Sonos vs Sony:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Sony had more branded searches than Sonos among surround sound system brands in New Zealand. Sony had about 17,100 branded searches, while Sonos had 5,970. Sony made up 56.5% of all surround sound system brand searches we track, and Sonos accounted for 19.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about surround sound system brands, both Sonos and Sony appeared in all three answers. Sony was mentioned before Sonos in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
Sony, about 3 searches for every 1 for Sonos
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
Sony, named ahead of Sonos in 2 of 3 answers
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Top surround sound system brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, both Sonos and Sony showed up in all three answers. Sony was listed before Sonos in two of them.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Sony3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Sonos3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Samsung3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Denon3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Yamaha2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Bose0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
LG0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Panasonic0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about surround sound system brands
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which surround sound system brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best surround sound system brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best surround sound system brand in New Zealand for home movie nights?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best surround sound system”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“home theatre system nz”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Sonos or Sony more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Sonos and Sony by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight surround sound system brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Sony, Sonos. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Sony | Bose | Sonos | Samsung | LG | Yamaha | Denon | Panasonic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 54.4% | 23.9% | 17.7% | 1.4% | 1% | 0.75% | 0.75% | 0.04% |
| Nov 2025 | 52.5% | 23.8% | 20.3% | 1.2% | 0.92% | 0.54% | 0.67% | 0.03% |
| Dec 2025 | 52% | 23.7% | 20.8% | 1.3% | 0.79% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.03% |
| Jan 2026 | 54.2% | 21.9% | 19.7% | 1.5% | 1.1% | 0.64% | 0.98% | 0.04% |
| Feb 2026 | 57.3% | 20.2% | 18.2% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.94% | 0.76% | 0.04% |
| Mar 2026 | 55.5% | 19.8% | 20.2% | 1.5% | 1.1% | 0.81% | 1% | 0.04% |
| Apr 2026 | 54.5% | 19.8% | 21% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 0.8% | 0.99% | 0.04% |
| May 2026 | 54.3% | 22.5% | 19.3% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.75% | 0.93% | 0.04% |
| Jun 2026 | 53.5% | 24% | 18.6% | 1.1% | 1.3% | 0.61% | 0.75% | 0.04% |
| Jul 2026 | 55% | 22.2% | 18.5% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.74% | 0.92% | 0.04% |
| Aug 2026 | 51.2% | 23.7% | 20.7% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.75% | 0.75% | 0.04% |
| Sep 2026 | 56.5% | 20% | 19.7% | 1.3% | 0.93% | 0.86% | 0.69% | 0.03% |
How has the Sonos and Sony comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Sony was ahead of Sonos in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sonos’ share of searches among surround sound system brands in New Zealand moved from 17.7% to 19.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5K to 6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sony’s share of searches among surround sound system brands in New Zealand moved from 54.4% to 56.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 15.2K to 17.1K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand surround sound system brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Sony gained share of searches among surround sound system brands in New Zealand, from 51.2% to 56.5%.
In September 2026, Sonos lost share of searches among surround sound system brands in New Zealand, from 20.7% to 19.7%.
How are branded searches counted?
18 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Sonos’ and Sony’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among surround sound system brands
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