Sonos Five vs Sonos Era 300 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Sonos Era 300 & Sonos Five share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Sonos Era 300 rather than the Sonos Five. 

Why Do I Recommend The Sonos Era 300

  • The Sonos Era 300 features Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos for immersive 3D sound, providing a superior home theater experience compared to the Sonos Five’s stereo-only sound.
  • The Sonos Era 300 includes Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, allowing users to connect devices wirelessly, whereas the Sonos Five lacks Bluetooth support.
  • The Sonos Era 300 is equipped with Wi-Fi 6, delivering faster and more reliable wireless performance than the Sonos Five’s Wi-Fi 5.
  • The Sonos Era 300 supports Advanced Trueplay tuning for both iOS and Android devices, ensuring optimal sound calibration, unlike the Sonos Five, which only supports Trueplay on iOS.
  • The Sonos Era 300 features built-in Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Control, offering hands-free convenience, while the Sonos Five lacks voice assistant integration.
  • The Sonos Era 300 includes a USB-C line-in port for wired connections with modern devices, while the Sonos Five relies on a traditional 3.5mm audio jack.
  • The Sonos Era 300 has a dedicated volume slider for precise audio control, enhancing user convenience compared to the Sonos Five’s touch interface without a dedicated slider.
  • The Sonos Era 300’s angular design is specifically engineered to optimize sound projection for immersive audio, unlike the Sonos Five’s traditional stereo-focused build.

Maybe the Sonos Five price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Sonos Era 300. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Side By Side Comparison

FeatureSonos Era 300Sonos Five
Audio TechnologySpatial Audio with Dolby AtmosStereo sound only
Speaker ConfigurationSix driversSix amplifiers, 3 midwoofers, 3 tweeters
Surround Sound SupportYesNo
Voice AssistantAmazon Alexa, Sonos Voice ControlNone
BluetoothYesNo
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 5
Audio InputUSB-C line-in3.5mm audio jack
Design StyleAngular design optimized for spatial soundRectangular horizontal design
Trueplay TuningAdvanced TrueplayTrueplay
Multi-room SupportYesYes
Home Theater SupportYesNo
Weight4.47 kg6.36 kg
Dimensions260 x 160 x 185 mm364 x 203 x 154 mm
Power SupplyBuilt-in power cableBuilt-in power cable
Control OptionsTouch controls with dedicated volume sliderTouch controls with no dedicated volume slider
MicrophoneBuilt-in far-field microphone for voice controlNo microphone
PriceCheck Sonos Era 300 PriceCheck Sonos Five Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Multi-room Support: Both speakers are compatible with the Sonos ecosystem, allowing users to connect multiple Sonos devices throughout their home for synchronized audio playback across different rooms.
  • Wi-Fi Connectivity: Both models rely on Wi-Fi for wireless streaming, ensuring stable connections and seamless playback from popular music services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
  • Trueplay Tuning: Both speakers feature Trueplay technology, which automatically adjusts audio output based on the room’s acoustics, ensuring optimal sound quality tailored to your environment.
  • Sonos App Compatibility: Both the Sonos Era 300 and Sonos Five can be fully controlled via the Sonos app, offering features such as volume adjustment, EQ customization, stereo pairing, and access to various streaming platforms.
  • Touch Controls: Both devices include intuitive touch controls, allowing users to play, pause, skip tracks, and adjust volume directly on the speaker for added convenience.
  • Stereo Pairing: Each model supports stereo pairing, enabling users to connect two identical speakers for enhanced left and right channel separation, creating a wider and more immersive soundstage.
  • Voice Enhancement Feature: Both speakers include a voice enhancement feature, improving the clarity of dialogue in movies, TV shows, and podcasts for a better listening experience.
  • Auto Software Updates: Both models automatically receive firmware updates via the Sonos app, ensuring they stay up-to-date with the latest features, performance improvements, and security enhancements.
  • Build Quality: Both the Sonos Era 300 and Sonos Five are constructed with premium materials, offering durable builds designed to withstand long-term use while maintaining a sleek, modern aesthetic.
  • Environmental Efficiency: Both speakers feature energy-efficient standby modes, minimizing power consumption when not in active use.
  • Music Synchronization: Both models can synchronize music playback across multiple Sonos devices, ensuring consistent and cohesive audio throughout the home.
  • EQ Customization: Both speakers offer EQ controls within the Sonos app, allowing users to fine-tune bass, treble, and loudness settings to suit their listening preferences.
  • Power Source: Both devices are designed for home use with a wired power connection, ensuring consistent power for uninterrupted playback.

Common Features

FeatureSonos Era 300Sonos Five
BrandSonosSonos
Multi-room SupportYesYes
Wi-Fi ConnectivityYesYes
Trueplay TuningYesYes
Streaming Services SupportYesYes
Sonos App CompatibilityYesYes
Touch ControlsYesYes
Stereo PairingYesYes
Color OptionsBlack, WhiteBlack, White
Voice Enhancement FeatureYesYes
Auto Software UpdatesYesYes
Build QualityPremium, durable materialsPremium, durable materials
Environmental EfficiencyEnergy-efficient standby modeEnergy-efficient standby mode
Music SynchronizationSyncs music across multiple roomsSyncs music across multiple rooms
EQ CustomizationYesYes
Power SourceWired power connectionWired power connection
Price Check Sonos Era 300 Price Check Sonos Five Price

FAQ

Which speaker offers better sound quality for music playback?
The Sonos Five is generally considered superior for pure music playback due to its powerful stereo performance and dedicated midwoofers and tweeters. The Sonos Era 300, however, excels in delivering immersive Spatial Audio experiences for home theater setups.

Does the Sonos Era 300 support Dolby Atmos?
Yes, the Sonos Era 300 supports Dolby Atmos, providing a 3D audio experience with immersive sound that surrounds the listener.

Can the Sonos Five be used for home theater setups?
While the Sonos Five can deliver powerful stereo sound, it does not support Dolby Atmos or immersive surround sound. For home theater applications, the Sonos Era 300 is the better choice.

Which model has Bluetooth connectivity?
The Sonos Era 300 includes Bluetooth 5.0 support, making it versatile for wireless streaming. The Sonos Five does not have Bluetooth connectivity.

Do both speakers support voice assistants?
The Sonos Era 300 includes built-in support for Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Control. The Sonos Five does not have any voice assistant integration.

Which speaker is easier to connect to non-Sonos devices?
The Sonos Five features a 3.5mm audio jack, making it easier to connect to traditional audio sources. The Sonos Era 300 requires a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter for wired connections.

Can I pair two units of the same model for stereo sound?
Yes, both the Sonos Era 300 and Sonos Five support stereo pairing by connecting two identical units for enhanced left and right channel separation.

Which model is better for a larger room?
The Sonos Five’s powerful stereo sound output is better suited for filling larger rooms with clear and immersive audio.

Is the Sonos Era 300 compatible with older Sonos systems?
Yes, the Sonos Era 300 integrates seamlessly with existing Sonos setups, although it uses updated Wi-Fi 6 connectivity for improved performance.

Does the Sonos Era 300 support Trueplay tuning on Android?
Yes, the Sonos Era 300 features Advanced Trueplay tuning that is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. The Sonos Five only supports Trueplay tuning on iOS.

Which speaker is more portable?
Neither model is designed for portability as both require wired power sources and are intended for stationary use.

Which model offers better control options?
Both models feature touch controls for basic playback functions, but the Sonos Era 300 has a dedicated volume slider, improving the user experience.

Do both models automatically update software?
Yes, both the Sonos Era 300 and Sonos Five receive automatic firmware updates through the Sonos app to ensure they stay optimized with the latest features and improvements.

Which model is better for voice clarity in TV shows and movies?
The Sonos Era 300 offers improved voice clarity, especially when paired with Dolby Atmos-supported content. The Sonos Five’s stereo-focused design may not emphasize dialogue as effectively in home theater settings.

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