The Sonos Period 100 speaker is on sale for $199, $50 off its retail worth as a part of the Amazon Massive Spring Sale.
When Sonos reached out to me to debate the launch of a brand new line of sensible audio system, I used to be, for lack of a greater phrase, giddy. The corporate is behind a lot of excellent audio merchandise, together with the discontinued Sonos One, is likely one of the greatest sensible audio system available on the market proper now.
Additionally: I've used my AirPods Professional 2 since they first launched. Right here's my shopping for recommendation for 2025
The thrill got here largely as a result of it had been nearly six years since Sonos launched the One speaker when it launched the Period 100, and the One was nonetheless a favourite amongst audiophiles and sensible house lovers. This makes the Period 100, a direct substitute for the One, a giant deal. Listed here are the important thing options it is best to find out about and what makes the most recent Sonos speaker a worthy improve.
ZDNET RECOMMENDS
Sonos Era 100
The Era 100 is the latest compact speaker from Sonos that delivers powerful sound with top-notch Bluetooth audio.
particulars View at Amazon
Unboxing expertise
The clear aesthetics of the Sonos packaging alone are charming. Sonos is dedicated to environmental sustainability, from manufacturing to packaging design. The Period 100 speaker incorporates recycled supplies, and Sonos is switching to 100% paper packaging by 2025, so the unboxing expertise was like opening a gift.
What’s inside, nevertheless, remains to be the star of the present.
The Sonos Period 100 measures 7.2 inches tall.
The Period 100 is a smooth sensible speaker, simply barely bigger than its predecessor, the Sonos One, and some inches narrower than an Echo Studio Setting it up requires connecting it to energy and downloading the Sonos app, which is able to mechanically discover the speaker close by and information you thru the pairing course of.
What's new with the Sonos Period 100
The Period 100 options contact controls on the prime of the speaker, which I've discovered very intuitive. These controls can be utilized to regulate the amount, play, pause, skip, and replay. There's additionally a Bluetooth button on the again. Sure, you learn that proper: The sensible speaker has Bluetooth connectivity, a characteristic that the Sonos One lacked.
Additionally: The 5 greatest Bluetooth audio system
Sonos audio system work greatest with the Sonos app—at the least that's what the corporate needs you to consider. They're not mistaken, however there are some quirks that I seen. For starters, the audio sounds unbelievable when performed by way of Wi-Fi, and if in case you have company who wish to play one thing on the speaker, Bluetooth connectivity makes it potential for them to take action with out having to obtain the Sonos app on their units.
Nonetheless, the general app expertise might be finicky and gradual, with the software program often demonstrating a lagged response.
A more in-depth take a look at the highest controls on the Sonos Period 100.
The Period 100 options voice management, which you’ll flip off by toggling the microphone swap on the again. Whereas the brand new mannequin helps Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Management, it doesn't assist Google Assistant just like the Sonos One.
Sonos has discontinued its assist for Google Voice on the brand new Period audio system, so in the event you're on the lookout for a sensible speaker to spherical out your Google sensible house ecosystem, then you definately're higher off with the older Sonos One or a Google Nest speaker.
Additionally: Finest stereo audio system you should purchase
The USB-C port on the again of the speaker is one other massive improve on the Period 100. If you wish to join an audio supply or an ethernet cable, now you can do it with one among Sonos' Line-in and Combo adapters.
How does the Period 100 sound?
The Period 100 is one of the best speaker of its dimension that I've ever examined. It’s an enchancment from the Sonos One, which was already thought of the best-sounding sensible speaker, nevertheless it additionally sounds higher than the improved Amazon Echo Studio and, naturally, blows all different compact sensible audio system out of the water.
The contact controls on the prime of the speaker make for extra intuitive interactions.
For the reason that Period 100 is constructed for smaller areas, it doesn't assist spatial audio or Dolby Atmos like its bigger sibling, the Period 300. Nonetheless, the smaller Period 100 is highly effective sufficient to efficiently fill a medium-to-large-sized room.
Additionally: Sonos Era smart speakers now available to buy: Here's what's new
Whereas I can't examine the over-the-top audio system and woofers on an outdated automotive from 25+ years in the past to the beautiful sound high quality of a Sonos speaker in 2023, I can let you know that listening to music on the Period 100 gave me a really related expertise to that because of the booming bass and crystal clear vocals.
ZDNET's shopping for recommendation
The Period 100 has raised the bar for compact, high-quality audio system. Along with a full, booming sound, the Sonos speaker places out crystal-clear vocals on the forefront of any music. It's additionally extraordinarily highly effective, but it doesn't lose sound high quality at full quantity, and the deep bass doesn't rattle, even at its highest setting.
In comparison with different sensible audio system, the $249 Sonos Period 100 is excellent. The sound is miles above that of others in the identical worth vary. It's simply that good.