Sonos ERA 300 Speaker Review: Discover the Future of Home Audio
Get ready for the speaker everyone’s been talking about – the all-new Sonos Era 300! This groundbreaking speaker is Sonos’ first-ever Dolby Atmos speaker, and it’s set to revolutionize the audio market. I’ve been dying to get my hands on one since its announcement, and after living with it for a few weeks, I can confidently say that it’s paving the way for a new generation of speakers.
In this review, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about the Era 300 – from its design and build to its connectivity options and features. We’ll also answer all your burning questions to help you decide if this speaker is the perfect addition to your home. So buckle up, and let’s start with a quick-fire fact-check round to get us all up to speed!
Design and Build: Sleek, Compact, and Versatile
The Sonos Era 300 boasts a sleek and modern design that can seamlessly blend into any room or décor. Its compact size and unique shape make it an attractive addition to your home audio setup. The speaker’s build quality is impressive, featuring a mix of high-quality materials, including metal and fabric, which not only lend a premium feel to the device but also contribute to its durability.
With drivers placed at various angles, the Era 300 is engineered to deliver a full and immersive audio experience, even from a single unit. One of the standout features of the Era 300’s design is its innovative speaker arrangement. This unique design also enables the speaker to be used in various configurations, such as standalone, stereo pair, or as part of a home theater system.
| Spec/Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.3 x 10.24 x 7.28 inches (160 x 260 x 185 mm) |
| Weight | 9.85 pounds (4.47 kg) |
| Colors | Black, White |
| Finish | Matte |
| Bluetooth Button | Press to pair with a Bluetooth device |
| Controls | Play, pause, skip, replay, adjust volume, turn off microphones |
| LEDs | Connection, charge status, mute status, microphone activation |
| Mic Switch | Toggle off to disconnect power to the microphone hardware |
| Dolby Atmos | Supports Dolby Atmos content for an immersive listening exp. |
| Trueplay Tuning | Can be adjusted to sound best in any room using Trueplay tuning |
| Voice Control | Can be controlled with voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Asst. |
| Multi-room Audio | Can be used as part of a multi-room audio system |
| AirPlay 2 | Supports AirPlay 2 for streaming music from iPhone/iPad/Mac |
| Spotify Connect | Supports Spotify Connect for streaming music from Spotify |
| Tidal Connect | Supports Tidal Connect for streaming music from Tidal |
Connectivity and Features: Bluetooth, AirPlay, and More
Regarding connectivity, the Sonos Era 300 offers multiple options for users to enjoy their favorite tunes. The speaker has built-in Bluetooth capabilities, allowing you to stream music easily from your smartphone or other compatible devices. The Era 300 also supports AirPlay, making it easy for Apple device users to stream music directly from their iPhones, iPads, or Macs.
While the Era 300 performs exceptionally well over Bluetooth, it’s important to note that the speaker truly shines when streaming content that supports Dolby Atmos or Apple Music Spatial Audio. This enhanced audio experience is only available via a direct connection to the music server. Sonos has a dedicated link to the Apple Music server, giving the Era 300 a competitive edge in the market.
However, there is a notable limitation in the Era 300’s feature set: the speaker does not include built-in microphones. This means that users must rely on the microphones of their connected devices, such as a computer or smartphone, for voice calls or video conferences.
Despite this minor shortcoming, the Sonos Era 300’s design, build, and connectivity features make it a versatile and powerful speaker that can cater to a wide range of user preferences and requirements.
Accessing Dolby Atmos Content: Multiple Ways to Immerse Yourself in Sound
The Sonos Era 300 offers several ways to access Dolby Atmos content, providing users with a truly immersive audio experience. One such option is Apple Music Spatial Audio, which delivers a rich and enveloping soundstage that elevates your listening experience. Additionally, Amazon Music also provides support for Dolby Atmos content, giving users another avenue to enjoy high-quality audio.
While the Era 300 excels when streaming Atmos content from Apple Music or Amazon Music, it’s also compatible with other popular streaming services like Spotify. Although these services may not support Dolby Atmos, users can still enjoy the speaker’s impressive sound performance with standard audio formats.
Sound Performance and Atmos Experience: Exceptional Audio for Music and Movies
The Sonos Era 300 boasts a remarkable sound performance, offering a well-balanced audio profile that is sure to satisfy even the most discerning listeners. The speaker’s innovative driver arrangement ensures a broad and immersive soundstage, making every music track or movie scene come alive with detail and depth.
When using the Era 300 to stream Dolby Atmos content, the audio experience is further enhanced. The speaker delivers a three-dimensional sound field that envelops the listener, providing a true sense of presence and immersion. Whether you’re enjoying your favorite tunes or watching the latest blockbuster, the Sonos Era 300 offers an unparalleled audio experience that will leave you wanting more.
Stereo Pair and Home Theater Integration: Versatility for Every Setup
The Sonos Era 300 isn’t just a fantastic standalone speaker; it also excels when used as part of a stereo pair or integrated into a Sonos home theater setup. When used in a stereo configuration, two Era 300 speakers work together to create an even more expansive soundstage, delivering exceptional audio separation and an immersive listening experience.
If you’re looking to elevate your movie nights, the Era 300 can be seamlessly integrated into a Sonos home theater system. By combining the speaker with other Sonos products, such as a Sonos Beam or Arc soundbar and Sonos Sub, you can create a fully immersive Dolby Atmos experience that rivals even the best commercial theaters.
The Sonos Era 300 offers versatility and performance that make it an outstanding addition to any audio setup, be it a simple stereo pair or a full-blown home theater system.
Comparisons and Future Possibilities: ERA 300 vs. Sonos Five
When it comes to comparing the Sonos Era 300 with the Sonos Five, it’s like comparing apples and oranges. They offer completely different experiences. If you’re interested, I could make a dedicated comparison for you. But in a nutshell, the Five is louder, bigger, and bassier, while the Era 300 is a whole different beast.
Key Differences
Key differences include the Era 300’s lighter weight, additional controls for voice assistants and privacy, as well as support for both iOS and Android trueplay tuning. In terms of connectivity, the Era 300 offers Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6, while the Sonos 5 provides an Ethernet port, 3.5mm audio input, and AirPlay 2.
Both speakers deliver impressive audio performance, with the Era 300 utilizing 6 Class T amps, forward, side, and upward-firing tweeters and woofers, and the Sonos 5 featuring 6 Class D amps, central and side tweeters, and midwoofers.
The Era 300 includes voice control, autonomous trueplay tuning, and spatial audio support, while the Sonos 5 lacks these features. With a price difference of $100, £100, the Era 300 is a more affordable option at $449, £449, making it an attractive choice for those seeking a versatile, feature-packed speaker.
It all depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to hear every detail in your music and make use of Dolby Atmos tracks, then the Era 300 is the way to go. But don’t get me wrong, the Five is still a great speaker and can fill a larger space better. And for those of you wondering if there’s an Era 500 on the horizon – I definitely think it’s a possibility!
As we look towards the future, it’s exciting to speculate on possible additions to the Era product line. Sonos may choose to expand the range with smaller or larger speakers, offering different form factors and price points to cater to a broader audience.
Furthermore, we can expect that Sonos will continue to roll out software updates to improve functionality, add new features, and ensure compatibility with the latest streaming services and audio formats.
Verdict:
The Sonos Era 300 is a truly impressive speaker that delivers an outstanding audio experience. Its support for Dolby Atmos content, coupled with its immersive soundstage and versatile connectivity options, makes it an excellent choice for both music and movie enthusiasts.
| Product | Image | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Sonos Era 300 Speakers |  |
Buy on Amazon |
While the Era 300 is undoubtedly a premium product, some potential limitations include its price point and the absence of a built-in microphone for voice assistant support. However, these minor drawbacks do not overshadow the speaker’s many strengths.
Pros
- Immersive Dolby Atmos audio capabilities
- Versatile connectivity options, including Bluetooth and AirPlay
- Seamless integration with other Sonos devices for a multi-room setup
- Excellent sound performance and soundstage for both music and movies
- Access to various streaming services, including Apple Music Spatial Audio and Amazon Music
- Potential for stereo pairing and home theater integration
Cons
- Higher price point compared to some other Sonos speakers
- No built-in microphone for voice assistant support
- It might require additional hardware for Dolby Atmos content from non-compatible streaming services
The Sonos Era 300 offers exceptional value in the audio market. With its top-notch sound performance, innovative features, and seamless integration into the Sonos ecosystem, it’s a worthy addition to any home audio setup. If you’re in the market for a cutting-edge, immersive speaker that delivers on both quality and versatility, the Sonos Era 300 should be at the top of your list.
Also read: Sonos Era 100 and Era 300: What’s the Difference?
