Sonos Sub Gen 2 vs Gen 3: Specs and Differences
The Sonos Sub Gen 2 vs Gen 3 choice comes down to the electronics inside, not the bass you hear. Both use the same dual force cancelling drivers, so they sound the same in a normal room.
The Gen 3 adds newer internals and NFC tap to pair setup. If you are shopping used or refurbished, buy whichever is cheaper.
One thing to know first: neither one is the current Sonos subwoofer anymore. The Sub 4 is now the flagship, with the smaller Sub Mini below it.
Do the Sonos Sub Gen 2 and Gen 3 sound different?
No. Both generations of the full size Sub use the same design: two speakers that face each other to cancel out cabinet buzz.
That acoustic hardware did not change between the Gen 2 and the Gen 3. In the same room, at the same volume, most people cannot tell them apart.
So the reason to pay more for a Gen 3 is never the sound. It is the newer parts inside and how it sets up.
Sonos Sub Gen 2 vs Gen 3: the specs that actually differ
The real differences are all under the hood. Here is what changed from the Gen 2 to the Gen 3.
| Feature | Sub (Gen 2) | Sub (Gen 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Sound and drivers | Dual force cancelling | Same, no change |
| Processor and memory | Older chip | Faster, more memory |
| Tap to pair setup | No | Yes, NFC |
| Two Sub home theater | Not suited | Supported |
| Expected support life | Shorter | Longer |
| Best for | Cheapest used price | Newest setup or dual Sub |
Sonos does not publish exact chip or memory numbers for the Sub. The safe read is simple: the Gen 3 has newer electronics, so it should keep getting app and feature updates longer than the Gen 2.
Which Sonos Sub should you buy?
If you are hunting a deal on a used or refurbished unit, the Gen 2 is the value play. The bass is identical to the Gen 3.
Pick the Gen 3 if you want the smoother tap to pair setup, the newer internals, or the longest support life. It is also the safer choice if you might run two Subs together someday.
Buying brand new is a different question. At full retail, a new Gen 2 or Gen 3 makes little sense when the current models exist.
What about the Sub 4 and Sub Mini?
The Sub 4 is the current Sonos flagship subwoofer, and it lists for about $799. It keeps the same room filling bass but adds a WiFi 6 radio.
Sonos also says the Sub 4 cuts idle power use by up to half compared with the older model. The Sub 4 sits at the top of the lineup, with the Gen 3 as the outgoing model beneath it.
The Sub Mini is the smaller, cheaper option at around $429. It is built for a Beam soundbar or a pair of Era 100 speakers, not a big room.
So for a new purchase, the honest ranking is Sub 4 for a large room, Sub Mini for a small one, and a used Gen 2 or Gen 3 only when the price is right.
How to tell which Sonos Sub you own
You do not have to guess. The Sonos app tells you the exact model, the same way it lists every other product on our system at home.
- Open the Sonos app on your phone.
- Tap the Settings gear, then tap System.
- Tap About My System.
- Scroll to your Sub to see its model and serial number.
If the app is not handy, the model number is printed on the label near the power cord.
Do you need a Sonos soundbar to use the Sub?
Yes, in most setups. The Sub is a system speaker, so it pairs with a Sonos soundbar like the Arc, Beam, or Ray, or with a supported pair of Sonos speakers.
It does not work as a standalone Bluetooth subwoofer. Everything runs over your home WiFi through the Sonos app.
Our family runs Sonos at the beach house, where a Sonos Move is the main music player in the family room. So the app steps above are the same ones we use to manage our own gear.
That is also why the verdict here is what it is. We buy audio on purpose, after real comparison, and paying full price for an outgoing Sub instead of the current Sub 4 is the kind of spend we skip.
If you are still building that system, our guide to the best Sonos compatible receivers covers how the pieces connect.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sonos Sub Gen 3 discontinued?
The Gen 3 is now the previous generation, sold below the newer Sub 4. Sonos still offers it and refurbished units, but the Sub 4 is the current flagship.
Can you pair a Gen 2 and a Gen 3 Sub together?
A two Sub home theater needs the Gen 3 or Sub 4, plus a compatible Sonos soundbar and current software. An older Gen 2 is not the right pick for that dual Sub setup.
Does the Sonos Sub connect over Bluetooth?
No. The full size Sub joins your Sonos system over WiFi, not Bluetooth. You set it up and control it in the Sonos app.
Is the Sub 4 worth it over a used Gen 3?
For a large room and a new purchase, the Sub 4 adds newer WiFi and lower power use. If you find a clean used Gen 3 cheap, the bass you hear is the same.
Will the Sub work with any Sonos speaker?
It works with Sonos soundbars and select powered Sonos speakers, not every product. If you use Alexa with your setup and hit a snag, see our fix for when Alexa will not play music through a Sonos speaker.
For portable Sonos bass on the go, the Roam is a different tool; our Sonos Roam troubleshooting guide covers that one. And if you want deep bass without the Sonos price, compare it against a rugged jobsite Bluetooth speaker first.