Introduction to the IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp
The IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp is a unique blend of aesthetics and functionality, resulting from a collaboration between IKEA and Sonos. This innovative device not only serves as a stylish lamp but also integrates seamlessly into the Sonos ecosystem as a high-quality Wi-Fi speaker. This review will cover the various features, sound quality, design, and functionality of the IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp, providing a comprehensive understanding of its capabilities and limitations.
Design and Build Quality
Aesthetic Appeal and Versatility
One of the most striking aspects of the IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp is its design. It combines the functionality of a lamp with the performance of a speaker, creating a product that can seamlessly blend into various home decor styles. The lamp has a minimalist aesthetic, typical of IKEA’s design philosophy, and is available in different color options to suit diverse interior themes. This dual-purpose design is not only space-saving but also adds a modern touch to any room.
Build Quality
The build quality of the IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp is commendable. The materials used feel sturdy and durable, ensuring that the product can withstand regular use. The lamp’s base, which houses the speaker, is solid and well-constructed, providing a stable foundation. The lampshade is made from quality fabric that diffuses light softly, creating a cozy atmosphere. Overall, the IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp is designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Audio Performance
Sound Quality
The IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp, despite its compact size, delivers impressive sound quality. The speaker is designed to provide a wide-sounding soundstage, which makes the audio experience more immersive.
Bright Sound Profile
With the room correction feature enabled, the speaker exhibits a bright sound profile. This characteristic adds a touch of sparkle to higher-pitched voices and sibilants like ‘S’ and ‘T’. This makes the speaker particularly good for genres like pop and classical music, where clarity in the higher frequencies is essential.
Balanced Mid-Range
The mid-range frequencies are fairly balanced, ensuring that vocals and lead instruments sound clear and present in the mix. This makes the IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp suitable for listening to a wide variety of music genres, podcasts, and audiobooks, where vocal clarity is paramount.
Low-Bass Performance
One of the drawbacks of the IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp is its low-bass performance. The speaker struggles to produce the deep thump and rumble required for bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop. This might be a limitation for users who prefer music with a pronounced bass response. However, this can be somewhat mitigated by adjusting the bass settings in the Sonos S2 companion app.
Room Correction Feature
The room correction feature is one of the standout aspects of the IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp. This feature adjusts the sound output according to the unique acoustics of the room it is placed in. It uses the microphone on an iOS device to analyze the room and then optimizes the speaker’s sound accordingly. This ensures that the speaker performs well regardless of where it is placed. However, it is important to note that this feature is currently only available for iOS devices, which limits its accessibility for Android users.
Connectivity and Integration
Wi-Fi Connectivity
The IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp relies on Wi-Fi for connectivity, which allows it to integrate seamlessly into the Sonos ecosystem. This integration is beneficial for users who already own other Sonos products, as it allows for multi-room audio setups. You can control the speaker using the Sonos S2 app, which provides a user-friendly interface for managing your music and adjusting sound settings.
Lack of Bluetooth
A notable limitation of the IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp is the absence of Bluetooth connectivity. This means that you cannot stream audio directly from a device without an internet connection. While Wi-Fi connectivity offers more stable and higher-quality audio streaming, the lack of Bluetooth might be a drawback for users who prefer the convenience of quick, direct connections.
No Voice Assistant or Speakerphone Functionality
The IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp does not have built-in voice assistant capabilities or speakerphone functionality. This might be seen as a limitation in an age where smart speakers with voice assistants are becoming increasingly popular. However, this also means that the speaker maintains a simple and straightforward design, focusing on delivering good sound quality and lighting without the added complexity of voice control features.
User Experience
Setup Process
Setting up the IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp is relatively straightforward. The process involves connecting the speaker to your home Wi-Fi network using the Sonos S2 app. The app provides step-by-step instructions, making the setup process easy even for users who are not particularly tech-savvy. Once connected, you can start streaming music and adjusting settings directly from the app.
Companion App
The Sonos S2 app is an integral part of the user experience with the IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp. The app allows you to control all aspects of the speaker, from adjusting the bass and treble to managing your music library. The interface is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to navigate through the various features and settings.
Customization Options
One of the strengths of the IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp is the ability to customize the sound to your liking. The Sonos S2 app provides bass and treble adjustments, allowing you to tailor the sound profile to suit your preferences. This level of customization is particularly useful for users who have specific audio preferences or who want to optimize the speaker’s performance for different types of content.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Aesthetic Design: The IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp’s design is a perfect blend of functionality and style, making it a versatile addition to any home decor.
- Room Correction Feature: This feature optimizes the speaker’s sound output according to the room’s acoustics, ensuring consistent performance.
- Wide-Sounding Soundstage: The speaker delivers an immersive audio experience with a wide soundstage.
- Customizable Sound: The Sonos S2 app allows for bass and treble adjustments, giving users control over the sound profile.
- Seamless Integration with Sonos Ecosystem: The speaker can be easily integrated into an existing Sonos setup, making it ideal for multi-room audio configurations.
Cons
- Limited Low-Bass Performance: The speaker lacks deep bass, which might be a drawback for fans of bass-heavy music genres.
- No Bluetooth Connectivity: The absence of Bluetooth limits the convenience of direct audio streaming from devices without an internet connection.
- iOS-Exclusive Room Correction Feature: The room correction feature is only available for iOS users, excluding those who use Android devices.
- No Voice Assistant or Speakerphone Functionality: The lack of built-in voice assistant and speakerphone features might be a limitation for some users.
Comparison with Other SYMFONISK Products
IKEA SYMFONISK Bookshelf Speaker
The IKEA SYMFONISK Bookshelf Speaker is another product in the SYMFONISK lineup. It offers a more traditional speaker design compared to the lamp. The bookshelf speaker is also part of the Sonos ecosystem and provides similar sound quality and features. However, it lacks the dual functionality of the lamp and might not blend into home decor as seamlessly.
IKEA SYMFONISK Picture Frame Speaker
The IKEA SYMFONISK Picture Frame Speaker is a unique product that doubles as a piece of wall art. This speaker offers similar sound quality and Sonos integration but in a form factor that can be mounted on the wall. It is an excellent option for those looking to save space and add an artistic touch to their interiors. However, like the bookshelf speaker, it does not offer the lighting functionality of the lamp.
Real-World Usage Scenarios
Living Room
In a living room setup, the IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp can serve as both a primary light source and an audio hub. Its elegant design makes it a conversation piece, while its sound quality enhances the entertainment experience, whether you’re watching a movie, listening to music, or hosting a gathering.
Bedroom
The speaker lamp is also well-suited for a bedroom environment. It provides soft, diffused lighting that creates a relaxing atmosphere. The ability to customize the sound profile ensures that you can adjust the audio to suit your mood, whether you want soothing background music or a more immersive listening experience.
Home Office
For a home office, the IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp offers both functional lighting and quality audio for background music or conference calls. Its minimalist design fits well in a professional setting, and the room correction feature ensures optimal sound regardless of the room’s layout.
Recommendations
Ideal Users
The IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp is ideal for users who value both aesthetics and functionality in their home devices. It is perfect for those who already own or plan to invest in the Sonos ecosystem, as it integrates seamlessly with other Sonos products. The speaker lamp is also suitable for users who appreciate the ability to customize their audio experience through the Sonos S2 app.
Potential Improvements
While the IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp is a well-rounded product, there are areas where it could be improved. Enhancing the low-bass performance would make it more appealing to fans of bass-heavy music genres. Additionally, expanding the room correction feature to include Android devices would make it more accessible. Finally, adding Bluetooth connectivity and voice assistant capabilities would increase the speaker’s versatility and convenience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp is a unique and innovative product that combines the functionality of a lamp with the performance of a high-quality speaker. Its aesthetic design, sound quality, and seamless integration with the Sonos ecosystem
make it a valuable addition to any home. While it has some limitations, such as limited low-bass performance and the lack of Bluetooth connectivity, its strengths in design and audio customization make it a compelling choice for users looking to enhance their home decor and audio experience. The IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp stands out as a versatile and stylish option in the realm of home audio devices.
Final Recommendation
For those seeking a stylish, multifunctional device that integrates well into a smart home setup, the IKEA SYMFONISK Speaker Lamp is highly recommended. Its ability to blend into various home decor styles, combined with its impressive sound quality and customization options, makes it a standout product. Despite some limitations, its overall performance and design make it a worthwhile investment for enhancing both the ambiance and audio experience of any room.