Apple HomePod vs Sonos Era 300
SOURCE ARTICLES
New Apple HomePod Review
www.consumerreports.org
The Apple HomePod is easy to set up and works seamlessly with Apple Music and iTunes content. However, it is not compatible with other streaming music services like Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. The HomePod can also be used for controlling smart home devices, such as the Eve smart plug, which performed well in tasks and integrated smoothly with Apple's Home app. The built-in temperature and humidity sensors of the HomePod are also useful for automating other smart home devices.
Apple HomePod Review (Smart Speaker)
audiosciencereview.com
The Apple HomePod smart speaker has a sleek design but lacks versatility with only Airplay and Wi-Fi connectivity. The installation process was frustrating, requiring 2-step verification for the Apple account. Bluetooth needs to be enabled for autoconfiguring. The speaker's measurements were challenging due to overheating issues. The frequency response shows heavy bass emphasis and uneven response. The sound quality is decent with female vocals, but the constant bass presence becomes annoying. EQ helps improve the sound, but overall, the HomePod is not recommended.
Apple HomePod Review (2023): Old and Stale
www.wired.com
Apple HomePod Review (2023): Old and Stale
The new Apple HomePod fails to impress with minimal audio improvements and limited compatibility with popular services. It lacks drivers for audio, cannot communicate with non-Apple devices, and is incompatible with Spotify. The larger screen on top adds little value compared to competitors. The smaller HomePod Mini offers similar Siri voice control and sound quality at a lower price. The sound quality of the HomePod is not great, with heavy bass and lacking mid-range definition. The physical design is similar to the previous model, with a removable power cable and two color options. Setup is easy with an iPhone, but it only supports Apple Music and a few other services.
Sonos Era 300 stereo pair and Sonos Sub review: Value times 3
The Sonos Era 300 stereo pair, combined with the Sonos Sub, delivers impressive stereo and spatial audio performances. The speakers have received universal praise and are a great value for the price. However, the Sonos Trueplay software is not yet optimized for 2.0 or 2.1 configurations, and speaker placement is crucial for optimal results. The speakers excel at reproducing stereo content and creating immersive experiences with spatial audio. The addition of the Sonos Sub enhances the low frequencies and improves the overall sound quality. Setting up the stereo pair and subwoofer is relatively easy with the Sonos app, but the Trueplay tuning process can be challenging and requires some troubleshooting. The best positioning for the speakers is to toe them in at a 45-degree angle. The speakers can also be used as TV speakers, but they do not support Dolby Atmos renderings. Overall, the Sonos Era 300 stereo pair and Sonos Sub combination offers exceptional sound quality, but there is room for improvement in the Trueplay software and the availability of spatial audio tracks in the Sonos app.
Sonos Era 300 Review: Stunning Spatial, Superior Sound
Summary
The Sonos Era 300 wireless speaker is a stunning performer with impressive spatial audio capabilities. It features six speaker drivers, including tweeters and mid/bass drivers, to create immersive sound. The speaker supports Bluetooth 5.0, Apple AirPlay 2, and Wi-Fi streaming. The Sonos app offers EQ adjustment and Trueplay room calibration. The Era 300 delivers expressive and entertaining sound quality, making it one of the best pound-for-pound wireless speakers available. Its spatial audio performance is particularly impressive, with sound spreading in all directions and creating a sense of width, depth, and height.
Sonos Era 300 review
The Sonos Era 300 is a wireless smart speaker that offers spatial audio with Dolby Atmos. It has an unusual design and is priced at the premium end of the market. The speaker features six drivers and custom waveguides for immersive sound. It supports Bluetooth and can be used as Dolby Atmos surround speakers. The Era 300 delivers a powerful and cohesive sound with impressive scale and detail. It outperforms the Apple HomePod 2 in terms of spatial audio. Overall, the Era 300 offers a great spatial audio experience and performs well with any type of music.
Sonos Era 300 review: Close to a perfect smart speaker, but with one big drawback
The Sonos Era 300 is an outstanding smart speaker with exceptional audio quality and versatile connectivity options. It supports spatial audio and can create an immersive listening experience. However, it lacks support for Chromecast and Google Voice Assistant, and the Sonos app can be slow. The speaker is recommended for those who want a high-quality standalone speaker and can live without Google integration.
Sonos Era 300 Review: Great, Room-Filling Sound in a Compact Speaker
The Sonos Era 300 is a compact speaker that offers great, room-filling sound. It features a unique design and is equipped with Dolby Atmos technology for immersive audio. The speaker can be used for both stereo and multichannel music, and it outperforms competitors like the Echo Studio. It is also compatible with Sonos' multi-room system and offers various connectivity options. The Era 300 is a top choice for those looking for an upgrade from the Sonos One or a high-quality desktop speaker.
Sonos Era 300 review: too ahead of its time
The Sonos Era 300 is a speaker designed to showcase spatial audio and Dolby Atmos. It offers a convincing 3D sound experience and is the first third-party speaker to support Apple Music's spatial library. However, the quality of spatial audio music varies greatly, and the Sonos app needs improvement. The Era 300 is larger than the Sonos One and offers Bluetooth and line-in flexibility. It is outperformed by the Sonos Five for stereo music, but excels in creating an immersive soundstage. It can also be used as rear surrounds for a Sonos Arc or Beam soundbar. The Era 300 is a promising glimpse into the future of home audio, but the current selection of spatial audio music and the Sonos app's limitations may deter some buyers.
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AI COMPARISON
Comparison Table: Apple HomePod vs Sonos Era 300
| Feature | Apple HomePod | Sonos Era 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth Version | 5 | 5 |
| Stereo Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Compatible with Alexa | No | Yes |
| Compatible with Google Assistant | No | No |
| Compatible with Siri | Yes | No |
| AirPlay | Yes | Yes |
| Spotify Connect | No | Yes |
| Matter Support | Yes | No |
| Mute Function | Yes | Yes |
| Mic Count | 6 | 1 |
| Subwoofer | Yes | No |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Neodymium Magnet | Yes | No |
| Magnetic Shielding | Yes | No |
| Detachable Cable | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 4 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 4 |
| Ethernet | No | No |
| Headset Jack 3.5 | No | Yes |
| Volume | 3468.208 cm³ | 7696 cm³ |
| Weight | 2500 g | 4470 g |
| Height | 172 mm | 160 mm |
| Width | 142 mm | 260 mm |
Summary of Review Insights
Apple HomePod:
- The HomePod offers excellent integration with other Apple services like Apple Music and Siri, but lacks compatibility with non-Apple streaming services like Spotify.
- It features a sophisticated design with built-in temperature and humidity sensors and is suitable for controlling smart home devices.
- Sound quality is robust, especially with its subwoofer and Dolby Atmos, but is bass-heavy and might not impress without multiple units for stereo.
Sonos Era 300:
- This speaker supports a broader range of features including Spotify Connect, Alexa, and has superior connectivity options like Wi-Fi 6 and a detachable cable.
- The Era 300 excels in delivering spatial and immersive audio experiences, attributed to its unique design with multiple drivers and Dolby Atmos support.
- It's compatible with both iOS and Android devices, offering more versatility than the HomePod. It is praised for its room-filling sound and multi-room capabilities.
Recommendations for Potential Buyers
- Apple HomePod is best suited for users who are heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem and prefer seamless integration with Apple devices and services. It is ideal for controlling Apple HomeKit-enabled devices but less versatile for users of diverse streaming services.
- Sonos Era 300 is recommended for users seeking flexibility with excellent sound quality across various platforms and services. It's particularly appealing for those who enjoy spatial audio and may want to integrate the speaker into a broader home theater setup. This speaker is also a better choice for Android users or those with mixed-device households.
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