It’s probably safe to say that the past couple of years have been somewhat of a rocky road for smart audio company Sonos, which has faced hardware and software issues, user complaints and even undergone a major leadership transition. That being said though, the company has remained focused on winning back fans and newcomers, especially with the launch of its latest smart speakers.
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More specifically, we’re talking about two new additions to the Sonos hardware lineup, the Sonos Play and Sonos Era 100 SL. The two models were announced this week, and come priced at £299 for the Sonos Play and £169 for the Sonos Era 100 SL. While the two might bear some similarities with each other, there are some key differences in terms of specs and overall features—let’s check them out!
First up is the Sonos Play, and while it’s the more expensive of the two, it’s designed to be a lot more portable. With that in mind, Sonos says that the Play’s battery can last for up to 24 hours, making it an ideal companion for trips to the beach or camping sessions. It’s also rated for IP67 dust and water protection, so it should be safe from splashes and light rain. For connectivity, the Sonos Play comes with Wifi and Bluetooth support, and even line-in support for physical cables.
As for its controls, Sonos has equipped the Play with built-in controls, although users can also control the speaker via the Sonos app on their smartphones, or use voice commands to prompt the speaker to play their media.
Up next is the Sonos Era 100 SL, which takes a different turn in terms of functionality. According to Sonos, the Era 100 SL is built for the home with a wired power supply system, and can even double as an addition to one’s home entertainment system. Like the Sonos Play, the Era 100 SL is compatible with the Sonos app for controls and settings, and comes with Trueplay compatibility for iPhone users. The speaker also supports connectivity using Wifi and Bluetooth, in addition to physical line inputs.
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Sonos is confident that the new speakers have what it takes to entice customers thanks to their features. Chris Kallai, VP of Product Creation at Sonos states:
We believe the first speaker you bring home should sound complete on its own, and become even better as your Sonos system grows. Sonos Play and Era 100 SL offer two distinct ways to shape a listening experience that fits how people actually live, while making it simple to add new rooms, new moments, and new possibilities over time.
