Sonos’ next smart speaker could be a HomePod rival with Dolby Atmos
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If you’re looking to upgrade your home’s sound system then 2023 could be the year to do it, as Sonos will reportedly ship a pair of new Dolby Atmos smart speakers before December; devices that should give Apple’s new HomePod a run for its money.
Sonos is a cut above the rest when it comes to audio, with its Sonos One sound system being the best wireless speaker and best smart speaker you can buy right now. But things could get even better this year if the rumored new speakers from Sonos live up to the hype.
We’ve known for some time (since August 2022) that Sonos is developing Dolby Atmos speakers that can feature multi-directional sound capabilities to deliver immersive spatial audio. But a recent report from The edge (opens in new tab) confirmed that the speakers are in the final stages before release and have official names: the Era 300 and Era 100 (formerly known as the Optimo 2 speakers).
The Era 300 will be Sonos’ flagship, a Dolby Atmos smart speaker that rivals Apple’s HomePod 2. We don’t know how good it sounds yet, but Sonos has a knack for making great audio products, so we expect it to at least match the HomePod 2 for sound quality; in other areas, the new device seems to have the advantage.
That’s because the Era 300 probably won’t be as connected to Apple’s ecosystem as the HomePod. The HomePod line offers much more support for Apple’s own music streaming service (Apple Music) than its rivals (such as Spotify), but Sonos’ platform doesn’t favor one option over another. Additionally, while we expect the Era 300 to continue to offer AirPlay – which allows iPhone users to wirelessly stream music from their phone to the speaker – it’s possible that it will also support Bluetooth connections – something the Sonos One lacks and a feature that it’s easier to use Sonos’ products if you’re an Android fan.
As for the Era 100 – and the rumored Era 100 SL, which according to Sonos naming conventions would be the same system minus any mics – it’s expected to be more of a true Sonos One successor (read: less premium price and less impressive sound compared to the era 300). That said, the Era 100 can still boast upward-firing speakers – to take full advantage of Dolby Atmos – and a new design to match its Era sibling and set it apart from the Sonos One.
We’ll have to wait to find out a few more key details about these new speakers – including their price – but the very existence of the Era line gives audiophiles good reason to consider upgrading their AV setup. home for a while.
With Sonos also expected to launch a product in an entirely new category this year – possibly the long-awaited Sonos headphones or some kind of TV app or operating system teased by job postings in 2022 – 2023 will be a big year for the company. As soon as we know more details, we will keep you informed.