How Trump’s Tariffs Forced Sonos to Drop Its Affordable Speakers and End Its Partnership with Ikea
Sonos is quietly ending its eight-year collaboration with Ikea and phasing out the popular Symfonisk speaker line. The culprit? Rising tariffs introduced during the Trump administration that made producing affordable, stylish speakers nearly impossible.
The End of Symfonisk: When Quality Meets Affordability
Symfonisk launched in 2019 as a fresh way to bring Sonos’ premium sound to a wider audience without breaking the bank. Ikea designed the sleek, functional speakers — like a bookshelf speaker that doubled as furniture or a picture frame that played music — while Sonos provided its trusted wireless streaming technology.
Starting at just $99, these speakers were rare gems in the Sonos lineup: affordable, easy to use, and blending seamlessly into home decor. They supported AirPlay 2, worked perfectly with the Sonos app, and could even serve as part of a surround sound system.
For many buyers, Symfonisk was more than just budget gear — it was an elegant way to expand their Sonos sound system without spoiling the look of their living room. But keeping prices that low meant Sonos had to carefully control costs. And that’s where tariffs entered the picture.
Tariffs Crush Symfonisk’s Business Model
During Trump’s first term, tariffs of up to 25% were imposed on Chinese electronics, including parts used in Symfonisk speakers. Sonos responded by shifting production to Malaysia and Vietnam, hoping to dodge those taxes.
At first, this plan seemed to work — but in 2025, new tariffs hit those countries hard: Malaysian imports faced a 24% tax, and Vietnamese goods were slapped with a whopping 46%. Suddenly, Sonos’ fallback options became far more expensive.
The company had reassured investors that risks were under control — but the stock plunged 15% immediately after the news.
Sonos, unlike tech giants with bigger profit margins, operates with very slim hardware profits. Prices rose from $99 to $119 in the U.S., and even more in other markets. Ikea’s retail chief Jesper Brodin was blunt: when tariffs rise, customers pay more.
The affordable Symfonisk speakers were simply priced out of the market.
Software Troubles Make Things Worse
Tariffs strained the bottom line, but a disastrous software update sealed Symfonisk’s fate.
In 2024, Sonos launched a completely revamped mobile app meant to improve user experience. Instead, it caused widespread problems: speakers stopped responding, connections failed, and users struggled to control their devices.
The backlash was swift. By early 2025, CEO Patrick Spence resigned, and board member Tom Conrad stepped in as interim CEO with a clear mission: fix the core product and restore customer trust.
Sonos cut loose any project that didn’t align with this goal — including shelving a much-anticipated video streaming device and focusing back on reliable sound and software.
Unfortunately, Symfonisk, a budget-friendly line produced overseas, didn’t survive the reset.
What This Means for Sonos Fans
If you already own a Symfonisk speaker, don’t worry — your device will continue to work with Sonos updates and AirPlay 2. But once Ikea sells its remaining stock, the era of affordable, stylish Sonos speakers is over.
Sonos is now focusing on higher-end products, leaving behind the budget segment that once helped bring quality sound to more homes.
Source: Headphonesty – How Trump’s Tariffs Forced Sonos to Abandon Its Most Affordable Speakers and Break Up With Ikea
