Just ordered these as rears to go with my Arc and Sub Gen 3. My One SLs are going into the kitchen This was the review that made me finally pull the trigger!
That’s my next plan to deploy them! I had them sitting on the floor while trying that out and the volume output was awesome. But I don’t have a place to hang them on the wall unfortunately so I could not deploy them permanently.
Peter, there are a lot of good reviewers on YT, but for some reason, I think you explain audio specs much better to the average consumer. Love your channel. Also, nice editing at the beginning of the video. "I have 3 words... what the ..." :)
Thanks! I don't necessary set out to achieve that conversion but if there is someone out there with the same requirements as me, I think they should consider! :)
Was wondering when you were going to post this video. I just bought one of these to put in my garage gym and it sounds great for music. I will probably buy another one soon to make a stereo pair.
I LOVE the concept of the Smyfonisk line of speakers: IKEA's affordability and Sonos' sound quality. Currently have a few Ones and Bookshelves around the house (the latter of which I purchased after the Ones and sound just about as good as the Ones to me). I am considering one of these frames or the lamp in the future :) great reviews, keep em coming! Do you plan to check out the Ray when it's out?
I own two frames and in my opinion, the amount of bass and depth they create blows my mind. Definitely worth getting as surround speakers over the Ones if possible.
I have mine set up higher than you normally would for rear surrounds so they don’t look out of place and they work great. Definitely recommend these. Luckily I have plasterboard walls to be able to hide the cable.
Hello Peter! If I want to get a stereo pair to pair with sonos beam in the living room mainly for movies and video games, do you think symfonisk picture frame would be a better choice than sonos one sl gen 2? Because right now in the US, I can get a pair of the picture frame at $340 and a pair of sonos one sl gen 2 for $320. TIA!
Hey Peter, great video as always. What are your thoughts on the 3rd party Sonosequencr app? I’m thinking of painting a Five and a Frame, what do you think? Many thanks 🙏🏻.
I have yet to try that app and I should at some point in time. The thing that stopped me from bothering was that you can pair different speakers into stereo but I think when I last researched about it, you can’t set different speakers as surrounds. Not sure if I was mistaken or if things have changed since.
Superb review Peter! Thanks so much for maligning this! 🙏 Follow-up questions: Can *two* of these be permanently paired together for stereo/surround? And … could _four_ be configured in a larger room? Thanks?
Yes. Two of them can be configured in stereo. And they can also be used as surrounds. You cannot link all four into a room. But you can set up stereo pairs in 2 rooms for a total of four and play both rooms together. When I say rooms I don’t mean physical room. It’s just the Sonos term for a setup.
Peter, it would be great if you could have a review if these sounds better when paired as a rear surround as compared to a bookshelf pair. Thinking whether to go with these or wait for the sub mini to add on my exisiting bookshelf pair.
I actually want to do that video too! Have so many videos planned but just not enough time to do it. But I say if you already have the bookshelf, don't upgrade. It will make a difference for sure but it won't justify the extra cost since you already have a good setup for surround. If you are coming from no surrounds, then yes, I will recommend the frames over the bookshelves.
Love the idea with IKEA getting into the Sonos space. I have the play 3’s & am very happy with them. I’m guessing I could put these in our bedroom & hook-them up the the Sonos app & use them in various ways. Are the lamps as good as the picture frame model?
Hi, GREAT Video! Question though, the circular control knob you are using to pause the song playing thru speaker, what is the brand/model? I am interested in getting one.
Great video! I am using sonos play 1 initially as a pair then downgraded as a single speaker. After watching your video, planning to get the new frame speaker from Ikea, but cannot make up my mind to get a single or as a pair. whats your thoughts? Had wifi disruptions as a pair on Sonos play 1 before. Appreciate your input.
I really think everything should be in stereo pair. The sound stage will be much better. I had very little connectivity issues with the picture frames. The bookshelf gen 1 had more issues.
seems like you could use the oval holes to mount to the ceiling using a Z clip I don't want to put big holes in the ceiling and run speaker wiring so I think you could ceiling mount and buy a cable cover
No. If you have the one sl already, just go for the sub. It will give you a lot more. In any case, when paired as surrounds, speakers don’t do much of bass duties.
One great thing about Symfonisk is that Ikea sometimes have great sales on them. For example the picture frame was 50% off one day on the 2021 christmas calendar in Sweden. Sonos are never on sale :)
Hey Peter. Happy New Year. I needed a dedicated stereo setup for music as the Arc was not cutting it. I went ahead with a pair of pictureframes. I paired them up with the sub gen 3 and had to reduce the bass output to minus 7. Bass was too heavy. Wondering what Sonos set the cut off too. LOL. I was thinking of getting a sub mini to pair with the frames. What do you think?
Happy new year! I am playing around with the sub mini and pairing it with a few of the Symfonisk speakers. I think the picture frames themselves are very bass heavy already so might not need to get a sub.
@@PeterPee let me know your thoughts once you’ve completed your tests. Agreed on the bass response but with some songs I don’t get that deep bass which can only be achieved with a sub. But let’s see. LOL.
Hi Peter, would you consider TWO Symfonisk Picture frame as rears for the BEAM (since the BASS is great) or would you add a Sub mini for the BEAM? Thanks :)
Yes to all your questions. I simply love the picture frames. I am in the process of building a new listening room and fully intend to use the picture frames as rear surrounds!
I was suprised how good these sounded in Ikea the other day. These would be the perfect atmos ceiling speaker in my opinion. Probably won't happen though and all I really want at the moment is the 14.12 fix
The fix should be coming soon. And based on the mounting options, might be dangerous to hang these on the ceiling even if they do allow us to pair extra speakers as Atmos speakers.
Can’t tell. Actually it looks certain that the Sonos ray will launch but unless it actually does we won’t know. Hold your decision first if you can wait.
@@PeterPee I've currently got two ones going with an arc and two subs. I was thinking about getting two fives but I can't justify spending that much to use them as surrounds.
@@TheNameless4000 Same here I have the same setup with an LG C1. So far I haven’t been that impressed with the ones for surround. Hoping that Sonos announces something like Sony RS5 to stay competitive.
They can be used as rear surround speakers with Sonos beam. But currently you won’t be able to add them as front left and right. Sonos doesn’t allow any of their speakers to do it that way.
Can I know if I use the symfonisk picture frame for maybe the left rear and the symfonisk table lamp as right rear speaker. I wonder how it will sound like. I hope u can try it. Thanks.
Actually the ideal position is to the side wall but seriously you won’t be able to tell which is better or more accurate without a side by side comparison.
I just got one. I play it side by side with my One SL and the frame sounds considerably worst... Very disappointed. I'm now wondering if the one I got is defective....
They will definitely do well as surrounds. If you already have surrounds, I’d say don’t need to upgrade. But if you are looking for surrounds to add to the system, they’d be a great choice!
@@PeterPee Thank you for your advice, and great videos! I have only Beam gen2 with LG C1 65" so far and I'm looking for surrounds. But perhaps I will still wait for the May announcement, if there will be something great for me. I would like to have surrounds with up-firing speakers.
I see a lot of options regarding connecting via apple or mobile apps, but, let's say i want two of these as speakers firing from behind my bed, and taking its source from a LG C2 TV. How would I connect to it?
The moment Sonos opens up that feature to allow us to pair speakers as discrete ceiling channels I’m going to find a way to mount these picture frames on my ceiling. Thanks for the idea!!!
@@PeterPee Haha, that's the plan! Though the new Samsung Q990b and LG S95QR are very competitive choices. Especially comparing it to the Sonos Arc ecosystem. My current thoughts are either just going with the q990b (SGD 1,899) with a Samsung tv to get the Q Symphony experience or LG tv (cause I prefer their TV tech) and S95QR (SGD 1,999) Or invest into the Sonos eco system with the arc + sub + 2 symfonisk picture frames (cheaper than getting 2 SLs) for SGD 3,125.20. Dollar wise no brainer. But no rear up-firing speakers. The key question is which gives the better value. Hope you'll get a chance to review them haha!
I have had nothing but trouble getting 2 of these frames to stay paired and connected to my wifi network. The pairing the process for these is horrible compared to my Sonos One and Beam speakers. The NFC pairing is a spotty and when the speakers disconnect and unpair I have to reset the speakers and do it all over again. I had a Amplify Wi-Fi 6 router and it’s been awful. My Sonos work great so it’s definitely something with these frame speakers that’s just garbage.
When my bookshelves were failing to connect properly, they were in the same location as the frames. So I think the frames should be a little better in the connectivity department than the bookshelves. But this is just purely my experience. Your environment might differ.
FYI, Sonos one and Symfonisk are exactly the same speaker, only difference between them are the panel.. lol. And The panel also sucks compared to a real panel speaker
To clarify, Peter actually pronounce it correctly, I asked my Swedish friend and he said it should be "ee- kea", if you don't believe you can see the ikea advert and in the end they pronounce ee-kea
My current living room setup is an Arc + Sub + 2 Frames as surrounds. Makes great use of the space and sounds GREAT.
Peter needs more subs. This dude keeps us informed.
Thank you for your support!
@@PeterPee subbed
You're right, just did
You are simply the best reviewer of products on RUclips. Thank you and great information
That’s high praise. Thank you!
This channel is awesome. Lots of info, and presentation is great
Just ordered these as rears to go with my Arc and Sub Gen 3. My One SLs are going into the kitchen This was the review that made me finally pull the trigger!
Excellent review. The comparisons to other speakers answer many questions.
Great video as usual :) Congrats!! I also have two of them as a rear speakers for my sonos arc. It´just a perfect fit
That’s my next plan to deploy them! I had them sitting on the floor while trying that out and the volume output was awesome. But I don’t have a place to hang them on the wall unfortunately so I could not deploy them permanently.
Peter, there are a lot of good reviewers on YT, but for some reason, I think you explain audio specs much better to the average consumer. Love your channel. Also, nice editing at the beginning of the video. "I have 3 words... what the ..." :)
Haha. I couldn’t bring myself to put the words in through to the final video.
Great video as always! I'm sure the conversion rate on your video to speaker purchases is incredible.
Thanks! I don't necessary set out to achieve that conversion but if there is someone out there with the same requirements as me, I think they should consider! :)
stunning review i would love to get one thanks 🙏🏼
You should! I love them for music!
Was wondering when you were going to post this video. I just bought one of these to put in my garage gym and it sounds great for music. I will probably buy another one soon to make a stereo pair.
Oh I bought two at one go. And trust me, you’re going to get more than twice the enjoyment.
I have 2 frames. They were actually my intro to the sonos ecosystem. I have them paired with a beam gen2. I love the sound.
Happy to hear that. And yes it’s the perfect way into Sonos.
I LOVE the concept of the Smyfonisk line of speakers: IKEA's affordability and Sonos' sound quality. Currently have a few Ones and Bookshelves around the house (the latter of which I purchased after the Ones and sound just about as good as the Ones to me). I am considering one of these frames or the lamp in the future :) great reviews, keep em coming! Do you plan to check out the Ray when it's out?
Will definitely be doing a review on the ray at first opportunity!
Hi Peter,
Just waiting for your video after Sonos event😊
Expecting atoms rear speakers and more😊
Coming really really soon!
Hi Peter, what is your advice on buying a used Arc? What are the things to look out for?
I own two frames and in my opinion, the amount of bass and depth they create blows my mind. Definitely worth getting as surround speakers over the Ones if possible.
Yeah. I’m still getting over it.
I had the one's, upgraded to the 5's but would for sure like to try this for the bedroom
I've done the frames as rears the day they came out in Australia.. love them
I have mine set up higher than you normally would for rear surrounds so they don’t look out of place and they work great. Definitely recommend these. Luckily I have plasterboard walls to be able to hide the cable.
Ah. Hiding the cables can make them look so much better than dangling.
I really don't see anyone buying them and not hiding the cable, why then buy a picture frame and not regular speakers.
@@MrDragonorp room and furniture layout, that’s why we bought them. Sound wise they sound great for music and rear surrounds.
Hey! This is pretty random but what desk are you using? I ike the oak tones!
Hello Peter! If I want to get a stereo pair to pair with sonos beam in the living room mainly for movies and video games, do you think symfonisk picture frame would be a better choice than sonos one sl gen 2? Because right now in the US, I can get a pair of the picture frame at $340 and a pair of sonos one sl gen 2 for $320. TIA!
Can they be paired with the Sonos Ray as part of a home theater system ?
Hey Peter, great video as always. What are your thoughts on the 3rd party Sonosequencr app? I’m thinking of painting a Five and a Frame, what do you think? Many thanks 🙏🏻.
I have yet to try that app and I should at some point in time. The thing that stopped me from bothering was that you can pair different speakers into stereo but I think when I last researched about it, you can’t set different speakers as surrounds. Not sure if I was mistaken or if things have changed since.
Superb review Peter! Thanks so much for maligning this! 🙏
Follow-up questions:
Can *two* of these be permanently paired together for stereo/surround?
And … could _four_ be configured in a larger room?
Thanks?
Yes. Two of them can be configured in stereo. And they can also be used as surrounds.
You cannot link all four into a room. But you can set up stereo pairs in 2 rooms for a total of four and play both rooms together. When I say rooms I don’t mean physical room. It’s just the Sonos term for a setup.
@@PeterPeemind blown 😮🤯
Peter, it would be great if you could have a review if these sounds better when paired as a rear surround as compared to a bookshelf pair. Thinking whether to go with these or wait for the sub mini to add on my exisiting bookshelf pair.
I actually want to do that video too! Have so many videos planned but just not enough time to do it. But I say if you already have the bookshelf, don't upgrade. It will make a difference for sure but it won't justify the extra cost since you already have a good setup for surround. If you are coming from no surrounds, then yes, I will recommend the frames over the bookshelves.
Wonder if I can use this with my frame tv 🤔
If I get two of those, can i contact with sonos soundbar to have cinema like experience?
Love the idea with IKEA getting into the Sonos space. I have the play 3’s & am very happy with them. I’m guessing I could put these in our bedroom & hook-them up the the Sonos app & use them in various ways. Are the lamps as good as the picture frame model?
The lamps are not close to the picture frame when used on their own. They will serve well as surrounds though.
Hi, GREAT Video! Question though, the circular control knob you are using to pause the song playing thru speaker, what is the brand/model? I am interested in getting one.
Ikea! You need a hub from Ikea though so it won't be the cheapest solution.
Great video! I am using sonos play 1 initially as a pair then downgraded as a single speaker. After watching your video, planning to get the new frame speaker from Ikea, but cannot make up my mind to get a single or as a pair. whats your thoughts? Had wifi disruptions as a pair on Sonos play 1 before. Appreciate your input.
I really think everything should be in stereo pair. The sound stage will be much better. I had very little connectivity issues with the picture frames. The bookshelf gen 1 had more issues.
I bought two in white after watching this video and use them as surrounds with an arc and sub !
Hey! Let us know how you like them! I am dying to put them in that exact same configuration. But I have to find the space to do that.
seems like you could use the oval holes to mount to the ceiling using a Z clip
I don't want to put big holes in the ceiling and run speaker wiring so I think you could ceiling mount and buy a cable cover
Would you upgrade to these from one SL before adding the sub for use with an arc?
No. If you have the one sl already, just go for the sub. It will give you a lot more. In any case, when paired as surrounds, speakers don’t do much of bass duties.
One great thing about Symfonisk is that Ikea sometimes have great sales on them. For example the picture frame was 50% off one day on the 2021 christmas calendar in Sweden. Sonos are never on sale :)
At 50% off that’s like a stereo pair for free! Gosh I’m envious.
@@PeterPee we shall wait for sg ikea for sales. Then can buy and put in each room 🤣
Hey Peter. Happy New Year. I needed a dedicated stereo setup for music as the Arc was not cutting it. I went ahead with a pair of pictureframes. I paired them up with the sub gen 3 and had to reduce the bass output to minus 7. Bass was too heavy. Wondering what Sonos set the cut off too. LOL. I was thinking of getting a sub mini to pair with the frames. What do you think?
Happy new year! I am playing around with the sub mini and pairing it with a few of the Symfonisk speakers. I think the picture frames themselves are very bass heavy already so might not need to get a sub.
@@PeterPee let me know your thoughts once you’ve completed your tests. Agreed on the bass response but with some songs I don’t get that deep bass which can only be achieved with a sub. But let’s see. LOL.
@Peter Should I get a pair of symfonisk bookshelf or one frame? which one will sound better? thanks
Pair will always sound better.
Hi Peter, would you consider TWO Symfonisk Picture frame as rears for the BEAM (since the BASS is great) or would you add a Sub mini for the BEAM? Thanks :)
Yes to all your questions. I simply love the picture frames. I am in the process of building a new listening room and fully intend to use the picture frames as rear surrounds!
@@PeterPee THANKS!!... :)
Peter, you forgot to mention how these could be daisy chained with the power cord so that it only uses a single power outlet.
Ah yes! Darn I forgot about that!
I was suprised how good these sounded in Ikea the other day. These would be the perfect atmos ceiling speaker in my opinion. Probably won't happen though and all I really want at the moment is the 14.12 fix
The fix should be coming soon. And based on the mounting options, might be dangerous to hang these on the ceiling even if they do allow us to pair extra speakers as Atmos speakers.
Hey Pete. Would it be better to wait for the Sonos Ray and use two of them as surrounds or get two of these?
Can’t tell. Actually it looks certain that the Sonos ray will launch but unless it actually does we won’t know. Hold your decision first if you can wait.
@@PeterPee I've currently got two ones going with an arc and two subs. I was thinking about getting two fives but I can't justify spending that much to use them as surrounds.
@@TheNameless4000 Same here I have the same setup with an LG C1. So far I haven’t been that impressed with the ones for surround. Hoping that Sonos announces something like Sony RS5 to stay competitive.
Can you run a lamp and a frame as surrounds. Aesthetically that setup would works best for my really awkward room.
You can’t unfortunately. They need both to be the same model.
Could these be used as rear speakers together with a sonos beam? Or even as front speakers with sonos beam as mid?
They can be used as rear surround speakers with Sonos beam. But currently you won’t be able to add them as front left and right. Sonos doesn’t allow any of their speakers to do it that way.
Best ambassador for Sonos !
This is definitely more for ikea. Haha. How do I make them pay me for this? Haha.
How does such a flat profile reproduce a superior sound from a traditional form factor?
HI Peter, would you know if a SYMFONISK Picture frame can pair with SYMFONISK Bookshelf as rear surrounds? Thanks
Nope. They need to be the same frame or bookshelf.
@@PeterPee Thanks
Can I know if I use the symfonisk picture frame for maybe the left rear and the symfonisk table lamp as right rear speaker. I wonder how it will sound like. I hope u can try it. Thanks.
You won’t be able to do that. You will need two of the same speaker to be able to pair them as rear surrounds.
@@PeterPee thank you 🙏
Was wondering which may be a more ideal position to mount these - Wall behind the sofa or the side walls?
I have mine behind the sofa and it works well for us.
Actually the ideal position is to the side wall but seriously you won’t be able to tell which is better or more accurate without a side by side comparison.
I have mine on the side walls and they sound great
Can these be a substitute for the ones’ sad part of a home surround sound?
Yes, can be done. In fact, it goes a little louder even.
excellent review
Thank you!
Thanks!
I promised you a tip last year. Sorry so late! Thanks for your videos.
Hey there! That's so kind of you! Thank you for the tip and I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate your kind gesture!
I just got one. I play it side by side with my One SL and the frame sounds considerably worst... Very disappointed. I'm now wondering if the one I got is defective....
I’m torn between purchasing two of these or two lamps to use as rear surrounds in my bedroom.
Lamp seems to be more functional but these won't take up any table space at all. Sound wise, the picture frames sound better than the lamp.
@@PeterPee Thanks Peter
I just bought a pair of Ones on the weekend...
They are the smallest you can get for surrounds so they still serve their purpose!
uniskdesign sells custom covers.. Maybe others as well
I’ll check those out!
The question I would like answered is...can the IKEA picture frame speaker do a good job as rear surrounds?
yes
They will definitely do well as surrounds. If you already have surrounds, I’d say don’t need to upgrade. But if you are looking for surrounds to add to the system, they’d be a great choice!
@@PeterPee Thank you for your advice, and great videos! I have only Beam gen2 with LG C1 65" so far and I'm looking for surrounds. But perhaps I will still wait for the May announcement, if there will be something great for me. I would like to have surrounds with up-firing speakers.
I wonder when they create the next generation to make it better
I see a lot of options regarding connecting via apple or mobile apps, but, let's say i want two of these as speakers firing from behind my bed, and taking its source from a LG C2 TV. How would I connect to it?
Whats up peter!
Wassup!!!
His picture frames.
I wonder if these can be used as ceiling speakers lol
The moment Sonos opens up that feature to allow us to pair speakers as discrete ceiling channels I’m going to find a way to mount these picture frames on my ceiling. Thanks for the idea!!!
@@PeterPee Haha, that's the plan! Though the new Samsung Q990b and LG S95QR are very competitive choices. Especially comparing it to the Sonos Arc ecosystem. My current thoughts are either just going with the q990b (SGD 1,899) with a Samsung tv to get the Q Symphony experience or LG tv (cause I prefer their TV tech) and S95QR (SGD 1,999)
Or invest into the Sonos eco system with the arc + sub + 2 symfonisk picture frames (cheaper than getting 2 SLs) for SGD 3,125.20. Dollar wise no brainer. But no rear up-firing speakers. The key question is which gives the better value. Hope you'll get a chance to review them haha!
At least in my case, my black Gen2 Bookshelves came with black braided cables. I guess this really has to be a packaging hiccup.
Yes. For the bookshelves they are coded correctly for the power cord. But for the picture frame it seems to be all white.
@@PeterPee Maybe their Logic was that most people have white walls and thus a white cable is needed lol.
Looks like having my Quad 989 speaker hand up on the & call it Quad picture frame ,which has the best sound than any speaker .just my cent.
I have had nothing but trouble getting 2 of these frames to stay paired and connected to my wifi network. The pairing the process for these is horrible compared to my Sonos One and Beam speakers. The NFC pairing is a spotty and when the speakers disconnect and unpair I have to reset the speakers and do it all over again. I had a Amplify Wi-Fi 6 router and it’s been awful. My Sonos work great so it’s definitely something with these frame speakers that’s just garbage.
When my bookshelves were failing to connect properly, they were in the same location as the frames. So I think the frames should be a little better in the connectivity department than the bookshelves. But this is just purely my experience. Your environment might differ.
To put in a bathroom, it can be not bad
I used your video and poison my friend to buy, end up my friend tell me the sound is a lot a lot better then Sonos one. End up poison back to me. 🤗
Haha. But do you agree it’s better?
FYI, Sonos one and Symfonisk are exactly the same speaker, only difference between them are the panel.. lol. And The panel also sucks compared to a real panel speaker
Youre still pronouncing IKEA wrong
Ha. IngraIned already.
You actually pronounce IKEA better than 99.99% than other English speakers, so don’t worry. :)
//guy from Agunnaryd (the A in IKEA)
He pronounces it almost perfectly.
To clarify, Peter actually pronounce it correctly, I asked my Swedish friend and he said it should be "ee- kea", if you don't believe you can see the ikea advert and in the end they pronounce ee-kea