Sonos Era 100 Falls to New Record Low, Now Cheaper Than Speakers With Mediocre Sound Quality - Kotaku

"For years, Sonos made its name with WiFi streaming alone, avoiding Bluetooth at all costs to keep audio quality high. It finally relented with portable speakers, realizing convenience does matter for some use cases without invalidating the core WiFi basis of what makes Sonos so great. The Era 100 competes directly with Bose and Sony's premium offerings while it currently sells for mid-range pricing that makes no sense given its capabilities."

"The next-generation processor handles more complex audio processing in real time and enables features that previous Sonos speakers couldn't support. Dual tweeters create genuine stereo separation from a single speaker, placing instruments and vocals in distinct left and right positions. This architecture produces a soundstage that fills rooms rather than feeling like sound emanates from a single point. The 25% larger midwoofer extends bass response deeper than the previous generation, and gives kick drums and bass lines actual impact without needing a separate subwoofer for most music."

"This compact design fits easily on bookshelves, kitchen counters, desks and nightstands. You place the speaker wherever you really spend time, rather than arranging furniture around audio equipment. The size makes it truly portable inside your home and moves from room to room as the day progresses with you. It weighs enough to feel substantial yet remains light enough to carry easily in one hand."

Sonos originally focused on Wi‑Fi streaming and added Bluetooth to support portable use without sacrificing Wi‑Fi strengths. The Era 100 competes with Bose and Sony models and sells at mid-range prices; an Amazon Black Friday price cut to $169 from $199 reached a record low. A 47% faster processor enables more complex real‑time audio processing. Dual tweeters deliver genuine stereo separation from a single speaker and a room‑filling soundstage. A 25% larger midwoofer extends bass response and adds impact that reduces the need for a separate subwoofer. The compact design is easy to place and move; Wi‑Fi streaming offers lossless playback via major services.

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