Sonos and IKEA Discontinue Symfonisk Line: Another Blow to Sonos' Struggles

In a move that marks yet another setback for Sonos, the audio company has ended its partnership with IKEA, discontinuing the popular Symfonisk line of speakers. This decision, announced on May 6, 2025, comes amid a turbulent period for Sonos, which has been grappling with the fallout from a poorly received app redesign, leadership shakeups, and declining sales. The termination of the Symfonisk collaboration, which blended Sonos’ audio expertise with IKEA’s affordable, design-focused ethos, feels like another domino falling in a series of missteps for the once-dominant brand. Let’s dive into what this means for Sonos, its customers, and the broader audio market.

The Symfonisk Line: A Unique Collaboration

Launched in 2019, the Sonos and IKEA Symfonisk series was a creative fusion of high-quality audio and home decor. The lineup included products like the Symfonisk Bookshelf Speaker, Lamp Speaker, and Picture Frame Speaker, designed to seamlessly integrate into living spaces while delivering Sonos’ signature sound. Priced significantly lower than Sonos’ standalone offerings—such as the $99 Bookshelf Speaker (Gen 2)—these products were an accessible entry point into the Sonos ecosystem, appealing to budget-conscious consumers and IKEA shoppers alike.

The Symfonisk speakers were more than just affordable; they were versatile. The Bookshelf Speaker, for instance, offered sound quality comparable to the older Sonos One, making it a compelling choice for stereo pairing or as rear surrounds in a home theater setup. The Picture Frame Speaker doubled as wall art, blending tech with aesthetics in a way that resonated with modern consumers. As The Verge noted in April 2025, the Bookshelf Speaker was “the most affordable gateway into the Sonos ecosystem,” especially during IKEA’s frequent sales.

This partnership was a win-win: Sonos gained access to IKEA’s massive customer base and retail footprint, while IKEA added smart audio to its home furnishing portfolio. So, why end it?

A Troubled Year for Sonos

To understand the discontinuation of Symfonisk, we need to look at Sonos’ broader struggles. The company’s challenges began in earnest with the May 2024 rollout of a redesigned mobile app, which was riddled with bugs, missing features, and poor performance. The backlash was swift and severe, with customers voicing frustration over the app’s inability to reliably control their speakers. The Verge reported in January 2025 that “the company still hasn’t recovered from the damage” caused by this fiasco, which eroded consumer trust and tarnished Sonos’ reputation as a premium audio brand.

The app debacle had ripple effects. Sonos delayed two product launches, laid off 100 employees in August 2024, and saw an 8% revenue drop in Q4 2024 compared to the previous year. Further layoffs followed in February 2025, cutting 200 more jobs, while low employee morale and fears of additional cuts compounded the company’s woes. Leadership changes added to the chaos, with CEO Patrick Spence, chief product officer Maxime Bouvat-Merlin, and chief commercial officer Deirdre Findlay all departing in January 2025.

Amid these challenges, Sonos also scrapped several ambitious projects, including a streaming video player and a MagSafe speaker for iPhones, signaling a retreat from innovation to focus on stabilizing its core business. The decision to end the Symfonisk line, as reported by The Verge on May 6, 2025, fits this pattern of retrenchment, but it raises questions about Sonos’ long-term strategy.

Why Discontinue Symfonisk?

While neither Sonos nor IKEA has provided detailed reasoning for ending the partnership, several factors likely contributed. First, Sonos’ focus on fixing its app and stabilizing its finances may have left little bandwidth for maintaining a collaboration that, while popular, was likely less profitable than its premium products. The Symfonisk line’s low price points, while attractive to consumers, may not have aligned with Sonos’ need to boost margins during a period of “sagging hardware sales,” as noted in The Verge’s coverage of price cuts for the Era 100 and Ray soundbar.

Second, the partnership may have run its course. The Symfonisk line hadn’t seen new products in years, suggesting a lack of fresh ideas or investment. For IKEA, the rise of competing decor-friendly audio solutions, like Samsung’s Music Frame announced at CES 2024, may have reduced the need to continue with Sonos. Priced at $259.99, Samsung’s frame speaker directly competes with the Symfonisk Picture Frame, offering a similar blend of style and sound.

Finally, Sonos’ shift toward a more premium, streamlined portfolio could explain the decision. Recent moves, like the launch of the Arc Ultra soundbar and price reductions on high-margin products, suggest a focus on higher-end offerings rather than budget-friendly collaborations. Discontinuing Symfonisk may allow Sonos to concentrate resources on rebuilding its core brand rather than diluting it with lower-cost products.

What This Means for Consumers

For fans of the Symfonisk line, the discontinuation is a significant loss. These speakers offered an unmatched combination of affordability, design, and performance within the Sonos ecosystem. While existing stock may still be available at IKEA stores or through resellers, once inventory is depleted, consumers will need to turn to Sonos’ pricier alternatives, like the $199 Era 100, or look to competitors.

The move also limits options for budget-conscious buyers who want to build a Sonos-based home audio system. Pairing two Symfonisk Bookshelf Speakers for stereo sound or using them as surrounds was a cost-effective way to enhance a setup without breaking the bank. Without Symfonisk, entry-level options are fewer, potentially alienating new customers at a time when Sonos can ill afford to lose market share.

The Bigger Picture: Sonos’ Path Forward

The end of the Symfonisk partnership underscores the challenges Sonos faces in regaining its footing. The company’s strength has always been its ecosystem—seamless multi-room audio, high-quality sound, and a premium brand image. But the app fiasco, leadership turnover, and now the loss of a key partnership have exposed vulnerabilities. Competitors like Bose, Samsung, and even budget brands like JBL are capitalizing on Sonos’ missteps, offering compelling alternatives at various price points.

To recover, Sonos must prioritize three things. First, it needs to fully resolve its app issues, as customer trust hinges on a reliable user experience. Second, it should continue investing in innovative, high-quality products that justify its premium pricing, like the well-received Arc Ultra. Finally, Sonos must find ways to remain accessible to a broader audience, whether through strategic partnerships or more affordable standalone products, to avoid ceding the entry-level market to rivals.

Final Thoughts

The discontinuation of the Sonos and IKEA Symfonisk line is more than just the end of a product series; it’s a symptom of Sonos’ broader struggles. What began as a bold collaboration to democratize high-quality audio has become another casualty of a company in crisis. For consumers, the loss of Symfonisk means fewer affordable options in the Sonos ecosystem. For Sonos, it’s a reminder that rebuilding trust and relevance will require more than cutting ties—it will demand a clear vision and flawless execution.

As the audio market grows increasingly competitive, Sonos’ next moves will be critical. Will it rise from the ashes of 2024’s turmoil, or will more dominos fall? Only time will tell, but for now, the end of Symfonisk feels like a step backward for a brand that once seemed unstoppable.