Sonos has returned to launching new speaker hardware with the introduction of two additions to its lineup, signaling a renewed focus on its core business of connected home audio. The move follows the company’s decision to cancel an internal streaming device project and concentrate its efforts on expanding its multi-room speaker ecosystem.
The two new Sonos speakers — the portable Sonos Play and the Era 100 SL — arrive after the company stepped away from developing a streaming set-top box known internally as Pinewood. That device had been planned as a competitor in the streaming hardware market alongside products such as the Apple TV 4K. Sonos had explored the project as part of a broader attempt to expand beyond audio devices into video entertainment hardware.
Ultimately, the company chose to discontinue the Pinewood project and redirect attention back to its primary product category. Under CEO Tom Conrad, Sonos has shifted its strategy toward strengthening its multi-room audio platform and building out its speaker lineup rather than entering new entertainment hardware segments.
The Sonos Play is a portable speaker priced at $299 and positioned between the Roam 2 and Move 2 models in the company’s existing range. It supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth playback and carries an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor listening. Sonos says the speaker can provide up to 24 hours of battery life depending on usage.
Inside the device are two passive radiators, a midwoofer, and two angled tweeters powered by three internal amplifiers. The speaker also supports automatic Trueplay tuning, which adjusts the sound profile based on the room environment when connected through the Sonos app. Like other products in the lineup, the Play integrates with the broader Sonos system, allowing audio to be synchronized across multiple rooms in a home. Support for Apple AirPlay 2 also allows users to stream audio directly from compatible Apple devices.
The second product introduced alongside the Play is the Era 100 SL. Priced at $189, the speaker is a simplified version of the existing Era 100 model. The main difference is the removal of the built-in microphone, while the acoustic design and sound profile remain the same as the original version.
The Era 100 SL can be paired with another unit for stereo playback or used as part of a home theater configuration with Sonos soundbars. By offering a version without a microphone, Sonos provides an option for users who prefer a speaker without voice assistant functionality.
Both speakers are available for preorder starting March 10, with general availability scheduled for March 31.
The latest hardware release also reflects a broader strategic shift inside the company. Sonos has been reassessing how it approaches product development and ecosystem expansion. Rather than branching into entirely new categories such as streaming hardware, the company is focusing on building out a connected audio system designed to work across multiple rooms and devices.
The multi-room concept has long been central to the Sonos platform. Speakers connect primarily through Wi-Fi and can be grouped together so that music, podcasts, or other audio plays simultaneously throughout a home. Users can also control playback through the Sonos app or stream directly using platforms such as Apple AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth.
Lower-priced options such as the Era 100 SL may help introduce new customers to the ecosystem, while portable products like the Sonos Play extend the system beyond fixed rooms and into more flexible listening environments. Together, the two speakers represent a continuation of Sonos’ approach of gradually expanding its audio platform through additional devices that integrate with the broader system.
The release suggests the company is prioritizing its established strengths in home audio while continuing to develop hardware that fits within its connected speaker ecosystem.
