Sonos Announces Play and Era 100 SL Speakers, Emphasising System Longevity
- tech360.tv
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Sonos has announced two new additions to its product lineup: the Sonos Play and the Sonos Era 100 SL. By focusing on system longevity and backward compatibility, the company aims to counter the consumer technology trend of new devices replacing old ones, ensuring instead that adding new products enhances the existing system without requiring a reset.
Sonos Play
The Sonos Play is designed as a dual-purpose indoor and portable speaker. Acoustically, it is equipped with three class-H digital amplifiers, two angled tweeters for high-frequency response and stereo separation, one midwoofer for mid-range and bass frequencies, and dual force-cancelling passive radiators intended to deliver deep bass while minimising physical vibration. Users can manage the device's EQ settings through the Sonos application.
The Sonos Play measures 7.56 inches in height, 4.43 inches in width, and 3.02 inches in depth, weighing 2.87 pounds. It will be available in black and white matte finishes. The device holds an IP67 rating, certifying it as dustproof and capable of withstanding submersion in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes. A removable utility loop is included for transport. Top-mounted button controls allow users to play, pause, skip tracks, adjust volume, mute the voice assistant, and manage speaker groupings, while LED lights indicate network connection, battery life, microphone activity, and mute status.
The speaker is powered by a replaceable 35Wh battery, which provides up to 24 hours of continuous playback. The device features a USB-C port that can function as a power bank to charge mobile devices. Additionally, the USB-C port can accommodate an auxiliary cable via a Sonos Line-in Adapter, or an ethernet network cable via a Sonos Combo Adapter, though both accessories are sold separately. For indoor use, the package includes a Charging Base that requires an 18W or greater USB-C/PD power adapter.
The Sonos Play supports WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. It introduces a new feature allowing users to group multiple speakers directly via Bluetooth when outside a WiFi network. By connecting a phone to the Sonos Play and holding the Play/Pause button, users can synchronise audio with up to three additional Sonos Play or Move 2 speakers. The device includes a far-field microphone array utilising advanced beamforming and multichannel echo cancellation. This array facilitates voice control and enables Automatic Trueplay, a software feature that continually optimises acoustic output based on the surrounding environment. For users seeking privacy, a physical hardware switch on the back of the unit disconnects all power to the microphone hardware. The speaker supports Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and various voice services.
Sonos Era 100 SL
Alongside the Play, Sonos introduced the Era 100 SL. This speaker is engineered with a mic-free design and a streamlined feature set. It is designed to function as a standalone unit while allowing users to expand their setups over time. It can be integrated into existing systems as an additional room speaker, paired for stereo sound, or utilised within a home theater configuration. Like all Sonos speakers, both new models were tuned with input from the Sonos Soundboard, an advisory group of music and film industry professionals.
Pricing & Availability The Sonos Play will retail for S$549, and the Era 100 SL will retail for S$349. It will be available from April 7, 2026.
