Hands-On With the New AirPlay-Compatible Sonos Era Speakers

[svish]

Seems like very good speakers.

 

[slplss]

I wonder how does it sound in comparison with Google Home Max. That speaker from 2017, which I still consider the best sounding. Even Altec Lansing inAir 5000 is still a beast, going well today.

 

[phrehdd]

Pity the Homepod 2 doesn't have the connectivity specs that Era has - Wifi 6, USB-C for audio play and/or adapt to ethernet to router. This goes a long way for flexibility

 

[mtrm]

dumb question... can you do Stereo Pair with a couple Sonos 300's (Homekit/AirPlay stereo pair that is, like you can with HomePods)?

You can set them up as a stereo pair using the Sonos App as long as the two speakers are the same model. After that, AirPlay will see the pair as a single speaker.

 

[NicolasNadar]

Will these replace HomePods as a Home hub?

 

[SkiHound2]

Could I connect the Era 300 via Bluetooth or cable to my Philips TV for the sound while watching Netflix etc? I was looking for a device that allows me good enough „surround sound“ in the living room without requiring multiple boxes standing around the room.

Does your TV have HDMI arc? If so, have you considered the Beam 2? It's a little more expensive than the Era 300s but is designed for that role. The Beam 2 would also connect via optical cable. FWIW I recently added the mini sub to our Beam and couldn't really believe how much it enhanced the overall sound quality. Will likely add surrounds at some point. I'm no expert here but there's no reason the Era 300 wouldn't connect to your TV via bluetooth. That said, when I've tried using bluetooth audio devices with older TVs I've almost always had sync issues. With newer devices that issue may have been resolved. I've not heard it but I'd guess the Era 300 is better with music. I know they can be used as Television speakers but I really see them designed for music and as surround speakers in an Atmos system (like Arc, subwoofer, and 2 Era 300s) for a theater set up.

 

[dougw1025]

dumb question... can you do Stereo Pair with a couple Sonos 300's (Homekit/AirPlay stereo pair that is, like you can with HomePods)?

Yes

 

[Greybeard2017]

A pair of Era 300s vs Kef LSX IIs - anyone compared? Not much difference in price here.

 

[everlast3434]

Homepod has nothing on Sonos system!

 

[iksretep]

Homepod has nothing on Sonos system!

Recycle Mode? 🤔

 

[mcled53]

I have a pair of original homepods and They sound GREAT (when then work). I am continually unpairing and repairing them to make a stereo pair (on IOS). However, I suspect it's an IOS bug since they work very well on my Mac Mini as a pair. It's my iPhone 14 that seems to miss the left channel. What a ***** mess. Ans the Homekit app is almost worthless. This all started about 5 months ago after an IOS update. I also have a pair of homepod minis that work okay but sound like s*.

 

[siddavis]

Pity the Homepod 2 doesn't have the connectivity specs that Era has - Wifi 6, USB-C for audio play and/or adapt to ethernet to router. This goes a long way for flexibility

That's because those things didn't exist when it was designed almost a decade ago

 

[siddavis]

But do they have temperature sensors?

 

[CarlJ]

Recycle Mode? 🤔

A badly thought out plan, years ago, that they changed when people complained. It's not a thing any more and hasn't been for a long time.

 

[1madman1]

The capacity for a line input is a *must* for me. It's great that Sonos has expanded that offering rather than killing it like Apple.

I expect Apple wants you to remain captive in using their services.