Sonos Era 100 vs Sonos Era 300
By Linus Tan
Updated Aug 2023
Sonos has launched a fresh line of speakers that aspire to revolutionise the way we listen to music. Among them is the Era 100, which replaces the Sonos One and boasts enhanced features and performance. Additionally, the Era 300 is a premium alternative that prioritises spatial audio, providing an even more immersive listening experience.
In this review, we compare the Sonos Era 100 vs Sonos Era 300 on price, design, and sound quality to help you decide which model is ideal for you.
On our list
#1 Price
#2 Design & Specs
#3 Sound & Performance
Sonos Era 100
✓ Deep bass & excellent clarity
✓ Two angled tweeters and one woofer
✓ Wi-Fi, Bluetooth & Line-in connectivity
Sonos Era 300
✓ Spatial audio
✓ Four tweeters and two woofers
✓ Wi-Fi, Bluetooth & Line-in connectivity
#1 Price
Sonos Era 100 vs Sonos Era 300
The price is a significant factor when choosing between the Sonos Era 100 and the Sonos Era 300. The Sonos Era 100 is priced at US$249, which is more affordable than the Sonos Era 300, which is priced at US$449.
While both models are relatively expensive compared to other smart speakers on the market, it's worth noting that they are built with high-end components and advanced features that justify their price point. However, if you're on a tight budget, the Sonos Era 100 might be a better option for you.
#2 Design & Specs
Sonos Era 100 vs Sonos Era 300
The Sonos Era 100 boasts a modern oval design that's similar to but slightly larger than the Sonos One. On the other hand, the Sonos Era 300 takes on a larger size with an hourglass body shape that's a remarkably unique design for a speaker. It also weighs 4.5kg, more than twice as heavy as the Era 100's weight of 2kg.
Both the Sonos Era 100 and Sonos Era 300 are available in matte black or matte white, and share a wraparound grille body design that gives them a sleek and modern look. They both also feature top control panels that allow you to adjust your listening experience and stand out with a new enhanced volume slider that's recessed for more tactile and intuitive control.
Both speakers offer a range of versatile connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Line-in capabilities. With Wi-Fi, you can stream high-quality audio with ease, while Bluetooth lets you easily stream audio from your phone or tablet. In addition, you can connect and play music from a variety of sources such as turntables and computers using Line-in.
#3 Sound & Performance
Sonos Era 100 vs Sonos Era 300
The Era 100 is an upgraded version of the Sonos One, featuring two angled tweeters and one mid-woofer that emit stereo sound from a single unit with 270 degrees of dispersion. It comes equipped with three class-D amps and a 25% larger woofer driver than its predecessor. In contrast, the Era 300 is a larger speaker that accommodates four tweeters and two woofers. One of the tweeters faces upwards to reflect sound off the ceiling, while the others are angled to fill the rest of the room. The entire system is powered by six class-D amplifiers.
The Sonos Era 300 also offers a unique feature that sets it apart from the Era 100: spatial audio. The Era 300 supports Dolby Atmos Music and creates a more immersive listening experience by using advanced algorithms to simulate a three-dimensional soundstage. This feature is perfect for those who want to feel like they're in the middle of a concert or movie. However, it's worth noting that not all music and audio content is compatible with spatial audio, so you may not always be able to take advantage of this feature.
Other than that, both speakers have Amazon Alexa and Sonos's voice control system, as well as built-in microphones for Trueplay tuning. This feature adjusts the speaker's sound to fit the room's dimensions and location. If needed, you can also customise the speakers' performance with the adjustable EQ in the Sonos app.
Compare Sonos Era 100 vs Sonos Era 300
Final Thoughts
Sonos Era 100 vs Sonos Era 300
No matter which Sonos Era model you choose, you can expect to enjoy a high-quality listening experience. Both the Sonos Era 100 and Sonos Era 300 are equipped with powerful specs and features that make them great value for money.
The Era 100 is a great option for those who are on a budget, while the Era 300 is ideal for those looking for an immersive listening experience. However, it's important to remember that both models are premium products that come with a hefty price tag.
If you like to read more on smart home speakers, check out our other relevant guides here:
Best Smart Home Speakers
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)
Amazon Echo Dot vs Echo Pop
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Google Nest Mini
Apple Homepod Mini vs Sonos One (Gen 2)
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) vs HomePod Mini
Sonos One vs Sonos Era 100
Sonos Era 300 vs Sonos Five
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