Since its founding in 2002, Sonos has been a leading provider of wireless audio solutions for consumers. With a foundation in compact wireless speakers, they have branched out into the home theater category with the Sonos ARC and ARC Ultra, Beam, and Ray soundbars. For those seeking portable wireless solutions, Sonos offers the Roam and Roam SL.
Sonos also has a line of architectural speakers that have become popular with the CI crowd looking for something that is easy to integrate with their clients’ existing Sonos products.
In 2023, Sonos established its Pro Division to provide products and music management options for commercial installations including restaurants, offices, and retail locations.
Sonos Era Pro Speaker
Adding to its presence in the professional/commercial market, Sonos has announced a variation of its Era 100 wireless home speaker, the Era 100 Pro. This represents their first speaker optimized for professional installation in commercial and residential spaces.
The Era 100 Pro will be sold in pairs through select Sonos partners specializing in professional installation. The Sonos Era 100 Pro will be available alongside the Era 100 Pro Surface Mount (sold separately), which delivers flexible mounting for a variety of layouts and applications.
From Patrick Spence, CEO of Sonos: “Crafting custom audio systems is no easy feat. Dealers, distributors, and integrators are tasked with recommending, curating, and installing the best audio systems for their clients, which vary across a wide spectrum of needs, uses, budgets, and layouts…”
Built for Professional Installation
With Sonos’ distinctive sound quality, minimalist design, and versatile control, the Era 100 Pro is designed to provide a complete, end-to-end solution for professional installation.
From Chris Heintzelman, VP, Product – Professional: “…Sonos is delivering a new choice with Era 100 Pro, the company’s first solution specifically engineered for professional installation. We prioritized simple setup, flexible configuration, and reliable ease of use, so installers can complete jobs more efficiently and deliver timely installation to their clients.”
Sound Quality
Building on the consumer version of the Era 100, the Era 100 Pro provides high-quality sound and impressive low-frequency performance, unique within the PoE (Power over Ethernet) speaker category.
The Era 100 Pro incorporates two 0.63 in/16 mm silk angled high-frequency drivers (tweeters) and a 3.5 x 4.4 in / 90.8 x 111.9 mm carbon filled-polypropylene low-frequency driver (woofer). Sound is dispersed across a wide 240° horizontal angle, providing space-filling sound.
Power Over Ethernet (POE+)
With one cable that delivers both power and data, Era 100 Pro simplifies the installation process by eliminating the cost and complexities of having to install AC mains at each speaker location, allowing more unique configurations in various locations.
The Era 100 Pro is optimized for PoE+ but can also be used with standard PoE. With Power over Ethernet, business owners can utilize wired-first networking for enhanced reliability, speed, and performance, while also seamlessly integrating into an existing network setup.
Pro Tip: Although the ERA 100 Pro can receive audio wirelessly (and also integrated wirelessly to a Sonos system), it is the first speaker from Sonos that also receives power via wired connection (Ethernet).
Customizable with Zones
Introduced alongside Era 100 Pro, the Zone feature offers an easier and more customizable way to set up and control larger-scale installations. Users can configure speakers together into a predictable, unified system, providing a more permanent experience that stays consistent throughout use.
Versatile Surface Mount (sold separately in pairs)
The Era 100 Pro Surface Mount boasts 30° pan and tilt ranges and 360° rotation, enabling installation in any orientation. Its indexed ball joint allows installers to achieve repeatable angles with precision, enabling fast deployment when mounting multiple speakers, while also ensuring the speakers won’t sag over time. Able to affix to virtually any surface, the mount can also accommodate hidden or exposed cabling, and has a locking base plate to deter theft.
Safety Enhancements
Era 100 Pro has a built-in threaded insert and optional eyebolt that provides a secondary safety attachment point should building codes require it, helping the speaker withstand seismic events and avoid accidental damage. The hook receptacle increases stability when paired with the Surface Mount in non-portrait orientations.
Sonos Pro Control (US only)
Users can control the ERA 100 Pro and zones directly from the Sonos App or Sonos Pro Dashboard via a tablet or computer. This provides a seamless integrated business solution without needing additional control units or components.
Comparison
The ERA 100 PRO and 100 incorporate the same exterior visual design.
Era 100 Pro
(Business Model)Era 100
(Consumer Model)Price Price TBD (only sold in pairs) $249 (each) Amplification 3 x Class-D digital amplifiers 3 x Class-D digital amplifiers Low-Frequency Driver (Woofer) 1 x 3.5 x 4.4 in
90.8 x 111.9 mm carbon filled-polypropylene1 x 3.5 x 4.4 in
90.8 x 111.9 mm carbon filled-polypropyleneHigh-Frequency Drivers (Tweeter) 2 x .63 in (16 mm) Edge-Driven silk 2 x .63 in (16 mm) Edge-Driven silk Frequency Range 45 Hz-20 kHz ±3 dB
40 Hz-20 kHz -10 dB45 Hz-20 kHz ±3 dB
40 Hz-20 kHz -10 dBSPL (Max Short Term) SPL 96dB @ 1m with PoE+ Not Indicated SPL (Max Long Term) 90dB @ 1 meter with PoE+ Not Indicated Nominal Coverage Angle (Dispersion) 240° horizontal x 140° vertical 240° horizontal x 140° vertical Microphones Far-field microphone array with advanced beamforming and multichannel echo cancellation Far-field microphone array with advanced beamforming and multichannel echo cancellation Microphone On/Off Switch Yes Yes Adjustable EQ (Via Sonos App) Yes. Yes Sonos TruePlay Yes Yes Direct Streaming Formats Bluetooth (ver 5.0), Apple Airplay 2 (Apple devices iOS 11.4 and higher), Spotify Direct Control Bluetooth (ver 5.0), Apple Airplay 2 (Apple devices iOS 11.4 and higher), Spotify Direct Control Integrated Content Streaming Amazon Music, Apple Music, Cloud Cover Music, Mood Media, Sonos Radio, Soundtrack Your Brand, Spotify, and more. Amazon Music, Apple Music, Cloud Cover Music, Mood Media, Sonos Radio, Soundtrack Your Brand, Spotify, and more. Controls Play, pause, skip, replay, volume, mute voice assistant, group or ungroup Sonos products. Play, pause, skip, replay, volume, mute voice assistant, group or ungroup Sonos products. Ethernet port 100Base-T network connection and power 100Base-T network connection and power USB-C Not Indicated Connect an audio source using a 3.5 mm auxiliary cable and the Sonos Line-In Adapter. WiFi WiFi 6. (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax 2.4 GHz/5 GHz via compatible router) WiFi 6. (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax 2.4 GHz/5 GHz via compatible router) CPU Quad Core 4xA55 1.4GHz Quad Core 4xA55 1.9GHz Memory 2GB DDR48GB eMMC 2GB DDR48GB eMMC Power Requirement Optimized for PoE+ (802.3at), PoE (802.3af 100-240V 50/60Hz internal power supply Power Consumption 30W, 15.4W, 2.4W Not Indicated Colors Black, White Black, White Finish Matte Matte Dimensions Height: 7.19 in (182.5 mm)
Width: 4.72 in (120 mm)
Depth: 5.14 in (130.5 mm)Height: 7.19 in (182.5 mm)
Width: 4.72 in (120 mm)
Depth: 5.14 in (130.5 mm)Weight 4.48 lbs (2.03 kg) 4.44 lbs (2.02 kg) Threaded Insert for Safety Attachment Yes Not provided Hook Receptacle Yes – Increases stability when the speaker is paired with the Surface Mount and positioned in a non-portrait orientation Not provided In The Box 2 Sonos Era 100 Pro speakers
2 eyebolts
Documentation
Quickstart Guide and legal/warranty information1 Sonos Era 100
Power Cable – Length: 6 ft (2 m)
Documentation
Quickstart Guide and legal/warranty informationAdditional Requirements Internet connection
Power sourcing equipment
Third-party device, such as a PoE network switch or injector.
Ethernet cable – Category 5 (CAT5) or higher
Sonos App – The latest version running on a compatible deviceWiFi Internet connection
Power Source/AC Outlet
Sonos app – The latest version running on a compatible device
The Bottom Line
2024 has been a rough year for Sonos. On the consumer end, they rolled out a comprehensive update to the Sonos App that resulted in a wave of complaints from users concerning major bugs. As a result, Sonos, after several months, finally had to admit it had a problem. As a result, CEO Patrick Spence had to publically address the situation. Read our full report for details.
In addition, Sonos’s Unaudited Fiscal Results for 2024 revealed that its revenue was down 10% at $1.5 billion, with a $38 million dollar loss.
However, despite the road bumps, Sonos pushes ahead into the custom install market. If successful, the Era 100 Pro opens the door for more possible products that cater to business and commercial applications.
Price & Availability
The Sonos Era 100 Pro is available for pre-order and will ship starting January 28, 2025. Pricing to be determined (professional installation required).
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John Rogers
January 6, 2025 at 8:41 am
You write that this is Soho’s first product which can recieve audio on a wired connection. This is wrong. All their products with Ethernet ports can do this. The only difference here is it can get power on the Ethernet ports.
Ian White
January 6, 2025 at 11:11 am
John,
I found the typo you were mentioning. It is the first Sonos speaker that utilises PoE (Power over Ethernet) and that makes it unique for them.
Best,
IW