Sonoro Elite, Prestige, Avaton: what are the differences between the models?

The German manufacturer Sonoro has made a specialty of all-in-one audio systems with refined design and meticulous finishes: polished wood cabinets, glossy lacquer, modern connectivity. The range includes several models, from the Meisterstück Gen.2 (the most complete) to the Maestro, as well as the Orchestra speakers. Here we focus on three references representative of the current offering: the Elite at around €499, the Prestige at about €800, and the Avaton at €1,199. Behind these prices lie very different acoustic architectures and uses.

The Elite: the connected radio that can also play your CDs

The Elite is the most compact of the three. Its vertical format (210 × 257 × 140 mm) and single 3-inch speaker facing upward make it ideal for small spaces, a bedside table, or a desk. Sound spreads 360 degrees throughout the room thanks to this particular driver positioning.

The Elite includes a CD player, a triple-tuner radio (FM, DAB+, Internet with access to more than 25,000 stations), Bluetooth, and the streaming services Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer. An equalizer lets you adjust bass and treble according to your preferences, with presets for different musical styles.

The dual alarm, the auto-adaptive brightness screen, and the front USB charging port confirm its role as a bedroom companion. It features the brand’s signature polished wood cabinet covered in piano lacquer, available in white, black, graphite, or walnut. The 3.5 mm auxiliary input and headphone output complete deliberately minimalist connectivity.

The limitation is acoustic: a single full-range speaker with bass-reflex tube cannot compete with a stereo system with integrated subwoofer. The Elite sounds good for its size, but remains more of an enhanced radio than a mini hi-fi system.

→ Discover the Sonoro Elite

The Prestige: the balance between compactness and power

The Prestige adopts a 2.1 architecture with two coaxial speakers (0.75-inch tweeter and 3-inch midrange each) and an integrated 4-inch subwoofer. Its dimensions (450 × 153 × 258 mm) and weight of around 7.2 kg make it suitable for medium-sized rooms.

The Prestige keeps the CD player and triple-tuner radio, and adds Qualcomm aptX Bluetooth for higher-quality wireless streaming. An optical input lets you get sound from a TV, which the Elite does not offer. Control is handled via the OKTIV app or directly on the device.

The stereo system with integrated bass driver delivers a fuller sound than the Elite, with low-end presence that the small single speaker cannot achieve. The Prestige works like a modernized classic mini hi-fi system: radio, CD, streaming, all in a format still reasonable for a living room cabinet.

→ Discover the Prestige

The Avaton: Meisterstück technology without the CD player

The Avaton shares most of its architecture with the flagship Meisterstück Gen.2 model, but without a CD player and without the acoustic calibration function via mobile app. This relationship translates into a €300 saving compared with the Meisterstück (€1,499) and a format 6 cm narrower.

The acoustic section includes two 19 mm tweeters, two 75 mm midrange drivers, and a 13 cm downward-firing subwoofer. Five independent Class D amplifiers deliver 2 × 10 W for highs, 2 × 30 W for mids, and 60 W for bass. A DSP manages equalization and the Dynamic Bass function that optimizes low-frequency reproduction.

Connectivity is the most complete in the range. There is an HDMI ARC port, USB-A and USB-C inputs, a coaxial input, an optical input, an RCA input, a 3.5 mm mini-jack input, an Ethernet port, and a headphone jack on the front. Wi-Fi supports the 802.11ax standard, and bidirectional Bluetooth allows both receiving music and sending sound to wireless headphones. The Avaton is even Auracast-compatible via Bluetooth LE Audio.

Integrated streaming services include Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Deezer, Amazon Music, and Napster. AirPlay 2, Google Cast, and DLNA/UPnP complete the wireless streaming options. Integration with Gira, Busch-Jaeger, and JUNG home automation systems is also planned.

The 4-inch color TFT screen and the new interface are shared with the Meisterstück Gen.2. The Avaton received a Diapason d’or, a leading French distinction in high fidelity.

→ Discover the Avaton

What really sets them apart

The absence of a CD player on the Avaton may be surprising at this price level. Sonoro made a choice: invest in modern connectivity (HDMI ARC, USB-C, Ethernet, home automation) rather than in an optical mechanism that many no longer use. Those attached to their discs can, however, connect an external CD player via USB.

The Prestige keeps this player, which makes it the most versatile mid-range model for anyone who still owns a CD collection. The Elite, despite its reduced format, also includes it, which partly justifies its price positioning.

Which model for which use?

The Elite fulfills its role well as an enhanced connected radio in a confined space. Its 360-degree sound suits rooms where you cannot place the device facing you. Bedroom, office, kitchen: it finds its place wherever you want background music without bulk.

The Prestige is a mini hi-fi system in the classic sense of the term, capable of properly filling a modest-sized living room. The 4-inch subwoofer adds body to the sound reproduction, and the optical input allows it to be used as an audio system for a small TV.

The Avaton is aimed at the main living room. Its 5.25-inch subwoofer and five amplification channels produce a fuller sound, and the HDMI ARC connection turns it into a genuine soundbar for the TV. Its 51 cm width allows it to fit under a 50-inch screen. Home automation integration will appeal to those automating their home.

All three models share the Sonoro aesthetic, with that piano-lacquer wood cabinet and those meticulous finishes that set them apart from mainstream audio products. Ultimately, the choice depends on room size, the importance of the CD player, and the available budget.