Sanus Era 300 Speaker Stands Review: Worth the Price?
Few products split opinion as sharply as the Sanus Wireless Speaker Stands for Sonos Era 300 (Black) - Pair – earning praise in some quarters for “steady and safe” support, while others dismiss them outright as “a non-starter.” Across platforms, satisfaction scores hover between 4.5/5 for certain adjustable models and as low as 1.5/5 for discontinued variants. Overall verdict: 7/10, with performance heavily dependent on your setup and tolerance for the price.
Quick Verdict: Conditional – worth it for owners who value aesthetics, stability, and cable management, but less so if you need frequent height changes or are sensitive to high accessory costs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Heavy base prevents tipping | High price compared to generic stands |
| Durable steel/aluminum build | Some adjustable models struggle to hold Era 300 height |
| Clean cable management system | Cable threading requires reassembly to remove |
| Matches Sonos aesthetics | No swivel adjustment |
| Easy assembly (~15 min) | Max height can shorten cable reach |
| Rubber feet & carpet spikes included | Plastic connector to speaker feels flimsy |
Claims vs Reality
Sanus markets these stands as delivering “optimal listening height” with an “oversized base to prevent tipping.” The fixed-height models stand at 32 inches, positioned for any setup – home theater, stereo pairing, or ambient listening. However, users have pushed back hard on this universal claim. A Reddit user bluntly stated: “The fixed position stands at 32 in… do not provide the optimal height for the Era 300’s when used as surround speakers.”
The company also promotes the adjustable models’ “17 inches of effortless sliding height adjustment.” While some Best Buy reviewers confirmed that “the heavy base provides great stability” and adjustments feel smooth, others noted issues. One Reddit poster reported that “the slide mechanism didn’t lock into place firmly thus the Era 300’s would slip below the adjusted height,” undermining the flexibility Sanus advertises.
Finally, “integrated cable management” is a key selling point – the Press Fit™ system hides cords for a clean look. Most buyers agree it’s sleek, but there’s a trade-off: Best Buy customer trobadour explained, “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.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
One theme emerges repeatedly: stability. A verified Best Buy customer andres mn praised the “steady and safe” design, saying it held his Era 300 “with no movement even under extreme use and high volume sound.” Lucas hood echoed that sentiment: “They are very sturdy.” Even owners with pets find them trustworthy – trobadour shared that “my two cats ran close to the stand and didn’t knock it down.”
Aesthetics get equal love. Multiple reviewers refer to the look as “sleek” and “modern,” with sufi mom noting the cable management helps produce a “polished aesthetic” that blends into living spaces. Owners pairing them with Sonos hardware appreciate how closely the finish matches the speaker casing, leading one Best Buy commenter to say, “One would think this was made by Sonos themselves.”
Ease of assembly also wins approval. Several users confirmed the ~15-minute setup claim, including mhurley7 who said assembling for his rear speaker setup was “easy” and jc2305 who described install as “very happy… easy!” Sanus’ inclusion of both rubber feet and carpet spikes for different floors was repeatedly cited as thoughtful.
Common Complaints
Pricing is a sore point across Reddit and Best Buy. Edrick96 admitted the stands are “very good… but I think they are very expensive.” On Reddit, one user called the price “a big issue… makes it almost impossible to use a generic speaker stand” given the Era 300’s size. This cost concern is amplified by the perception that these are luxury accessories rather than necessary components.
Height adjustment brings functional gripes. Rahul noted it’s “a little tricky and would need a bit of force.” On Reddit, an early adopter accused adjustable models of failing to keep their set height under the weight of the Era 300, which directly contradicts the stability claims. Cable management, while generally liked, also frustrates those who move their equipment often – disassembly is required to swap cords or relocate stands.
One technical concern comes from Reddit’s surround sound enthusiasts: improperly locking sliding mechanisms can lead to slow sagging, which disrupts precise audio positioning in Atmos setups. The plastic connector piece worries some about long-term durability – phillipb flagged it as “a little flimsy… only secured with 1 screw.”
Divisive Features
Adjustable vs fixed height is the most divisive point. Best Buy reviewers like stingy1 appreciated paying “the extra $20 from fixed height stands” for flexibility, saying there was no defect with height retention. In contrast, Reddit’s detailed critique dismissed adjustable versions entirely for Era 300 surrounds, advising fixed options or Sonos’ own stands over Sanus.
Weight distribution is another split. Heavy bases are loved for stability, but those who extend stands to maximum height find cable reach suffers without extension cords. Some see cable concealment as worth that trade-off; others find it impractical.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot-style community feedback shows no scam concerns but points to inconsistent product experiences between Sanus’ own lineup – discontinued WSSE3A2 models earned just 1.5/5 from buyers, whereas Best Buy’s BSSEA2-B1 stands enjoy 4.5/5. Reddit user experiences suggest performance dips occur mostly under heavier speaker loads like Era 300 when using adjustable mechanisms.
Durability reports are encouraging, especially for static models: Best Buy owners mention stands holding position “over many years” in homes with active pets, and steel/aluminum construction shows little wear. However, the weak point remains the plastic bracket – careful handling during assembly and height changes is advised.
Alternatives
Several Reddit participants hinted at Sonos’ own Era 300 stands, calling them “an engineering marvel… balances a 9.85 lb speaker on a 37-inch pole” with only four screws. These appear more purpose-engineered for heavy surround setups, though at similar premium pricing. Flexson was mentioned by name as a potential future option, though no confirmed release exists at the time.
Price & Value
At $219.99 for the pair (Best Buy pricing), these stands sit at the upper end of third-party options. eBay listings suggest resale viability, with discontinued models still fetching well over $200, indicating demand in the niche Era 300 accessories market. Best tips from community: if you don’t need height adjustment, fixed models save money – “should have went for the cheaper fixed length ones to save a few $’s,” admitted sufi mom.
FAQ
Q: Do these stands work well on carpet?
A: Yes – Sanus includes height-adjustable carpet spikes, and multiple buyers report stable performance even in carpeted rooms.
Q: Will cable management fit thicker cords?
A: Only standard Sonos power cables comfortably fit; thicker aftermarket cords may be difficult to route through the Press Fit system without force.
Q: Can the adjustable height mechanism slip?
A: Some users report slippage with Era 300’s weight, while many others have no issues. Proper assembly and adequate tightening reduce the risk.
Q: Are they compatible with Era 100 speakers?
A: Yes – Best Buy reviewer aaronv confirmed an additional mount is included for Era 100 compatibility.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re an Era 300 owner needing a secure, visually cohesive stand with neat cable concealment and don’t mind paying a premium. Avoid if your setup demands constant repositioning or you’re sensitive to height-based cable reach issues. Pro tip from community: for heavy Atmos surrounds, fixed-height models may outperform the adjustable stands in holding position over time.
