Sonos Era 100 Wireless Speaker – Black
The Sonos Era 100 emerges as a stellar successor to the acclaimed Sonos One, bringing new features like Bluetooth and stereo sound to enhance an already impressive smart speaker. Priced at $250, the Era 100 excels in sound quality, design, and functionality, making it a compelling choice for music enthusiasts and smart home aficionados.
Pros:
Cons:
Features & Functionality
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The Sonos Era 100 boasts a range of innovative features that elevate its status in the competitive smart speaker market. Notably, Bluetooth integration enhances flexibility, allowing users to stream from apps lacking native support. The introduction of stereo playback, facilitated by dual side-firing tweeters and a larger woofer, delivers a more immersive audio experience with detailed sound and deeper bass.
Undergoing a design evolution, the Era 100 deviates from its predecessor’s square-ish form with a coffee tin-inspired shape and a sleek matte black or white finish. Touch controls on the top feature a volume “trough,” enabling intuitive adjustments with swiping gestures. The aesthetic updates contribute to a modern appearance that seamlessly integrates into diverse living spaces.
The Era 100 offers voice assistant integration, allowing users to choose between Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice for hands-free control. Self-calibration and Trueplay enhance the speaker’s adaptability to room acoustics, ensuring an optimized listening experience. The USB-C port replaces the Ethernet port, supporting audio playback and Ethernet connections, while optional dongles expand connectivity options. Seamless integration into the Sonos ecosystem, with multiroom capabilities via the Sonos S2 app and support for Apple AirPlay 2, reinforces the Era 100’s position as a versatile and sophisticated smart speaker.
Design & Build Quality
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Sonos opts for a sleek, cylindrical design in the Era 100, available in Black and White color variants. The compact size, at 7.2 by 4.7 by 5.1 inches, makes it easy to integrate into various spaces. The build quality is commendable, with a sturdy construction primarily made of plastic. The touch controls on top provide easy navigation, and the addition of a volume “trough” enhances the user experience. The Era 100’s design evolution signifies a departure from its predecessor, the Sonos One, showcasing Sonos’ commitment to innovation.
Power & Performance
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The Sonos Era 100 excels in delivering a heightened audio performance, surpassing its predecessor, the Sonos One. The incorporation of dual side-firing tweeters contributes to an open and engaging sound profile, noticeable in various music genres. Comparisons with the Sonos One reveal a more dynamic and punchy performance, with improvements in low-end response and a 3dB boost in volume. Notably, the Era 100’s stereo tweeters enhance stereo separation, offering a distinct audio experience, particularly evident in tracks with intricate instrumentals.
The Era 100’s Bluetooth functionality, a new addition to Sonos speakers, allows for clear and punchy sound when used independently. While Bluetooth quality is commendable, the speaker’s performance over Wi-Fi surpasses it, delivering more pronounced bass and a more expansive soundstage. The inclusion of Bluetooth expands the speaker’s compatibility, catering to users with devices lacking AirPlay or Sonos support.
In comparisons with other prominent smart speakers, such as the Apple HomePod and Amazon Echo Studio, the Era 100 stands out for its refined sound quality. It competes favorably in terms of stereo effect, outperforming competitors in delivering a well-defined soundstage. The Era 100’s ability to handle various audio content, from music to audiobooks and podcasts, showcases its versatility. While it may be pricier than some competitors, the superior sound quality justifies the additional cost, making the Era 100 a top choice for users seeking an exceptional smart speaker.
Compatibility & Connectivity
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Connectivity remains a strong suit for Sonos, with the Era 100 supporting Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6), and Apple AirPlay 2. The addition of Bluetooth expands compatibility, and the USB-C port introduces versatility. Optional dongles like the Line-In Adapter enable external device connections, catering to audiophiles with turntables or FM tuners. The Sonos ecosystem, renowned for multiroom setups, provides flexibility through a dedicated app or streaming protocols. However, the absence of Google Assistant and Chromecast limits options for Android users.
Conclusion: Should you buy the Sonos Era 100?
Priced at $250, the Era 100 builds upon the success of the Sonos One, addressing previous limitations and introducing key enhancements. Its excellent sound quality, Bluetooth capability, and versatile connectivity options make it a standout choice. While facing competition, the Era 100 justifies its slightly higher price with superior performance. It’s an excellent smart speaker for those seeking an immersive audio experience, and its compact design ensures seamless integration into any environment. If you value sound quality and a robust ecosystem, the Sonos Era 100 is a compelling investment.
