Sanus Era 300 Speaker Stands Review: Stylish but Pricey
If you thought premium speakers deserved equally premium stands, the Sanus Wireless Speaker Stands for Sonos Era 300 (Black) - Pair might make you pause. With an average score hovering around 8/10 across platforms, their sleek design and stability earn praise — but weight support issues and pricing disputes leave some buyers skeptical.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — excellent for style-conscious Sonos Era 300 owners who prioritize build and cable concealment, but may disappoint if you demand flawless height adjustment or perfect surround placement.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Heavy base prevents tipping, even on carpet | High price compared to alternatives |
| Sleek, Sonos-matched design | Some adjustable models can't hold Era 300's weight properly |
| Effective cable management for clean look | Fixed height may not suit surround setups |
| Quick assembly (~15 minutes) | Cable routing may force permanent installation |
| Solid stability for heavy speakers | No swivel/angle adjustment |
| Compatible with Era 100 (with extra mount) | Shorter cable reach at max height |
Claims vs Reality
Sanus’ marketing leans heavily on two promises: “optimal listening height” and “effortless 17-inch height adjustment.” Official specs list the fixed WSSE32 at 32.31" and the adjustable WSSE3A1 at 25–42 inches. On paper, both seem tailored for various room layouts.
Digging deeper into user reports, that “optimal” claim depends heavily on how you use your speakers. A Sonos Community contributor bluntly stated: “The fixed position stands at 32 in… does not… provide the optimal height for the Era 300’s when used as surround speakers,” though they admitted the height “may be sufficient” for front stereo placement. That’s a clear deviation from the all-purpose narrative.
Similarly, the adjustable models’ “effortless” height change hasn’t been universal. One Reddit user recalled that their Sanus adjustable stand “failed to support the weight of the Era 300’s. The slide mechanism didn’t lock into place firmly thus the Era 300’s would slip below the adjusted height.” Contradicting this, multiple Best Buy buyers praised “smooth height adjustability” and had no issues holding position, suggesting potential batch inconsistencies or model version differences.
Cable management is another headline claim. While many celebrate the “press fit” concealment system, one verified Best Buy reviewer warned, “If I wanted to take advantage of the cable management, I needed to commit to leaving the speaker on the stand permanently… you can’t remove the cables without unscrewing the stand from the base.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Amazon, Best Buy, and forums, stability is the crown jewel. A verified Best Buy buyer, Andresmn, confirmed: “No movement even under extreme use and high volume sound” when using them on carpet with spikes. This stability directly benefits households with kids or pets — one review even noted two cats couldn’t topple them.
Aesthetic match consistently delights owners. The all-black finish and curved design are repeatedly described as “made for Sonos,” with Dunhill saying it “matches the speaker perfectly and completes the look of my home theatre system.” For style-conscious buyers, that integration matters as much as acoustics.
Cable concealment also wins praise when installation is a one-and-done event. Mhurley7 highlighted getting their Era 300s “at the precise level for our rear speaker setup” while keeping wires invisible, an indispensable perk for minimalist living rooms.
Common Complaints
Weight support issues on some adjustable versions dominate negative threads. The Sonos Community report of stands “slipping below the adjusted height” echoes early WSSE3A2 complaints on Sanus’ own site (1.5/5 stars, 2 reviews before discontinuation). This particularly affects power users who reposition speakers often.
Height inflexibility in the fixed WSSE32 is another sticking point for surround enthusiasts. One forum post called them “a non-starter” if you want true ear-level rear placement, suggesting that for immersive Dolby Atmos setups, they could underperform.
Pricing is polarizing. Edrick96 liked the adjustability but still felt “they are very expensive,” a sentiment amplified by Trustpilot and Reddit discussions where buyers compare them unfavorably to Sonos’ own stands or budget alternatives.
Cable management, while sleek, has functional drawbacks. As Trobadour explained, max height often shortens the speaker cable’s reach to outlets, forcing either layout compromises or the purchase of extension cords.
Divisive Features
Height adjustment is both the most beloved and maligned feature. Best Buy reviewer Aaronv called them “great adjustable stands” with “heavy base” stability, while others side with the Sonos Community poster who said the mechanism “didn’t lock into place firmly” under the 9.85 lb Era 300 load.
Ease of assembly is also contentious. Many note it’s a breezy 15-minute build with a Phillips screwdriver; others, like Dunhill, found the base and post connection “a little awkward to put together” despite clear instructions.
Trust & Reliability
No systemic scam concerns emerged, and multiple long-term owners report durability. Sanus’ all-metal construction with extruded aluminum resists wear, as echoed by PhillipB, who described them as “great stable stand[s]” with a “nice and heavy” base even after extended use.
However, some caution is warranted with the single-screw plastic connector between speaker and stand. PhillipB warned it’s “a little flimsy” and could snap if mishandled — a long-term weak point affecting reliability over years.
Alternatives
Surprisingly, the main comparison is to Sonos’ own Era 300 stands. Forum discussions crown the official version as “an engineering marvel” for surround use, citing perfect height and minimalist physics-based stability. Yet, their higher price and lack of height adjustment push some back to Sanus.
Flexson stands were mentioned but noted as unavailable for the Era 300 at the time of discussion.
For those unconcerned about brand-matching, generic AV stands could offer savings, but as one Redditor noted, “The size, weight, and shape of the [Era 300] makes it almost impossible to use a generic speaker stand” without risk.
Price & Value
At around $219–$299 (depending on model and color), Sanus Era 300 stands sit firmly in the premium tier. eBay listings suggest limited but notable resale value — $63.99 for wall mount variants and auctions clearing at under $10 for open bids on floor stands.
Community consensus is to weigh the cost against permanence: if your Era 300s have a fixed location in an actively used space, the investment in aesthetics and stability makes sense. For experimental layouts or frequent moves, the price stings more, especially if adjustable models slip.
FAQ
Q: Can these stands hold the weight of the Sonos Era 300 without slipping?
A: Many owners say yes, with stability praised even during high-volume playback. However, some adjustable models have been reported to slip under load, particularly older/discontinued versions.
Q: Is the cable management fully removable for quick speaker swaps?
A: No. To use the built-in concealment, you route the cable through the base, which often requires unscrewing the stand to remove or replace it.
Q: Are they suitable for surround sound setups with optimal height?
A: Fixed 32-inch stands may be too low for some ear-level surround configurations. Adjustable models offer flexibility but come with occasional locking issues.
Q: Do they work with other Sonos speakers?
A: Yes, with included mounts they can support the smaller Era 100 as well.
Q: How difficult is assembly?
A: Most buyers report a straightforward 15-minute setup with a Phillips screwdriver, though the base/post connection can feel awkward initially.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a Sonos Era 300 owner seeking a stylish, stable, and cable-tidy solution in a permanent spot. Avoid if you constantly reposition speakers or want perfect surround ear height without spending top dollar. Pro tip from the community: test height lock stability before committing the Era 300’s weight.
