ZDNET’s Key Takeaways
- The Sonos Era 100 is a $249 smart speaker that I recommend to most people, audiophile or not.
- In addition to a full, booming sound, the Sonos speaker produces crystal-clear vocals that enhance any song and has hands-free Alexa for voice control.
- Since the Era 100 is built for smaller spaces, it doesn’t support spatial audio or Dolby Atmos like its larger sibling, the Era 300.
- The Sonos Era 100 speaker is on sale for $199, $50 off its retail price as part of the Amazon Big Spring Sale.
Unboxing Experience
The clean aesthetics of the Sonos packaging alone are captivating. Sonos is committed to environmental sustainability, from manufacturing to packaging design. The Era 100 speaker incorporates recycled materials, and Sonos is switching to 100% paper packaging by 2025, so the unboxing experience was like opening a present.
What’s New with the Sonos Era 100
The Era 100 features touch controls at the top of the speaker, which I’ve found very intuitive. These controls can be used to adjust the volume, play, pause, skip, and replay. There’s also a Bluetooth button on the back. Yes, you read that right: The smart speaker has Bluetooth connectivity, a feature that the Sonos One lacked.
How Does the Era 100 Sound?
The Era 100 is the best speaker of its size that I’ve ever tested. It is an improvement from the Sonos One, which was already considered the best-sounding smart speaker, but it also sounds better than the improved Amazon Echo Studio and, naturally, blows all other compact smart speakers out of the water.
ZDNET’s Buying Advice
The Era 100 has raised the bar for compact, high-quality speakers. In addition to a full, booming sound, the Sonos speaker puts out crystal-clear vocals at the forefront of any song. It’s also extremely powerful, yet it doesn’t lose sound quality at full volume, and the deep bass doesn’t rattle, even at its highest setting.
Conclusion
The Sonos Era 100 is an outstanding smart speaker that produces a full, booming sound with crystal-clear vocals. Its compact size and powerful sound make it an excellent choice for small to medium-sized spaces. With its affordable price tag and impressive performance, the Sonos Era 100 is a great option for anyone looking for a high-quality smart speaker.
FAQs
Q: What is the price of the Sonos Era 100?
A: The Sonos Era 100 is priced at $249.
Q: What are the key features of the Sonos Era 100?
A: The key features of the Sonos Era 100 include its compact size, powerful sound, and crystal-clear vocals, as well as its touch controls and Bluetooth connectivity.
Q: Is the Sonos Era 100 available for purchase?
A: Yes, the Sonos Era 100 is available for purchase, and it’s currently on sale for $199, $50 off its retail price as part of the Amazon Big Spring Sale.
