An in-depth interview with Sonos interim CEO Tom Conrad
3 minute readPublished: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Sonos' Interim CEO Talks Turnaround, Future, and App Woes
In a candid interview, Sonos' interim CEO, Tom Conrad, discussed the company's recent challenges and future plans. Conrad, who has been on the Sonos board since 2017, is leading a turnaround effort focused on app improvements and bug fixes.
One of the key topics was the recent discontinuation of the Symfonisk partnership with IKEA. Conrad explained that the partnership's scale was small, and the company is now prioritizing delivering "high value, differentiated products" like the Era 100, which recently saw a price drop.
The interview also addressed the disastrous app release a year ago. Conrad acknowledged the mistakes, including known feature omissions, user experience changes, and critical performance issues. He emphasized that the company is working to fix these problems, particularly for older devices like the Play:1 and Play:3. He also highlighted that many user issues stem from home network complexities, urging customers to troubleshoot their local networks.
Conrad expressed his commitment to the Sonos Ace headphones, which suffered from the app's issues, and hinted at future software innovations for the product. He also addressed the possibility of subscriptions, stating that Sonos will not put core functions behind a paywall.
While avoiding specifics about a canceled video player project, Conrad emphasized the company's focus on audio excellence and platform development. He also teased potential innovations in surround sound configurations and the ongoing legal battles with Google. Conrad expressed his desire to become the permanent CEO and his excitement about the company's future, particularly the upcoming hardware and software roadmap.
BNN's Perspective: It's encouraging to see Sonos acknowledging its past missteps and actively working to improve its products and customer experience. Conrad's focus on platform development and commitment to core features remaining free are positive signs. However, the company still faces the challenge of regaining customer trust and navigating the complex landscape of smart home technology.
Keywords: Sonos, Tom Conrad, Interim CEO, App, IKEA, Symfonisk, Era 100, Headphones, Ace, Google, Subscriptions, Hardware, Software, Turnaround, Audio, Home Theater, Smart Home, Wi-Fi, Networking, Play:1, Play:3, Voice Assistant, Future, Roadmap, CEO, Platform.