New Sonos speakers Era 100 and 300 are built for audiophiles
Our review of the sleek Era 100
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Sonos has to be an audiophiles’ favourite palindrome. The home audio company specializes in high-quality, powerful speakers that connect to each other over Wi-Fi. In an environment where electronic companies seem to do it all, Sonos focuses on one product with the goal of being the best in the business.
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Sonos launched two new products, the Era 100 and Era 300. The Era 100 is replacing the Sonos One and the Era 300 is a brand new take on spatial audio (another way of saying 360-sound).
Era 100 specs
Dimensions: height 7.18 in X width 4.72 in X depth 5.14 in
Weight: 4.44 lb
Colours: black, white
Controls: touch controls, Sonos app, Amazon Alexa, Apple Airplay, direct control (which covers other apps including Spotify, see the full list)
Audio: Stereo
Price: $319
Where to buy: Sonos | Amazon
Accessories: Sonos Era 100 Stand, $189
What’s new (compared to Sonos One): The Era 100 presents five main functional differences from its predecessor, the Sonos One, in addition to some physical upgrades. Visually, the two speakers look similar but the 100 is slightly taller and wider. The outside of the speaker is made from polycarbonate, which is an update from the One which has a metal grille (the part of the speaker that the sound comes from).
Functionally and performatively, the 100 has five major updates:
- A USB-C line in port, so you can connect the speaker right to an audio device
- Quick Tune, which optimizes the sound output based on its surroundings
- Stereo sound, which means the audio is coming through two channels versus one, making a wider, richer listening experience
- Two dual-angled tweeters (speaker designed to produce high frequencies) vs one tweeter, creating crisp high-frequencies
- Larger mid-woofer for a more impactful bass
What to note: You’re encouraged to customize your own sound system by adding a second Era 100 speaker and maybe even a soundbar for a full stereo experience. However, you can’t combine 100s with Sonos One or any other previous models.
Our thoughts: Visually, the Era 100 is sleeker and more modern than Sonos One — a definite upgrade. I say “our thoughts” versus “my thoughts” because I consulted friends and family who have been using Sonos products for years. I think the Era 100 sounds crisp and powerful, but I’m no audiophile. However, my brother is. Initially, after doing a side-by-side of the Sonos One and Era 100, he says that the sound quality was very similar — and still very good. But after a few days, the speaker appeared to acclimate to the room and there was an incremental improvement in sound. Compared to the One, the highs are higher and crisper and the lows are lower and more powerful.
Setting up the Era 100 is really simple to do. You go to the Bluetooth settings on your device, press and hold the Bluetooth button on the back of the Era 100 until you hear a tone and the little light on the speaker blinks blue when it’s ready to pair.
Overall, the Era is an upgrade from the Sonos One in functions, appearance and sound.
Era 300 specs
Dimensions: height 6.30 in X width 10.24 in X depth 7.28 in
Weight: 9.85 lb
Colours: black, white
Controls: touch controls, Sonos app, Amazon Alexa, Apple Airplay, direct control (which covers other apps including Spotify, see the full list)
Audio: Stereo, Dolby Atmos
Price: $559
Where to buy: Sonos
Accessories: Sonos Era 300 Stand, $199
About: The Era 300 is a brand new product without comparative predecessors. Visually, it’s a bold new flat hourglass shape that is designed to surround you in audio. Though I haven’t experienced this speaker in my house, I had the opportunity to listen to the sound in a home-like environment. I watched a clip of Top Gun: Maverick — one Era 300 filled the room with a theatre-like-sound experience, two of them made me feel like I was in the jet with Tom Cruise.
The Era 300 is just as easy to set up as the Era 100 and can easily be used on its own or paired with other Sonos speakers. The Era 100 is pretty compact, but the Era 300 takes up a bit more real estate. I wouldn’t necessarily get the stand for the 100, but would for the 300.
I also appreciate the line-in capabilities, so you can plug devices right into the speaker, like a computer or turntable, just ensure you get the Sonos Line-In Adapter ($25).
If you’re looking to purchase one speaker to get impactful, immersive and immense sound, the Era 300 will do that. The Era 100 is also great on its own but is better as an addition to a speaker set.
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rmann@postmedia.com
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