In another sign of the melding between residential and light commercial markets, popular audio manufacturer Sonos showcased its Era 100 Pro at CEDIA Expo 2024, co-located with Commercial Integrator Expo. Now, the company has announced that Era 100 Pro, its initial solution optimized for professional installation in resimercial and residential spaces, is available for pre-order and will ship starting January 28, 2025.

Exclusively sold in pairs through select dealers, the Sonos Era 100 Pro will debut alongside with the Era 100 Pro Surface Mount (sold separately), for flexible mounting applications.

Sonos adds that Zones, a new software feature said to make configuring and controlling multiple speakers easier and more customizable for larger spaces, will also launch via an app update on iOS and Android at the same time.

“Following our entry into the $2B light commercial audio market last year with Sonos Pro, our SaaS product for businesses, we are now making our hardware debut with Era 100 Pro, the first Sonos product designed specifically for professional installation,” says Patrick Spence, CEO of Sonos.

“With a focus on creating the best solutions for our installer community, we have built a strong team of industry veterans across product, engineering, sales and more to lead our professional developments. In collaboration with our global partners, we’re committed to furthering our commercial business and offering new, much needed solutions to this market.”

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Sonos Era 100 Pro Speaker Features

• Power over Ethernet: With one cable that delivers both power and data, Era 100 Pro simplifies the installation process by eliminating having to install AC mains at each speaker location, allowing for unique configurations in various locations, according to Sonos. Era 100 Pro best works with PoE+ but also works with standard PoE.
• Customizable with Zones: Introduced withEra 100 Pro, Zones offers an easier and more customizable way to coordinate and control larger scale installations. Users can configure speakers together into a more permanent experience that stays consistent throughout use.
• Versatile Surface Mount (sold separately in pairs): Era 100 Pro Surface Mount boasts 30-degree pan and tilt ranges and 360-degree rotation, facilitating installation in any orientation. Its indexed ball joint allows installers to achieve repeatable angles with precision, while ensuring the speakers won’t sag over time. Able to affix to virtually any surface, the mount can also accommodate concealed or exposed cabling and has a locking base plate for theft deterrence.
• Safety Enhancements: Era 100 Pro has a threaded insert and optional eyebolt that provides a secondary safety attachment point should building codes require it, helping the speaker withstand seismic events and avoid accidental damage, Sonos notes. The hook receptacle increases stability when paired with the Surface Mount in non-portrait orientations.
• High-Quality Sound: Leveraging the same acoustic architecture as Era 100, the pro model incorporates two 0.63-inch silk angled high-frequency drivers and a 3.5 x 4.4-inch carbon filled-polypropylene low-frequency driver to spread sound across a 240-degree horizontal dispersion.
• Sonos Pro Compatibility (U.S. only): Clients can control Era 100 Pro and zones directly from the Sonos app or Sonos Pro dashboard via a tablet or computer, without needing additional control units or components.

Dealer Feedback Largely Positive Over Pro System Attributes

Sonos, which recently joined Oasys Residential Technology Group, reports the solution has received positive feedback from the custom integrator community since its announcement in September.

“Crafting custom audio systems is no easy feat. Dealers, distributors and integrators are tasked with recommending, curating and installing the best audio systems for their clients, which vary across a wide spectrum of needs, uses, budgets and layouts,” says Chris Heintzelman, VP, Product – Professional.

“Sonos is delivering a new choice with Era 100 Pro, the company’s first solution specifically engineered for professional installation. We prioritized simple setup, flexible configuration and reliable ease of use, so installers can complete jobs more efficiently and deliver timely installation to their clients.”

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