Sonoro Escape P9 Review
Just in time for the spring season, Sonoro announced the Escape P9. This outdoor Bluetooth speaker promises outstanding sound in a portable and weatherproof case. We wanted to test whether the mobile 360° speaker can live up to its promise.
We closely follow Sonoro’s brand relaunch. Alongside their new brand image with an updated logo and fresh website, the North Rhine-Westphalian manufacturer released new versions of the Meisterstück and the Maestro Quantum.
Both have already been featured in our website. The all-in-one compact system called Meisterstück scored an impressive 89%, while the flexible Maestro Quantum amplifier earned an excellent rating of 93%. Sonoro has had a successful new start. Now, they aim to maintain this momentum and in March introduced the mobile Bluetooth speakers in the Escape series. This range includes three models: the Escape P6 in both Bluetooth and WiFi versions, and the larger Escape P9, which we are reviewing in this test.
The speakers in the Escape series were neither developed nor manufactured by Sonoro. Sonoro is simply the distributor for the devices produced by the Belgian company Escape. This explains why there is no reference to Sonoro on the device or in the app. The Escape P9 is not a new release for 2024, as the outdoor speaker has been available for some time – just not in the German market until now. With that out of the way, we dive into the test of the Sonoro Escape P9.
Monolith
The Sonoro speaker is a large, portable Bluetooth speaker that resembles a monolith in shape. The rectangular column measures just under 73 cm in height and 22 cm in width. Overall, the Escape P9 weighs just over 12 kilograms, making it less suitable for a bike trip in nature. We can better imagine the speaker on a terrace, as a flat surface is recommended.
The Escape P9 impresses with its simple and elegant design. The rectangular sound column comes in one color, available in black, beige, or white. The side panels are covered in a high-quality fabric that feels premium.
This mesh material is made of multifilament polyester yarn, which not only looks stylish but also protects the speakers hidden behind it. More on that later. Also noteworthy is the large carrying handle, which allows us to carry the sound monolith around. The handle is made of powder-coated aluminum and stretches across the entire length of the device, eventually ending in the feet.
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Thanks to the four feet, the Escape P9 stands securely on flat surfaces. On top of the speaker is the control terminal. The essential functions such as power on/off, playback, volume, and Bluetooth are accessible directly on the device. Additionally, there is a button to pair two P9s together, enabling them to function as a stereo pair. Unfortunately, as we only have one P9 for this test, we can’t explore this feature in detail.
On either side of the rubberized buttons are two flaps, each hiding a connection port. The Sonoro Escape P9 has a USB and an Aux input directly on the device. On the underside is the bass reflex port, which enhances low-frequency reproduction. There’s also a socket for a power cord, which allows us to charge the P9. Like the ports on the top, this is protected by a rubber flap, shielding it from water. Thanks to its IPX4 certification, the Escape P9 is splash-proof, making it suitable for placement next to a pool without worry. A lithium iron phosphate battery promises a battery life of up to 16 hours.
360° Sound
The Sonoro Escape P9 features what’s known as 360° sound. This means it radiates sound in all directions, unlike traditional speakers, which project sound forward. To achieve this, four individual full-range drivers are used. Each measures three inches and is positioned on the four sides in the upper section of the speaker. They are slightly angled upwards, allowing for the 360° sound.
The drivers have polypropylene cones and aluminum dust caps. For low frequencies, an eight-inch subwoofer is used, positioned directly below the full-range drivers and firing upwards. The subwoofer has a specially designed, fiberglass-reinforced chassis that holds the oversized magnet in place. All drivers feature linear, flat centering spiders and ventilated voice coils, contributing to precise and powerful sound reproduction.
The Escape P9 controls the sound via two digital signal processors (DSPs). These support 24-bit audio and process various EQ algorithms. The five drivers are powered by a 100-watt RMS digital amplifier, which is specially tuned for them.
The Sonoro speaker supports Bluetooth 4.2, USB, and Aux – but that’s not all. We also received the M1 Air module for our test, which adds streaming capabilities to the speaker.
M1 Air Module
The unassuming M1 Air module is a small, black device equipped with two ports. The 46-gram module receives power via Micro-USB, and the signal is output through the Aux jack. On the top are two small buttons that switch the module between Bluetooth and WiFi modes. The Escape M1 Air module is not limited to use with the P9.
We could connect the small streamer to any analog amplifier, but for this test, we focused on using it with our Sonoro speaker. The module supports a resolution of 192 kHz at 24-bit. It also comes with a wide range of streaming options, including Bluetooth 5.0, Apple AirPlay, Google Chromecast, Roon, and Spotify Connect.
But how does the M1 Air module fit into the P9 speaker? It’s simple: we can open a compartment under the control terminal of the P9, where the module fits perfectly. Inside the compartment is also a USB port for power and an Aux jack. Admittedly, it’s a bit tricky to squeeze the module into the small space and connect the two cables, especially since the control unit is only attached to the device by a flat cable. However, once installed, the module is ready to go.
Operation and Sound
When searching for the appropriate app for the Escape P9 in the App Store, we were a bit puzzled. We found two apps: Escape Remote and Escape P9, both of which look and function almost identically, except one has a white background in the device view and the other has a black one. However, the Escape P9 app didn’t run very smoothly on our iPhone, so we preferred the Escape Remote app. Unfortunately, even with this app, there were frequent interruptions.
Setting up the app and devices is fairly straightforward and self-explanatory. While it’s a bit inconvenient to have both the P9 and the M1 Air module listed as separate devices in the app, it makes sense since they can be used independently. The real issue is that the devices constantly disappear from the app. One moment we were adjusting the P9 settings, and suddenly there’s no sound through AirPlay, even though the connection hasn’t changed.
We find these software issues unfortunate, but we’re confident they can be resolved with an update. The app has a lot of potential in our opinion. There are various EQ presets that dramatically change the sound. There’s Standard, Indoor, and Outdoor, each of which can be split into Stereo or Wide. This variety is nice to have, though we found the Outdoor Stereo mode to be the most impressive. While this mode fills the room pleasantly and delivers prominent bass, the Standard EQ sounds a bit harsh, and the Indoor version is slightly muffled.
The Wide options do indeed widen the sound, but at the cost of losing focus in the playback. We preferred the Outdoor EQ. Now for the sound test: we listened to the Dutch-Turkish psychedelic folk-rock band Altin Gün with their track “Leylim Ley”. The Sonoro Escape P9 easily filled the room and delivered a well-rounded performance. The bass was powerful and balanced, while the full-range drivers did a great job. The vocals were natural and clean.
The wide, large sound of the Escape P9 was truly enjoyable. Music benefits greatly from the 360° sound, sounding more natural and full than from a mono speaker. This was also the case with “Hero” by British soul musician Michael Kiwanuka. The spatial guitars and drums created a solid foundation, from which the vocals stood out clearly and naturally. The Escape P9 can also get quite loud. We turned the portable speaker up a bit more, and it really came to life. Its powerful sound works well outdoors, where the P9 is well-equipped to handle large spaces.
As mentioned earlier, it’s splash-proof from all sides and robustly built. It can withstand occasional light moisture but shouldn’t be left in the rain for extended periods. Overall, there’s nothing to criticize about the sound of this mobile wireless speaker. Whether for background music during a barbecue or for a lively garden party, the Sonoro Escape P9 fills its surroundings with elegance and ease.
Specs
| Device Type | Bluetooth Speaker |
| Price Category | High-end |
| Manufacturer | Sonoro |
| Model | Escape P9 |
| Dimensions (W/H/D) | 22 × 73 × 22 cm |
| Weight | 12.3 kg |
| System | Radial Speaker |
| Design | 2-way, Bass Reflex |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Power Output | 100 W |
| Connection to Source | Bluetooth, Cable |
| Battery Life | 16 hours |
| Bluetooth Codec | aptX |
| Recommended Room Size | 20 m² to 60 m² |
| Custom Sound Settings | Yes |
| Inputs | 2 × Aux-In, USB |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 (Splash-proof) |
| Streaming Module | Optional M1 Air module for Wi-Fi streaming (sold separately) |
| Notable Features | 360° sound, robust build, high-quality mesh, aluminum handle |
CONCLUSION
The Sonoro Escape P9 proves to be an excellent outdoor speaker in our test. The M1 Air module adds streaming capabilities, making it much more versatile. Its sound potential truly amazed us. Compared to other manufacturers in this product category, it’s neither a boring noise machine nor an over-the-top bass blaster. It impresses with true HiFi qualities! The only downside is the app, which isn’t entirely flawless, slightly dampening the overall experience. But we’re confident that an update will resolve this issue.
FEATURES
• Streaming-capable with the M1 Air module
• IPX4 splash-proof
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