ERA 300 test

People who know the “Sonos paw” will not be disoriented ! The American company is known for its meticulous work that respects basic materials, the choices of artists. Unlike brands like Bose or Apple that have very marked sound signatures, with an algorithm that works hard to flatter your ear, Sonos chooses a much more balanced sound. Two things particularly hit the ear on the ERA 300:

Sonos Era 300 test: a new icon

Presented at the same time as the ERA 100, the ERA 300 embodies the mid -range of Sonos speakers. Its particularity: spatialized sound. We tested it.

Posted May 16, 2023 at 8:00 p.m

Sonos chose 2023 to renew part of its catalog of connected speakers. While the ERA 100 succeeds the excellent Sonos One, The ERA 300 is positioned as a mid -range model At enticing promises.

On the program, an original design, an opening of the Sonos ecosystem (a little) and, above all, a sound to the manufacturer’s signature. Cherry on the soundtrack, Sonos adds spatial audio to, in particular, offer a home cinema experience.

An attractive experience on paper that we obviously wanted to try. so here’s Our full test of the Sonos ERA 300.

Price and availability of the Sonos ERA 300

Sonos offers Son ERA 300 at a price of 499 euros. A price that positions the speaker on the mid -range segment from Sonos.

ERA 100 embodies the entry -level model from Sonos. More affordable, it necessarily involves making some compromise.

ERA 300 at the best price basic price: € 499

Space design

The least we can say is that Sonos played the change card. The ERA 300 is not like any other brand speaker. Besides, it is not like any other pregnant at all times.

Always with the same care given to the finishes (with an increasingly important recycled volume of materials), Sonos has made the daring betting of rounded lines in the shape of 8 lying. Some will see a VR helmet with XXL dimensions with a grid on the front overhung from the brand logo.

As elegant as it is confusing, This design has at least the merit of leaving no one indifferent. The ERA 300 will therefore easily invite itself into modern and minimalist style furniture, provided you leave a little room.

Far from being as massive as a Google Home Max in its time, it remains an imposing speaker. We could place it between a HomePod 2 and a Google Home Max. A nice baby all the same.

We will not dwell on the arrangement of orders, in every way identical to that of the ERA 100, which we have already tested.

Roughly speaking, Sonos opts for a tactile surface with a gutter for volume management. Simple, effective.

No changes either on the back of the speaker. We find a button for Bluetooth, one to activate/deactivate the microphone and a USB-C port to connect an audio source for example (we will come back to it).

Sonos ecosystem

The ERA 300 is part of the Sonos ecosystem with what has good and bad.

Let’s start with the bad: Alexa and the Sonos assistant are the only two assistants Supported by the enclosure, like the rest of the Sonos ecosystem. A case of patents opposing the brand to Google prevents the integration of Google Assistant, to our great dismay.

Another disappointment: the opening to Android is not entirely complete. Trueplay, (Technology to calibrate the sound of the speaker) only works optimally with iOS.

Indeed, to enjoy a calibration with small onions, you will have to walk with your iPhone in the room chosen with the Sonos Open application. For Android, none of this. Automatic sound calibration, not requiring to move is also available for Android users. But Sonos specifies that the calibration is then “Less precise”.

Fortunately, in fact, Difficult to see a difference between the automatic trueplay and the classic trueplay. But, all the same, this different treatment between the two systems grieves us.

You remember the USB-C that we mentioned above ? He alone testifies to the desire to open Sonos. Well almost. If it allows you to open the field of possible by connecting any device to the ERA 300 (vinyl plate for example), you will have to go to the checkout (25 euros) to offer you the USB-C/Jack adapter proposed by the brand. Average as practical.

Finally, it should be noted that Sonos incorporates Bluetooth connectivity, Again in its big opening movement. It may be a detail for you, for those who know Sonos products that means a lot. Historically, the manufacturer reserves this connectivity to nomadic speakers. It’s over, and that’s good.

Sonos’ spatial conquest (audio) conquest

Let’s get to the heart of the matter: what is the sound that escapes from this ERA 300 is worth ? In a word: excellent.

To deliver a sound worthy of its reputation, Sonos has equipped its ERA 300 with six speakers (two medium/serious on the sides and four tweeters on the top, the front, the left and the right.

Above all, ERA 300 is invited to the land of HomePod 2 With the management of Dolby Atmos, allowing it to deliver a spatialized sound from the compatible content (mainly Apple Music and Amazon Music).

The result is at least as good as in the apple with, as a bonus, the signature sonos. In other words, it comes to and it sounds right.

Sonos sound is characterized in particular by its controlled, neither too powerful nor too discreet bass, bringing roundness to the whole. Mediums and acute are also perfectly adjusted. A little happiness for the ears.

Designed for home cinema ?

Like the Homepod, the ERA 300 can sing in duo. Understand that by combining two speakers, you can enjoy a home cinema set with small onions.

The configuration is extremely simple since the application proposes to associate the two speakers as soon as the second is light. A bit like Apple with its homepod.

However, unlike Apple which allows you to associate its homepods in a jiffy with an Apple TV for example, at Sonos it will be necessary to use a soundbar for example to make the bridge between the two speakers. This therefore implies an additional investment that is starting to weigh heavily on finances.

And to enjoy a spatialized experience in Dolby Atmos, you will even have to go through a second generation Sonos Beam. So plan a nice check if you plan to use the ERA 300 as a home cinema speaker.

Otherwise, you can also use the two audio speakers in stereo. The spatialization of the sound will then be much more marked. And we don’t even talk about sound power: “Boom boom in the ears ! »»

Sonos Era 300 Test

High tech test test: I spent a month with 2 Sonos Era 300 speakers and I don’t want to send them back

5 Posted on 05/14/2023 at 7:30 p.m

Hadrian closely follows all tech products outings and he has a research master (and mention TB please). His curiosity, his ability to read scientific papers and his love for tech push him to follow the latest advances closely.

In the spring of 2023, Sonos announced its very first Dolby Atmos and Space Audio speaker: the ERA 300. I then contacted the brand to test this promising new product. I was not deceived.

Summary

• Design: the Sonos Era 300 Pue the Premium
• Connectivity and features: The Sonos ERA 300 is anchored in line with its manufacturer
  • Application and calibration: Another small advantage for iPhone owners
  • Voice assistants: Alexa and Sonos Voice Control respond present
  • Frequency response of the Sonos ERA 300: Watch out for bass !
  • The slap of spatialized music

  Dimensions	26x16x18.5 cm
  Weight	4.5 kg
  Number of speakers	6
  Vocal assistants	Yes (Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Control)
  Connectivity	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C
  Battery	None (wired speaker)
  Starting price	499 €

  Design: the Sonos Era 300 Pue the Premium

  By receiving the ERA 300 at home, I immediately noted this speaker was not like the others. I only had a simple cardboard in my hands. Sonos managed the feat of giving a simple box a premium look and an easy/elegant opening while showing the business efforts in terms of ecology. Very little overpacking, very little ink and plastic used. Before even opening the beast, there is a first good point.

  

  Do not go out on packaging, it’s time to get the ERA 300 out of its case. What struck me in the second place is The weight of the object. This strictly wired speaker has quite impressive dimensions: 26 centimeters wide, 16 centimeters high, 18.5 centimeters high. All weighs 4.5 kilos. In addition to the speaker, the cardboard contains a small booklet, a cable (it is a wired speaker) and. that’s all. Sober, simple, efficient.

  Now let’s look at the product and observe it from every angle. Sonos lent me the ERA 300 in its two colors, so I have a black and a white. Between meticulous analysis and use over a few weeks, I noticed a minor defect specific to each color.

  • Always in an ecological approach, Sonos has worked on the repairability of its products. The ERA 300 does not present any glue brand or apparent screw: All the different elements of the enclosure fit together. It is a good thing in itself, but it necessarily leads to a slight game between two pieces. On the ERA 300 white, this slight game is noticed with the naked eye (we observe small spaces which form black lines in the middle of the immaculate ERA 300 white).

  

  • This finish detail poses no problem on the black model as it is not very visible. Except that another little concern is found in use on this dark version: It is sensitive to dust and fingerprints. We will have to take great care of the product and clean it regularly if you want it to be clear permanently.

  

  That being said, nothing remains to be emphasized than positive. The original shape of the object has been designed for space audio, the materials are quality, everything is solid and well constructed. The small haptic pimples above the enclosure, especially that to manage the volume, prove to be very pleasant under the finger and particularly pleasant to caress.

  Connectivity and features: The Sonos ERA 300 is anchored in line with its manufacturer

  Here we are entering what is the strength of the American manufacturer. In line with all Sonos products, the ERA 300 is a hyper-connected product and full of functions as useful as they are innovative.

  Application and calibration: Another small advantage for iPhone owners

  The ERA 300 is a mainly wireless speaker, therefore Wi-Fi (Sonos, Airplay, Spotify Connect application. ) and Bluetooth. It is possible to plug in what you want, including an adapator taken helmet (sold separately. ) on a USB-C port on the back of the beast, but this use is only secondary for people attached to the Sonos brand and used to wireless. We see it as soon as you start the ERA 300: when you turn it on for the first time, you will imperatively go through a start -up stage using the Sonos application. So your Wi-Fi connection. You are immediately put in front of a quick and clear tutorial to connect the ERA 300 to your Internet box.

  That said, the application invites you to calibrate the speaker before using it. We advise you to do so. Especially if you have an iPhone. Indeed, Android users will only be entitled to “rapid calibration”. The principle is the same as with just about all the other products that offer an autonomous calibration system: the Emmetry Sounds, sound waves will bounce on objects around the product (walls, furniture, curtains. ) then come back to type in the microphones of the ERA 300. From the information received in the microphones, the speaker will slightly adjust its transcription of the different frequencies. What to think of this fast calibration ? Well. it is complicated. There are indeed pre and post calibration differences, but they are fine, and do not always correct the very light defects of the ERA 300.

  The best is to exploit the famous “TruePlay”, an advanced calibration available only for people under iOS. How does it work ? The speaker will issue sounds and it is the microphone of your iPhone that will capture them. You must move in silence throughout the room in which the product is placed by waving your smartphone from top to bottom. Using the phone’s microphone, the ERA 300 captures the accoustics of the room much better and its precise placement in the latter. Trueplay makes the difference: we feel a clear improvement in sound once the product is calibrated.

  

  The ultra -complete, fluid and intuitive Sonos application also allows a manual calibration Through a small equalizer. Overall, the app is full of features and it is quite pleasant to walk around to discover everything ! You can connect your favorite streaming service there, but we recommend Apple Music more warmly, for maximum quality (lossless) and for space audio. We will come back.

  Voice assistants: Alexa and Sonos Voice Control respond present

  In good connected speaker, the ERA 300 can be controllable by voice using 2 voice assistants: Alexa and Sonos Voice Control. First thing to note: Where is Google Assistant ? If the absence of Siri is normal, Apple keeps its assistant exclusive to its products, that of Google Assistant is much more noticed. The users and users of the Google ecosystem find themselves disadvantaged, forced to use several different voice assistants.

  Now that we have talked about what is missing, let’s go back to the basics: what is there, starting with the Sonos Maison Vocal Assistant. Sonos Voice Control is a very young AI developed by French, Cocorico ! Slightly less successful than Alexa, that’s quite normal, SVC nevertheless includes all vocal orders linked to the world of audio in general and Sonos in particular. Very concrete example: since the Sonos ecosystem is modular as desired, when you have two speakers, you can ask Sonos Voice Control to go into multi-room (play the same piece in several rooms at the same time) with a lot of formulations possible. Conversely, you can use the two stereo speakers to enlarge the sound scene more than ever.

  Alexa, faithful to himself, is an extremely efficient vocal assistant. From volume control to the weather, Alexa can respond to more or less all your requests.

  Two important points must be emphasized here:

  

  • There is a button on the speaker to activate or deactivate the microphone. If you are afraid that the Jeff Bezos firm will watch you, you are free to cut short any suspicion.
  • Regardless of the voice assistant you use, it reacts to your commands in a remarkably precise way. Even with high volume music embellished with several parasitic backgrounds, the microphones of the ERA 300 detect your voice. If you are not in the same room as the enclosure, it will be necessary to slightly raise the tone, but, overall, The quality of voice detection and the fluidity of the responses are very surprising, not to say stunning.

  Sound quality of the Sonos ERA 300: Yes, Dolby Atmos and the Audio space change everything

  Frequency response of the Sonos ERA 300: Watch out for bass !

  People who know the “Sonos paw” will not be disoriented ! The American company is known for its meticulous work that respects basic materials, the choices of artists. Unlike brands like Bose or Apple that have very marked sound signatures, with an algorithm that works hard to flatter your ear, Sonos chooses a much more balanced sound. Two things particularly hit the ear on the ERA 300:

  • By pushing the sound (and it can be pushed very strong, above 90 dB), the low frequencies are made a bit too present. This has a fairly immediate impact on your listening since the lower medium find themselves a little eaten ! We advise you to go to the Sonos application. You will find there an equalizer which makes it possible to reduce the serious a little (3 notches are enough to solve the problem).
  • Mediums are extremely well mastered. Regardless of your favorite musical genre, voices are entitled to exceptional treatment.

  As we said earlier, it is possible to calibrate the enclosure. To have a sound as close as possible to the Hi-Fi standard and perfectly balanced, we advise you to Lower the level of serious 3 notches.

  

  The slap of spatialized music

  The Dolby Atmos standard are generally found in the cinema. It offers a mixture of sound at least in 7.1.4. In this way, understand 4 vertical channels (speakers) placed all around you, 1 channel dedicated to the bass and 4 channels directed upwards to give elevation effects (from the plane that takes off in the falling rain). Instinctively, you should immediately understand that a movie in Dolby Atmos is much more immersive than a film in stereo.

  Thanks to the Sonos System Ecosystem, It is possible to transform a pair of ERA 300 into rear satellites connected to a sound bar Sonos Beam 2 or Sonos Arc. You will have a real little home cinema at home. That being said, let’s be honest: this configuration may be relatively rare. Most people will have only one Sonos Era 300, and the main Dolby Atmos content that will be listened to is likely to be. music. Because yes, recently, Dolby has not been satisfied with cinema and offers songs of music and even spatialized video games.

  

  It is quite complicated to find titles mixed in Dolby Atmos. The main source of music designed for space audio is Apple Music. It is a safe bet that subscribers to the Apple streaming service will benefit much more from this functionality than anyone others. There are songs in Dolby Atmos on Tidal and Amazon Music but these two streaming services are much less popular than Apple Music by us. Please note: to enjoy music in Dolby Atmos, you have to launch your music from the Sonos application (no Bluetooth, no Airplay. )) !

  Concretely, what is it to listen to music in Dolby Atmos ? It’s very simple, we feel like in a bubble. The sound scene of the ERA opens and this amplitude encompasses us. The sound seems to come from everywhere, we have the feeling of being in the middle of the recording studio. more or less. Be careful, the atmosphere depends a lot on your room and your position. The ERA 300 is not a so -called “360 degree” speaker: if you are behind it, the final rendering changes a lot. It is better to be well in front of the product, in a room with clean acoustics and with the rear of the speaker near a wall, without being stuck to the latter either (about twenty centimeters apart, it is the best).

  Do not panic, even if you are not in the ideal conditions, the Atmos effect is felt and makes the difference. Likewise, if you do not have access to something other than stereo, the 6 ERA speakers will still give a beautiful width effect, much higher than most competing models. In use, space audio changes the situation, we enter a new era and Go back will be quite difficult for me.

  Conclusion: one of the best market speakers in 2023

  Pure and hard sound

  Strong points

  • A loose and harmonious sound signature
  • Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio extremely convincing, even with a single speaker
  • Sonos application: intuitive and rich in useful functionality
  • The happiness of the flexible sound ecosystem
  • Reactive and efficient house vocal assistant
  • An elegant and original design with neat finishes