Sonos headphones could finally see the light of day in 2024, if a cryptic teaser from the company’s chief executive is to be believed.
Longtime Sonos CEO Patrick Spence is quoted in the company’s fiscal fourth quarter earnings release pointing to things to come in the next fiscal year. And though he didn’t explicitly mention headphones or any other products, he did reference “our entry into a new multibillion-dollar category in the second half of the year that will complement our current offering, delight customers and “Will increase immediate revenues.”
Let’s look at that sentence in reverse.
“Increase immediate revenue” almost certainly means something you can buy. That is money that comes immediately, not later. And Sonos, you know, sells things.
As far as the “multibillion-dollar category” is concerned, it’s pretty safe to say that Sonos isn’t going to start making phones. (Note to Sonos: Don’t start making phones. It’s a bad idea.) And don’t expect Sonos-branded TVs or cars or computers or anything like that.
Then why headphones? First, because Sonos headphones have been rumored for years. And while that rumor has gained even more momentum recently (we’re jumping from 2019 to 2022 in those links), we’re gearing up for the release of the first headphones with ultra-wideband technology in 2024. This is important because it will eventually break the limitations of Bluetooth and bring previously unattainable audio quality to wireless CAN sets.
Sonos introduces a new generation of speakers in 2023 with a new look and a new name. The Era 100 and Era 300 speakers are widely acclaimed and keep Sonos in the premium (read: not cheap, $249 and $449 respectively) speaker market.
Spence didn’t immediately elaborate during his prepared remarks on Sonos’ earnings call, though he did say the company expects revenue from new products to be around $100 million, “due in large part to this exciting new product.” “Accounting this revenue is in the second half.” Sonos’ fiscal year ends on September 30 each year.
Here’s Spence’s full quote for reference:
“Although current market conditions remain challenging, this is the beginning of a multi-year product cycle where we expect to reap the rewards of our [research and development] Investment. This cycle begins in the second half of the year with our entry into a new multibillion-dollar category that will complement our current offering, delight customers and drive immediate revenue. We are very excited about what we have to share with the world in fiscal year 2024 and beyond.