Latest news with #Sonos
UAE Moments
19 hours ago
- UAE Moments
My Honest Take on the Sonos Era 300 (White): Why It's a Must for Every Home
If you're anything like me, sound matters. Not just music, but how it fills your space, how it makes you feel, how it turns an ordinary evening into something a little more alive. That's exactly what the Sonos Era 300 in white has done for me—and I'm here to tell you, without exaggeration, that it's one of the best additions I've made to my home in years. Let me say this upfront: I've tried a lot of speakers. Some boomed, others crackled, and most just… sounded fine. The Sonos Era 300? It doesn't just play music—it transforms how music is experienced. And there's something about the white finish that feels clean, elegant, and timeless. It blends beautifully with my interior—like it belongs, not like it's trying too hard. Unboxing and First Impressions When the box arrived, even the packaging felt premium. Sonos clearly puts care into the first impression, and rightly so. The white Era 300 is a statement piece—it looks modern and sculptural without being over-designed. It has this subtly futuristic design that doesn't scream 'tech,' which I love. Minimal, curved, with smooth lines and a seamless build. The matte white gives it a kind of Scandinavian design vibe—neutral, fresh, and fitting whether you're in a sleek apartment or a cozy family home. I placed it in my living room on a shelf and immediately felt like it elevated the space. That was even before I turned it on. Setting It Up Setup was a breeze. If you're already in the Sonos ecosystem, you'll appreciate how intuitive the app is. But even if you're new to Sonos, the onboarding is smooth and well-guided. Within minutes, the Era 300 was connected to my Wi-Fi, synced with my services, and ready to go. I use Apple Music and Spotify, both of which integrate beautifully. One tap on the app, and it was go time. Spatial Audio = Game Changer Let's talk about what makes the Era 300 truly unique —its support for spatial audio. I didn't really understand the hype until I experienced it. Sonos built this speaker to project sound in every direction, left, right, forward, and up. You literally feel like you're sitting inside the music. It's not a gimmick—it's a different level of listening. When I played 'As It Was' by Harry Styles in Dolby Atmos, I felt like I was in the studio with him. The vocals hovered mid-room, the guitar strummed off to the side, and somehow the drums sounded like they were coming from above. It wasn't just louder or clearer. It was immersive. This is what separates the Era 300 from almost any other wireless speaker in its class. It's not just about volume or bass (though it nails both). It's about depth and dimensionality. I've had friends over who literally stopped mid-conversation to ask what speaker I was using. Room-Filling Sound That Adapts What also impressed me is how the Era 300 automatically adjusts its sound depending on where you place it. I tested this. I moved it closer to a corner—less than ideal placement—and it compensated brilliantly using Sonos's Trueplay technology. The sound remained balanced, natural, and full. No harsh reflections. No muffled tones. Just crystal-clear audio. Whether you're watching a movie, playing classical piano, or blasting electronic beats—the Era 300 handles it all. Voice Control and Connectivity I use Alexa at home, and the Era 300 has built-in voice assistants —Alexa and Sonos Voice Control. This means I can change songs, adjust volume, or play a playlist just by saying a few words. It responds quickly and accurately. For someone like me, who's usually cooking, working, or chasing after kids, that hands-free convenience is a game changer. You can also stream directly via Bluetooth, which wasn't available in older Sonos models. That's huge for guests who want to share music quickly. The inclusion of USB-C line-in also means you can connect a turntable or CD player if you're feeling nostalgic. Why Every Home Needs It Now, why do I believe every home should have the Sonos Era 300? 1. It replaces the need for multiple devices. Before this, I had a Bluetooth speaker in one room, a soundbar in another, and a smart speaker in the kitchen. The Era 300 can hold its own in any of those roles—music, movies, podcasts, background noise, you name it. 2. It brings people together. Music is social. It's emotional. It's about moments. Whether it's background music for a dinner party or a Friday night dance session with my kids, the Era 300 becomes part of the moment. 3. It grows with you. Already thinking about getting another one for stereo pairing. And when paired with a Sonos Arc or Beam and subwoofer, it becomes part of a true home theater setup. This thing is future-proof. 4. It's elegant, inside and out. Let's not ignore the aesthetics. The white color is understated luxury. It complements neutral tones, wooden furniture, minimal or maximalist styles. It's a piece of decor as much as a speaker. 5. It's eco-conscious. Sonos has started to take sustainability seriously. The Era 300 uses recycled materials and is designed to be more energy efficient. That matters to me, and probably to most people trying to be more conscious about their purchases. Final Thoughts & My Recommendation After a few weeks of living with the Sonos Era 300, I don't see myself going back. It's one of those rare devices that quietly upgrades your life in the background. You don't realize how much you need it until you have it. And once you do, you start finding excuses to use it more. Music sounds better. Mornings feel smoother. Dinners are warmer. Even movie nights have an extra layer of magic. If you've been on the fence about upgrading your home audio, stop hesitating. Go for the white Sonos Era 300. It looks stunning, sounds even better, and brings soul back to your space. Trust me—you won't regret it. You can purchase the SONOS Era 300 speakers in White or Black directly from the SONOS website or through various e-commerce platforms. The ERA 300 speaker is priced at AED 2,099.
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I test soundbars for a living — upgrade your TV audio for under $300 with these budget picks
Your TV speakers suck. I'm sorry you had to find out this way, but it's important that you're aware. As TV manufacturers make ever-thinner TV sets, the space your speakers have to breathe becomes ever more tight and restrictive, the speakers inside your TV sound worse and worse by the year. You could be cynical — "It's because the manufacturers want you to buy the matching soundbar!" — and there's a part of that which could be close to the truth. But. That doesn't mean you have to go out and buy the expensive matching soundbar option for your TV. We've tested loads of the best soundbars at Tom's Guide, and there are some great options out there that won't stretch your budget. Here are three at slightly different price points to give you what you want for less. If you're looking for the best way to get excellent sound for your TV without spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on a more expensive option, the Sony HT-S100F is an excellent way of making dialogue clearer and movies sound bigger for only $150. You're not going to get a full surround experience or a big, floor-rumbling subwoofer with this option, but you are going to get some very good separate speakers that make watching TV a joy. Voices that are muffled and annoying on your TV are now much clearer and easier to make out, and soundtracks sound much fuller and exciting. The soundbar earned 4 stars in our review thanks to its boost in sound quality over your (awful) TV speakers. Just plug it in and you're away, with a simple-to-use remote control to keep on top of volume level and sound mode. You're not going to do better for $150. A very solid soundbar for a very solid price, the HT-S100F brings excellent sound for your TV without emptying your wallet. It's even been spotted for under $100, so it might be worth watching that price over deals events like Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day. "Oh, it's a Sonos, that means it's going to be really expensive, right?" Not so, weary soundbar traveler, your patience wearing thin as you scan the Amazon listings for 'cheap soundbars.' The Sonos Ray is the cheapest of the Sonos family, and it's actually really not all that expensive when compared to the competition. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. It's $200, and brings all the smarts of the more expensive models into a more affordable package. That means AirPlay 2 and the Sonos app so that you can stream all your favorite tunes without the need to dip into a Bluetooth menu. It connects to the TV really easily as well, and then plays some excellent sound for your movies and TV. There's no Dolby Atmos or surround sound here, but it's a great option for smaller TV sets and smaller rooms. A great option for a not world-ending price. Sonos' smallest soundbar still packs a massive movie punch, with massive bass and excellent dialogue. The smart features are what make it though, with AirPlay 2 and connection to the Sonos app so that you can stream music to it. The compact Samsung HW-B650 sounds much bigger than it's size would suggest, thanks to a 3.1 setup inside. That's about as surround-y as you're going to get for this price, and it does a marvelous job of making your movies and TV sound larger than life. It's the seperate subwoofer that comes in the box which really comes in clutch, though. It produces some lovely bass for explosions, music, and other sounds that need some more power behind them. It's the most expensive on the list, but if you want your movies to get more cinematic on a budget, this is the way to go. The HW-B650 is a great soundbar, especially if you're after a bit more bass. There's a dedicated subwoofer in the box for the low stuff, and the soundbar itself does a great job at some pseudo-surround thanks to its 3.1 setup. The price is right — this could be the soundbar for you. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
UAE Moments
6 days ago
- Business
- UAE Moments
Sonos Appoints Tom Conrad as Chief Executive Officer
July 24, 2025 – Sonos, Inc. (Nasdaq: SONO) today announced that the Sonos Board of Directors has appointed Tom Conrad as Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Mr. Conrad, who has served as Interim CEO since January of this year, will remain on the Board of Directors. 'Following a comprehensive and competitive search, the Board is confident that Tom is the best person to lead Sonos into its next chapter of delighting customers, spearheading innovation, and driving growth,' said Julius Genachowski, Chair of the Board. 'Over the past six months, Tom has earned the confidence of our employees, customers, partners and shareholders by restoring urgency and a deep commitment to delivering ever-improving experiences. He has a compelling vision for Sonos' future, with strong plans to harness technology to benefit our customers, as AI and other advances reframe the landscape and unlock new opportunities. We're energized by what Sonos' next chapter holds for all our stakeholders.' Sonos has achieved notable progress under Mr. Conrad's leadership as Interim CEO. This includes setting a new standard for the quality of Sonos' software and product experience, clearing the path for a robust new product pipeline, and launching innovative new software enhancements to flagship products Sonos Ace and Arc Ultra. 'Since the beginning of this year, we've reestablished clarity, focus, and momentum at Sonos. We've dramatically improved our software products and recommitted to delivering the kind of premium experience our customers expect,' said Tom Conrad. 'We're just getting started. The opportunity in front of us is enormous and I'm so excited to move from rebuilding to imagining the next generation of experiences: more immersive, more intelligent, and more seamlessly integrated into our customers' lives.' About Tom Conrad Tom Conrad has served on the Sonos Board of Directors since 2017 and is a seasoned leader in consumer technology with over three decades of experience. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Zero Longevity Science, where he drove growth for its subscription digital health platform from 2021 through 2024. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Product Officer of Quibi, a short form streaming service where he helped build the team and product from scratch. Mr. Conrad was the Vice President of Product at Snap Inc., where he oversaw numerous product innovations that solidified Snapchat as a leader in the social media landscape, renowned for its creativity and user engagement. Tom also served as the Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Product at Pandora, where he was among the original creators of the pioneering music streaming service. During his decade-long tenure, he drove the development of Pandora's personalized music experience, helping the company scale to tens of millions of users and revolutionizing how the world discovers and listens to music. At the start of his career, Tom worked at Apple building the foundational user interface of the Macintosh. He holds a B.S.E. in computer engineering from the University of Michigan. Date for Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Call As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call and Q&A to discuss its third quarter 2025 earnings results for the quarter ended June 28, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on August 6, 2025. A live webcast of the conference call and Q&A will be accessible at A replay of the webcast and transcript will be available through the same link following the conference call. The live conference call may also be accessed toll free by dialing 1 (888) 330-2454 with conference ID 8641747. Participants outside the U.S. can access the call by dialing 1 (240) 789-2714. 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 Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding changes to our leadership team, our business strategy and plans, market growth, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words 'believe,' 'may,' 'will,' 'estimate,' 'continue,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'could,' 'would,' 'expect,' 'objective,' 'plan,' 'potential,' 'seek,' 'grow,' 'target,' 'if,' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: our ability to accurately forecast product demand and effectively forecast and manage owned and channel inventory levels; our ability to introduce software updates to our new app on a timely basis and otherwise deliver on our action plan to address issues caused by our new app and related customer commitments; our ability to maintain, enhance and protect our brand image; the impact of global economic, market and political events, including continued inflationary pressures, high interest rates and, in certain markets, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; changes in consumer income and overall consumer spending as a result of economic or political uncertainty or conditions, including tariffs; changes in consumer spending patterns; our ability to successfully introduce new products and services and maintain or expand the success of our existing products; the success of our efforts to expand our direct-to-consumer channel; the success of our financial, growth and business strategies; our ability to compete in the market and maintain or expand market share; our ability to meet product demand and manage any product availability delays; supply chain challenges, including shipping and logistics challenges and component supply-related challenges; our ability to protect our brand and intellectual property; our use of artificial intelligence; and the other risk factors set forth under the caption 'Risk Factors' in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'), including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings, copies of which are available free of charge at the SEC's website at or upon request from our investor relations department. All forward-looking statements herein reflect our opinions only as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update forward-looking statements herein in light of new information or future events. Sonos and Sonos product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sonos, Inc. All other product names and services may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
Gizmodo
6 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Amazon Is Selling at a Loss, Sonos Headphones Now Cost Pennies for Back to School
Sonos has long been a great brand in premium audio, especially when it comes to wireless speakers. But Sonos' wireless headphones, the Sonos Ace, are a favorite thanks to gorgeous technology and style. You probably know that Sonos rarely ever offers discounts on its products overall so deals are few and far between – which is why this timing of this new Amazon sale is getting so much attention: the Sonos Ace is currently on sale for $295, marked down from its regular $449. That's a 34% markdown from the original price, and one of our favorite deals right now. See at Amazon The Sonos Ace brings together leading-edge features that compete with the best wireless headphones available. With their focus on immersive, cinematic sound quality, these headphones introduce Dolby Atmos spatial audio and move your listening into three dynamic head tracking, the Ace can shift sound orientation depending on how you move your head and immerses you in sound. You'll also love its active noise cancellation: Best-in-class ANC technology silences background noises and lets you completely focus on your music or podcast. If you spend your days in a busy office, these headphones deliver a full soundscape. And if you must rejoin the world at some point, the transparency mode lets you tune in to what's happening around you instantly, all with the press of a button. The Sonos Ace does not let you down with Bluetooth streaming and lossless playback from USB-C. So, no matter if you choose wireless or wired, you can hear every detail of your music library. Regardless of your setup, you're getting world-class sound full of depth and full of life. Audiophiles who have long been in search of headphones that really meet high-resolution files will be thrilled. You'll also enjoy 30 hours of playback time even when active noise cancellation is employed. To a person on the move, this means you can last days before you have to recharge. When time is scarce, the fast charge feature is a blessing: three minutes of charging gives you that many hours of play. Not bad at all. No more waiting around when you're heading out the door or about to catch a train. With Sonos almost never offering discounts, this is the time to invest. See at Amazon
Hans India
6 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Tom Conrad Named Permanent CEO as Sonos Promises Fresh Start
Sonos has officially named Tom Conrad as its permanent CEO, the company confirmed on Wednesday. Conrad stepped in as interim chief executive back in January after the company's troubled app overhaul last May prompted former CEO Patrick Spence to step down. A familiar face at Sonos, Conrad has served on the company's board since 2017 and previously held the role of chief product officer at the now-defunct streaming platform Quibi. With this new chapter, Conrad says he's committed to 'imagining the next generation of experiences' at Sonos—an ambition he shared during an interview earlier this year. The major app redesign that sparked customer backlash introduced a slew of bugs and removed key features that longtime users valued. Since then, Sonos has been working to regain trust, rolling out several updates to restore functionality and fix issues. Under Conrad's interim leadership, Sonos laid off about 200 employees as part of a move to streamline operations into 'flatter, smaller, and more focused teams.' The company also ended its partnership with Ikea on the popular Symfonisk speakers line. In March, Sonos ramped up efforts to fix lingering app complaints and rolled out significant software improvements for its Ace wireless headphones and Arc soundbar, signalling a clear push to win back customers.
