Sonos is stepping into the professional installer market with the Era 100 Pro, a powerful and flexible addition to its speaker lineup. This new model is essentially a wired version of the existing Era 100, with the key difference being a built-in Power over Ethernet (PoE) port. This innovation eliminates the need for a separate power outlet, making it the first non-portable Sonos speaker to achieve this feat.
While the Era 100 Pro remains a wireless speaker with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, the PoE port offers installers complete control and audio delivery via a single Ethernet cable. This eliminates potential wireless connectivity issues often encountered in larger installations, making it a more reliable and stable solution.
Sonos hasn’t disclosed the price or release date of the Era 100 Pro, but it has confirmed that the speaker will be exclusively available through professional installers. The company showcased the speaker at CEDIA 2024, a major trade show for residential installers.
While PoE is a relatively new concept in the Sonos ecosystem, it’s not unheard of in the multiroom audio industry. Bluesound, a prominent Sonos competitor, already offers several PoE speaker models under its professional sub-brand.
It’s important to note that connecting the Era 100 Pro directly to your home router or modem isn’t possible. The PoE feature requires specialized Ethernet routers or switches that can supply power alongside data transmission. Ideally, the network switch should support PoE+ for increased power delivery, although the Era 100 Pro is compatible with both standards.
To maximize the flexibility of PoE, Sonos has also introduced the Era 100 Pro Surface Mount. This mounting bracket offers 30 degrees of pan and tilt, along with 360 degrees of rotation, allowing for optimal positioning. The indexed ball joint ensures consistent angle settings across multiple mounts, preventing sagging and ensuring long-term stability. The mount also incorporates a locking base plate for theft deterrence.
For added safety and security, the Era 100 Pro can be fitted with an optional eyebolt, which attaches to a dedicated threaded insert below the Bluetooth button. Installers can use this to secure the speaker with a safety cable, meeting building code requirements and protecting against accidental damage or seismic events.
Beyond the hardware innovations, the Era 100 Pro also brings new software features. Zones, a new addition to the Sonos ecosystem, provides a simpler and more customizable method for managing multiple speakers. This feature allows users to group speakers into easily controllable entities, ideal for large spaces with multiple speakers. The Era 100 Pro is also compatible with Sonos Pro, the software platform designed for multi-location management of Sonos installations from a central dashboard.
The Era 100 Pro is fully integrated with the existing Sonos platform. It supports stereo pairing, surround sound integration in Sonos home theater setups, and its built-in microphones allow it to function as a smart speaker while enabling Sonos’ Auto-TruePlay room tuning feature.
The Era 100 Pro represents a significant step towards professional-grade audio solutions within the Sonos ecosystem. Its PoE capabilities, new mounting options, and software enhancements cater specifically to the needs of installers, offering increased flexibility, control, and reliability for larger and more complex installations.
