After eight years of successful cooperation, the partnership between IKEA and Sonos is coming to an end, TheVerge has learned. The jointly developed Symfonisk product line, known for its combination of furniture and high-quality sound, is being discontinued. Existing devices will continue to receive software updates, but new models are no longer planned.
- Symfonisk speakers will no longer be produced; remaining stock will be sold off.
- Existing devices will continue to receive software updates.
- The Symfonisk range offered affordable access to the Sonos ecosystem.
- Sonos will focus on its own product lines in the future.
An era of innovative audio furniture comes to an end
The Symfonisk series was born from the idea of combining sound and furnishings. Products such as the shelf speakers, lamp speakers and picture frames with integrated speakers not only offered high-quality sound, but also blended seamlessly into the living environment. Integration into the Sonos multiroom system allowed users to play music synchronously in different rooms. The combination of IKEA’s understanding of design and Sonos’ audio expertise made the Symfonisk products a popular choice for price-conscious music lovers.
Reasons for the end of the cooperation
Official reasons for the end of the cooperation were not given in detail. However, recent developments suggest that Sonos is realigning its product strategy. The company recently announced price reductions for its own products such as the Era 100 speaker and the Ray soundbar and is increasingly focusing on improving its own software platform. In addition, a planned video player project has been discontinued, indicating a focus on the core business. These strategic decisions may have contributed to the termination of the partnership with IKEA.
Impact on consumers
For owners of Symfonisk devices, little will change for the time being. Sonos has assured that existing products will continue to receive software updates to ensure functionality in the Sonos ecosystem. However, there will be no more new models and the current products will only be sold off. Interested parties should therefore hurry if they still want to purchase a device from the Symfonisk range.
The Symfonisk Sound Remote, a compact remote control for Sonos devices that was available for just 19 US dollars, was particularly popular. With the end of the cooperation, this accessory will also no longer be produced, leaving a gap in the Sonos product portfolio. It remains to be seen whether Sonos will offer its own alternatives in the future.
Conclusion
The end of the Symfonisk product line marks the end of an innovative collaboration between IKEA and Sonos. While existing devices will continue to be supported, there will be no more new models. Consumers interested in the unique audio furniture should take advantage of the remaining stock. Pricing varies by model and availability; for example, the Symfonisk Sound Remote was available for $19. Future developments in integrated audio solutions remain to be seen
