Sonos Launches Play and Era 100 SL Speakers After Hiatus

Sonos has unveiled two new speakers, the portable Sonos Play and the budget-oriented Sonos Era 100 SL, marking the company's return to consumer audio product launches after a two-year hiatus focused on app improvements. The announcements come as Sonos seeks to rebuild momentum following a challenging 2024 marked by software issues and leadership changes. Both models are available for preorder in black or white and will hit stores on March 31.

The Sonos Play, priced at $299 in the United States and Rs 31,999 in India, targets users seeking versatility for indoor and outdoor use. This mid-range portable speaker slots between the smaller Roam 2 and the larger Move 2 in Sonos's lineup. It features a 35-watt-hour battery offering up to 24 hours of playback, an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, and a drop-proof design suitable for beach outings or backyard gatherings. Weighing nearly three pounds, it includes a removable utility loop for carrying or hanging, along with physical buttons on top for play, pause, track skipping, volume adjustment, and muting the voice assistant.

Inside, the Play houses three Class-D amplifiers powering two angled tweeters, a midwoofer, and...