Sanus Era 300 Stands Review: Stable But Pricey Pick
Starting at $199.99, the Sanus Wireless Speaker Stands for Sonos Era 300 (Black) – Pair divide opinion sharply, landing between a 6.5 and 8/10 depending on how you use them. While Best Buy customers gave the height-adjustable models a glowing 4.5/5, several Sonos community veterans dismissed them outright for surround setups, calling them “a non-starter” for rear positioning.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy — excellent for stereo/front listening, questionable for heavier surround use.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sturdy, heavy base prevents tipping | Expensive compared to alternatives |
| Integrated cable management | Slide-lock height mechanism can fail with heavy speakers |
| Sleek, Sonos-matching design | No swivel or tilt for speaker direction |
| Easy 15-minute assembly | Fixed height may be suboptimal for surrounds |
| Compatible with Era 100/300 | Limited aftermarket stand options drive up price |
| Rubber feet/carpet spikes included | Height adjustment shortens cable reach at max |
| Secure speaker mounting hardware | Bulky footprint for smaller spaces |
Claims vs Reality
Marketing promises “optimal listening height” and “17 inches of effortless height adjustment.” In practice, that optimal height depends heavily on your setup. Reddit user from the Sonos community argued the fixed 32" version “does not…provide the optimal height for the Era 300’s when used as surround speakers,” though he conceded they work better as front-stage stereo pairs. Best Buy reviewer dunhill found the height adjustability “enables you to dial in the perfect experience,” but noted assembly quirks with the base-body connection.
The brand also touts integrated cable management as a way to achieve a “sleek” look. This resonates with Best Buy user trobadour, who appreciated the clutter-free aesthetic but warned that using the cable channel “means you have to commit to leaving the speaker on the stand permanently” due to the routing through the base. On Reddit, installation frustrations surfaced; one veteran suggested positioning the stand base under a bed or sofa during setup to avoid dropping the heavy Era 300.
Sanus markets the stands as “constructed of durable steel and extruded aluminum” to resist wear. Best Buy buyer andres mn found them “steady and safe…no movement even under extreme use and high volume,” while the same Sonos forum thread noted specific issues with the adjustable slide mechanism slipping under weight.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
The heavy, oversized base wins consistent praise. Best Buy customer aaronv liked that the “heavy base provides great stability” for his Era 300 and Era 100 pairing. roman echoed that he “love[s] how sturdy they are for such high-quality and good weight speakers,” while phillipb described the package as “heavy…base is nice and heavy to counter the speaker weight.” For households with pets or high-traffic areas, trobadour reported his stands “withstand cat play over many years” without tipping.
Cable management emerges as a key appeal for design-conscious buyers. Users on Best Buy and the Sonos forum highlighted the clean look, particularly when paired with Sonos’ matching aesthetics. Sufi mom appreciated the “clutter-free look” and said the cable channel “eliminates messy wires for a polished aesthetic.”
Ease of assembly is another win. Multiple Best Buy reviewers, including jc2305 and alext, mentioned installs taking mere minutes, though trobadour warned the instructions could be clearer on certain parts. Sanus’ own marketing claim of “3-step assembly in 15 minutes” seems achievable for most.
Common Complaints
The price is a recurring sticking point. Best Buy user edrick96 admitted “they are very expensive,” and a Sonos forum regular bluntly said “the price of the stands…is a big issue for me,” particularly with the limited options for the unusually large Era 300 footprint. Some see minimal value over cheaper fixed-height stands—Sufi mom regretted “should have went for the cheaper fixed length ones to save a few $’s.”
Height adjustment mechanisms have detractors. On Reddit, one user found that the adjustable model “failed to support the weight…slide mechanism didn’t lock…thus the Era 300’s would slip below the adjusted height.” Best Buy's rahul noted “height adjustment is a little tricky and would need a bit of force.” Missteps here matter most for rear surround users, where height precision impacts immersion.
Cable length issues arise at max height. Reviewers like phillipb and trobadour found “without an extension cable, you have to leave the speaker stands extremely near the outlets” due to shortened reach.
Divisive Features
Design gets split reactions: Sonos forum posters preferred the OEM Sonos stand’s “engineering marvel” over Sanus’ bulkier build, citing fewer screws and smarter weight distribution. Yet Best Buy’s dunhill thought Sanus’ design “matches the speaker perfectly…one would think this was made by Sonos themselves.”
Height choice divides by use case. Front stereo listeners often praise the 32" fixed model for ear-level placement, while surround setups trend toward disappointment. Even in adjustable models, some think the feature is superfluous, others rely on it heavily.
Trust & Reliability
Scam concerns don’t surface here, but reliability issues do. While marketed as sturdy, adjustable models have documented slip problems with heavier Era 300 units. Long-term confidence is higher among Best Buy reviewers, many owning them for months without incident. Durability of metal parts is solid, but phillipb warned the “plastic connector…is a little flimsy” and only secured with one screw, urging care during assembly.
Reddit posts show users cycling through different brands over years; Sanus stands used for smaller Sonos models held up well, but extending that trust to the Era 300 isn’t universal. Complaints center more on functional fit than build failure.
Alternatives
The main competitor is the official Sonos Era 300 stand, regularly hailed by community posters as purpose-built. One Sonos forum member praised it as “an engineering marvel” with superior height and weight balancing, especially for surrounds. The trade-off? Higher price and less adjustability. Flexson was mentioned as a brand of interest, but no release yet for new Era compatibility. Some Best Buy reviewers argue the Sanus adjustable stands are “less expensive than…Sonos,” making them a budget-friendly second choice.
Price & Value
At $199.99 new for fixed height and over $219 for adjustable pairs, these stands sit in the premium accessory bracket. eBay listings for similar Sanus fixed-height Era models range from $95 to $159 used, indicating decent resale retention for well-kept units. The Era 300’s dimensions limit generic stand compatibility, pushing demand toward these tailored products—which sustains price.
Community buying tips suggest weighing fixed vs. adjustable: if your listening positions are consistent, skip the pricier adjustable option. Given the resale market, buying used could save $40–$70 with minimal risk if condition is verified.
FAQ
Q: Do the Sanus stands work well for rear surround placement with the Era 300?
A: For some, yes—but multiple Sonos forum members find the fixed height suboptimal and adjustable stands prone to slipping under weight, making them better suited to stereo/front use.
Q: Can I move the speakers easily after using the cable management channel?
A: Not without partial disassembly. Users note that routing cables through the base requires “commitment” to keeping the setup static for a clean look.
Q: Are these stands stable on carpet?
A: Yes. The package includes carpet spikes and rubber feet; Best Buy reviewers praised stability “even under extreme use” and pet traffic.
Q: Do they tilt or swivel for directing sound?
A: No. The stands keep speakers fixed facing forward, so precise angling toward a listening spot isn’t possible without moving the whole stand.
Q: Is assembly really as fast as advertised?
A: Generally yes—best case under 15 minutes per pair, though some users found unclear instructions slowed the first setup.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a stereo listener wanting a Sonos-matching, stable stand with clean cable routing—especially in living rooms with pets or kids. Avoid if your primary need is rear-mounted surround placement at precise heights for the heavy Era 300; consider the official Sonos stand instead. Pro tip from the community: if using Sanus adjustable, set height before threading cables to save time and avoid rework.
