Sonoro Atron anthracite - black

Placing a radio on a kitchen counter or office shelf no longer means settling for mono sound and a handful of FM stations. In a cabinet around twenty centimetres high, German manufacturer Sonoro houses a compact two-way stereo system, three radio tuners and comprehensive network connectivity. The result takes up little space but works like a compact hi-fi system.

Wide-dispersion two-way stereo

Sonoro built the Atron around a two-way stereo system, with a dispersion approach uncommon in a radio of this size. The two 1.5-inch midrange-treble drivers, one per channel, face upwards and are topped with an in-house diffuser called Acoustic Lens. Its role is to spread their sound widely throughout the room rather than concentrate it in front of the unit. Vocals and treble reach the listener without having to sit directly in front of the radio, an advantage in a kitchen or living space where people move around.

Bass is handled by two 3-inch woofers, one per channel, supported by a 4-inch passive radiator. The latter is a driver without a motor, set in motion by air pressure inside the enclosure, extending the lower end of the spectrum without using amplification power. A DSP bass management system adjusts bass reproduction according to the listening volume, maintaining substance at both low and high levels. The Atron does not use an active subwoofer: its bass comes from this trio of woofers, passive radiator and digital processing.

In terms of appearance, the front panel has a floating effect and the radio is available in three finishes: anthracite, pearl grey and sand.

FM, DAB+ and Internet radio combined

Three tuners coexist in the radio. FM receives local stations through conventional terrestrial broadcasting. DAB+, digital terrestrial radio, delivers sound without hiss or crackle and displays the station and programme name on the screen; where the DAB+ network is available, quality exceeds that of FM. Internet radio uses the network connection to provide access to thousands of web radios and podcasts from around the world. Stations can be searched automatically or manually.

The 4-inch colour TFT display provides a visual reference for navigating between these sources and automatically adjusts its brightness according to ambient lighting. Meanwhile, 99 presets keep the most frequently listened-to stations and content within easy reach, across all sources.

Streaming controlled from your apps

For online music, the Atron integrates the Connect modes of major services: Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect and Deezer. The principle is simple. You choose the track in the service’s app on your phone, but the Atron receives and plays the stream directly over the network. The phone only acts as a remote control: it can leave the room, receive a call or run out of battery without interrupting playback, and sound quality does not depend on Bluetooth compression.

AirPlay applies the same principle to iPhone, iPad and Mac. DLNA and UPnP protocols play music files stored on a computer or network drive (NAS) in the home. The Atron focuses on radio and networking rather than a disc player: it does not include a CD player.

Bluetooth that works both ways

Bluetooth first covers the expected use: sending sound from a phone or tablet to the Atron, with support for A2DP and AVRCP profiles for playback and transport controls. The radio also supports Bluetooth LE Audio, the latest generation of the standard, which is more energy-efficient, Auracast-compatible (a single broadcast can feed several receivers at once) and built around the LC3 codec.

Its distinguishing feature lies in the direction of the connection. The Atron’s Bluetooth works in both directions: it receives music, but can also transmit it to a headphone or wireless earbuds. Enough to continue listening to a programme late at night without waking the household, directly from the radio.

Network, multiroom and smart home

On the networking side, the Atron relies on dual-band 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), a recent wireless connection that keeps throughput stable even when several devices use the home network. An RJ45 Ethernet port provides a wired alternative, even more consistent where Wi-Fi struggles. Security is in line with current protocols, WPA2 and WPA3.

The sonoro Multiroom system links up to 32 compatible devices from the brand, depending on the existing network infrastructure. In practical terms, several radios can play the same track synchronously from room to room, or each can play its own music according to preference. Control is available via the buttons on the device, the remote control or the sonoro audio app. The Atron can also be connected to Busch-Jaeger, Jung and Gira home automation installations, allowing it to be controlled from these systems’ interfaces.

Tailoring sound to the room

A digital processor (DSP) processes sound in real time and provides access to several settings. The 3D Sound mode continuously analyses the signal and boosts the lateral stereo components relative to the centre, widening the soundstage. Directivity Control digitally corrects directivity for even dispersion across the entire frequency range, from bass to treble. Placement EQ adapts the output to where the radio is installed: against a wall or in a corner, the proximity of surfaces boosts bass, which this correction compensates for. Manual bass and treble adjustments remain available for fine-tuning by ear.

A sleep timer, adjustable from 5 to 120 minutes in 5-minute increments, gently turns off the unit, convenient for falling asleep to a station or playlist.

Technical specifications

Device type

• Compact connected stereo music system

Acoustic system

• Midrange-tweeter speakers: 2 × 1.5”
• Woofers: 2 × 3”
• Passive radiator: 1 × 4”
• Audio processing: digital signal processor (DSP)
• Audio technologies: 3D Sound, Directivity Control, Placement EQ
• Equalizer: bass / treble

Display

• 4” high-resolution TFT color display

Audio sources and streaming

• Radio: FM, DAB+ and Internet radio
• Streaming: Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Deezer
• Services and protocols: Apple AirPlay, DLNA, UPnP
• Presets: 99 favorites

Wireless connectivity

• Bluetooth
  • Bluetooth A2DP / AVRCP, Bluetooth LE Audio
  • Bidirectional Bluetooth: yes, for wireless headphones and earphones
• Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac / ax, 2.4 / 5 GHz
• Multiroom: sonoro Multiroom, up to 32 compatible systems

Wired connectivity

• Wired network: RJ45

Controls and integration

• Controls: device, remote control, sonoro audio app, Smart Home
• Smart Home: Busch-Jaeger, Jung, Gira

Additional features

• Sleep timer: 5 to 120 min, in 5-min intervals

Network security

• WPA2 (PSK), WPA3

Power supply

• External power supply 100–240 V AC, 50 / 60 Hz

Dimensions and weight

• Dimensions (W × H × D): 148 × 204 × 120 mm
• Weight: approx. 1.5 kg