Sonos Era 100 SL white

Sonos Era 100 SL: the connected speaker without a microphone

At Sonos, the “SL” versions (for Speechless) deliberately remove the built-in microphones. The Era 100 SL takes over the acoustic architecture and compact form factor of the Era 100 launched in 2023, but without voice sensors. This decision addresses two concerns: privacy for users who are reluctant to have always-on mics, and cost savings for those who don’t use voice assistants or plan to integrate the speaker into a home theater system where the soundbar already handles those functions.

Two tweeters for stereo sound in a compact format

The Era 100 SL retains the acoustic design of the Era 100, which differs from that of the Sonos One it replaces in the lineup. Two silk dome tweeters are angled toward the left and right sides, with custom waveguides. This layout widens the soundstage and creates a perceptible stereo effect, even with a single speaker. The central mid-woofer, 25% larger than that of the Sonos One, handles mids and bass. Three class-D digital amplifiers power each driver separately.

The quad-core processor (4 × A55 at 1.4 GHz) processes the audio signal and manages network functions. With 1 GB of RAM and 4 GB of internal storage, the speaker has comfortable headroom for software updates.

Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and auxiliary input

The Era 100 SL features dual-band Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3. Wi‑Fi offers better audio quality (high-resolution, uncompressed streaming) and lets you group the speaker with other Sonos products in different rooms. Bluetooth is used for quick connections: if a friend wants to play a track from their phone, a press on the rear button is all it takes.

The auxiliary input uses a USB‑C adapter sold separately. You can connect a turntable (equipped with a phono preamp), a CD player, or any other wired audio device. This option, previously reserved for more expensive models like the Sonos Five or the Port, makes the Era 100 SL appealing to vinyl enthusiasts who want to stream their records into multiple rooms via the multiroom system.

Apple AirPlay 2 is built in, allowing you to stream from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac and control playback via Siri on these devices.

Trueplay: limited calibration without built-in microphones

The absence of microphones has a direct impact on the Trueplay feature, Sonos’ acoustic calibration system. The standard Era 100 offers two modes: Quick Tuning (a 30‑second quick calibration using the speaker’s microphones) and Advanced Tuning (more precise calibration using an iOS device’s microphone). The Era 100 SL can only use the latter.

In practice, Android users cannot calibrate the Era 100 SL with Trueplay. iOS users must move around the room for about three minutes while waving their iPhone or iPad so the app can measure sound reflections. Once calibration is complete, the speaker adjusts its EQ to the room’s acoustics. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it is a constraint to be aware of before purchasing.

Home theater setup and stereo pairs

Two Era 100 SL units can be paired in stereo to further widen the soundstage. You can also pair an Era 100 SL with a standard Era 100: the version with a microphone will then provide voice control for the whole setup.

Using them as rear surround speakers fits the product’s philosophy. Paired with a soundbar such as Arc, Arc Ultra, Beam (Gen 2), or Ray, two Era 100 SL units complete a 5.0 or 5.1 system (with a Sub). Since the soundbar already handles voice assistants, microphones in the rear speakers are redundant. Saving around thirty euros per speaker, or about sixty for a pair, can make expanding the system more affordable. Note: in a home theater configuration, Bluetooth and the auxiliary input are disabled on the surround speakers.

Size, finish, and moisture resistance

The speaker measures 182.5 mm in height, 120 mm in width, and 130.5 mm in depth, and weighs 1.95 kg. This format fits easily on a shelf, countertop, desk, or bedside table. The matte finish (black or white) limits fingerprints, although the black version is still more sensitive. Moisture resistance allows installation in a kitchen or bathroom, as long as the speaker is not exposed to direct water splashes.

The touch controls on top handle play/pause, volume, and track skipping. Pressing the volume buttons simultaneously lets you group or ungroup the speaker with other Sonos products.

Technical specifications

Key features

• Clear and detailed stereo sound with deep bass
• No built-in microphone (privacy protection)
• Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 and Apple AirPlay 2
• Trueplay for automatic sound tuning according to the room (iOS required)
• Compatible with Sonos multiroom and stereo system with another Era 100 SL
• Jack input to connect vinyl players or other audio sources (adapter sold separately)
• Humidity resistant
• Compact design and matte finish
• Recycled materials and FSC packaging

Audio

• Amplifiers: 3 calibrated Class D digital amplifiers
• Tweeters: 2 side tweeters with custom waveguides for crystal-clear treble
• Woofer: 1 mid-woofer for deep bass and natural vocals
• Customizable equalization via the Sonos app
  • Bass, treble, Loudness
• Trueplay: automatic sound adjustment according to the room’s acoustics

Connectivity

• Wi‑Fi: 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac / ax Dual Band (2.4 / 5 GHz)
• Bluetooth: 5.3 for direct streaming from any compatible device
• Apple AirPlay 2 for streaming from iPhone, iPad, Mac and control via Siri
• Jack input via optional adapter to connect vinyl players or audio devices
• Compatible with Sonos multiroom and stereo with two Era 100 SL speakers

Hardware and performance

• Processor: Quad Core 4 x A55 at 1.4 GHz
• RAM: DDR4 1 GB
• Storage: eMMC 4 GB
• Digital amplifiers: Class D

Dimensions and weight

• Height: 182.5 mm
• Width: 120 mm
• Depth: 130.5 mm
• Weight: 1.95 kg
• Finishes: Black or White, matte

Power and accessories

• Included power cable: 2 m
• Internal power supply: 100–240 V, 50 / 60 Hz
• Optional adapters for jack input or Ethernet
• Stand or accessories sold separately

Control and interface

• Touch controls: play / pause, volume, track change, group / ungroup
• Sonos app: centralized control, multiroom streaming and audio settings
• Direct control via compatible apps (Spotify, TIDAL, etc.)
• LED indicators: connection status and mute mode

Eco-responsibility

• Post-consumer recycled plastics
• Optimized power consumption thanks to software efficiency
• 100% recyclable FSC packaging

Box contents

• Sonos Era 100 SL
• 2 m power cable
• Quick start guide
• Legal information and warranty