Sonos’ Super Bowl sale knocks hundreds off its audio gear
Share this @internewscast.com

While Sonos may not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking about the Super Bowl, the company consistently offers enticing discounts on its audio equipment during this time of year. This year, Sonos is slashing prices by 20% on a selection of its top products, including soundbars and standalone speakers. These devices can be seamlessly integrated to enhance audio quality and distribute sound throughout your home.

Until February 16th, Sonos is maintaining reduced prices on its Era 100 and larger Era 300 speakers, as well as the Beam and Arc Ultra soundbars and an array of wireless subwoofers. For context, some of these deals rival or even outperform prices on Sonos’ certified refurbished items.

The Era 100 stands out as a leading smart speaker in its price bracket, packed with features. Our 2023 review highlighted its superior stereo sound and enhanced bass compared to its predecessor, the Sonos One. It offers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity and supports line-in audio through USB-C for those who prefer wired connections. Normally priced at $219, it is now available for $179 at Sonos, Amazon, and Best Buy.

Sonos’ Era 300 brings a modern twist to the Sonos Five, offering a more robust audio experience than the Era 100. It excels in delivering spatial audio, offering an immersive experience with well-mixed Dolby Atmos tracks. Like the Era 100, it provides Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity along with line-in via USB-C. However, our review pointed out that its stereo playback does not quite match up to its predecessor. Despite this, the Era 300, now priced at $379 from $479 during the sale, is a compelling choice for those seeking a deep musical immersion.

Moving to soundbars, the second-generation Beam has been reduced to $369 from its original $499 price. Though it may not be the most feature-rich option at this price point, its integration with other Sonos products and improved soundstage over the previous model might make it attractive. Its standout feature is Dolby Atmos support, though it uses a virtualized effect due to the lack of upward-firing speakers. With limited physical connections—just a power plug, HDMI eARC, and an Ethernet port—you may need a $25 HDMI-to-optical adapter for optical audio connections.

The Arc Ultra represents a significant upgrade over the Beam, now priced at $899, down from $1,099. Our review praised its enhanced bass, which suffices without needing an additional wireless subwoofer. It also offers a more immersive sound experience and now includes Bluetooth connectivity, a feature absent in the original Arc. While the Arc Ultra can be paired with other Sonos speakers for an enriched sound experience, note that the older Play:1 and Play:3 speakers are not compatible for surround sound integration.

If you’re considering either the Bean or the Arc Ultra (or if you already own one of its soundbars), their performance will benefit greatly with the addition of a Sonos subwoofer, of which the company makes two models. The Sub 4 is its high-end option, which is $759 during the sale period (down from $899). Anything this close to $1,000 is extremely expensive for a subwoofer, especially considering that most companies include one with their surround sound systems. The Sub 4 is able to lay horizontally or sit vertically — however suits your room best.

For almost half the cost of the Sub 4, you can get the Sub Mini. It’s $399, down from $499. You may be thinking that even this one is still pretty costly, and I agree. Although, it’s a product that Sonos loyalists were begging for, as before it there was no other choice than to spring for its more expensive subwoofer. In our review, we deemed it unworthy for filling large rooms with bass, but totally sufficient in most other ways. Something cool about its design is the force-canceling effect that reduces floor vibrations, which could be great if you’re worried about disturbing neighbors or other people in the house.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Inside the Minneapolis General Strike: A Ground-Level View of Thousands in Protest

In the biting cold, removing my mittens to consult Google Maps was…

SpaceX’s Ambitious Plan: Launching 1 Million Solar-Powered Data Centers into Orbit

In a bold move, SpaceX has approached the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)…