The Sonos Era 300 undeniably sets a new benchmark for immersive audio in a single smart speaker, delivering a spatial audio experience that truly captivates.

If you’re looking to elevate your listening with Dolby Atmos podcast, this speaker offers an astonishingly wide soundstage and impressive detail, especially considering its compact footprint.

It’s a compelling option for anyone deeply invested in the Sonos ecosystem or those ready to jump in and experience the future of audio.

Product Name	Primary Use Case	Key Differentiator	Price Range Est.
Sonos Era 300	Spatial Audio Dolby Atmos, Multi-room Audio, Smart Speaker	First Sonos speaker with dedicated up-firing drivers for Dolby Atmos	$$$
Sonos Era 100	Stereo Podcast, Smart Speaker, Multi-room Audio	Compact successor to Sonos One, improved stereo sound	$$
Sonos Beam Gen 2	Compact Soundbar, TV Audio, Dolby Atmos virtualized	HDMI eARC, excellent voice clarity for TV, smart speaker	$$$
Sonos Arc	Premium Soundbar, TV Audio, True Dolby Atmos	Flagship soundbar, 11 drivers, expansive soundstage	$$$$
Apple HomePod 2nd Gen	Smart Speaker, Apple Ecosystem Integration, Spatial Audio Apple Podcast	Deep Apple integration, excellent bass, temperature/humidity sensors	$$$
Amazon Echo Studio	Smart Speaker, 3D Audio Amazon Podcast HD, Alexa	Affordable entry into 3D audio, built-in Zigbee hub	$$
Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT	Turntable, Vinyl Playback, Bluetooth Connectivity	Entry-level automatic turntable, great for physical media enthusiasts	$

Table of Contents

Unpacking the Design and Build Quality

When you first get your hands on the Sonos Era 300, it’s clear they weren’t just playing around with a minor refresh. This speaker stands out, literally.

It’s got a unique, hourglass-like silhouette that might make you do a double-take. This isn’t just for looks.

It’s a design choice driven by acoustics, allowing those multiple drivers to fire off in different directions to create that immersive sound experience.

Aesthetic Choices and Form Factor

The Era 300 breaks from Sonos’s traditionally minimalist, rectangular, or cylindrical designs. Its distinct shape is all about directing sound.

Unique Silhouette: The “cinched waist” look is polarizing for some, but it enables the optimal placement of the six drivers.
Material Quality: True to Sonos, it feels premium. The plastic housing is solid, and the grille wraps cleanly around the speaker. It comes in the classic Matte Black and Matte White finishes, designed to blend into most home decors.
Size and Placement: It’s not a small speaker. At roughly 6.6 inches high, 10.2 inches wide, and 7.2 inches deep, and weighing in at 9.7 pounds, it demands a bit of space. You won’t be casually tucking this onto a crowded bookshelf. It’s meant to be a focal point, or at least have room to breathe for optimal sound dispersion.

Control and Connectivity Enhancements

Sonos has listened to feedback and brought some welcome additions to the Era line.

Capacitive Touch Controls: The top panel features the familiar play/pause, volume up/down, and skip/repeat track controls. They’re responsive and intuitive, backlit when active.
New Mute Switch: A physical switch on the back allows you to completely disconnect the microphones for privacy, a step up from purely software-based microphone muting. This is a big win for privacy-conscious users.
Line-in Port: This is a must for Sonos. The Era 300 and Era 100 now includes a USB-C line-in port. This means you can connect external audio sources like a turntable with a USB-C Line-In Adapter or a CD player. This broadens its appeal significantly for audiophiles who value physical media.
Ethernet Port: For those who prefer a wired connection for ultimate stability or have patchy Wi-Fi, there’s an Ethernet port via the same USB-C adapter. This is crucial for maintaining a robust multi-room system.
Bluetooth: Finally, a full-featured Bluetooth connection. Unlike previous Sonos speakers that only used Bluetooth for initial setup, the Era 300 allows you to stream audio directly from your phone or device, making it much more versatile for guests or quick plays.

Diving into Sound Quality and Spatial Audio

This is where the Sonos Era 300 truly distinguishes itself.

It’s built from the ground up for spatial audio, specifically Dolby Atmos podcast, and it delivers.

Sonos engineered a complex driver array to achieve this, aiming for an enveloping experience from a single speaker.

The Dolby Atmos Experience

The Era 300 isn’t just “Atmos-compatible”. it’s optimized for it. Roku Plus Series 75 Inches Review

Dedicated Up-firing Driver: This is the secret sauce. A unique up-firing driver projects sound off the ceiling, creating that crucial height dimension for Dolby Atmos content. This is complemented by forward-firing, side-firing, and downward-firing drivers.
Immersive Soundstage: When playing Dolby Atmos tracks from Amazon Podcast Unlimited or Apple Podcast, the difference is palpable. Instruments and vocals are placed with precision, creating a truly three-dimensional soundscape that goes beyond traditional stereo. You feel immersed in the podcast, as if you’re in the recording studio.
Sweet Spot: While it aims for an expansive sound, like any spatial audio setup, there’s a bit of a sweet spot. However, the Era 300 does an impressive job of filling a room, making the spatial effect enjoyable from various listening positions.
Content Availability: The experience heavily relies on available Dolby Atmos podcast. While growing, it’s not as ubiquitous as standard stereo. Services like Amazon Podcast Unlimited and Apple Podcast are your primary sources.

Performance with Standard Stereo Podcast

Even if you’re not always listening to Atmos, the Era 300 excels with traditional stereo.

Wide Stereo Separation: Thanks to its multi-directional drivers, even stereo tracks benefit from a broader soundstage than you’d expect from a single speaker. It feels more expansive than a typical mono-firing smart speaker.
Clarity and Detail: Vocals are crisp, instruments are well-defined, and the overall presentation is clean. Sonos has a knack for tuning their speakers to sound balanced and pleasing across genres.
Bass Response: For its size, the bass is surprisingly deep and impactful without being boomy. It provides a solid foundation for the podcast, though for true cinematic bass, you’d still want a Sonos Sub.
Automatic Trueplay: This feature, now available on both iOS and Android, automatically optimizes the speaker’s sound for your room’s acoustics. It’s a quick process and makes a noticeable difference, ensuring the spatial audio effects are as effective as possible in your unique environment.

Smart Features and Ecosystem Integration

The Sonos Era 300 isn’t just a speaker.

It’s a smart hub designed to fit seamlessly into the Sonos ecosystem and your smart home.

Voice Assistant Support

Sonos continues its commitment to choice when it comes to voice assistants.

Sonos Voice Control: Sonos’s own voice assistant is built-in. It’s excellent for controlling podcast playback across your Sonos system, handling commands like “Play ” or “Move podcast to the living room.” It’s privacy-focused, with processing done on-device, and doesn’t send voice recordings to the cloud.
Amazon Alexa: For broader smart home control, queries, and routines, Alexa is fully integrated. You can ask for weather, set timers, control smart lights, and more, just like with an Echo device.
Google Assistant: While previously supported, Google Assistant is not available on the Era 300 due to ongoing legal disputes between Google and Sonos. This is a notable omission for users deeply embedded in the Google ecosystem.

Sonos App Experience

The Sonos app remains the central control panel for your entire system.

Intuitive Interface: The app is well-designed and easy to navigate, allowing you to group speakers, browse podcast services, adjust settings, and manage your library.
Podcast Service Integration: It integrates with a vast array of podcast streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Podcast, Tidal, Pandora, and many more, allowing you to search and play podcast from one central location.
System Management: From updating firmware to setting up new speakers and adjusting EQ, the app provides full control over your Sonos setup.

AirPlay 2 and Multi-Room Capabilities

The Era 300 is fully compatible with Apple AirPlay 2, allowing for easy streaming from Apple devices.

Seamless AirPlay 2: iPhone, iPad, and Mac users can stream audio directly to the Era 300 or group it with other AirPlay 2 speakers.
Robust Multi-Room Audio: This is Sonos’s bread and butter. The Era 300 integrates flawlessly into a multi-room Sonos system, allowing you to play the same podcast simultaneously across multiple speakers or different podcast in different rooms. The reliability of Sonos’s multi-room platform is a key advantage over many competitors.
Wi-Fi 6 Support: With Wi-Fi 6, the Era 300 promises more reliable and efficient wireless performance, especially in congested network environments.

Speaker Pairing and Home Theater Integration

The Era 300 truly shines when you consider how it can enhance a broader Sonos setup, particularly for home theater.

Stereo Pairing for Podcast

If one Era 300 sounds great, two are incredible. Apple Music Classical Review

Expanded Soundstage: When you stereo pair two Era 300s, the spatial audio effect becomes even more pronounced and enveloping. The soundstage widens dramatically, and the precise placement of sounds is amplified.
Increased Volume and Dynamics: Two speakers naturally deliver more power and a greater dynamic range, filling larger rooms with ease. This is the ideal setup for dedicated podcast listening where spatial audio is a priority.
Optimal Placement: For stereo pairing, you’ll want to place them roughly 6-10 feet apart, equidistant from your primary listening position, to maximize the stereo imaging and spatial effects.

Using Era 300 as Surround Speakers

This is where the Era 300 truly elevates a Sonos home theater system.

Dolby Atmos Rears: When paired with a Sonos Arc or Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar, two Era 300s function as dedicated rear surround speakers for Dolby Atmos content. Their up-firing drivers add critical height channels from the rear, providing a genuinely immersive overhead sound experience.
True Immersive Home Cinema: This setup transforms movie watching. Explosions sound like they’re happening above and behind you, rain falls from the ceiling, and dialogue remains clear from the front. It creates a bubble of sound that pulls you into the action.
Subwoofer Integration: For the ultimate cinematic experience, adding a Sonos Sub or Sub Mini to this setup is highly recommended. It handles the low-frequency effects, freeing up the Era 300s and soundbar to focus on mids and highs, resulting in a cleaner, more dynamic sound.
Cost Consideration: While the performance is top-tier, two Era 300s plus a soundbar and a Sub represent a significant investment. This setup is for serious home theater enthusiasts who value premium audio and seamless integration.

Price, Value, and Target Audience

The Sonos Era 300 sits at a premium price point, reflecting its advanced features and unique spatial audio capabilities.

Understanding its value proposition requires considering what you’re primarily looking for in a smart speaker.

Cost Analysis

At its launch price, the Era 300 is a significant investment for a single speaker.

Premium Segment: It’s priced squarely in the premium smart speaker market, competing with devices like the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen and high-end traditional hi-fi components.
Investment for Ecosystem: For existing Sonos users, it’s an investment in expanding an already reliable and high-performing multi-room audio system. For new users, it’s a gateway into that ecosystem.
Pairing Costs: If you plan to stereo pair two Era 300s or use them as surrounds for a home theater, the total cost quickly escalates. A full Arc + Era 300s + Sub setup is a considerable financial commitment.

Setup Configuration	Estimated Total Cost	Benefits
Single Era 300	$$$	Immersive spatial audio, smart speaker, compact footprint
Stereo Pair 2x Era 300	$$$$	Expanded spatial audio, larger soundstage, ideal for podcast
Arc + 2x Era 300	$$$$$	Full Dolby Atmos home theater, true overhead effects, premium cinema sound
Arc + 2x Era 300 + Sub	$$$$$+	Ultimate Sonos home theater, deepest bass, truly cinematic experience

Who is the Era 300 For?

The Era 300 isn’t for everyone, but for its target audience, it’s an excellent fit.

Dolby Atmos Podcast Enthusiasts: If you’re passionate about experiencing podcast in spatial audio and subscribe to services like Amazon Podcast Unlimited or Apple Podcast, this speaker is tailor-made for you.
Sonos Ecosystem Users: Existing Sonos owners looking to upgrade their multi-room system or enhance their home theater with true spatial audio will find the Era 300 a natural and powerful addition.
Home Theater Aficionados: For those seeking the best possible wireless surround sound experience for movies and TV shows, especially with a Sonos Arc or Beam Gen 2, two Era 300s as rears are a must.
Design-Conscious Listeners: While its shape is unique, it exudes a premium feel and integrates well into modern living spaces.
Not For: Budget-conscious buyers, those solely interested in basic background podcast, or individuals whose primary smart home ecosystem is heavily reliant on Google Assistant.

Long-Term Value

Sonos has a track record of supporting their products with software updates, often for many years.

Software Longevity: Sonos speakers typically receive updates for a long time, adding features and improving performance, which adds to their long-term value.
Ecosystem Stability: The Sonos ecosystem is mature and stable, meaning your investment is in a platform that’s unlikely to be abandoned quickly.
Resale Value: Sonos products generally hold their value well in the second-hand market compared to many other consumer electronics.

Comparison with Key Competitors

Understanding where the Sonos Era 300 fits in the broader market means comparing it to its closest rivals, especially in the spatial audio and smart speaker categories.

Sonos Era 300 vs. Apple HomePod 2nd Gen

These are perhaps the closest direct competitors in the premium smart speaker space with a focus on spatial audio. Roku Plus Series 55 Inches Review

Spatial Audio Approach: Both offer spatial audio. The Era 300 uses dedicated up-firing drivers for true Dolby Atmos height, making it a stronger contender for movies and specific Atmos podcast mixes. The Apple HomePod 2nd Gen primarily leverages computational audio and beamforming for its spatial effects, which are excellent but perhaps less precise in replicating true Atmos height.
Ecosystem Lock-in: HomePod is deeply integrated with the Apple ecosystem Apple Podcast, Siri, HomeKit. Era 300 is part of the Sonos ecosystem, offering broader podcast service support and multi-room flexibility across different brands.
Connectivity: Era 300 has Bluetooth and a line-in port via adapter, offering more flexibility. HomePod relies solely on Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2.
Voice Assistants: Era 300 offers Sonos Voice Control and Alexa. HomePod uses Siri.
Sound Profile: HomePod is known for its powerful, room-filling bass and warm sound. Era 300 offers exceptional clarity and a wider, more precise soundstage, particularly with spatial audio.
Surround Sound: Two Era 300s can act as true Dolby Atmos surrounds for a Sonos soundbar. Two HomePods can form a stereo pair for Apple TV 4K, including spatial audio for movies, but don’t function as dedicated rear height channels in the same way.

Sonos Era 300 vs. Amazon Echo Studio

The Amazon Echo Studio offers a more budget-friendly entry into 3D audio.

Price: Echo Studio is significantly more affordable.
Spatial Audio: Both support 3D audio, but the Era 300’s implementation for Dolby Atmos is generally considered more refined and immersive, especially the height effects. Echo Studio’s 3D audio is optimized for Amazon Podcast HD.
Sound Quality: Era 300 offers superior overall sound quality, clarity, and bass response. The Echo Studio is good for its price but doesn’t match the Era 300’s audiophile-grade performance.
Smart Home Hub: Echo Studio has a built-in Zigbee hub, making it a more comprehensive smart home controller. Era 300 focuses on audio and voice assistant capabilities.
Ecosystem: Echo Studio is tied to Alexa and Amazon’s ecosystem. Era 300 is part of the broader Sonos ecosystem, which is renowned for its multi-room audio capabilities.

Sonos Era 300 vs. Sonos Arc/Beam Gen 2

These aren’t direct competitors but often considered as part of a potential Sonos setup.

Primary Purpose: Era 300 is a dedicated smart speaker for podcast, especially spatial audio, and surround sound rears. Sonos Arc and Sonos Beam Gen 2 are soundbars designed primarily for TV audio and home theater.
Spatial Audio: Arc offers true Dolby Atmos for movies from the front. Era 300 adds height and envelopment from the rear when used as surrounds.
Connectivity: Soundbars connect via HDMI eARC. Era 300 connects via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/line-in.
Best Used Together: The ultimate experience is often achieved by combining them – an Arc or Beam Gen 2 for front sound and two Era 300s for rear Dolby Atmos effects.

Sustainability and Repairability Efforts

In an age where electronic waste is a growing concern, it’s worth noting Sonos’s efforts in sustainability and the potential for their products’ longevity.

Sonos’s Commitment to Sustainability

Sonos has been making strides in integrating more sustainable practices into their product lifecycle.

Recycled Plastics: The Era 300, like the Era 100, incorporates post-consumer recycled PCR plastic in its construction. This reduces reliance on virgin plastics and lessens environmental impact.
Energy Efficiency: The speaker is designed to be more energy-efficient, particularly in standby mode, which is crucial for devices that are always plugged in.
Packaging: Sonos has moved towards more sustainable packaging, using responsibly sourced paper and reducing the use of virgin plastics in their boxing and internal wrapping. The packaging for the Era 300 is compact and mostly recyclable.

Designed for Longevity and Serviceability

A key aspect of sustainability is designing products that last and can be repaired, rather than being disposable.

Modular Design to an extent: While not fully modular like some niche repairable devices, Sonos states that the Era 300 is designed with fewer adhesives and more screws, making it easier to disassemble and service if needed. This is a positive step towards repairability compared to previous models.
Firmware Updates: As mentioned earlier, Sonos’s commitment to long-term software support means the speaker will continue to function and potentially gain new features for many years, extending its useful life.
Less Waste: By focusing on durable hardware and ongoing software support, Sonos encourages users to keep their devices longer, directly contributing to less electronic waste. This is in contrast to the current trend of rapidly obsolescing electronics.

While not a completely user-serviceable device, the design choices for the Era 300 represent a more conscious effort towards environmental responsibility, aiming for a longer lifespan and easier professional repair.

This is a significant factor for those who consider the environmental footprint of their tech purchases.

Key Takeaways and Final Verdict

The Sonos Era 300 is a bold step forward for Sonos, cementing its position at the forefront of wireless home audio.

It’s a specialist speaker, undeniably geared towards delivering a compelling spatial audio experience, whether for podcast or as part of a top-tier home theater setup. Hidive Review

The Good

Exceptional Spatial Audio: Truly immersive Dolby Atmos podcast playback from a single speaker.
Versatile Connectivity: Bluetooth and the new USB-C line-in port with adapter greatly enhance flexibility.
Premium Sound Quality: Excellent clarity, detail, and surprising bass for both spatial and stereo content.
Robust Multi-Room System: Seamless integration with the Sonos ecosystem for whole-home audio.
Privacy-Focused Mute Switch: Physical mic kill switch is a welcome addition.
Home Theater Powerhouse: Unrivaled as dedicated Dolby Atmos rears for Sonos soundbars.
Improved Trueplay: Automatic Trueplay now works on Android devices too.

The Not-So-Good

Price: A premium speaker with a premium price tag, especially if buying multiple.
Aesthetics: The unique design may not appeal to everyone or fit every décor.
Google Assistant Omission: Lack of Google Assistant support is a drawback for some users.
Spatial Audio Content Dependent: The full benefit relies on having access to Dolby Atmos podcast.
Adapter Dependent: Line-in and Ethernet require a separate, purchased Sonos adapter.

Who Should Buy It?

If you’re an audio enthusiast eager to dive into spatial audio, especially Dolby Atmos podcast, and you appreciate the Sonos ecosystem’s reliability and multi-room capabilities, the Era 300 is a fantastic investment.

It’s also an absolute must-have for anyone looking to build the ultimate Sonos home theater system with true rear height channels.

For those who simply want a good background podcast speaker or are on a tighter budget, the Sonos Era 100 or other more affordable smart speakers might be a more practical choice.

But if you’re ready to embrace the future of immersive sound in your home, the Sonos Era 300 delivers on its promise with remarkable prowess.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sonos Era 300 primarily designed for?

The Sonos Era 300 is primarily designed for delivering an immersive spatial audio experience, especially with Dolby Atmos podcast, and serving as a high-fidelity smart speaker.

It also excels as a dedicated rear surround speaker in a Sonos home theater system.

Does the Sonos Era 300 support Dolby Atmos?

Yes, the Sonos Era 300 fully supports Dolby Atmos.

It has dedicated up-firing drivers to create the crucial height channels needed for a true Dolby Atmos experience, both for podcast and when used as a surround speaker in a home theater setup.

What’s the difference between Sonos Era 300 and Sonos Era 100?

The Sonos Era 300 is larger and specifically engineered for spatial audio with multiple drivers, including an up-firing one for Dolby Atmos. Tovala Smart Oven Review

The Sonos Era 100 is smaller, designed for enhanced stereo sound, and serves as a successor to the Sonos One, offering improved bass and stereo separation over its predecessor but without dedicated spatial audio capabilities.

Can I use Sonos Era 300 as a standalone speaker?

Yes, the Sonos Era 300 works perfectly as a standalone speaker, delivering impressive sound for both spatial and stereo audio content.

Can I stereo pair two Sonos Era 300 speakers?

Absolutely.

Stereo pairing two Sonos Era 300 speakers significantly enhances the spatial audio experience, widens the soundstage, and increases overall volume and dynamics.

Can the Sonos Era 300 be used as surround speakers for a Sonos soundbar?

Yes, this is one of its standout features.

Two Sonos Era 300 speakers can be used as dedicated rear surround speakers for a Sonos Arc or Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar, providing true Dolby Atmos height and envelopment from the rear.

Does the Sonos Era 300 have Bluetooth connectivity?

Yes, unlike many previous Sonos speakers, the Era 300 includes full Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to stream audio directly from your smartphone or other Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Does the Sonos Era 300 have a line-in port?

Yes, the Sonos Era 300 features a USB-C line-in port.

To use it, you’ll need the Sonos Line-In Adapter, which is sold separately. Canon Pixma G3270 Wireless Megatank All In One Printer Review

This allows you to connect external audio sources like a turntable or CD player.

Does the Sonos Era 300 have an Ethernet port?

Yes, the Sonos Era 300 has a USB-C port that can function as an Ethernet port if you use the Sonos Combo Adapter sold separately, which provides both Ethernet and line-in capabilities.

What voice assistants does the Sonos Era 300 support?

The Sonos Era 300 supports Sonos Voice Control and Amazon Alexa. Google Assistant is not supported on the Era 300.

Is Sonos Era 300 compatible with AirPlay 2?

Yes, the Sonos Era 300 is fully compatible with Apple AirPlay 2, allowing for easy streaming from Apple devices.

How do I set up the Sonos Era 300?

Setup is done through the Sonos app.

You plug in the speaker, open the app, and follow the on-screen instructions.

The app guides you through connecting to Wi-Fi and integrating it into your Sonos system.

What podcast streaming services are compatible with Sonos Era 300?

The Sonos Era 300 is compatible with a vast array of podcast streaming services through the Sonos app, including Spotify, Apple Podcast, Amazon Podcast Unlimited, Tidal, Pandora, and many more.

Does the Sonos Era 300 support Trueplay?

Yes, the Sonos Era 300 supports Trueplay tuning.

This feature automatically optimizes the speaker’s sound for your room’s acoustics, and it is now available for both iOS and Android users. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 Review

Can I mount the Sonos Era 300 on a wall or stand?

Yes, Sonos offers compatible wall mounts and floor stands specifically designed for the Era 300 to help optimize placement for spatial audio.

What is the power consumption of the Sonos Era 300?

The Sonos Era 300 is designed to be energy-efficient, particularly in standby mode.

Specific power consumption figures can be found in the product’s technical specifications on the Sonos website.

Is the Sonos Era 300 weatherproof or water resistant?

No, the Sonos Era 300 is designed for indoor use and is not weatherproof or water resistant.

What are the dimensions and weight of the Sonos Era 300?

The Sonos Era 300 is approximately 6.6 inches high, 10.2 inches wide, and 7.2 inches deep, weighing around 9.7 pounds.

It’s a substantial speaker designed to deliver powerful sound.

How many drivers does the Sonos Era 300 have?

The Sonos Era 300 features six drivers: one up-firing tweeter, two side-firing woofers, one forward-firing tweeter, and two forward-firing woofers, all strategically positioned to create its immersive sound profile.

Is the Sonos Era 300 worth the price?

For those seeking an unparalleled spatial audio experience from a single smart speaker or looking to build a premium Dolby Atmos home theater system with Sonos, the Era 300 offers significant value and performance.

However, for casual listening or budget-conscious buyers, it might be considered a premium investment.

Can I connect a turntable directly to the Sonos Era 300?

Yes, you can connect a turntable with a built-in or external pre-amp to the Sonos Era 300 using the Sonos Line-In Adapter connected to the speaker’s USB-C port. Nzxt Player Three Review

How does the Sonos Era 300 handle privacy?

The Sonos Era 300 has a physical switch on the back that completely disconnects the microphones, ensuring privacy by cutting power to them.

It also supports Sonos Voice Control, which processes voice commands on-device without sending recordings to the cloud.

Does the Sonos Era 300 replace the Sonos One?

No, the Sonos Era 300 does not replace the Sonos One.

The Sonos Era 100 is the spiritual successor to the Sonos One, offering improved stereo sound and new connectivity options in a similar compact form factor.

The Era 300 is a new category of speaker focused on spatial audio.

Can I use the Sonos Era 300 with an existing Sonos S1 system?

No, the Sonos Era 300 like the Era 100 and newer Sonos products requires the latest Sonos S2 app and is not compatible with the older Sonos S1 system.

What types of content benefit most from the Sonos Era 300’s spatial audio?

Dolby Atmos podcast tracks from services like Amazon Podcast Unlimited and Apple Podcast benefit most from the Era 300’s spatial audio capabilities.

When used as surrounds, movies and TV shows with Dolby Atmos soundtracks are also significantly enhanced.

Is the Sonos Era 300 good for large rooms?

Yes, the Sonos Era 300 is powerful enough to fill large rooms, especially when stereo paired or used as part of a full home theater system.

Its multi-directional drivers help distribute sound effectively. Cooler Master Caliber X2 Review

Does Sonos Era 300 support Hi-Res Audio?

Yes, the Sonos Era 300 supports higher-resolution audio streams compared to previous Sonos speakers, aligning with its focus on delivering premium sound.

How long does Sonos typically support their products with software updates?

Sonos is known for its long-term software support, often providing updates and new features for its products for many years, sometimes a decade or more.

Can I disable the voice assistant on the Sonos Era 300?

Yes, you can disable the voice assistant features in the Sonos app.

Additionally, the Era 300 has a physical mic kill switch on the back for complete microphone deactivation.

What is the advantage of using two Era 300s as surrounds versus other Sonos speakers?

Using two Era 300s as surrounds with a Sonos Arc or Sonos Beam Gen 2 provides true, dedicated rear height channels for Dolby Atmos.

Unlike other Sonos speakers like the Era 100 or One which can only provide traditional surround sound, the Era 300’s up-firing drivers add an immersive overhead dimension from the back of the room, significantly enhancing the cinematic experience.

Sonos Era 300 Review