Introduction
The Sonos Era 300 is a smart speaker that aims to provide an immersive listening experience. Positioned as a flagship speaker between the Era 100 and Sonos Five, it combines advanced audio technology with sleek design. In this review, we will delve into the various features and specifications of the Era 300 to see how it performs and whether it lives up to its promises.
Design and Build Quality
The Era 300 features an hourglass shape, which sets it apart from the more traditional rectangular designs commonly found in the market. The matte black finish adds a touch of elegance to the speaker, but it does come with a downside - it is prone to showing fingerprints and dust. However, this can be easily managed with regular cleaning.
One of the standout design elements of the Era 300 is the touch controls. Located on the top of the speaker, these controls allow users to adjust the volume and playback with a simple touch. The controls are responsive and intuitive, adding to the overall user experience. The build quality of the Era 300 is solid, with no noticeable flaws or issues.
Audio Performance
The audio performance of the Sonos Era 300 is exceptional. Equipped with two woofers and four tweeters, it delivers a powerful and immersive sound experience. The woofers provide deep bass and rich low-end frequencies, while the tweeters handle the mid and high-range frequencies with clarity and precision. Whether you're listening to music, watching movies, or playing games, the Era 300 delivers a well-balanced and detailed soundstage.
To optimize the audio output, the Era 300 utilizes Trueplay software. This software analyzes the speaker's surroundings and makes real-time adjustments to ensure the best possible sound quality. Whether the speaker is placed against a wall or in an open space, Trueplay makes sure that the audio is optimized for the specific environment. This feature adds an extra layer of customization and convenience to the listening experience.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The Sonos Era 300 supports Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, which is a significant advantage for future-proofing. Wi-Fi 6 offers faster speeds and better performance in congested areas, ensuring a stable and reliable connection. With Wi-Fi 6 support, the Era 300 is ready to handle the demands of future streaming services and technologies.
In terms of physical connectivity, the Era 300 features a USB-C port. This port can be used for line-in connection or to connect an ethernet adapter, providing flexibility for various setups. Whether you prefer a wired connection or want to integrate the Era 300 into your existing home network, the USB-C port offers a versatile solution.
Additionally, the Era 300 supports spatial audio from Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited. This allows you to enjoy a more immersive listening experience by creating a three-dimensional soundstage. Spatial audio adds depth and dimension to the music, making you feel like you're in the middle of a live performance.
Furthermore, the Era 300 can be paired with another Era 300 speaker for a stereo setup or with Sonos Arc/Beam soundbars for a complete home theater experience. This versatility allows you to customize your audio setup according to your preferences and room layout.
User Experience
While the Sonos app provides control over the Era 300, it has been described by some users as slow and not as user-friendly as other competing apps. Navigating through the app and accessing certain settings may take longer than expected, which can be frustrating for users who value efficiency and convenience. However, it's worth noting that the app does offer a wide range of features and customization options once you become familiar with its interface.
One notable drawback of the Era 300 is the lack of Google Voice Assistant and Chromecast support. For users heavily invested in the Google ecosystem, this omission can be a deal-breaker. It limits the voice control capabilities and the ability to stream content from certain apps. However, if you primarily use Apple devices or are not reliant on Google services, this may not be a significant drawback for you.
Pros and Cons
To summarize, here are the pros and cons of the Sonos Era 300:
Pros:
- Exceptional audio quality with powerful bass and clear highs
- Supports spatial audio for an immersive listening experience
- Can be paired with other Era 300 speakers or Sonos Arc/Beam soundbars for a complete home theater setup
- Future-proof with Wi-Fi 6 support
- Stylish hourglass design with intuitive touch controls
Cons:
- Lack of Google Voice Assistant and Chromecast support may disappoint Google ecosystem users
- Sonos app described as slow and not as user-friendly as competing apps
- Matte black finish prone to showing fingerprints and dust
Conclusion
The Sonos Era 300 is a flagship speaker that delivers exceptional audio quality and an immersive listening experience. With its powerful woofers and precise tweeters, it provides a well-balanced soundstage for a variety of content. The Trueplay software optimizes the audio output, ensuring the best possible sound quality in any environment.
While the Era 300 offers impressive features, it does have some drawbacks. The lack of Google Voice Assistant and Chromecast support may be disappointing for users heavily invested in the Google ecosystem. Additionally, the Sonos app has room for improvement in terms of speed and user-friendliness.
Overall, the Sonos Era 300 is a solid choice for those looking to elevate their home audio experience. Its exceptional audio performance, stylish design, and future-proof connectivity make it a versatile and reliable option. However, if you heavily rely on Google services or prioritize a faster and more user-friendly app, you may want to explore alternative options.
