Unboxing Apple's Challenger: Sonos ERA 300 & ERA 100 vs HomePod 2

My Sonos Vs. HomePod Insanity! Join me as I Unbox and Review The Sonos ERA 300, The Sonos ERA 100 and compare them both to the Second Generation Apple HomePod. I also give a tour of my Sonos and HomePod Setup throughout my 'Smart Condo'.
**Chapters:
00:00 - Preview
00:57 - Intro
03:26 - ERA 100 Unboxing
04:16 - ERA 300 Unboxing
04:54 - ERA 100 Specs
08:39 - ERA 300 Specs
12:47 - Sonos & HomePod Tour
12:48 - The Garage Sonos Move
13:35 - The Patio Sonos Move
13:58 - George's Office Era 300 & HomePod
15:16 - Brilliant Smart Switch
15:57 - Living Room Sonos Arc & HomePod
18:07 - Lutron Pico Remote
18:35 - Kitchen Sonos Beam & HomePod
19:52 - Bathroom Sonos ERA 100
20:21 - KZbin Studio ERA 300 & HomePod
21:57 - Bedrooms Sonos Beam & HomePods
26:26 - Bathroom Sonos Move & HomePod
26:53 - Rooftop Deck Sonos Move
29:41 - Wrap Up
**Affiliate Links:
Sonos ERA 300: amzn.to/3KswXRN
Sonos ERA 100: amzn.to/3GxLdYF
Sonos Move: amzn.to/40UWqdR
Sonos Arc: amzn.to/3zSVxGB
Sonos Sub: amzn.to/3nZhykG
Sonos Sub Mini: amzn.to/3mn7wt8
Sonos Beam (2nd Gen): amzn.to/3KN98FT
Brilliant Smart Switch (1 Switch Panel): amzn.to/3KPkc5k
Brilliant Smart Switch (2 Switch Panel): amzn.to/3KPkc5k
Brilliant Smart Switch (3 Switch Panel): amzn.to/3KPkc5k
Brilliant Smart Switch (4 Switch Panel): amzn.to/3KPkc5k
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#SonosEra300 #SonosEra100 #HomePod #Sonos #applehomekit #applehome #airplay2 #sonosvoiceassistant #siri #homeaudio #hometheater #spatialaudio #dolbyatmos #sonosspatialaudio #applemusic #brilliant #picoremote #lutron
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George Langabeer is the Owner of SilverHammer Surveillance
At SilverHammer Surveillance we are home security and smart home specialists. We sell and install the very best home security cameras, surveillance systems and smart home devices. We offer complete home security wired NVR camera systems, smart home cameras, wireless security cameras, wifi cameras and cameras compatible with: Apple HomeKit Smart Home, Google Home (including Google Nest) and Amazon Alexa. All of our home security systems are remote viewable on your smart phone, table, PC or Mac.
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-Sonos ERA 300 Review
-Sonos ERA 100 Review
-Sonos Vs. HomePod

[@gregghayes6710]

George, I love your enthusiasm for great sound! You’re a nut. 😊

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

❤️😋

[@RedicL]

I would love another smart home tour! I personally learn so much from the tours and seeing updated tech and how you changed things to make it better really helps me. I take plenty of tips from your videos in order to improve my smart home and security! I am curious if you have outdoor security cameras besides your doorbell. I am looking at doing full google nest cams on my perimeter and using eve spotlight cams in my backyard (in addition to the google nest cams on the perimeter). I have two rear doors both with ugly old spot lights, and these are what I am going to replace with eve. Anyways now that I rambled about the thoughts in my head...... Great video and I really enjoy your content! I am going to go all in to apple and the home pods for my new house!

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Thanks for that feedback! Yes, on the cameras. Currently using Google Nest & have them in HomeKit using the Starling Home Hub.

[@darleneshipe7120]

George, THANK YOU for another great video! But... UGH! I share your struggle! I LOVE LOVE LOVE apple and wish their home pods worked like Sonos! Thank you again and appreciate you continuing with your great videos!

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Thanks for your continued support. It means a lot. 💙❤️

[@beefvalve]

keep in mind that a wall amplifies low frequencies up to 5dB, and a corner even more, up to 15dB. so placement of the speakers is crucial. it can enhance the sound, but also make it muddy... great review btw. really gives a good impression of the differences.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Thanks for the tip & thanks for watching!

[@jsac3939]

Hey George, I have a question. In our living room we have an Apple TV paired to two HomePod minis. When I am watching a KZbin video on the phone and want the sound to come from the HomePod minis, the Apple TV turns on and the video is transferred to the tv through Airplay. Is there a way I can watch the KZbin video on the phone but play the sound through the HomePod mini without the Apple TV turning on? Thanks!

[@mikeq2416]

Sweet fancy Moses! 😂 great video George!! I want a couple more HomePods and I am done, but I’ve recently been thinking about Sonos. I just don’t want to start or I will have to replace my system 🤦🏻‍♂️!

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

😂 Thanks! I feel your pain, trust me. I’ve “replaced my system” at least 5 times in the last 18 months. 🙄😋

[@mikeq2416]

@@GeorgeLangabeer Lol, I’ve seen your struggle unfold! I just want to be satisfied, but I don’t think that can ever happen 😆😆

[@rafaelandreou5125]

Hey George. Thanks for the video, really love your work. I am searching for a Home Theater setup for an apartment with a small living room (85m2, Living room around 12m2) and planning on not using high volume most of the times, but would like to have good performance / bass on lows. I do have a full Apple HomeKit setup/ecosystem (iPhone, Mac, iPad, Philips hue, etc). Would you recommend a pair of HomePods or a set of Sonos Beam Gen 2 + Era 100? I do have an LG C2 65". I am also a bit worried for the latency when wirelessly connecting HomePods and playing PS5 in comparison to directly connecting the HDMI eARC to Sonos. Also wanted to mention that in the case I am going with Sonos system (and rears), the closest I can place the rears is ~3m from the viewing position. Thanks 🙏

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Thank you! For the full home theater effect, I’d go Sonos in this case. I’d do the exact setup you were thinking, skipping the sub.

[@rafaelandreou5125]

Thanks for replying@@GeorgeLangabeer ! Do you think that 3m distance for the rears (2 x Era 100) would have a very negative impact on the surround experience? Also I read somewhere that beam 2 may be insufficient for a 65"" TV? Or this doesn't matter because I have a small living room?

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

@rafaelandreou5125 I that 3m from the TV or 3m from the main seating area…people that say that about the Beam are just talking about the aesthetic of the size difference. Sound wise, it doesn’t matter how big the tv is. It’s all about room size & not putting your neighbors on blast. The Beam 2 is perfect for an apartment.

[@rafaelandreou5125]

@@GeorgeLangabeer Oh okay then then the Beam will be perfect for my living room size. Rears will be positioned 3m from the seating area (couch), I just don’t want to add extra stands to bring them closer.

[@xguy9999]

Great video, I’ve read that it still better using trueplay using your iOS device. Sonos called the iOS way (advance trueplay) and the other way quick trueplay.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Indeed they did, but after paying close attention for a week, doing it all 3 ways (including without TruePlay), I notice a difference when I don’t use it, but heard no difference between the two when I did.

[@Nick19837]

Thanks for the video! I really like the artwork you have on the wall in your living room with the knight and windmill (seen at 17:14). Any way you can tell me who the artist is? Thanks!

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

The artist was my Dad. All original art in this condo (minus my Studio). Everything here was painted by my Dad, My Wife or My Daughter. My Dad actually had an art gallery in New York. I have one of his paintings tattooed on my arm. I reference that painting in a few of my Smart Apartment Tours.

[@Nick19837]

@@GeorgeLangabeer Wow how cool! I had no idea. I would love to get a print if there is anything ever available.

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

Quite a few significant improvements from Sonos. I expect I'll still get a pair of HomePod 2's for my main office, where about all I do is play stereo music (from my own collection, which is pretty huge). But if I ever upgrade my TV setup then I'll be tempted to get something from Sonos for that. I think surround sound would be more of a win when it comes to movies. I can't imagine I'd ever buy more than four HomePods -- two in my upstairs office and two in the downstairs office. 😊

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Yeah, I guess I’m the only freak that wants music in every room. That seems to be the general consensus anyway. 😋

[@24Gucho]

The Sonos HomePod War claims another victim! Just got an Arc after my Vizio soundbar died and I just entered a new world. Fun to see what others do.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Enjoy that Arc!

[@graham2425]

Great video as usual George and both Sonos a HomePod great sound but for real audio file you need separate hifi

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Yeah, I don’t know if there will ever be a Sonos product or Apple product made for a “true audiophile”. That’s not who this video was made for.

[@dr.v4333]

George, you are great! I just found you and am now subscribed. You are right in your thinking about overkill except I think of it as I want it and that is all that matters! Thanks for your thoughts and I will be sending positive vibes your way many, many times in the future. I am all things Apple but would like your advice on HomePod2 or ERA 300 in stereo pair in a 19' X 16' bedroom with a 55" tv roughly centered in the room, no soundbar or sub. Thanks!

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Thank you for the kind words & thanks for subscribing. I appreciate the support very much. If you’re all things Apple & not doing a soundbar or sub, I’d go HomePods. You’d have Siri that way & you’d have the option to use them with that tv if you so desired. You wouldn’t be able to use the 300s with a TV. Sound wise, they are very comparable.

[@dr.v4333]

If I buy a Sonos ARC soundbar would the HomePod2s still be a better choice or buy the ERA 300s?@@GeorgeLangabeer

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

For surrounds?

[@dr.v4333]

Sonos ARC with 2 Sonos ERA 300 or Sonos ARC and 2 HomePods2 are what I am considering. I am looking for the best combination for home theater (DTV, streaming, and Apple TV) along with great-sounding music (Amazon, Sirius XM, and Apple music). I'm open to any suggestions you may have. I am in the planning stage. I haven't bought anything yet. I just want to do it right the first time. Thank you.@@GeorgeLangabeer

[@TheCdM1981]

Cheap HomePod mini for any Siri requests. Sonos for everything else.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Good plan. 👍🏻

[@3rdeye77]

How’s the sound quality between the Sonos Move vs Sonos Era 300 for a mid sized room?

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

The ERA 300 takes it because of the spatial audio, but if it’s not a track that’s in spatial audio, the Move is very close in quality.

[@3rdeye77]

Thanks that’s helpful. How’s the sound quality of the Sonos Move compared to the Era 100? The Move is on promotion for $100 off right now…

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

The Era 100 sounds good, but the Move sounds better.

[@3rdeye77]

@@GeorgeLangabeer I guess u would need 2 Era 100s paired in stereo to get to that better audio quality?

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Yes you would.

[@Anonyme09865]

OVERKILL!!!! Why do you need that many home audio ?

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

I can’t be the only person on the planet that wants music in every room… Did you not watch the video?? I clearly admit that I’m a “lunatic” when it comes to this stuff. Lol

[@12bhisma12]

How many speakers you have wow Sonos addiction

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

You might be right. 😬

[@12bhisma12]

@@GeorgeLangabeer but it’s awesome 🙌

[@ThurowSmartHome]

I love this video. As a once certified recording studio engineer, I believe the Sonos systems surpass the HomePod 2s. To your whole home issue with your HomePods, I tried it myself just a few minutes prior to this comment. I currently have 5 HomePod Minis, with 1 still in its box. They all have the latest firmware of 16.4 installed. I started music in my bedroom. Then I asked Siri to play this everywhere. It worked. However, when I stopped the music, I had to individually request where to play the music if I wanted it to play in just one room. Otherwise; it would continue to play as last requested, everywhere.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

I’ve tried different combinations & it seems to go to crap once I get to 7. That’s when whole home audio goes downhill quick. It’s a shame, because when those HomePods first came out, they worked great for about 3 weeks. In those first 3 weeks, I only had problems when I went to 10. But at that time 8 was fine.

[@alexandergoyins7221]

Sonos sounds more elegant.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

I would agree. “Elegant” is a good word for it.

[@ashwanikhanna6920]

Hi Can you pls suggest is Sonos era 100 is better is last year product or Bose resolve plus 2 last 3 years product So Pls suggest

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

I personally prefer the Sonos ERA 100

[@thori0n264]

As an audiophile , dubbing any of those „audiophile“ is a joke . The HomePod sounds good for its price tag but in the 450 area I can get one Lower end speaker box that sounds a whole lot better than an era 300 . Is it cheaper than a real hifi system , hell it is does it stand a chance vs a low end speaker from let’s say Klipsch in the same price category ? No it doesn’t , not one bit .

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Nobody is saying either of these speakers are specifically marketed for audiophiles. The only reason I even mentioned the word, is because I knew comments like yours would be coming. Apple is marketed for people in the Apple Eco system, that want a good sounding smart speaker, that can also control their smart home. Sonos is marketed for people that want decent sounding speakers, a variety of options, flawless connectivity & whole home audio. Catering to audiophiles is not on either list.

[@Anonyme09865]

14:50 nah if you’re a real audiophile you don’t buy a sonos

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Yes, I know. That was a figure of speech. I knew as soon as I said it, people would jump all over it. Lol

[@analogguy5548]

@@GeorgeLangabeerFYI - I have what would certainly be considered a high end audio system, premium separates, turntable and speakers. Probably listen to 50%+ of music, background, on various Amazon Echo devices, including the Echo Subwoofer. I also listen to lots of music on my Sonos system, Arc, two One LS’s and Sonos Subwoofer Gen 3. Love and enjoy all three systems - They all have their place. The Sonos system certainly elevates my TV viewing experience. 🤠

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

@analogguy5548 Nice. Thanks for sharing & thanks for watching!

[@sarahneedham]

Just found your channel George. Love your stuff! I'm not an Apple person but I'm a massive Sonos fan! I have a little house here in the UK which is probably a similar size to your Condo. Given between your Homepods and Sonos speakers, you have about the same amount of speakers as me, I don't feel so crazy now! 😆 Oh and I'm a Breast cancer survivor for the past 14 years so keep up the fight and stay strong!

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Welcome and thanks for watching! Lol. I love it. So nice to hear that I’m not alone in my craziness. 14 years! That’s so wonderful. Thank you for sharing that. I WILL hit that kind of number someday! You’re a badass and an inspiration. 💙❤️

[@sarahneedham]

@@GeorgeLangabeer you sure will! I found a positive mental attitude, keeping fit and doing things you love is the best medicine ❤️💜

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

That’s exactly my strategy as well!