Sonos Era 100 vs Sonos One: Should you upgrade?

Sonos introduced the Sonos Period 100 again in March 2023 alongside the Period 300. The 2 audio system outlined a brand new period (excuse the pun) of Sonos audio system, with the Period 300 delivering an excellent single field Spatial Audio providing, whereas the Period 100 marked the entry-level level for the multi-room speaker firm.

Should you’re trying to begin a Sonos system and selecting between the Period 100 and the Sonos One audio system, or maybe you are questioning if you happen to ought to improve your Sonos One to the Period 100, we’re right here to assist.

We have detailed the variations between the Period 100 and the Sonos One and One SL under, and we have added our first-hand expertise of them too. There’s lots to be aware of so buckle up.

Sonos Period 100 vs Sonos One: Design and construct

The Sonos Period 100, Sonos One, and Sonos One SL all supply compact designs in black and white color variants, however the Period 100 distinguishes itself with a modern cylindrical form and higher peak in comparison with the opposite two fashions.

Its fashionable, simplistic look incorporates a polycarbonate physique and speaker grille and it is an distinctive wanting speaker general. In distinction, the One and One SL have boxier designs, with a metallic color-matched grille and a thicker high, housing the Sonos brand horizontally. While they nonetheless look nice, they actually have an older really feel now, which is unsurprising given they launched in 2017 and 2019 respectively.

The Period 100’s capacitive controls embrace an indented bar for quantity and separate capacitive controls for play/pause, skip, rewind, and microphone on/off. The Sonos One has play/pause and quantity controls on both aspect, with swipe performance for monitor navigation and a microphone on/off possibility. The One SL shares the identical controls because the One however lacks a microphone management because of the absence of built-in microphones on the entire.

On the Period 100’s rear, there’s a Wi-Fi to Bluetooth change, a microphone {hardware} change, and a USB-C line-in port, with the ability port situated beneath. Compared, the Sonos One and One SL function an Ethernet port and pairing button on the again, with the ability port beneath, however each lack USB-C line-in, microphone, and Bluetooth switches.

Sonos Period 100 vs Sonos One: Value

The Sonos Period 100 grew to become out there on 28 March 2023, priced at £249 within the UK, $249 within the US and €279 in Europe. The Sonos One in the meantime, launched at £199 within the UK and $199 within the US when it was introduced in 2017, with the Sonos One SL launching in 2019 at £179 within the UK and $179 within the US.

The Sonos One and One SL have began to be phased out with the launch of the Sonos Period 100, so whereas Sonos has now stopped promoting the audio system, you may nonetheless discover inventory on-line elsewhere and for a less expensive value than they launched at if you happen to store round. Take into account they might be arduous to search out now although.

Sonos Period 100 vs Sonos One: Sensible options

The Sonos Period 100, Sonos One and Sonos One SL share a number of options, although the Sonos Period 100 provides a few extras past what the Sonos One and Sonos One SL supply. As you’d anticipate from Sonos audio system, all of them embrace options corresponding to EQ adjustment through the Sonos app, compatibility with over 100 music companies, and the flexibility to perform individually or as a part of a Sonos system. Trueplay tuning, AirPlay 2 assist, and music playback over Wi-Fi are additionally options out there throughout all fashions.

The place issues begin to differ nevertheless, is the Period 100 helps Bluetooth when the rear {hardware} change is about to Bluetooth mode. It additionally stands out with its USB-C line-in port too, permitting direct connection to an audio machine like a turntable – a function that’s unavailable on the Sonos One and One SL. It is price mentioning that the Period 100 requires a Sonos Line-in Adapter and an auxiliary cable for this function, nevertheless, so preserve that in thoughts.

Each the Sonos One and the Period 100 function voice management, providing Sonos Voice Management and compatibility with Amazon Alexa. The Sonos One additionally helps Google Assistant, offering customers with a alternative, although you possibly can’t have Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa operating in tandem. The Period 100 doesn’t supply Google Assistant as an possibility in any respect, whereas the Sonos One SL lacks built-in microphones as talked about, leading to no voice management, together with Sonos Voice Management or Alexa.

Elsewhere, the Period 100 launched Fast Tuning, a function akin to Trueplay tuning. In contrast to Trueplay, Fast Tuning utilises built-in microphones throughout the speaker itself to adapt and optimise the speaker’s sound output based mostly on its environment, catering particularly to Android customers with out the necessity for an iOS machine.

Sonos Period 100 vs Sonos One: Sound high quality

Whereas the Sonos One and One SL share an identical sound structure, mirroring that of the 2013 Sonos Play:1, the Period 100 deviates totally, boasting a definite inside improve. Regardless of each delivering spectacular sound from compact builds, the Period 100 options three Class-D drivers, two dual-angled tweeters, and a bigger mid-woofer – 25 per cent bigger than the Sonos One and One SL. The Period 100 additionally homes a 47 per cent quicker processor, enhancing efficiency and guaranteeing compatibility with future software program updates.

Setting itself aside additional – and this half is vital – the Period 100 supplies stereo sound versus mono, permitting customers to stereo pair two Period 100 audio system for an enriched encompass expertise. The Sonos One and One SL in the meantime, incorporate two Class-D drivers, a single tweeter, and a mid-woofer, leading to one much less driver and tweeter in comparison with the Period 100. Each the Sonos One and One SL ship mono sound, but you possibly can mix two models for stereo output.

Notably, it’s essential to recognise that you simply can not mix a Sonos One or One SL with an Period 100 for stereo pairing. Should you had been considering including one other One or One SL to stereo pair with an present unit, this selection isn’t possible with the Period 100.

Sonos Period 100 vs Sonos One: Which must you purchase?

Regardless of being a number of years previous, the Sonos One and One SL stay distinctive audio system, delivering spectacular sound in a compact format. With the Period 100’s launch, you may discover these older fashions at a compelling value – act rapidly if you happen to spot a deal – however it’s extra possible you’ll battle to search out them in any respect now.

The Period 100 replaces the dependable Ones with enhanced processing energy, a contemporary design, and an general improved sound expertise. Introducing options like USB-C line-in, Bluetooth capabilities, and Trueplay for Android customers, it surpasses the One and One SL on paper and in real-world expertise, albeit with out Google Assistant.

If you’re beginning a Sonos system from scratch, the Sonos Period 100 is by far the superior alternative. For these increasing an present system with a Sonos One or One SL, you might think about grabbing an extra unit for stereo pairing or just enhancing your setup at a beneficial value, however be ready for them to be troublesome so that you can get your palms on.

Each choices will little doubt fulfill, however the Period 100 presents higher longevity and in case your funds permits, it’s undoubtedly our most popular alternative for an enhanced Sonos expertise.