STACK #258 April 2026

TECH FEATURE

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LATEST AUDIO

Sonos Era 100 SL

New Sonos speakers have landed at JB, and we reckon you’ll love them. Words Paul Jones Home and roam I f you’re already part of the Sonos ecosystem and looking to enhance your current setup, or just beginning a home audio network journey, the latest drop from Sonos might be just what you’re after. So, what’s the deal? Nearly two years since the company’s last release, the audio specialists have unveiled two new speakers in the Play and the Era 100 SL. This is an inspired and well considered release by the brand. Designed to slip seamlessly into an existing Sonos system, the Play admirably fills the portable speaker space currently bookended by the Roam 2 and Move 2, while the Era 100 SL brings all the speaker beef of the original Era 100 for those who don’t want to break the bank.

Sonos Era 100 SL

Set to be the most affordable speaker in the Sonos line-up, the Era 100 SL is a masterful move from the brand. The reduction in price doesn’t compromise the sound, either. You’re still getting the excellent audio quality of the voice controlled Sonos Era 100. So why is it less expensive? Simply put, the Era 100 SL ditches the voice assistant mic tech, opening the door to adding more speakers to an existing Sonos ecosystem or starting one fresh at a fraction of the cost. If you’re not fussed about voice controlled functionality (it’s not for everyone), this is a great, budget-worthy entry point for a fledgling turntable setup, with the right adaptor. Movie lovers keen to add rear speakers to extend the home cinema experience, look no further. The Era 100 SL is an exceptional option to round out a surround sound system without a big outlay. We paired two Era 100 SLs with a Gen 1 Sonos Arc soundbar and a Gen 2 Sonos sub, and the results were superb. It’s difficult to think of a more convenient and cost-effective way to improve a blockbuster movie night in the living room. Bottom line The Era 100 SL is a simple yet uncompromising way to get great sound at a great price. It’s perfect for upgrading an existing system or as a nice starting point to build on.

Sonos Play Sitting between the Roam 2 and the Move 2, the Sonos Play packs a real punch. Similar in size to a bag of flour, that punch comes courtesy of a decent mid woofer, dual tweeters, and extra-bass radiators. We were genuinely surprised by how impactful Iron Maiden’s Number of the Beast was exploding out of the grille. Each Play comes complete with a base for wireless charging and a handy carrying loop for when you take it on the go. Yes, the Play can connect – and integrate – with an existing Sonos ecosystem over Wi-Fi. However, it can also hook up to a smartphone via Bluetooth, so you can take your rave with you. Battery life is definitely worth throwing into the conversation. You’ll get up to 24 hours from one charge. Yep, you heard that right – 24 hours. More than enough for the party people out there. Protected by a water and dustproof rating of IP67, it’s equally at home in the bush or by the pool as it is indoors on a shelf. The best bit? You can chain four Plays together using Bluetooth for full surround audio

Sonos Play

without needing the home network. It’s also possible to pair two of them over Wi-Fi to create a more conventional stereo setup. The Sonos Play also features

automatic tuning via TruePlay. This means the speaker will customise its sound to the size of the room you choose. Bottom line The Sonos Play is the ultimate all rounder. It has a powerful, high-quality audio profile and is highly portable, versatile, rugged, and built for how we listen to music in 2026.

Sonos Play Sonos Era 100 SL

62 APRIL 2026

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