Review: Sonos Era 100 Pro
Sonos’ loudspeakers have never been intended for commercial use but that hasn’t stopped them from being used as such. Now there’s a Pro version.
30 April 2025
Review:/ Christopher Holder
If you’ve spent any time in cafés, retail stores or even supermarkets, you’ll likely have seen (and heard) Sonos loudspeakers doing a respectable job in the background. The irony is: Sonos has never actually intended its speakers for commercial applications. That hasn’t stopped integrators from deploying them by the hundreds of thousands in commercial environments.
This reality prompted Sonos to ask: what if we created a product specifically for this market?
Enter the Sonos Era 100 Pro — a loudspeaker that looks much like its residential namesake but is purpose-built for professional AV integration.
PURPOSE-BUILT POWER
At first glance, the Era 100 Pro is almost indistinguishable from the original Era 100. Same sonic signature. Same general form factor. But it’s under the hood and in the connectivity where the real differences lie.
The consumer Era 100 is mains powered and relies on Wi-Fi for audio delivery. The Pro version, however, takes both power and audio via Ethernet, making it suitable for Power over Ethernet (PoE) installations. Notably, it performs best with PoE+, where it can deliver quoted peaks of 98dB @ 1m.
That alone is a game-changer. While PoE loudspeakers aren’t unheard of, getting great audio performance from PoE is tricky — which is why 100V line systems still dominate the commercial market. However, networked active loudspeakers like the Era 100 Pro offer significant advantages in scalability, cabling, and control.
INSTALLER-FRIENDLY FEATURES
Professional touches are everywhere. The speaker’s new mounting system is a standout, featuring an indexed ball joint to ensure precise, repeatable angling across a multi-speaker install. An integrated hook adds security, especially when mounting on ceilings or in high-traffic areas.
There’s also a refined software layer, with improved zoning features and simplified configuration for large multi-zone installs. Integrators can easily control volume and content for each zone and link zones when needed.
As for the driver complement: the Era 100 Pro uses two HF drivers and a mid/low transducer, the same configuration as its residential sibling. Sonos promises a wide dispersion pattern, and in practice, it more than covers typical commercial spaces with only a handful of boxes.
MORE INFO
Sonos Era 100 Pro
Professional Installation Loudspeaker
PRICE
A$1400
CONTACT
Sonos: sonos.com
Snap One: snapone.com/contact-us
LOUDSPEAKER SPECS
HF Drivers: 2 × 16mm silk
LF Driver: 90.8 × 111.9mm carbon-filled polypropylene
Nominal Coverage: 240° (H) × 140° (V)
Power Input: PoE / PoE+ via Ethernet
Warranty: 3-year global
THE SONOS ECOSYSTEM, NOW FOR BUSINESS
Many of the features loved in the residential version are retained — and are often even more useful in a commercial context. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming are present. TruePlay auto-optimisation is included (though room calibration might be less effective in larger, open spaces). Voice control is also onboard, although integrators might prefer to disable this in public-facing installs.
And, of course, there’s the Sonos app and its intuitive interface — a known quantity for anyone who’s used a Sonos product at home. A Pro subscription tier caters to business users, allowing legal streaming for public spaces.
The move into the professional world also means professional-grade support: a three-year global warranty, full installation documentation, CAD drawings, and EASE files.
THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING BIGGER?
Is the Era 100 Pro a one-off, or the beginning of a broader product push into the commercial AV market? Sonos is tight-lipped, but signs point to more in the pipeline. The company clearly sees opportunity here — and the product is a natural extension of how Sonos has already been used for years.
For integrators already spec’ing Sonos into commercial spaces, the Era 100 Pro gives them a better tool for the job. For those who dismissed Sonos as ‘consumer gear’, this speaker is reason to take another look.
INTERVIEW: ZANIS MANTARAKIS, SONOS
AV.technology: Sonos loudspeakers have long found their way into commercial spaces — often unofficially. What triggered the creation of the Era 100 Pro?
Zanis Mantarakis: What we found was that Sonos was organically appearing in commercial environments. Hundreds of thousands of businesses were installing our products, even though we weren’t targeting them. These were people who loved the Sonos experience at home and wanted that same reliability and sound quality in their business.
That prompted us to take that ease of use and build something designed for commercial installs — hence the Era 100 Pro.
AV.technology: What technical hurdles did you need to overcome?
Zanis: A key challenge was PoE power delivery. Most PoE loudspeakers don’t prioritise fidelity — they’re used in corporate or educational spaces. We tasked our DSP and hardware teams with building something that maintained Sonos’ high performance, even when powered by low-voltage PoE.
AV.technology: The mount is getting a lot of attention. Tell us more.
Zanis: The surface mount is one of our proudest achievements. It’s incredibly flexible: wall, ceiling, upside down — and works on drywall, masonry, brick, you name it. The indexed ball joint allows for consistent, click-based angling across multiple speakers, making installation faster and more precise.
AV.technology: Is this product pulling in a new kind of installer?
Zanis: Yes, absolutely. Some integrators who saw Sonos as “just consumer” are now reconsidering. And many residential dealers who previously avoided commercial work are now finding it accessible. The product is easy to install, and that opens the door to new market opportunities.
AV.technology: What about after-sales support?
Zanis: We understand the commercial channel demands more. That’s why Era 100 Pro is backed by a three-year warranty, dedicated support, and all the professional resources installers expect. This is a new chapter for Sonos, and we’re committed to supporting it properly.
RESPONSES