Sonos Era 300 and Era 100 Smart Speakers Revealed in Marketing Images

[stocklen]

Changing networks for your system involves tapping a button in the app and then another on the back of one of your speakers. You don’t have to search out an Ethernet plug - I mean, that’s one way to do it but not the normal way. No offense, but judging by this and some of your other posts, I just don’t think you knew the capabilities of your system very well.

other posts?
ive only made one post on the subject of Sonos in this thread.

Trust me... when I had to change networks using S2 app - there was no other way for me to do it than to go the ethernet wire route.

Thats my experience anyway.


But lets not debate further otherwise I will have multiple post(s) you can passive aggressively have a dig at.


Yes they are ugly too.
Moving on....

 

[citysnaps]

Looks like someone hit that poor speaker with an ugly stick.

 

[roar08]

I’m not crazy about the $250 price of the 100. It’s ‘only’ $30 more than the One - but you know they’ll charge at least $30 for the Ethernet dongle, and if there’s no SL version then that’s another $20 I’d have not spent. So for me at least, it’s an $80 price bump over the one. Double that, really, since I can’t see me wanting a single for any space.

No doubt it will sound better though.

Agree. We have a lot of Sonos hardware but moving forward I'd have to really think again about comparing the Era 100 to HomePods given the closing gap in price. That's assuming the One SL is discontinued... I hope it isn't.

 

[SebCohen]

1. I’ve primarily disliked Sonos strongly for the “Sorry you can’t use your speakers for anything because we can’t update them bla bla la” while my 30 year old B&O’s are wonderfully belching music to this day. It makes me hesitate to trust them again.

1.1 I will never buy anything “smart” that doesn’t have a dumb fallback and/or I can just pull out of the wall/door/socket and replace easily.

2. I don’t like or want smart speakers with built in mic’s. Software mute doesn’t cut it for me. This switch seems perfect.

3. I still think they are somewhat Playmobil-plasticky fugly….kitchen perhaps, bathroom, bedroom…living room? Hard pass

 

[pup]

other posts?
ive only made one post on the subject of Sonos in this thread.

Trust me... when I had to change networks using S2 app - there was no other way for me to do it than to go the ethernet wire route.

Thats my experience anyway.


But lets not debate further otherwise I will have multiple post(s) you can passive aggressively have a dig at.


Yes they are ugly too.
Moving on....

Well I’m not trying to be passive aggressive. It’s just that you make highly critical posts in most every Sonos topic that comes up - and your posts quite often contain factual errors about Sonos speakers or software. That leads me to believe that the problems you experienced have likely involved some element of user error, or that you were at least unaware of solutions or easier ways to do things. Not trying to make it personal.

 

[DuckyDelite]

The current Sonos best setup is 5.2.2 (i.e. only 2 atmos up-firing channels from the Arc itself). The new speakers will enable a 5.2.4 setup (i.e. the rears also have up-firing channels) or perhaps even a 7.2.4 (the rears may also have side-firing channels). Many people were hoping that the Era 1 (the Sonos One replacement) would also have up-firing channels, but it doesn't seem to from this leak, meaning that those wanting a 5.1.4 setup will need to pay another $900 for a pair of Era 300s.

That's my biggest complaint about these (based on current leaks). I wouldn't mind upgrading my Ones to 300 if I can get 7.2.4 support. But I haven't heard that being supported. I'd settle for the 100 if I could get 5.2.4 support. But nope. I don't find the 300 ugly, but I assume they're going to require a lot more space than my Ones.

 

[pup]

1. I’ve primarily disliked Sonos strongly for the “Sorry you can’t use your speakers for anything because we can’t update them bla bla la” while my 30 year old B&O’s are wonderfully belching music to this day. It makes me hesitate to trust them again.

B&O for the win - I’ve got some vintage Pentas and Redlines, myself. Their whole home setup was revolutionary for the day and is still the most reliable option out there. I was very close at one point to buying a bunch of 2nd hand B&O kit off eBay to wire up my whole house. But very few people, then nor now, want to hard wire their home for whole home audio (nor connect multi-thousand dollar speakers ). And of course most people want to stream their music.

So, we have wireless speakers and software, deal with the issues that involves, and hopefully enjoy the benefits as well.

 

[kiranmk2]

That's my biggest complaint about these (based on current leaks). I wouldn't mind upgrading my Ones to 300 if I can get 7.2.4 support. But I haven't heard that being supported. I'd settle for the 100 if I could get 5.2.4 support. But nope. I don't find the 300 ugly, but I assume they're going to require a lot more space than my Ones.

If you look at the surround sound setup publicity shot that's leaked you can see how much space the 300s take up. It looks like even wall-mounted they will stick out a long way into the room...

 

[stocklen]

Well I’m not trying to be passive aggressive. It’s just that you make highly critical posts in most every Sonos topic that comes up - and your posts quite often contain factual errors about Sonos speakers or software. That leads me to believe that the problems you experienced have likely involved some element of user error, or that you were at least unaware of solutions or easier ways to do things. Not trying to make it personal.

Well, you obviously know me better than I know myself... because to my knowledge this is the only time ive commented on Sonos kit in the Macrumours forums - because... well, its Apple related.
"highly critical posts in every sonos thread" ?? really - OK - I beg to differ there but someones "highly critical" is someone else's "balanced and reasonable".

Im an apple fan for sure, but I dont believe that any product is beyond constructive criticism even apple - and sonos too.
Had Sonos worked flawlessly for me, then I wouldnt have felt the need to contribute to the discussion giving another point of view...
.. it hasnt. If it has for you then thats awesome and equally as important a viewpoint as that gives others faith that the sonos system is great, if not expensive.

But when I say that sonos is a pain in the backside for simple administrative tasks such as changing wifi then thats a genuine reflection of MY personal experience with the system.

Im utterly intrigued now how you think im this sonos hating critical monster that you paint me as.... perhaps I need to look at my own posting history but I suspect youve got me confused with someone else on another forum.

 

[pup]

If you look at the surround sound setup publicity shot that's leaked you can see how much space the 300s take up. It looks like even wall-mounted they will stick out a long way into the room...

Yeah they’re not small, though I don’t think the Play 3 was any smaller. That’s one of the reasons (apart from cost) that I’ve never added a pair of Fives to my system. I’m interested to know what tech the 300s are hiding, but I doubt they’re a product I’ll be interested in.

 

[bodonnell202]

Why are they specifically mentioning Airplay 2 support? Don't the current devices support Airplay 2 already or is it only Airplay 1 (Legacy Airplay?)

Yes, all the currently on sale Sonos devices also support Airplay 2, I think they were just pointing it out as a feature, otherwise people on here would be saying it is useless without Airplay.

 

[bostonMAC]

Bit annoyed that the Era 300 will be needed for Atmos surround functionality with the Arc. Pushes the cost of a 5.1.4 system through the roof!

The Arc can do Atmos all on its own and doesn't lose that functionality by adding any compatible surrounds; so I have no idea what you're talking about here.

 

[kiranmk2]

The Arc can do Atmos all on its own and doesn't lose that functionality by adding any compatible surrounds; so I have no idea what you're talking about here.

Really - the Arc can do 5.1.4 by itself? Show me where that is confirmed! I think you are confused about the difference between 5.1.2 and 5.1.4 (or didn't read my comment fully)

 

[bostonMAC]

Still think Sonos gear is massively overrated and overpriced, in the same way Bose is.

My parents got an LG sound bar (with bass unit and two satellite speakers, all wireless) for 1/3 of the cost of the Sonos equivalent offering. Excellent hardware quality and the sound is top-notch.

With Sonos, like Apple, you are buying into an ecosystem that just works (most of the time). For me, I started out with the Ikea Symfonisks, then added a Beam Gen 2 and recently a Sub Mini. When adding the Sub Mini all I did was plug it into power, open up the Sonos App and tap the top of the sub to add it to my system; then spent a minute or two walking around the room so Trueplay could calibrate the system and that was it. It's actually a very Apple experience and while I have little doubt I could get a comparable system for less very few come with the polish you'll get from Sonos.

 

[npmacuser5]

Bit annoyed that the Era 300 will be needed for Atmos surround functionality with the Arc. Pushes the cost of a 5.1.4 system through the roof!

The Arc does great Atmos sound. Not sure how much more sound one would need with surround speakers. Maybe in a very large room. The idea, provide levels of sound options adjusted by price and quality. Something Apple needs to learn. One speaker no options Apple Sound today.

 

[pup]

Really - the Arc can do 5.1.4 by itself? Show me where that is confirmed! I think you are confused about the difference between 5.1.2 and 5.1.4 (or didn't read my comment fully)

I’m pretty sure that Sonos advertises an Arc alone as 5.0.2, expandable to 7.1.2 with a sub and two rears.

Supposedly the Arc + Sub + two 300s will be 7.1.4.

 

[matsan]

Why are they specifically mentioning Airplay 2 support? Don't the current devices support Airplay 2 already or is it only Airplay 1 (Legacy Airplay?)

All Sonos S2-capable units support Airplay 2 - https://support.sonos.com/en/article/stream-airplay-audio-to-sonos

 

[matsan]

"...Sonos is preparing to launch new high-end "Era" smart speakers to compete with Apple's HomePod range"
Interesting choice of words. Since HomePods (AFAIK) doesn't support Spotify, streaming from NAS:es and many of the other streaming services Sonos devices supports I wouldn't call it "to compete with". I'd say "to stay in the lead over HomePod", but as a Sonos-based household I guess I'm biased.

 

[matsan]

I’m pretty sure that Sonos advertises an Arc alone as 5.0.2, expandable to 7.1.2 with a sub and two rears.

Supposedly the Arc + Sub + two 300s will be 7.1.4.

And since two Subs (gen 3) are supported I guess you can max out at 7.2.4 ;-)

 

[siriuset]

Absolutely love my Sonos sound system (Arc+2 Sonos Ones+2 Subs) and would definitely be interested in upgrading my Ones to upfiring surrounds but the Era 300's look really ugly and are much larger than I want the rear speakers to be. And bottom line - wouldn't get them past my wife!

 

[TapDatApp]

Wi-Fi 6? I thought Apple had just told us Wi-Fi 4 is great for ‘smart’ speakers because it allows them to target exactly what works best in the entire system. Crazy folks at Sonos for including Wi-Fi 6!

Admittedly, as maybe we all are, I’m an Apple fanboy and a bit of a sucker. Of all the weird choices they’ve made and defended in the last half decade or so, this one is arguably the most idiotic. Truly mind-boggling.

 

[pup]

I may have missed if someone else has mentioned this, but since the 100s will have USB input, they'd make for pretty nice computer speakers.

 

[routine_analyst]

$450 will get you entry level Def Tech tower speakers that don't require an ecosystem rooted in a proprietary app to use.

 

[TapDatApp]

The current Sonos best setup is 5.2.2 (i.e. only 2 atmos up-firing channels from the Arc itself). The new speakers will enable a 5.2.4 setup (i.e. the rears also have up-firing channels) or perhaps even a 7.2.4 (the rears may also have side-firing channels). Many people were hoping that the Era 1 (the Sonos One replacement) would also have up-firing channels, but it doesn't seem to from this leak, meaning that those wanting a 5.1.4 setup will need to pay another $900 for a pair of Era 300s.

According to Chris Welch of The Verge on the Sonos subreddit, Sonos is allegedly going to advertise the Arc + Sub + 2 Era 300s as a 7.1.4 setup. I can understand that I suppose seeing as the Era 300s have speakers firing out the sides that can bounce off the walls and what not. But again according to what documentation he is saying he’s seen, Sonos is going to argue that a Beam + Sub + 2 Era 300s is a 5.1.4 setup, which makes absolutely no sense and instantly loses them credibility on their end in my view.

 

[pup]

According to Chris Welch of The Verge on the Sonos subreddit, Sonos is allegedly going to advertise the Arc + Sub + 2 Era 300s as a 7.1.4 setup. I can understand that I suppose seeing as the Era 300s have speakers firing out the sides that can bounce off the walls and what not. But again according to what documentation he is saying he’s seen, Sonos is going to argue that a Beam + Sub + 2 Era 300s is a 5.1.4 setup, which makes absolutely no sense and instantly loses them credibility on their end in my view.

I tend to agree but they aren't alone in fudging what constitutes various forms atmos, or even basic surround sound for that matter. Certainly Apple stretches it to the limit.