Sonos to Launch Era 100 Pro, Its First-Ever Solution for Professional Installation, in January 2025

Rhea-AI Summary

Sonos (SONO) has announced the Era 100 Pro, its first professional installation solution for light-commercial and residential spaces, available for pre-order with shipping starting January 28, 2025. The product features Power over Ethernet (PoE+) for simplified setup, a pro-grade surface mount for versatile orientation, and a new software feature called 'zones' for managing larger installations. Era 100 Pro will be sold exclusively in pairs through select Sonos partners and marks the company's hardware debut in the $2B light commercial audio market, following their SaaS product Sonos Pro.

Positive

• Entry into the $2B light commercial audio market
• Product already received industry recognition with Best New Audio Product award
• PoE+ compatibility reduces installation costs and complexity
• Enhanced business features with zones control and professional mounting options

Negative

• None.

Insights

Tech Expert

The Era 100 Pro represents a strategic expansion into the $2B light commercial audio market, with several key technological advantages. The Power over Ethernet (PoE+) implementation significantly reduces installation complexity and costs by eliminating separate power wiring requirements. The new zones feature and mounting flexibility address critical pain points in commercial audio deployment.

The product's technical specifications, including dual silk high-frequency drivers and a carbon-filled polypropylene low-frequency driver with 240% horizontal dispersion, position it competitively in the professional installation market. The integration with Sonos Pro SaaS platform creates an ecosystem advantage that could drive recurring revenue.

However, the January 2025 launch timeline means no immediate revenue impact and success will depend on installer adoption and competitive pricing, which wasn't disclosed.

Market Research Analyst

This product launch signals Sonos' strategic pivot to diversify revenue streams beyond consumer markets. The commercial audio segment offers higher margins and more stable revenue through professional installation channels. The pre-launch announcement timing suggests confidence in the product but also gives competitors time to react.

The exclusive distribution through select partners indicates a focused go-to-market strategy that could limit initial sales volume but build stronger relationships with installers. Industry recognition through awards provides early validation, though real market performance metrics will be crucial.

For a company with $1.66B market cap, success in the commercial segment could meaningfully impact growth trajectory, but investors should note the extended timeline to revenue realization.

With a sleek design and premium sound, Era 100 Pro brings simplified setup with PoE+, versatile orientation via a pro-grade mount, and more customizable control with zones, a new software tool to manage larger scale installations

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sonos (Nasdaq: SONO) today announced that Era 100 Pro, its first-ever solution optimized for professional installation in light-commercial and residential spaces, is now available for pre-order and will ship starting January 28, 2025. Exclusively sold in pairs through select Sonos partners specializing in professional installation, Era 100 Pro will be available alongside Era 100 Pro Surface Mount (sold separately), which delivers flexible mounting for a variety of layouts and applications. Zones, a new software feature that makes configuring and controlling multiple speakers easier and more customizable for larger spaces, will be available via a Sonos 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,” said 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.”

The solution has already received positive feedback from the installer community since its announcement in September 2024. rAVe [PUBS] named Era 100 Pro the Best New Audio Product as part of their 2024 Commercial Integrator Expo Awards, and Inavate named it an audio finalist in their 2025 Inavation Technology Awards, the winners of which will be decided next year.

Built for Professional Installation

With the rich sound, elegant design, and versatile control that Sonos is known for, Era 100 Pro has been specifically designed to provide a complete, end to end solution for professional installation.

“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,” said 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.”

• Power over Ethernet: With one single cable that delivers both power and data, Era 100 Pro simplifies the installation process by eliminating the cost and complexities of having to install AC mains at each speaker location, allowing more unique configurations in various locations. Era 100 Pro is optimized for PoE+ but can also be used with standard PoE. With Power over Ethernet, business owners can utilize wired-first networking for enhanced reliability, speed and performance, while also seamlessly integrating into an existing network setup.
• Customizable with zones: Introduced alongside Era 100 Pro, zones offers an easier and more customizable way to orchestrate and control larger scale installations. Users can configure speakers together into a predictable, unified entity, providing a more permanent experience that stays consistent throughout use.
• Versatile Surface Mount (sold separately in pairs): Era 100 Pro Surface Mount boasts 30° pan and tilt ranges and 360° rotation, enabling installation in any orientation. Its indexed ball joint allows installers to achieve repeatable angles with precision, enabling fast deployment when mounting multiple speakers, while also ensuring the speakers won’t sag over time. Able to affix to virtually any surface, the mount can also accommodate hidden or exposed cabling, and has a locking base plate for theft deterrence.
• Safety enhancements: Era 100 Pro has a built-in 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. The hook receptacle increases stability when paired with the Surface Mount in non-portrait orientations.
• Premium sound: Leveraging the same acoustic architecture as Era 100, Era 100 Pro provides high quality sound and impressive low frequency performance, unique within the PoE speaker category. With two 0.63 in / 16 mm silk angled high-frequency drivers and a 3.5 x 4.4 in / 90.8 x 111.9 mm carbon filled-polypropylene low-frequency driver, the speaker delivers rich sound across a wide 240° horizontal dispersion, giving broad coverage from a compact profile.
• Sonos Pro compatibility (US only): Clients can control Era 100 Pro and zones directly from the Sonos app or Sonos Pro dashboard via a tablet or computer, allowing a seamlessly integrated business solution without needing additional control units or components.

For more information, visit https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/era-100-pro, and follow along on @sonos.

About Sonos

Sonos (Nasdaq: SONO) is the world’s leading sound experience company. As the inventor of multi-room wireless home audio, Sonos innovation helps the world listen better by giving people access to the content they love and allowing them to control it however and wherever they choose. Known for delivering an unparalleled sound experience, thoughtful design aesthetic, simplicity of use, and an open platform, Sonos makes the breadth of audio content available to anyone. Sonos is headquartered in Santa Barbara, California. Learn more at www.sonos.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241114839387/en/

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Source: Sonos

FAQ

When will Sonos (SONO) release the Era 100 Pro?

Sonos will begin shipping the Era 100 Pro on January 28, 2025.

What is the target market for Sonos (SONO) Era 100 Pro?

The Era 100 Pro is designed for professional installation in light-commercial and residential spaces, targeting the $2B light commercial audio market.

What are the key features of Sonos (SONO) Era 100 Pro?

Key features include Power over Ethernet (PoE+) compatibility, zones software for managing larger installations, versatile surface mounting options, and premium sound with 240° horizontal dispersion.

How will Sonos (SONO) Era 100 Pro be sold?

Era 100 Pro will be sold exclusively in pairs through select Sonos partners specializing in professional installation.