Login
If you happened upon the new Sonos Era 300 straight on you might be inclined to shrug, albeit approvingly. Viewed head on, the newly announced Era 300 looks very much the part of the Sonos audio speaker family, down to the typographic palindrome logo and its characteristically perfectly perforated minimalist oblong profile. But veer just a little to the left, right, or from any angle really, and things get a little… different. You’ll then notice the Era 300 looks nothing like any other Sonos product before it, and there’s a good reason behind this unusual hourglass design.
“The Sonos Era 300 is a ‘blank sheet of paper’ design,” explains Dana Krieger, VP of hardware design at Sonos when asked about the cinched form during a video call with Design Milk. “There are six transducers positioned around the product: one facing forward, two tweeters on the left and right, two woofers on each side, and one in the center aimed upward.”
At its core the Era 300’s form is conceived to direct sound not just optimally toward the listener from the front and sides, but also audibly from above, with an up-firing tweeter engineered to produce engaging and immersive spatial playback.
The Era 300 also features a newly designed capacitive volume slider with a subtle shallow channel that intuitively communicates, “Slide your finger here.”
The Era 300 is joined by the release of a smaller Era 100, “a remastering of the best-selling
Sonos One.”
“According to our audio team, the optimal position is somewhere between zero and 20 degrees off the vertical axis,” says Krieger, “And this design positions that [center-top] transducer right at 10º. So taking that 10º angle and wrapping it all around the product puts each of those six transducers in their best location for a spatial experience.”
The Era 300’s design may be configured for the best spatial experience, but it’s safe to say its design may prove aesthetically divisive, an issue the Sonos brand has generally been able to avoid because its existing lineup is so tastefully minimalist. Primarily made up of extruded cylindrical forms that have proven time and time again supremely adaptable to most any room setting, the Era 300 is very much that same signature Sonos form, but with a cinched center that hits a bit different.
Where the Sonos Era 300’s immersive capabilities become a most intriguing proposition is when paired with the Sonos Arc and Sonos Sub. We plan to report about the Era 300’s spatial and Dolby Atmos performance in the coming weeks to determine whether a pinch of new design proves a good thing for the Sonos brand.
Sonos is betting brand devotees and new customers will become quickly acclimated to the divergence in design, instead focusing more upon the wow-factor delivered via the speaker’s spatial audio performance, a proposition that becomes even more interesting and convincing when two Era 300s are configured into a multi-channel Dolby Atmos surround sound rear setup. Paired alongside the brand’s Arc or Beam sound bar and Sub, this twice-as-nice configuration should conjure a convincingly immersive aural realm in 360 degrees from above and around where other up-firing speakers can only half-heartedly perform.
The Era 300 and Era 100 will be available globally starting on March 28, 2023 for $449 and $249, with each listed for pre-order today at Sonos.com.
This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!
Enlarge / The Sonos Era 100 and Era 300 speakers. (credit: Sonos)
After months of detailed leaks, Sonos has finally announced its next generation of wireless speakers. Dubbed the Era 300 and Era 100, they replace the longstanding Sonos One and emphasize spatial audio or stereo sound, respectively.
Let's start with a look at the Era 100, which directly replaces the Sonos One in the lineup with a slight $20 price hike to $249.
The Era 100 has two tweeters, which work in combination with the speaker's ability to analyze a room to produce a custom sound field and provide true stereo sound; the One wasn't able to provide true stereo audio. The Era 100 still has just one woofer, but it's 25 percent larger than the woofer in the One, offering improved bass performance.
Bose's portable Bluetooth speakers have made several of our latest shopping guides, thanks in part to the long battery life and loud, bright sound that carries well outdoors. They're also among the most expensive out there, but several models including the Smart Speaker, Revolve+ and S1 Pro are now on sale at Amazon with savings of up to 30 percent.
While Bluetooth speakers are often commodity items, Bose's SoundLink Revolve ($179 or 18 percent off) and Revolve Plus ($229 or 30 percent off) have premium features. Bose has eschewed typical plastic materials for a fancy "single-piece aluminum enclosure" that's resistant to spills, rain and splashes with an IPX4 rating. And by outputting music from 360 degrees, they sound the same to anyone in the vicinity. The only drawback is bass that lacks some oomph.
If you want more low end and don't mind spending more, Bose's Portable Smart speaker is also on sale at $319, for a savings of $80 (20 percent). Also a 360-degree speaker, it has a well-rounded low end and bright dynamic sound with plenty of nuance. It's more geared toward home use, offering WiFi, voice and app control, along with support for Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Spotify Connect, Amazon Music, Chromecast and more.
Finally, if you really need big sound for outdoor parties, the Bose S1 Pro Bluetooth speaker is on sale for $599, or $100 (14 percent) off. It's designed for rugged use and supports not only wireless Bluetooth, but wired inputs from a guitar, DJ setup and more. You also get Auto EQ and other speakers to maximize sound output, whether you're inside or out.
Shop Bose portable Bluetooth speakers at AmazonFollow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
Bose portable speakers are up to 30 percent off right now
Bose portable speakers are up to 30 percent off right now
Opening up the new HomePod is a lot easier than opening the previous model. [credit: iFixit ]
iFixit has published a short video of a teardown of the new, second-generation HomePod that launched on February 3 for $299. There's perhaps not as much to see as there is in an iPhone or Mac teardown, but the important thing is that it's relatively good news for repair shops or users who want to go the DIY repair route.
When iFixit did its first teardown of the original HomePod, it was an ugly sight—plastic pieces stuck together required prying, and pieces had to be destroyed to get in at all. The original video was a bit comical to watch for how extreme the process was—Apple clearly did not intend anyone but its own technicians to open the device.
People eventually figured out better ways to do it, but it was never simple or easy. The discontinuation of that first HomePod was surely welcome news for a lot of fixers.
Rep. George Santos has been caught in a web of lies about his education, heritage, and personal history, which is why everyone in the GOP (besides that communist RINO Mitt Romney) loves him so much. He represented the best parts of the Republican party. — Read the rest
When we see the three letters K-E-F subtly emblazoned across any speaker, expectations are for a realistic listening experienced from speakers realized with industrial design conceived to tastefully coexist in a living space. In short, KEF has always made speakers that look nearly as good as they sound. But speakers like the brand’s $22,000 Reference 5 Meta loudspeakers orbit a stratosphere only few could imagine even consider. The British audio gear brand’s new R Series Meta collection arrives as a welcome attempt to bring some of their flagship performance down to earth with seven models to mix-and-match.
Given enough time any cutting-edge technology eventually parachutes down into the realm of affordability. Of course, “affordable” within the audiophile category is subjective, but KEF’s new seven model loudspeaker line justifies the price tags with flagship details borrowed from the aforementioned top-of-the-line The Reference. To put this into perspective, a pair of these new R3 Meta bookshelf speakers arrive at one-tenth the price of its flagship predecessor, with even the largest R11 Meta option priced at a subjectively reasonable $3,250 (each).
Detail of KEF’s new Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), a circular plate with a maze-like structure of intricate channels engineered to absorb specific frequencies. The channels act as an acoustic black hole, absorbing 99% of the unwanted sound from the rear of the tweeter.
The R Series is engineered to please ears equally whether while listening to music in a stereo configuration or as a multi-speaker Dolby Atmos capable surround sound home theater solution.
This updated R Series now shares the same proprietary maze-like driver design as the feature towering, The Reference. Metamaterial Absorption Technology, or MAT for short, is reputed to absorb 99% of unwanted frequencies. KEF uses the analogy of an acoustic black hole – a labyrinth where undesirable distortions never escape.
The R Series also includes a slightly modified 12th-generation Uni-Q driver, the same component found in the brand’s LS50 Meta bookshelf speakers, a model we always considered a gateway into audiophile acoustics.
Shown here with the ceiling aimed Dolby Atmos-compatible R8 Meta surround modules seated atop, the R Series is adaptable for a variety of applications and room dimensions.
KEF continues to give their latest line a characteristically handsome finish aligned with the previous R Series, with the latest KEF R Series Meta collection available in White Gloss, Black Gloss, or a handsome Walnut finish. The R3 Meta is also offered in a conspicuous Indigo Gloss. Bump up to the R7 and there’s a subtly automotive metallic Titanium Gloss finish. Head here to see the complete collection with pricing.
Marshall already launched a few rugged, weatherproof portable Bluetooth speakers, but so far they’ve been relatively small. That changes today with the launch of the Middleton. It’s still portable enough to chuck into a backpack, but has an IP67 rating, 20+ hours runtime at mid-volume, dual woofers and tweeters pushing out 50-watts of 360-degree sound and moves into the bassier 50hz to 20kHz frequency range. It’s available in black starting today and priced at $300.
The Middleton is being pitched as the new flagship for Marshall’s portable Bluetooth speaker line and rightly so. Aside from the Tufton, which isn’t all that rugged and is significantly bigger, the Middleton is now one of the more powerful portables in the company’s stable. It’s the largest IP67 rated speaker they have on offer, measuring 4.3 x 9 x 3.75 inches, and one of the first to pump out sound from all four sides. It also ditches the rubber port stopper seen on other models, since the company has already waterproofed the components.
As mentioned, the Middleton is rated for more than 20 hours of playtime on a single charge, at low to mid volume of course. I haven't had the chance to test this on full blast for long periods of time, but the charge does seem to hold up well. The speaker has three battery cells totaling 9,600mAh, and you can use the speaker as a USB-C power bank if needed. Also, if your charge is running low while you're jamming out, you can always use it while its charging.
The 360-degree sound is driven by two 15-watt woofers, two 10-watt tweeters and a pair of passive radiators that serve to pump music out of the smaller ends of this chunky rectangle. The output from this four-pound device is respectable and it handles low frequencies well. You also get the trademark Marshall sound that gives you a good dynamic range and provides significant depth to whatever sounds you're vibing on.
Just like the Emberton and Willen, the Middleton has a soft-touch exterior composed of 55-percent post-consumer recycled plastic and is 100-percent PVC free. It also has a carry strap you can easily fit your hand through. On the top, you’ll find onboard controls that provide more hands-on adjustment than its siblings. There’s a Bluetooth button (which doubles as the Stack Mode control) and a multi-use joystick for power on/off, volume control and track selection (forward or back). You also get bass and treble controls, which are a welcome addition and a first for one of Marshall’s speakers without physical knobs. The level indicator works in conjunction with most of the above. It displays battery level, but also indicates volume, bass and treble levels all with backlit red lighting.
This speaker is also the biggest model to support Marshall’s Stack Mode feature. You can start a session using the Marshall Bluetooth app and pair with any other Middleton, Emberton II or Willen speakers using a double press of their Bluetooth buttons to join. It helps if you aren’t already paired with speakers joining the session. Like most Bluetooth portables, two (or more) sound much better than one and a double dose of the Middleton sound is a pleasure. The company claims you can pair a good deal of compatible speakers together, having tested up to 60 at one time. I've "stacked" two Middletons, an Emberton II and a Willen which worked well — once I unpaired all but the main speaker from my phone, that is.
For reference, the UE Megaboom 3 ($200) and JBL Charge 5 ($180) are good models for comparison in terms of scale, although they all have unique sound profiles. As usual, this puts the Middleton in a slightly higher price bracket than some others out there in its size, but Marshall products have usually been priced at a slight premium. The excellent sound quality and decent low-end capability definitely makes this model worth checking out.
You can order the Marshall Middleton in black from the company’s website starting today for $300. If you prefer the cream-colored option, you’ll have to wait until around Spring this year.
Frequency Range: 50Hz-20kHz
Drivers: Two 15-watt woofers, two 3/5-inch tweeters, two passive radiators
Amplifiers: Two 20-watt class D amps for the woofers, Two 10-watt class D amps for the tweeters
Battery Type: Built-in rechargeable Li-ion
Power Bank: Charge devices from the speaker with USB-C
Play Time: 20+ hours
Quick Charging: 20 minutes gives you two hours of play
Charging Time: 4.5 hours for a complete charge
Weatherproof: IP67
Aux: 3.5mm input
Bluetooth Version: 5.1
Range: 30 feet
Size: 4.29 x 9.06 x 3.74 inches
Weight: 4LBs
Marshall Middleton
The Marshall Middleton speaker with its classic logo'd front grille and soft touch black exterior.
FreshRSS 
