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If you’ve been eyeing a smart speaker with spatial audio capabilities, the Sonos Era 300 is currently down to $359 (from $449), its lowest price ever according to price-trackers. Available in black or white, it features a unique design (shaped almost like an hourglass) that optimizes its multi-driver, multichannel audio setup. Inside, you’ll find six class-D amplifiers powering four tweeters and two woofers that fire in multiple directions (including upward for Dolby Atmos height audio) to deliver the advertised stereo sound. That said, placement is key—you’ll need at least two feet of clearance from walls or ceilings to let the sound fully shine.
The physical controls for volume, playback, and track navigation are on top of the speaker for easy access. And if you're concerned about privacy, you'll also find a mute button to disable voice assistants (that is, Alexa or Sonos Voice; Google Assistant is not supported) and a switch on the back that completely cuts power to the mics. The Sonos app, known for its intuitive interface, gives you additional control over EQ settings like bass and treble, a loudness feature for better low-volume performance, and the ability to adjust Atmos height levels. Additionally, the app’s Trueplay calibration adapts playback to your space, with different versions based on your device.
The Era 300 is compatible with most major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal, and delivers room-filling sound with Dolby Atmos playback, adding a layer of spatial audio. However, as noted in this PCMag review, the directional effects are most noticeable when you’re seated close to the speaker. From a more typical listening distance, the spatial impact is subtler, providing more of an enhancement over regular stereo sound than a fully immersive experience. For connectivity, the Era 300 supports both wifi and Bluetooth, along with Apple AirPlay 2, though Google Cast is noticeably missing.
