The new Sonos Era 100 Pro speaker is indisputably an elegant design from the California company, and offers a combination of high quality sound, and versatile control, specifically created to provide a complete, end-to-end solution for professional installation. One in a series of announcements just in time for CEDIA Expo 2024 in Denver, CO, Sonos is helping systems integrators capitalize on opportunities in both the residential and pro AV markets, showing its latest products and solutions optimized for professional installation in light-commercial and residential spaces.
This is strategic for a company that originally inspired a pure DIY approach. While Sonos designs and encourages home users to configure and expand Sonos networked systems by themselves, its products are increasingly appealing to users embracing the concept of more complex whole-home and multiroom audio, that end up feeling daunted by unexpected DIY challenges. Increasingly, also business owners looking for a networked background music system decide to take matters into their hands configuring a multispeaker Sonos system without considering the many implications that exist for public spaces.
Things are different in the custom installation market where the challenge is to place speakers in walls and ceiling, requiring products clearly designed and specified for that effect. Not only to make speaker installations as elegant and sometimes invisible as possible, but essentially removing complexity for end users. The Era 100 Pro was designed specifically for light commercial and residential applications, and is sold exclusively through Sonos’ professional partners in combination with the Era 100 Pro and Surface Mount.
The Era 100 Pro combines compelling features developed for professional systems integrators, including Power over Ethernet (PoE+) for faster, easier installation, an optional secondary safety attachment, and a professional-grade Surface Mount that delivers flexible mounting. The new software enables the creation of zones to simplify end-user control of multiple speakers and customization for larger listening environments. Users can bond speakers together into a predictable, unified entity, providing a more consistent experience.
In terms of loudspeaker design, the Era 100 Pro leverages the same acoustic architecture as the standard Era 100, with the same high quality sound and impressive low frequency performance, which was maintained even in a PoE product. With two 0.63” (16mm) silk, angled, high-frequency drivers and a 3.5” x 4.4” carbon filled-polypropylene low-frequency driver, the speaker delivers rich sound across a wide 240° horizontal dispersion, giving broad coverage from a compact profile.
With one single cable that delivers both power and data, this PoE design 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. Era 100 Pro is optimized for PoE+ but can also be used with standard PoE. With Power over Ethernet, the Era 100 Pro can leverage wired-first networking, while also seamlessly integrating into an existing network setup.
The new 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 for theft deterrence.
And the Era 100 Pro also 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.
Introduced alongside the new Sonos Era 100 Pro, zones offers an easier and more customizable way to orchestrate and control larger scale installations. Users can bond speakers together into a predictable, unified entity, providing a more permanent bonding experience that stays consistent throughout use. Users can control Era 100 Pro and zones directly from the Sonos app or Sonos Pro dashboard via a tablet or computer, allowing a seamlessly integrated business solution without needing additional control units or components.
Third-Party Control Systems
Complementing the existing Sonos control API, now content can be searched within multiple streaming services on touch screens from leading home systems manufacturers, with updated Works With Sonos integrations from Control4, Crestron, RTI, Nice, and URC, and others. This upgrade also simplifies navigation and accelerates access to preferred content from compatible music service providers across partner touch screens, with support for search, favorites, playlists, and recently played.
Via the existing control API, Sonos music can be synchronized with lights, shading and more to deliver a more cohesive, immersive experience that complements end-users’ lifestyles. These scenes can be applied across all interfaces of a supporting control system, extending the ability to stream Sonos music throughout the entire home.
Sonos also continues to expand its powerful line of Sonos Architectural speakers with a new 8-inch in-ceiling design now available to professional integrators. The in-ceiling speakers offer a wide soundstage, making them ideal for ambient music in open areas, while the in-wall speakers are perfect for creating immersive audio experiences in home theaters or multiroom setups that complements on-screen action. For outdoor environments, Sonos’ weather-resistant speakers are ready for patios, gardens, and other outdoor spaces.
When paired with Sonos Amp, these architectural speakers integrate effortlessly with the Sonos system, allowing for easy control and management through the Sonos app or third-party control systems. Amp also enables DSP and overdrive protection, optimizing the EQ and consistent volume dynamics throughout the frequency range. Additionally, the Sonos Amp also enables Trueplay calibration with the In-Ceiling and In-Wall speakers
The new Era 100 Pro and Era 100 Pro Surface Mount will be exclusively sold through select Sonos partners specializing in professional installation and will be available in pairs starting in early 2025. Zones will be available via a software update on iOS and Android on the Sonos app at the same time.
www.sonos.com
