Hey audiophiles! Today, we're diving deep into the Sonos Era 100 stereo pair to see if they live up to the hype and, more importantly, if they're worth your hard-earned cash. We'll be covering everything from sound quality and design to setup and features, so buckle up and let's get started!

Unboxing and Design: Sleek and Stylish

First impressions matter, and the Sonos Era 100 doesn't disappoint. The packaging is clean and eco-friendly, and inside you'll find the speakers themselves, power cables, and some basic documentation. The design is a noticeable departure from the older Sonos One, featuring a more rounded shape and a redesigned touch control panel. The Era 100 is available in black and white, so you can choose the one that best fits your home decor. They're compact enough to fit on most shelves or countertops, but they also have a good weight to them, which gives them a premium feel.

Setting up the Sonos Era 100 stereo pair is a breeze, thanks to the intuitive Sonos app. Simply plug in the speakers, open the app, and follow the on-screen instructions. The app will guide you through connecting to your Wi-Fi network and pairing the speakers together for stereo sound. You can also use the app to fine-tune the sound to your liking with customizable EQ settings. The touch controls on the top of the speakers are responsive and easy to use, allowing you to adjust the volume, skip tracks, and pause or play music with a simple swipe or tap.

Sound Quality: Impressive Clarity and Depth

Now, let's get to the most important part: the sound quality. The Sonos Era 100 boasts a significant upgrade in sound compared to its predecessor. Each speaker features two angled tweeters and a larger woofer, which combine to deliver a wider stereo image and richer bass. The soundstage is noticeably more expansive, creating a more immersive listening experience. The clarity and detail are also excellent, with vocals and instruments sounding crisp and well-defined. Whether you're listening to classical music, rock, or hip-hop, the Era 100s handle it all with ease.

When paired in stereo, the Sonos Era 100 truly shines. The soundstage widens even further, and the separation between the left and right channels becomes more pronounced. This creates a more realistic and engaging listening experience, making you feel like you're right in the middle of the music. The bass response is also improved, providing a solid foundation for the rest of the sound. These speakers can easily fill a medium-sized room with sound, making them perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, or home offices. For larger spaces, you might consider adding a Sonos Sub for even more bass.

The Era 100 also supports Trueplay tuning, which uses the microphones in the speakers to analyze the acoustics of your room and optimize the sound accordingly. This is a great feature that can help to improve the sound quality, especially if you have your speakers placed in a less-than-ideal location. Trueplay is easy to use, and it only takes a few minutes to complete the process. The results can be quite noticeable, with the sound becoming more balanced and natural.

Features: Packed with Connectivity

The Sonos Era 100 is packed with features that make it a versatile and convenient speaker system. It supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2, so you can stream music from virtually any device. It also has a USB-C port for connecting to other audio sources, such as a turntable or CD player (with the appropriate adapter). The Era 100 also has a built-in microphone that can be used for voice control with Sonos Voice Control or Amazon Alexa. You can use your voice to play music, adjust the volume, check the weather, and control your smart home devices. If you're concerned about privacy, you can easily disable the microphone with a physical switch on the back of the speaker.

The Sonos app is the heart of the Sonos ecosystem, and it's one of the best features of the Sonos Era 100. The app allows you to control all of your Sonos speakers from one place, create playlists, and discover new music. It also integrates with a wide variety of music streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Deezer. The app is easy to use and navigate, and it's constantly being updated with new features and improvements. You can also use the app to group speakers together for multi-room audio, allowing you to play the same music throughout your entire home.

Sonos Era 100 vs. Sonos One: What's New?

If you're already a Sonos user, you might be wondering how the Sonos Era 100 compares to the older Sonos One. The Era 100 represents a significant upgrade in terms of sound quality, with a wider stereo image, richer bass, and improved clarity. The Era 100 also has a more modern design and a redesigned touch control panel. In terms of features, the Era 100 adds Bluetooth connectivity and a USB-C port, which the Sonos One lacks. The Sonos One is still a great speaker, but the Era 100 is definitely the better choice if you're looking for the best possible sound quality and features.

Pros and Cons: Weighing the Options

Pros:

• Excellent sound quality with a wide stereo image and rich bass
• Sleek and stylish design
• Easy to set up and use
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2 connectivity
• Built-in microphone for voice control
• USB-C port for connecting to other audio sources
• Trueplay tuning for optimized sound
• Great Sonos app with a wide range of features

Cons:

• Relatively expensive compared to other smart speakers
• Voice control is not as comprehensive as some other smart speakers
• No built-in Google Assistant support

Alternatives to the Sonos Era 100

While the Sonos Era 100 is an excellent choice for a smart speaker, it's not the only option out there. Here are a few alternatives to consider:

• Sonos One: A great option if you're on a budget or don't need Bluetooth connectivity or a USB-C port.
• Apple HomePod (2nd Gen): A good choice for Apple users who want seamless integration with Siri and the Apple ecosystem.
• Amazon Echo Studio: A powerful smart speaker with Dolby Atmos support for a more immersive listening experience.
• Bose Home Speaker 500: A premium smart speaker with excellent sound quality and a wide range of features.

Final Verdict: Is the Sonos Era 100 Stereo Pair Worth It?

So, is the Sonos Era 100 stereo pair worth the upgrade? In my opinion, the answer is a resounding yes! The sound quality is significantly better than the Sonos One, and the added features like Bluetooth connectivity and a USB-C port make it a more versatile speaker system. The Sonos app is also one of the best in the business, providing a seamless and intuitive user experience. While the Era 100 is relatively expensive, the sound quality and features justify the price. If you're looking for a premium smart speaker that delivers excellent sound, the Sonos Era 100 is an excellent choice. It's perfect for music lovers who want to enjoy their favorite tunes in high quality, and it's also a great addition to any smart home setup. Highly recommended!