Overview
The Sonos Era 100 marks the next generation of the company's compact smart speaker lineup, evolving from the popular Sonos One. Positioned as a versatile, room-filling audio solution, the Era 100 introduces several highly anticipated features to the Sonos ecosystem. It's engineered to deliver stereo sound from a single unit, a significant acoustic upgrade for its size. By incorporating Bluetooth and line-in connectivity alongside its traditional WiFi streaming, Sonos is clearly targeting a broader audience, from loyal multi-room audio fans to newcomers seeking a more flexible, standalone smart speaker.
Buyer Advice: Consider the Sonos Era 100 if you're looking for a compact speaker that offers premium sound quality, multi-room capabilities via WiFi, and the flexibility of Bluetooth and line-in audio for broader compatibility.
Key Features
The Era 100 is more than just a simple refresh. Sonos has focused on three core areas: audio performance, connectivity, and smart integration. These enhancements make it a significantly more versatile device than its predecessor.
Superb Sonic Power
A key highlight of the Era 100 is its "next-gen acoustics," designed to produce detailed stereo separation from a single speaker. While most compact speakers offer mono sound, Sonos has engineered the Era 100 to create a wider, more immersive soundstage. The promise of deep bass at any volume aims to ensure a rich listening experience whether the speaker is used for background music or as the primary audio source in a room. This is further enhanced by Sonos's proprietary Trueplay tuning technology. With a single tap in the Sonos app, Trueplay analyzes the unique acoustic properties of your room—from its size to the furniture within it—and optimizes the speaker's equalizer settings accordingly. This ensures the audio is tailored for its specific environment, delivering sound as the artist intended.
For the best results, be sure to run Trueplay tuning after you've placed the Era 100 in its primary location. If you move the speaker to a different room, run the tuning process again to re-optimize the sound for the new space.
The Trueplay feature works by using the microphones on your phone (iOS or Android) to measure how sound reflects off walls, furnishings, and other surfaces in your room, then adjusting the speaker's EQ for optimal performance.
Expanded Connectivity for Every Source
Perhaps the most significant update is the expansion of connectivity options. While Sonos built its brand on seamless WiFi streaming for the highest-quality, uninterrupted audio, the Era 100 adds both Bluetooth and line-in capabilities. The addition of Bluetooth allows users to stream audio directly from any paired device with the press of a button, offering a quick and easy solution for guests or for services not integrated into the Sonos app. Furthermore, the ability to connect an external audio source, such as a turntable or CD player, via a line-in port makes the Era 100 a bridge between analog and digital audio worlds.
To connect external devices like a turntable, you must use the proprietary Sonos Line-In Adapter, which is sold separately. This is an important additional consideration for anyone planning to use the line-in feature.
Pitfall: While the Era 100 supports Bluetooth, it does not support Google Assistant. If Google Assistant is your primary voice assistant, you might need to consider other Sonos models or alternative smart speakers.
Seamless Smart Control
The Era 100 integrates deeply with various smart home and streaming ecosystems. It features built-in support for Amazon Alexa, allowing you to use your voice to play music, set alarms, control other smart home devices, and access Alexa's many skills. Control is also centralized within the Sonos app, which brings together all your streaming services, settings, and speaker groupings in one place. For Apple users, the speaker supports Apple AirPlay 2, enabling direct streaming from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You can even use Siri on your Apple device to control Apple Music playback on the Era 100.
Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Audio | Stereo sound, Deep bass |
| Connectivity | WiFi, Bluetooth, Line-in (requires Sonos adapter) |
| Smart Features | Amazon Alexa, Trueplay tuning, Apple AirPlay 2 |
| Controls | Top-mounted touch controls (play/pause, volume, grouping) |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7.19 x 4.72 x 5.14 in (182.5 x 120 x 130.5 mm) |
| Features | Humidity resistant |
| Build | Made with recycled materials |
| Colors | Black, White |
Design & Build
The Sonos Era 100 features a compact, cylindrical design that is slightly larger than the Sonos One it replaces. It is available in both black and white finishes, maintaining the minimalist aesthetic the brand is known for. With a height of just over seven inches, it's designed to be unobtrusive, fitting easily on a bookshelf, desk, kitchen counter, or nightstand. The top of the speaker houses a new set of intuitive touch controls for managing playback and volume without needing to use the app. According to Sonos, the speaker is built using recycled materials and is humidity resistant, making it a viable option for use in environments like a bathroom or covered patio.
Who It's For
Based on its feature set, the Sonos Era 100 is designed for a wide range of users. It serves as an excellent starting point for anyone new to the Sonos ecosystem, offering a feature-rich, high-performance speaker that doesn't require additional components to deliver a great experience. For existing Sonos owners, it's a compelling upgrade for smaller rooms like bedrooms, offices, or kitchens, especially with its humidity-resistant build.
For a more immersive experience, you can pair two Era 100 speakers as a stereo set for wider channel separation. They can also be used as rear satellite speakers in a surround sound setup with a Sonos soundbar like the Beam or Arc.
The addition of Bluetooth and line-in functionality also makes it ideal for those who have felt constrained by Sonos's historically closed system. If you often have guests who want to play music from their phones, or if you're a vinyl enthusiast looking to integrate a turntable with a modern multi-room audio system, the Era 100 directly addresses those needs.
The Era 100 offers multiple ways to control your music: the Sonos app for full system control, Amazon Alexa for voice commands, Apple AirPlay 2 for streaming from Apple devices, and direct control from within apps like Spotify and TIDAL.
Pros
- Stereo sound from a single compact speaker
- Multiple connectivity options: WiFi, Bluetooth, and Line-in
- Features Trueplay room tuning for optimized sound
- Integrates with Amazon Alexa and Apple AirPlay 2
- Humidity-resistant design for placement in kitchens or bathrooms
Cons
- Line-in connectivity requires a separate Sonos adapter
- No mention of Google Assistant support in the provided materials
- Positioned as a premium product, which may not fit all budgets
FAQ
Can I use the Sonos Era 100 with my turntable?Yes, you can connect a turntable or another audio source to the Era 100, but you will need to purchase the separate Sonos Line-In Adapter to do so.
Does the Sonos Era 100 support Bluetooth?Yes, the Era 100 has a dedicated button for pairing with Bluetooth devices, allowing you to stream audio directly from your phone, tablet, or computer.
What voice assistants work with the Era 100?The Sonos Era 100 features built-in support for Amazon Alexa. It does not support Google Assistant.
Can I get stereo sound from a single Era 100 speaker?Yes, the Era 100 features next-generation acoustics designed to produce stereo separation from a single unit.
Is the Sonos Era 100 portable?No, the Sonos Era 100 is not a battery-powered portable speaker. It must be plugged into a power outlet to function, as shown by the included power cable.
What is Trueplay tuning and how does it work?Trueplay is Sonos's proprietary tuning technology that analyzes the unique acoustic properties of your room, such as size and furnishings, and optimizes the speaker's equalizer settings to deliver the best possible audio tailored for that specific environment. It's initiated via the Sonos app.
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Pros
- Delivers stereo sound from a single speaker for an immersive audio experience.
- Offers versatile connectivity options including WiFi, Bluetooth, and line-in.
- Features Trueplay room tuning that optimizes equalizer settings for specific environments.
- Integrates with Amazon Alexa for voice control and access to smart features.
- Supports Apple AirPlay 2 for direct streaming from Apple devices.
- Humidity-resistant design allows for placement in kitchens or bathrooms.
- Built with recycled materials, contributing to a more sustainable product.
- Can be paired with a second Era 100 for a true stereo set or used as rear surround speakers.
- Includes integrated controls on the top for playback and volume adjustments.
Cons
- Line-in connectivity requires the purchase of a separate, proprietary Sonos adapter.
- Does not appear to support Google Assistant based on the provided review and specifications.
- The compact size, while space-saving, may not appeal to users seeking larger, more powerful speakers.
- Positioned as a premium product, potentially making it less accessible for budget-conscious consumers.
Verdict
Based on its specifications, the Sonos Era 100 appears to be a well-rounded and versatile evolution of the classic smart speaker. It addresses key limitations of its predecessor by adding Bluetooth and line-in capabilities, making it a more open and flexible device. While its true audio performance requires hands-on testing, the combination of stereo sound from a single unit, Trueplay tuning, and deep integration with the Sonos ecosystem makes it a compelling option for those seeking a premium compact speaker.