The SONR Music 2 is the direct successor to the original SONR Music, and the changes are focused rather than sweeping: larger, tactile buttons built for wet hands and swim caps, and a design tuned to stay stable through movement, vibration, and water pressure during active training.
We tested it across pool sessions to see how much of a real upgrade this is over the original, and who should actually pay the difference.
What We Liked
- Large, tactile buttons — easy to hit with wet hands
- Noticeably more stable through turns and push-offs
- Same reliable underwater clarity as the original
- 16 GB storage, drag-and-drop USB loading
- Secure fit under swim cap or clipped to goggles
- Lightweight at 41g
What Could Be Better
- Priced above the original SONR Music
- Storage unchanged from the first generation
- Not a dramatic redesign — mainly a refinement
Design & Build Quality
The headline change on the SONR Music 2 is the control interface. The original SONR Music used a single small button; the Music 2 moves to larger, more clearly defined buttons designed specifically to be operated with wet fingers mid-set, without needing to stop and feel around for the right spot.
At 41g, it's close in weight to the original and stays comfortable through long sessions. The housing follows the same sealed, waterproof construction as the rest of the SONR lineup.
We had testers try to skip a track and adjust volume mid-lap without stopping to check the device. With the original SONR Music's single button, this took a few attempts. With the Music 2's larger buttons, testers hit the right control on the first try consistently.
Fit & Comfort
Placement options are the same as the original: under a swim cap, bandana, or silicone headband, or clipped to a goggle strap for swimmers who train without a cap. SONR specifically engineered the Music 2 to compensate for movement, vibration, and water pressure — the goal being stable sound through turns and push-offs rather than momentary volume dips.
Through a full set of flip turns, the Music 2 held position and audio consistency noticeably better than we remember from the first-generation SONR Music in equivalent conditions.
Sound Quality
Underwater performance is the core of the product, and the Music 2 delivers the same clear, audible bone conduction sound the original SONR Music is known for, with the added benefit of staying more consistent through the exact moments — turns, push-offs, quick accelerations — where audio would previously blur for a second.
Storage & File Management
Storage remains 16 GB, unchanged from the original SONR Music. Loading music works the same familiar way: connect via USB, drag and drop MP3, FLAC, M4A, or AAC files, no special software required.
SONR Music 2 vs Original SONR Music
| Spec | SONR Music 2 | SONR Music (Original) |
|---|---|---|
| Buttons | Large, tactile | Single small button |
| Stability through turns | Improved | Good |
| Storage | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Weight | 41g | ~35g |
| Waterproof | IPX8 | IPX8 |
Who Should Buy the SONR Music 2?
- Swimmers who fumble small controls mid-set
- Anyone doing frequent flip turns and push-offs
- New buyers choosing between generations
- Lap swimmers wanting the most current model
- Budget is tight (→ original SONR Music)
- You also run or cycle regularly (→ SONR Multisport)
- You need more than 16 GB storage (→ SONR Multisport, 32 GB)
Final Verdict
The SONR Music 2 is a refinement, not a reinvention — and that's the right call. The larger buttons solve a real, everyday frustration with the original, and the improved stability through turns is noticeable in practice, not just on a spec sheet. If you're buying a SONR swim player for the first time and don't need the Multisport's cross-training features, this is the one to get.
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