Technical specifications

Audio

• Configuration: 2.1-channel system
• Speakers
  • 2 x 7.62 cm full-range drivers
  • 1 x 16.51 cm subwoofer
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz

Connectivity

• Bluetooth version 5.4
  • Profiles: A2DP v1.3.1, AVRCP v1.6
  • Supported codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LC3
• Bluetooth LE Audio
• Auracast technology for compatible multi-speaker streaming
• USB-C port (service only)

Power and battery life

• Battery life: up to 16 hours
• Power supply: 230 V AC, 50 / 60 Hz
• Built-in rechargeable battery

Design and durability

• Certification: IPX4 (splash-resistant)
• Finish: premium acoustic fabric
• Structure: aluminum elements
• Integrated carrying handle

Dimensions and weight

• Dimensions (W x D x H): 250 x 260 x 550 mm
• Net weight: 7.5 kg
• Packaging dimensions: 293 x 300 x 655 mm
• Gross weight: 10.4 kg

Features and control

• Control via Sonoro VIBES app (iOS and Android)
• Direct controls on the device
• Compatible with multi-room streaming via Auracast

Box contents

• 1 x Sonoro VIBES L speaker
• 1 x power cable
• 1 x quick start guide
• 1 x safety instructions