Sonos Era 100 review

Sonos Period 100: Introduction

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay
• Ecosystems: Alexa, Sonos

Sonos was feeling courageous in March 2023 when it determined to interchange the superb Sonos One with an entire new speaker – the Period 100. It prices extra, appears to be like completely different, and it boasts new options, however does it dwell as much as the small Sonos speaker legend that was the Sonos One for thus a few years?

I’ve lived with the Period 100 for over a yr and for those who’re a Sonos One fan then it’s time to buckle up, as a result of the Period 100 may be very prone to steal your coronary heart and make you overlook all about its cute and boxy predecessor. Right here’s my overview.

Design and construct

• 12 x 13.2 x 18.4cm, Black or White
• Bluetooth change, microphone change

The Sonos Period 100 doesn’t rock the identical look because the Sonos One. The 2 are shut in dimension – the Period 100 is round an inch taller – however that’s about all that may be described as comparable. The 2023 entry-level speaker received a ground-up redesign, and it’s one thing that’s noticeable immediately when side-by-side with the now seven-year previous Sonos One.

The Sonos One is small and boxy, whereas the Period 100 rolls in with a glossy cylindrical design that appears excellent. Sonos ditched the color-matched metallic grille from the One and switched it up for an eco-friendly polycarbonate grille, matching the type that appeared with the Sonos Roam and it’s a recent and welcomed change.

Flip the Period 100 round, and also you’ll discover the ports on the again, with the ability wire tucked beneath, identical to the Sonos One. It’s a cleaner setup in comparison with the Period 300, the place the ability wire stands out the again, however the connection choices are comparable, with the Period 100 additionally boasting a USB-C line-in port – you will want an adapter bought individually for this nonetheless. Sonos additionally added a bodily change for the microphone on the smaller Period 100, just like the Period 300, enabling you to close off the good options and maintain issues non-public. You received’t discover an ethernet port or pairing button like older Sonos audio system, with connection to your private home occurring over Wi-Fi and discovery occurring by way of NFC.

On high on the Period 100 is the place you’ll discover the remainder of the controls. Capacitive controls for play/pause and skipping tracks are current, much like most Sonos audio system, however there’s a little bit of a twist relating to quantity management. Adopting the identical design because the Period 300, the Period 100 has an indented strip – or “trough” as the corporate calls it – for adjusting the amount. Faucet the ends of this trough or swipe your finger alongside, and you’ll pump the amount up or down. It’s an important change, making fast-forwarding and rewinding tracks a breeze in comparison with the previous Sonos audio system too as they now have their very own devoted buttons.

Aesthetically, the highest of the Period 100 is way cleaner than the older Sonos One too. The One has a chunky hat with the Sonos emblem, whereas the Period 100 rocks a a lot slimmer answer with the emblem repositioned onto the grille, identical to the Sonos Roam. Don’t get me unsuitable, the Sonos One remains to be cool, however subsequent to the recent and trendy Period 100, it actually feels final season. The Sonos Period 100 is available in black and white, which is customary for Sonos audio system. White is my favorite – it’s a lot softer and it appears to be like nice in any room you place it in – however that’s to not say the black doesn’t maintain its personal and its after all extra conventional.

Options

• Adjustable EQ
• Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Management
• Trueplay tuning, Fast tune

The Sonos Period 100 packs in all of the options you’d anticipate from a Sonos speaker, after which some. The fundamentals are there – help for over 100 music streaming companies, the power to tweak the EQ (not like the Apple HomePod), and you should utilize the Period 100 independently or as a part of an present Sonos system.

You too can improve the audio expertise by stereo pairing two Period 100 audio system – as you’ll be able to different similar Sonos audio system – however it’s price mentioning you can’t pair an Period 100 up with a Sonos One. It means when you’ve got a Sonos One already and also you’re fascinated with doubling up for stereo magic, you received’t be capable of try this utilizing an Period 100 and as an alternative you’ll have to try to end up a Sonos One or One SL, which will probably be more and more troublesome now as they each stepped apart for the Period 100.

Elsewhere on the characteristic entrance, the Period 100 will be grouped with any present Sonos audio system to play the identical music on the identical time in numerous rooms, or you’ll be able to choose to play completely different music on the identical time on completely different Sonos audio system for those who so want. There are many ideas and methods you could find in our separate information price trying out to get probably the most out of your Sonos audio system, resembling lengthy urgent the play/pause button on a Sonos speaker to immediately add it into an present group.

Google Assistant is MIA sadly however the Period 100 does include Sonos Voice Management for dealing with the speaker itself and Amazon Alexa remains to be on board if you need management good dwelling units or replace your purchasing record.

You’ll additionally discover Trueplay tuning too, which is a expertise Sonos launched again in 2015, enabling you to fine-tune a speaker to your area utilizing an iOS machine. The Period 100 brings an added benefit to the tech with Fast Tune, giving the choice to make use of the built-in mics on the speaker to do the tuning somewhat than requiring Android customers to borrow an iOS machine. It’s not fairly as superior because the full-blown Trueplay choice, but it surely means the Period 100 can adapt to its environment everytime you transfer it. I at all times suggest utilizing Trueplay as whereas the tweaks is likely to be delicate typically, they’re often price it, and it solely takes minutes.

Efficiency

It’s not simply the design and further options the place the Sonos Period 100 shakes issues up in comparison with the Sonos One – it provides loads within the sound division too. When Sonos swapped the Play:1 for the One, it saved the insides the identical, and that wasn’t a problem as a result of the Play:1 already sounded strong – identical to the One. With the Period 100, it’s a totally completely different structure. Not a single a part of the Sonos One made its manner into the Period 100, and whereas I nonetheless have a comfortable spot for the Sonos One, the Period 100 is superior.

For starters, the woofer within the Period 100 is 25 per cent larger than the One, delivering extra depth within the bass that’s actually noticeable when listened to side-by-side. Sonos additionally threw in an additional tweeter, leading to two for the Period 100, each dual-angled for stereo goodness and a wider sound unfold. The Sonos One is mono, and whereas it does a superb job, the Period 100 takes the cake, providing a broader soundstage throughout the spectrum, from low to excessive frequencies, it doesn’t matter what tracks or genres you throw at it.

The Period 100 has customized wave guides just like the Period 300, however there’s no Dolby Atmos or Spatial Audio motion right here just like the beefier Period 300. It’s not overly shocking contemplating its dimension, however the Apple HomePod manages it and isn’t a lot larger or pricier. It means for those who’re after a extra immersive sound, the HomePod is likely to be the ticket.

When it comes to total efficiency nonetheless, the Period 100 is a champ. It handles every thing like a professional, which is what you’d anticipate because it took the reins from one of the really useful audio system in its discipline.

During the last yr, I’ve put the Period 100 by way of its paces with a mixture of tracks and genres, and it passes with flying colours everytime. Tracks like “October Sky” by Yebba, “Billions” by Caroline Polachek, and “About Rattling Time” by Lizzo all sound improbable. One in all my go-to tracks for testing, “Area Ghost Coast to Coast” by Glass Animals, is a standout on the Period 100. It nails the combo of vocals, devices, and background sounds, with the Period 100 dealing with and separating every thing beautifully. It won’t match the immersive expertise of the Period 300 or the Apple HomePod (2nd era), however the vocals are clear, and there’s a superb distinction between the vocals and the remainder of the soundtrack.

The dynamic vary is strong too, and the Period 100 shines even at decrease volumes, packing in loads of element. Crank it up, and positive, you would possibly lose a little bit of distinction in comparison with the Period 300 and Sonos 5, however the Period 100 nonetheless delivers a hefty punch for its dimension. The general steadiness leans in the direction of the bassier facet, par for the course with Sonos audio system, however the tuning is enjoyable with out being overly booming. After all, it’s a private choice, and for those who’re not an enormous bass fan, you’ll be able to at all times tweak the EQ ranges within the Sonos app.

{Hardware}

Shifting on to the {hardware} entrance, the Sonos Period 100 helps Wi-Fi 6 (simply be sure you’ve received a appropriate router), throws in a USB-C line-in (adapter bought individually as talked about), and packs each Apple AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth – a primary for a non-portable Sonos speaker, alongside the Period 300.

This implies you’ll be able to roll with the Period 100 as a traditional Sonos speaker, utilizing the Wi-Fi mesh community it units up in the course of the setup, or change to conventional Bluetooth mode. To hop into Bluetooth mode, hit the {hardware} button on the again and connect with it such as you would another Bluetooth machine when the entrance LED is blue. It’s very straightforward and works like a attraction, providing you with one other solution to take pleasure in your tunes. Admittedly, some would possibly by no means use it – particularly Apple followers who doubtless discover AirPlay extra handy when not utilizing the Sonos app – but it surely’s nonetheless a candy addition many followers have been ready some time for.

Lastly, the Period 100 packs a brand new co-neural processor on board, together with a 47 per cent quicker processor than the Sonos One. It’s equipped for future options whereas amping up the efficiency. Actually, the Sonos One nonetheless holds its personal, and I don’t discover any main variations between the 2 in actuality, however that would change down the street as extra options roll out. The Period 100 did present a slight edge in response time when grouping and ungrouping audio system, however you’d in all probability miss it until the 2 have been side-by-side. It’s additionally stated to be extra power-efficient than the Sonos One, utilizing solely 2W or much less in standby or sleep mode. It’s powerful to place that to the check, however hey, I’m all for saving vitality.

Ultimate ideas

The Sonos Period 100 is a real game-changer on this planet of Sonos audio system. It marks a brand new period for Sonos (pun supposed), taking the corporate’s already excellent entry-level speaker and giving it a complete makeover, each inside and outside.

The Period 100’s recent design breathes new life into the compact Sonos mannequin, introducing a number of enhancements like Bluetooth capabilities, revamped controls, and the added line-in performance that elevate its enchantment. There’s a slight improve in value in comparison with the One price ticket and Google Assistant isn’t any extra, however the Period 100 serves as a perfect start line for these venturing into the Sonos ecosystem.

Above all, the audio expertise of the Period 100 is actually distinctive, surpassing the efficiency of its Sonos One predecessor and making it straightforward to forgive Sonos for the alternative.

How we check

Once we publish our opinions, you’ll be able to relaxation assured that they’re the results of “residing with” long run checks.

Good speaker often dwell inside, and even management, a wise dwelling ecosystem, or a spread of merchandise that – supposedly – all work in concord. Subsequently, it’s unimaginable to make use of a linked speaker for per week and ship a verdict.

As a result of we’re testing good dwelling equipment all day, on a regular basis, we all know what issues and the way a specific good speaker compares to alternate options that you may additionally be contemplating.

Our opinions are complete, goal and honest and, after all, we’re by no means paid on to overview a tool.

Learn our overview course of for good audio system to study extra.

FAQs

Sonos Period 100: Specs