Samsung's 360-degree wireless speakers take aim at Sonos
Samsung's biggest announcement at IFA 2015 was the Gear S2, its long-rumored round smartwatch. But, as expected, that's not the only thing the company is showing off in Berlin, Germany. The R1, R3 and R5 are new wireless, multi-room speakers designed to take on Sonos. What makes them different than most of the competition, though, is their 360-degree enclosure -- Samsung says the ring-radiator technology powering them helps fill any room with sound. Compared to the last-generation models, the speakers revealed here at IFA are not egg-shaped, but rather feature a more tubular look. (You could always go for the R7, if that's what you're looking for.)
While you can use the revamped Multiroom App for iOS and Android to control the set, there's also a physical user interface on the speakers' top panel, letting you play, pause, tweak the volume and switch music sources. Unfortunately, it's hard to judge them based on our brief time with them on the show floor, although it's difficult to miss how sleek they are. It helps that they come in different colors, too, so you can pick the option that's best suited for your home or office. Samsung says they'll be available by the end of the year, with prices ranging from $199 to $399 -- which is on par with products from Sonos.
Photos: Mat Smith
Check out all the news from Berlin at our IFA 2015 hub.
