Sanus Era 300 Speaker Stands Review: Stylish Yet Pricey Buy
A verified Best Buy purchaser summed it up succinctly: “Once you install the speakers on the stands, you won’t want to remove them because of how stylish they look.” The Sanus Wireless Speaker Stands for Sonos Era 300 (Black) - Pair score a solid 8.4/10 across aggregated feedback—praised for their stability, sleek integration with Sonos design, and effective cable management, but shadowed by criticism over height suitability for surround setups and a premium price tag.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy—great design and stability for front setup, questionable for certain surround configurations.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Heavy, stable base resists tipping | At 32" fixed height, may not suit surround speaker positioning |
| Seamlessly matches Sonos Era 300 aesthetics | Higher cost than generic stands |
| Effective integrated cable management | Adjustable versions have reported slippage issues |
| Easy 15-minute assembly | Cable routing requires stand disassembly for changes |
| Matches both Era 300 and Era 100 (with mount) | No swivel/angle adjustment |
| Durable steel and aluminum build | Trigger button height adjustment tool easy to misplace |
Claims vs Reality
Sanus markets the WSSE31/WSSE32 fixed-height stands as offering “optimal listening height” (32.31 inches) for any setup—home theater, stereo pairing, or ambient listening. Digging deeper into user reports, this claim holds true for seated front-stage stereo arrangements, but not necessarily for rear surround speakers. A Sonos Community member warned: “The fixed position stands at 32 in… do not provide the optimal height for the Era 300’s when used as surround speakers.” This mismatch matters most for home theater enthusiasts seeking precise Dolby Atmos sound placement.
Another cornerstone claim is the “press fit cable management technology” for a cable-free look. Amazon listings portray this as seamless, but Best Buy user trobadour pointed out a hidden compromise: “If I wanted to take advantage of the cable management, I needed to commit to leaving the speaker on the stand permanently… once screwed, you can’t remove the cables without unscrewing the stand from the base.” This is fine for permanent setups but can frustrate those who frequently move gear.
Finally, Sanus emphasizes sturdy, oversized bases to “prevent tipping in any direction.” Here, reality aligns with marketing. Users from Best Buy to Reddit cite exceptional stability—even in multi-cat households, where stands held firm during “cat play over many years,” according to trobadour. Such stability matters for owners of the hefty 9.85 lb. Era 300, especially in carpeted rooms, where Sanus provides spikes for added grip.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
A recurring pattern emerged around build quality and design integration. The heavy alloy steel and extruded aluminum construction earn repeated kudos. Best Buy reviewer dunhill admitted, “one would think this was made by Sonos themselves,” highlighting how the black curves and finish mirror Sonos’ own aesthetic. This seamless match is a critical win for décor-conscious users unwilling to compromise on visual coherence.
Stability is another universally endorsed trait. Andres mn described them as “steady and safe for Sonos Era 300” in carpeted rooms, even at high volume. The base’s weight distribution reassures users fearful of accidents, and Phillipb praised “nice and heavy” counterbalance to the speaker’s mass. For Era 100 owners, included additional mounts extend compatibility, ensuring investment longevity if upgrading speakers.
Cable management, while polarizing in flexibility, wins applause for its finished look. Edick96 noted they “are adjustable but… very good stand” with cables neatly concealed, an upgrade over generic stands with dangling wires. In fixed installations, this transforms clutter into a minimalist visual.
Common Complaints
Height suitability for surround speakers is the loudest gripe. Reddit discussions suggest the fixed 32" height places rear surrounds too low for optimal Atmos performance. A community member contrasted them unfavorably to Sonos’ own taller stands, calling Sanus “a non-starter” for surround use despite adequate stereo positioning. This affects home theater purists most, especially those using Arc/Sub + Era 300 rear setups.
Adjustable-height versions, theoretically solving height issues, draw a different criticism—mechanical reliability. Multiple reports, including from Sonos forums, cite the sliding mechanism’s failure to firmly lock, causing speakers to “slip below the adjusted height.” Users investing in adjustment expect precise, stable positioning; slippage undermines that value.
Price is another friction point. While Best Buy reviewers like Aaronv see them as “less expensive than the stands sold directly from Sonos or Sanus,” the $219–$299 range is widely acknowledged as high. Rahul shared, “these are really expensive but they hold up the weight… really well,” reflecting reluctant acceptance. For budget-conscious buyers, cost can outweigh the aesthetic and stability gains.
Cable management's permanence is a hidden con for flexible setups. Moving or swapping cables demands partial disassembly, a nuisance for hobbyists testing different gear.
Divisive Features
Height adjustability polarizes sentiment. Fans, like Stingy1, argue it’s “worth the extra $20 from fixed height stands” for flexibility in varied rooms. Critics counter that if not mechanically flawless, adjustability loses value and fixed-height becomes more dependable.
Assembly experiences split users. For some, instructions yield a “5-minute” build. For others, unclear diagrams—like trobadour’s missing-piece confusion—cause frustration. This variance may stem from user familiarity with DIY furniture assembly.
Cable management draws both applause for aesthetics and criticism for limiting portability. Permanent installers see it as a design victory; mobile users or renters view it as restrictive.
Trust & Reliability
No widespread scam concerns surface in Trustpilot or Reddit, but long-term use reveals mechanical nuances. Reddit’s airgetlam described Sonos stands as lasting engineering marvels, but considered Sanus fixed stands suboptimal for weight and height over time in complex setups. Adjustable Sanus versions’ locking issues suggest potential wear-related shortcomings.
Best Buy long-term owners like Andres mn report no movement “even under extreme use,” indicating durability for structural components. Reddit’s caution on adjustable lock integrity is the main reliability red flag, possibly tied to heavier Era 300 loads.
Alternatives
Within the Sonos ecosystem, the official Sonos Era 300 stand frequently appears as a superior height-optimized option for surround setups, albeit at higher prices. One Sonos Community poster contrasted Sanus unfavorably, noting Sonos’ taller pole height “balances” the heavy 300 elegantly with fewer screws.
Flexson is mentioned as a planned competitor, though as of community reports, they have yet to release compatible products. Generic stands are largely dismissed for Era 300 due to size, weight, and shape incompatibility, making Sanus one of few viable aftermarket pairs—if height fits the use case.
Price & Value
Current pricing hovers around $219.99 USD for the pair via Best Buy, with eBay listings offering occasional discounts (~$149 for open box). Resale value appears solid; heavy-duty construction and Sonos compatibility preserve appeal, especially amid limited market alternatives.
Community buying tips center on role alignment: if used in front stereo setups or static surround positions, fixed-height stands justify cost with stability and design match. For height-sensitive home theater, budget for the official Sonos stands or accept adjustable Sanus risks.
FAQ
Q: Can these stands be used for both Era 100 and Era 300 speakers?
A: Yes, an additional mount is included for Era 100. Several Best Buy users confirmed using them interchangeably, praising the versatility for future upgrades.
Q: Do the stands swivel or tilt the speakers?
A: No, the Sanus stands hold speakers fixed in forward orientation without angling options, as noted by Best Buy reviewer sufi mom.
Q: How permanent is the cable management setup?
A: Once cables are routed through and the stand is assembled, removing or swapping them requires disassembly, limiting portability.
Q: What is the main drawback for surround sound setups?
A: The fixed 32" height may place speakers too low for optimal Atmos rear performance, according to multiple Sonos forum users.
Q: Are the adjustable versions reliable?
A: Reports vary—some find them stable, while others experienced slippage under the Era 300’s weight, reducing height precision.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a Sonos owner wanting a visually matched, rock-solid stand for front stereo or static surround placement. Avoid if you require precise rear speaker height for Atmos immersion or plan frequent cable changes. Pro tip from community: commit to the cable routing only if your speaker position is final—it’s not a quick-swap system.
