Symfonisk: Ikea remote control also controls Sonos speakers

Ikea wants to put on the market of its Symfonisk loudspeakers a special remote control allowing to control the music easily. Sonos does not currently offer a physical remote for its speakers. Sonos devices are designed to be controlled via the corresponding smartphone application. Alternatively, Beam and One can be controlled by voice. All other Sonos speakers require a different smart speaker. There are also controls on the speakers themselves. In August 2019, Ikea wants to launch its first two Symfonisk compatible Sonos speakers on the market. Ikea models use the entire Sonos ecosystem.

In the fall of 2019, Ikea wants to integrate its Symfonisk loudspeakers into its own Smart Home Trådfri ecosystem. The speakers can then be integrated into the smart home routines to automatically start playing music when the light is dimmed. But then, the purchase of a gateway Trådfri is necessary, which regularly costs 30 euros to Ikea. Trådfri devices are Zigbee compatible.

The Symfonisk remote has a rotary knob for easy volume control. When you press the remote control, music playback is paused or resumed. With a double tap, a piece of music is skipped. The remote control can for example stand on the table to control the speakers in the room without having to reach the smartphone or to get up. It should be placed anywhere, such as the refrigerator, on the wall or on the table. At the request of Golem.de, Ikea indicated that the Sonos speakers can also be controlled using the Symfonisk remote control. Only a Trådfri gateway has yet to be purchased.

Symfonisk speaker with Symfonisk remote control and Trådfri bridge (Image: Ikea)

Ikea asked the order no price for the Symfonisk remote, but promised that it "affordable price" Free. Ikea offers a remote control for Trådfri lamps, which costs 15 euros at the present time, but is currently available at a price of 10 euros. It is possible that the Symfonisk remote control will be sold at a similar price.

Ikea plans to launch two Symfonisk speakers in early August 2019, but other models are planned over the long term. There is a small symfonisk shelf speaker for 100 euros and a symfonisk lamp speaker for 180 euros. Both models are available in black or white. All Symfonisk speakers are fully compatible with the Sonos ecosystem. As a result, Symfonisk devices can be integrated with an existing Sonos system. In addition, all music services are available on the Ikea speakers available in the ecosystem – currently over 80 providers.