Sonos Just Quietly Released a New Speaker for Bespoke Audio Systems

This past fall, at the 2024 CEDIA EXPO trade show, Sonos unveiled a new speaker tailored to professional installers: the Sonos Era 100 Pro. It looks like a clone of the company’s entry-level Era 100 speaker, mainly because it is. 

The Era 100 “Pro” differs from its consumer-grade cousin in three key ways though that should make it a superior choice for robust commercial setups as well as sprawling custom whole-home audio systems.

When initially announced in September, Sonos said it would start selling pairs of the Era 100 Pro speakers in “early 2025.” Well, as of January 2025, Sonos is doing just that … although buying them isn’t exactly for consumers.

Here’s what you need to know.

A single cable provides power and data to the speaker

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The Sonos Era 100 Pro is the latest in a growing list of tech products capable of using a single ethernet cable for power and data. The generic term for this capability is Power over Ethernet or PoE for short. As such, the Era 100 Pro lacks the dedicated USB-C power port found on the back of the Sonos Era 100.

One less port may sound like a feature loss. The truth is that PoE support is often invaluable for installing certain devices like security cameras, Wifi routers, and speakers across sprawling spaces. The same goes for device installations in awkward locations like ceiling corners that are typically far away from power outlets.

Using a single cable for power and data eliminates the need to run two wires to a location. Network cabling is also easier and much cheaper to run through walls and ceilings than electrical power cabling because it doesn’t require a qualified electrician to install or special permitting.

And since all networked PoE devices in a system typically draw power from a centralized PoE-compatible router instead of a series of individual wall outlets, all connected PoE devices can easily be powered cycled or reset at a single location. 

It’s built to pair with a flexible and secure wall mount

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The Sonos Era 100 Pro also features two unique holes for connecting to a special Era 100 Pro Surface Mount.

The advanced mount is designed to work on various surface materials and features an indexed ball joint that offers up to 30° of pan and tilt range as well as a full 360° of rotation. 

Installers likewise have the option of hiding or exposing the necessary ethernet cabling. There’s even a locking base plate to prevent theft and the option of using a detachable hook for extra mounting stability.

The Era 100 Pro also supports new zone audio features

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Alongside the unique hardware, Sonos is introducing a new software zoning feature that gives buyers more control and flexibility over dividing, grouping and controlling music playback across Era 100 Pros installed in larger rooms or spaces.

The Zones feature is exclusive to the Era 100 Pro. You’ll be able to group up to 16 Era 100 Pro speakers in a single zone. When together, each speaker will play the same audio at the same value level.

According to Sonos, the Zoning feature is available via a software update on iOS and Android on the Sonos app.

But consumers won’t be able to buy the Era 100 Pro on their own

Sonos

As previously mentioned, the Era 100 Pro is available now via the company’s website. The speakers are exclusively sold in pairs, and exact pricing hasn’t been revealed at the time of writing.

Unlike Sonos’s existing pro-oriented architectural speaker line designed for in-wall and in-ceiling installations, the Era 100 Pro speakers aren’t available for purchase directly by consumers. Instead, buyers interested in the speaker must contact and work with an approved Sonos installer.

Sonos Era 100 Pro (Pair)

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