It’s a sad day for fans of affordable, stylish audio gear. Sonos and IKEA, the dynamic duo behind the Symfonisk lineup, have officially parted ways. After eight years of blending Sonos’ top-tier sound tech with IKEA’s knack for chic, budget-friendly design, the partnership is winding down. No new Symfonisk products will hit the shelves, and existing ones—like those quirky lamp speakers, picture frame speakers, and bookshelf speakers—are being phased out. Don’t worry, though: Sonos has promised to keep software updates rolling for current Symfonisk owners, so your gear won’t turn into a paperweight anytime soon.

“We’ve had the pleasure of working closely with IKEA and are proud of what we’ve achieved,” Sonos told The Verge in a statement. “Although our work together has largely wound down and we won’t be releasing new products as partners, we’ll continue to support every existing SYMFONISK product so customers can keep enjoying great sound in their homes for many years to come.”

Launched in 2019, the Symfonisk range was a match made in heaven for audiophiles on a budget. Sonos, known for its premium wireless speakers that can set you back $200 for even the entry-level models (and up to $900 for high-end ones like the Arc soundbar), teamed up with IKEA, the Swedish furniture giant famous for flat-pack bookshelves and meatballs. The result? A lineup of speakers that didn’t just sound great but looked like they belonged in a modern apartment—without breaking the bank.

The Symfonisk collection included some real gems:

• Bookshelf speakers ($120): Compact, versatile, and perfect for small spaces.
• Picture frame speakers ($200): Wall-mounted art that doubled as a speaker, blending seamlessly into your decor.
• Lamp speakers ($190-$300): A table or floor lamp with a built-in speaker, complete with IKEA’s signature bamboo or glass finishes.

These prices were a steal compared to Sonos’ standalone offerings. For context, the Sonos One, the brand’s cheapest speaker, retails for $199, while the Five can hit $549. Symfonisk gave you Sonos’ signature multi-room audio, AirPlay 2 support, and crisp sound quality at a fraction of the cost. Plus, they had that IKEA aesthetic—minimalist, functional, and just a little quirky. Who else but IKEA would think to hide a speaker in a lamp?

The partnership wasn’t just about affordability. It was about accessibility. Sonos speakers, while excellent, often feel like a luxury purchase. Pairing with IKEA made high-quality audio feel approachable, like something you could toss into your cart alongside a $5 plant or a pack of tealights. It was a brilliant way to bring Sonos’ tech to a broader audience, from college students to young professionals furnishing their first apartments.

Neither Sonos nor IKEA has spilled the tea on why they’re parting ways, but the writing’s been on the wall for a while. The Symfonisk lineup hasn’t seen a new release since the second-generation lamp speaker in 2021, and stock of these products has been dwindling at IKEA stores and online. Some Symfonisk items are already listed as discontinued, with others likely to follow as inventory clears out. If you’ve been eyeing that picture frame speaker, now’s the time to snag it—especially since discounts are popping up as retailers clear stock.

The split comes at a rough time for Sonos. The company has been navigating some serious turbulence over the past year. In March 2024, Sonos scrapped plans for a streaming video device that was meant to compete with the likes of Roku and Apple TV. Then, in May 2024, it rolled out a redesigned app that was, to put it bluntly, a disaster. The app was riddled with bugs, missing features, and a clunky interface that frustrated loyal users. The backlash was so intense that it contributed to the ousting of CEO Patrick Spence and the layoffs of hundreds of employees. Sonos is now under new leadership and scrambling to fix the app, but the damage to its reputation has been significant.

IKEA, on the other hand, seems to be doing just fine. The company has been experimenting with other tech-forward products, like smart lighting and home automation gear, and its focus may simply be shifting. It’s possible IKEA wants to double down on its own ecosystem rather than splitting resources with a partner. Or maybe the Symfonisk line, while innovative, didn’t generate the long-term sales both companies hoped for. Without an official statement, we’re left to speculate.

If you’ve got a Symfonisk speaker in your home, you’re not being left in the lurch. Sonos has committed to supporting existing products with software updates, so your lamp speaker will still work with the Sonos app, stream your Spotify playlists, and play nicely with other Sonos devices. That’s a relief, especially since Sonos has a solid track record of keeping older products functional through updates—some of its speakers from a decade ago still work with modern setups.

However, the phase-out means Symfonisk products won’t be restocked once they’re gone. If you’re hoping to add another bookshelf speaker to your multi-room setup or replace a broken one, you’ll need to act fast. Retailers like IKEA and Sonos’ own website are already showing low stock, and third-party marketplaces might see price hikes as collectors and deal-hunters swoop in.

For Sonos, the end of the IKEA partnership feels like another chapter in a tough year. The company has long been a darling of the audio world, praised for its seamless multi-room systems and rich sound quality. But recent missteps have put it in a precarious spot. The app debacle alienated loyal customers, and the cancellation of the streaming device suggests Sonos is struggling to expand beyond its core speaker business. Losing the Symfonisk line, which was a key entry point for new customers, could make it harder for Sonos to compete in a crowded market where brands like Bose, Amazon, and Google offer cheaper alternatives.

IKEA, meanwhile, is likely to keep experimenting with tech-infused furniture. The Symfonisk collaboration proved there’s a market for products that blend form, function, and innovation. Could IKEA partner with another audio brand? Or maybe develop its own smart speakers? Given IKEA’s track record of bold moves—like its recent push into gaming furniture—it wouldn’t be surprising to see the company carve out a new niche.

The Sonos-IKEA partnership was one of those rare collaborations that felt genuinely exciting. It wasn’t just about slapping a logo on a product; it was about reimagining what a speaker could be. A lamp that plays your favorite podcast? A piece of wall art that blasts your party playlist? That’s the kind of outside-the-box thinking that made Symfonisk special.

As the partnership fades, it’s worth reflecting on what made it work: a shared commitment to quality, affordability, and design. For those of us who snagged a Symfonisk speaker, we’ve got a little piece of that magic in our homes. And for those who didn’t? Keep an eye on clearance sales—you might just score a deal on a speaker that’s equal parts functional and fun.