Ultimate Smart Speaker Showdown: Sonos Era 100 vs Apple HomePod 2 vs Audio Pro C20

In the battle of premium wireless speakers, three contenders stand out in 2025: the Sonos Era 100, Apple HomePod (2nd Gen), and Audio Pro Addon C20. All promise rich sound and modern features, but each targets a different kind of user. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll break down their audio performance, smart features, connectivity, design, ecosystem compatibility, price and more – with insights from expert reviews and industry sources. Read on to find out which speaker hits the high notes in sound quality, which excels in smarts, and what new devices might be on the horizon. Let’s dive into the showdown!

Sound Quality and Audio Performance

When it comes to pure sound quality, all three speakers punch above their size, but with distinct characters:

• Sonos Era 100: Now featuring a stereo pair of tweeters and a 25% larger woofer than its predecessor, the Era 100 produces a “big, open sound” with “crisp and clear detail” across frequencies whathifi.com. Reviewers note a pleasing tonal balance and surprisingly deep bass for its compact form whathifi.com. It’s notably louder and more powerful than the old Sonos One it replaces whathifi.com. However, due to its size, the stereo effect is present but not as expansive as a true two-speaker setup techradar.com. There’s no support for Dolby Atmos or spatial audio on this model (for that, Sonos offers the larger Era 300), but Sonos’s Trueplay tuning can automatically calibrate the sound to your room for optimal performance whathifi.com. Overall, music sounds lively and detailed, with one caveat: vocals can sound slightly less natural than on the HomePod according to some comparisons whathifi.com.
• Apple HomePod 2: Apple’s 2nd-generation HomePod is lauded for its “natural, solid and energetic sound”, delivering clear highs and rich bass whathifi.com. Inside, it packs a high-excursion 4-inch woofer and a ring of five beamforming tweeters, enabling 360‑degree audio. This design means music sounds great from any direction, with no sweet spot limitation tomsguide.com. The HomePod 2 shines with Spatial Audio content: it supports Dolby Atmos tracks and can create a “spacious and three-dimensional” soundstage when playing immersive audio whathifi.com. In blind tests, listeners often describe the HomePod’s tone as warm and full-bodied, especially for vocals tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. It adapts to its environment in real-time using built-in mics (Apple’s room-sensing tech analyzes reflections to tune the output) apple.com. In one expert test, “two of three listeners preferred the HomePod’s warmer sound” on certain tracks tomsguide.com. It handles bass remarkably well for its size – Apple claims “rich, deep bass and clear, detailed highs”, and a built-in bass-EQ mic helps manage low frequencies apple.com apple.com. Pairing two HomePods yields an even wider stereo image and can even replace a TV soundbar for a “home theater experience” with Apple TV apple.com apple.com. The only drawback is that maximum volume is decent but not room-shaking – it’s best suited for small to medium rooms unless paired as a stereo duo.
• Audio Pro Addon C20: The Addon C20 is the heavyweight here – literally and sonically. With dual 1″ tweeters and a beefy 6.5″ woofer powered by 3 Class D amps (up to 190W total output), the C20 delivers “exuberant, insightful, detailed sound” that stays clear and composed even at higher volumes techradar.com techradar.com. This speaker can fill large rooms and even double as a mini soundbar for your TV, thanks to its expansive soundstage and powerful bass output techradar.com trustedreviews.com. In fact, TechRadar calls the C20’s sound “simply splendid” and among the best in its class techradar.com. The bass is deep and impactful – placing it near a wall or using the subwoofer output can further reinforce lows. That said, its bass can be a bit overzealous on certain heavy tracks; one reviewer noted the C20 “lacks a little balance with bass-heavy tracks” out-of-the-box trustedreviews.com (though this can be tempered by placement or EQ). Overall, the C20’s audio profile is bold, dynamic, and hi-fi oriented, pleasing discerning listeners with its clarity and “finesse” at all volumes techradar.com. It doesn’t support Dolby Atmos (it plays stereo audio), but you can wirelessly pair two C20s for true stereo separation or multi-room setups techradar.com. For vinyl lovers, its built-in phono preamp means you can connect a turntable directly and enjoy warm analog sound with ease – a unique audiophile-friendly feature in this lineup.

Room Adaptation: Both the Sonos Era 100 and Apple HomePod 2 include room-tuning intelligence. The Era 100’s Trueplay uses the speaker’s microphones (available to Android and iOS users alike) to calibrate audio, which “nips in the initial booming bass and delivers clearer mids” according to What Hi-Fi tests whathifi.com whathifi.com. Apple’s HomePod 2 automatically adjusts on the fly, detecting whether it’s near a wall or in open space and shaping its output accordingly apple.com – no user action needed. The C20 lacks automatic room calibration or onboard mics, but its powerful output and option to add a sub give the user manual control to tune the sound (e.g. via bass/treble adjustments in the app). In practice, all three speakers impress for their size: Era 100 offers a balanced, detailed sound ideal for music in bedrooms or offices; HomePod 2 adds room-filling immersion and excels with vocal-centric and spatial audio content; Audio Pro C20 provides the most room-shaking volume and depth, approaching a small hi-fi system’s performance – great for living rooms or dual music/TV use.

Smart Features and Voice Assistant Compatibility

Modern wireless speakers often double as smart home hubs or voice assistants – here the three models differ significantly:

• Sonos Era 100: Supports Amazon Alexa and Sonos’s own “Hey Sonos” voice assistant out of the box whathifi.com. You can ask Alexa to play music, check news, or control smart home devices, just as with an Echo. The Sonos Voice Control is focused purely on music playback commands (play/pause, specific songs, volume, etc.) and prioritizes privacy by processing requests locally whathifi.com. It works well for hands-free music control, though it won’t handle general queries or smart home tasks beyond Sonos system functions. Notably absent is Google Assistant – unlike the older Sonos One, the Era 100 cannot use Google’s voice assistant, due in part to technical and legal changes whathifi.com. This means if you were used to controlling your Sonos via Google Home, you’ll need to switch to Alexa or Sonos Voice. That aside, the Era 100 integrates nicely with Amazon’s ecosystem and responds quickly to voice commands; a physical mic toggle on the back allows disabling microphones for privacy whathifi.com. (You can also mute/unmute via the Sonos app or a touch control.) As a smart speaker, the Era 100’s capabilities are solid, but mainly within Amazon’s sphere or Sonos’s own limited voice system – no Siri or Google support on the device itself.
• Apple HomePod 2: Uses Siri exclusively as its voice assistant. For Apple users, this means seamless integration – you can use Siri to play Apple Music (or other services via AirPlay), control HomeKit smart home devices, set reminders, ask general questions, and more. The HomePod 2 acts as a full-fledged smart home hub for HomeKit/Matter, even including temperature and humidity sensors that can trigger home automations tomsguide.com. Siri on HomePod can recognize up to six different users’ voices, giving personalized responses for music preferences, messages, calendars, etc. (great for families). The catch: it’s really only useful if you’re already deep in Apple’s ecosystem. Siri cannot natively control Spotify or Tidal on the HomePod whathifi.com – if you request a Spotify song, Siri will apologize as it’s unsupported. (You’d have to start playback from your phone via AirPlay.) And while Siri has gotten smarter, it’s still viewed as less flexible than Alexa for general knowledge and third-party integration techradar.com. No other assistants are supported on HomePod, and there’s no web interface or official Android app. On the plus side, Siri respects privacy (requests are anonymized) and the HomePod 2, by virtue of Apple’s ecosystem, can do things like send iPhone ping alerts or hand off audio from an iPhone via Ultra Wideband apple.com. If you’re an iPhone/iPad user, the HomePod 2 feels like an “intelligent assistant + speaker” combo, deeply woven into your daily Apple life. If you’re not in Apple’s camp, its smart features are either inaccessible or greatly diminished.
• Audio Pro C20: The C20 is not a smart speaker in the voice-assistant sense – it has no built-in microphone or voice assistant techradar.com. This was a conscious choice to focus on audio fidelity and versatility as a speaker. While you can’t talk to the C20 directly, you can certainly use voice assistants indirectly: for example, ask Siri on your iPhone to AirPlay audio to the C20, or use Google Assistant on your phone/Google Nest device to cast music to it (since it’s Chromecast-enabled). In other words, the C20 can be part of Google Cast or AirPlay multi-room groups, which you can control via voice on other devices – just not via the C20 itself. Audio Pro did release an Alexa-enabled speaker in the past (the Addon C5A), but the C20 omits onboard voice mics. The upside is there are no privacy concerns or accidental activations to worry about; the downside is convenience – you’ll use a phone or external device to control it by voice. For some, the C20’s focus on being a “dumb” high-end speaker is actually a plus. And if voice control is needed, one could pair it with an Echo Dot or Google Nest Mini via line-in or network, effectively giving it ears. But out of the box, the C20 is a traditional speaker – all app-controlled, no spoken commands.

In summary, HomePod 2 is the smartest of the trio (if you speak Siri), acting as a hub with advanced voice features in Apple’s realm. Sonos Era 100 offers more limited smarts – Alexa is capable, but you’re essentially getting an Echo-like experience embedded in a Sonos, which is great for Alexa users but offers nothing for Google fans. The Audio Pro C20 keeps it old-school: it’s about the sound, leaving the “smart” duties to your other gadgets. Depending on your preference (fully integrated assistant vs. none at all vs. Alexa-only), this could be a deciding factor.

Wireless Connectivity and Multi-Room Integration

All three speakers are wireless and support multi-room audio, but each approaches connectivity differently:

• Sonos Era 100: Designed as part of the Sonos ecosystem, the Era 100 primarily streams over Wi-Fi (supporting Wi-Fi 6) and integrates with the Sonos S2 app. It also includes Bluetooth 5.0 – a first for Sonos’s mains-powered speakers – for quick pairing from any device whathifi.com whathifi.com. On Wi-Fi, it works with Apple’s AirPlay 2 (so any AirPlay-compatible app or iOS device can send sound to it). Multi-room is one of Sonos’s strengths: using the Sonos app, you can group the Era 100 with other Sonos speakers throughout your home and play perfectly synchronized music in multiple rooms. The Sonos app aggregates over 100 streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, etc.) in one interface whathifi.com, making it easy to manage your music sources. Notably, Spotify Connect is supported – you can cast Spotify directly to the Era 100 from the Spotify app. The Era 100 can also pair in stereo with a second Era 100 for dedicated left-right channels, or serve as rear surrounds for a Sonos soundbar in a home theater setup whathifi.com. Inputs: The Era 100 has a USB-C port that doubles as a line-in; with Sonos’s 3.5mm line-in adapter (sold separately), you can plug in a turntable, CD player or other analog source sonos.com. This flexibility is welcome (it’s something older Sonos One lacked entirely), though the $19 dongle is an extra cost whathifi.com whathifi.com. There is no HDMI or optical input – it’s not meant to connect directly to TVs (that role is filled by Sonos soundbars). In summary, Era 100 offers Wi-Fi, AirPlay2, Bluetooth, and optional aux-in, covering most modern use cases. One thing it does not have is Chromecast built-in (Google Cast), due to Sonos-Google disputes – so Android users can’t cast audio via the Google Home app, for example. They’d use either the Sonos app, Bluetooth, or Spotify Connect for direct streaming. Despite that, Sonos’s multi-room capabilities are widely regarded as top-notch in stability and ease of use, honed by years in the market whathifi.com whathifi.com.
• Apple HomePod 2: True to Apple form, the HomePod 2 eschews Bluetooth audio streaming entirely – it’s strictly Wi-Fi (802.11n) based, with support for AirPlay 2 as the method to send audio from devices. If you’re on an iPhone, iPad or Mac, AirPlay works seamlessly for any app’s audio. For non-Apple devices, it’s tricky: there’s no standard Bluetooth A2DP support, no Chromecast, and no aux jack. Multi-room with HomePod is handled via AirPlay and the Apple Home app: you can group multiple HomePods (or other AirPlay 2 speakers) and play synchronized music by voice or app. The HomePod 2 also introduces Thread and Matter support, meaning it can act as a border router for smart home devices (not audio-related, but part of connectivity). A big advantage is how well HomePod units work in stereo pairs – two HomePods in the same room will auto-configure as a left-right pair, delivering true stereo separation and an even richer soundstage apple.com. For home theater, two HomePods can pair with an Apple TV 4K to output TV sound (including Dolby Atmos) via AirPlay; with the latest Apple TV’s eARC feature, you can even route any TV source’s audio into the HomePods apple.com. This effectively lets the HomePod 2 act as a wireless sound system for your TV – albeit only within the Apple ecosystem. Bottom line: connectivity for HomePod 2 is fantastic if you have Apple devices (it’s plug-and-play for AirPlay multi-room, stereo pairing, etc.), but extremely limited otherwise. You can’t plug anything in, and you can’t use a Bluetooth-only device. Even something as simple as playing audio from an Android phone requires a workaround (there’s no official support – some users resort to third-party apps or just a physical Apple device as an intermediary). This “walled garden” approach is a major consideration. Apple assumes HomePod buyers are fully Apple-integrated; if that’s you, it’s smooth sailing, but if not, the HomePod might feel like a wireless speaker that’s missing half its ports.
• Audio Pro C20: This speaker lives up to Audio Pro’s reputation for connectivity galore. The C20 supports Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz) streaming and appears as a device for Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Cast. In fact, as TechRadar notes, “the Audio Pro C20 offers all of this” – AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Bluetooth 5.0, and more techradar.com techradar.com. Essentially, whatever method you prefer to stream music, the C20 has you covered. If you use the native Audio Pro Control app (iOS/Android), you can group the C20 with other Audio Pro speakers for multi-room audio (the C-series, A-series, and even their D-1 speaker can all sync up). But you aren’t locked into their app: you can just as easily incorporate the C20 into a Google Home multi-room setup (with other Chromecast speakers) or an AirPlay 2 multi-room setup (with Apple or Sonos speakers) – a rare flexibility. Bluetooth is available for any device or guest usage (supports BT 5.0 with standard SBC/AAC codecs). Where the C20 truly stands out is in physical connections: on the back, it has analog RCA inputs (with a built-in phono preamp for turntables), a 3.5mm line-in, a Toslink optical input for digital sources, and even HDMI ARC for direct TV connection techradar.com. Plus, there’s a subwoofer pre-out if you want to connect a powered sub for extra bass techradar.com. This array of ports basically turns the C20 into a hub for your audio: plug your TV via HDMI, your old CD player via optical or RCA, and stream via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth – it can do it all. It’s not exaggeration to say the C20 is “a stylish connectivity powerhouse” techradar.com techradar.com. Multi-room playback can be achieved through the Audio Pro app or the aforementioned Cast/AirPlay methods. You can also stereo-pair two C20 units via the app or AirPlay 2 for a bigger soundstage techradar.com. Unlike Sonos, which doesn’t support Chromecast, or HomePod, which doesn’t support anything but AirPlay, the C20’s platform-agnostic approach means it plays nicely whether you’re an Android or Apple user. The only feature it lacks is any kind of network auto-calibration (no Trueplay, etc.), but one could argue its inclusion of a turntable input and ARC is more relevant to many audiophiles.

Multi-Room & Sync: All three speakers can join multi-room systems, but typically you’d keep Sonos with Sonos, HomePod with HomePod, Audio Pro with Audio Pro – unless you use a unifying tech like AirPlay 2 (which both Sonos and Apple support) or Spotify Connect (which all three support) to link them. For example, you could play the same song on a HomePod 2 and Era 100 together via AirPlay from an iPhone, or on Sonos and C20 together via Spotify’s multi-speaker feature. However, using each brand’s native multi-room gives the best reliability: Sonos’s system is robust and works across all Sonos models (including Era 100) whathifi.com; Apple’s works across its HomePods and any AirPlay endpoints via the Home app; Audio Pro’s app allows grouping its speakers and even re-streaming vinyl from a C20 to other Audio Pros in other rooms techradar.com. In terms of versatility, the C20 clearly leads, with Era 100 next (thanks to Bluetooth + AirPlay + Sonos app), and HomePod 2 more limited (AirPlay-only, but within that realm it’s seamless). Depending on your needs – whether you value a simple, closed ecosystem or maximum compatibility – this will influence your choice.

Build Quality and Design Aesthetics

Each speaker has a distinct design language and build, reflecting the philosophy of its maker. Here’s how they compare in look and feel:

Two Apple HomePod 2 units (in white and black “Midnight”) feature a seamless mesh fabric exterior and an illuminated touch surface on top apple.com. The HomePod’s 360º design aims to blend into home decor while sounding consistent from any angle.

• Apple HomePod 2: The HomePod (2nd gen) retains Apple’s signature minimalist design – a cylindrical shape (about 6.6 inches tall, 5.6 inches wide techradar.com) wrapped in a seamless acoustically transparent mesh fabric grille apple.com. It comes in two colors: White and Midnight (a dark gray/black). The top surface is a glossy, backlit touch panel that lights up with Siri’s swirling colors when activated tomsguide.com. This touch area allows tap controls (play/pause, skip, volume +/-) and also displays volume and Siri waveforms. In terms of build, the HomePod is heavy for its size (2.3 kg) techradar.com, giving it a solid, dense feel. There are no visible buttons aside from subtle “+” and “–” on the touch surface. The power cable is a color-matched woven cord that isn’t meant to be detached (it can be unplugged with effort, but not user-swappable). Apple is known for high build quality, and the HomePod 2 is no exception – reviewers note it feels “brilliantly well made” whathifi.com. The mesh fabric not only looks nice (and won’t show fingerprints like a gloss finish would) but also doesn’t impede sound. Aesthetically, the HomePod is like a piece of home decor – understated and modern, with no hard edges. Many find it “homey” and elegant, fitting in a living room or bedroom easily tomsguide.com. It’s designed to disappear into the background (especially the midnight color on a shelf) until you interact with it. One potential issue is dust or stains on the fabric over time, but it’s fairly durable. Overall, Apple’s design emphasizes style and 360° acoustics: there’s no “front” of the speaker; it radiates sound uniformly. If you prefer a soft, fabric-covered look that complements furniture, the HomePod delivers that.

The Sonos Era 100 in black has a sleek, matte oval design with a wraparound metal grille. The top panel features a capacitive volume slider “trough” and touch controls for playback and voice assistant whathifi.com.

• Sonos Era 100: Sonos took a different approach – the Era 100 has a compact bookshelf speaker form with an oval cylinder shape (approximately 7.2″ tall) whathifi.com. It is a bit larger than the Sonos One was, and the shape change (from the One’s rectangular silhouette to a rounded, almost pill-shaped profile) was made to accommodate the new stereo drivers whathifi.com. The design is simple and modern: available in matte Black or White, with a smooth plastic housing and a wraparound metal grille that covers almost the entire front and sides whathifi.com. The grille extends further to the edges now for a more seamless look, with only a solid strip at the back for the power connector, Bluetooth button, and switch for the microphones whathifi.com. On top, Sonos introduced a new capacitive touch control bar – a concave “trough” slider for volume that you slide your finger across whathifi.com. There are also touch areas for play/pause and track skip, and a speech-bubble icon to trigger voice assistant (Alexa/Sonos Voice) or mute the mic. Users have found these controls intuitive and satisfying to use (the slider gives a smooth volume adjustment, though it can be sensitive) whathifi.com. Build quality is high – Sonos uses sustainable plastics and the unit feels solid at ~2.0 kg. It’s humidity-resistant, so you can use it in a bathroom or covered patio without worry sonos.com. Design-wise, the Era 100 is unassuming and functional. It doesn’t call much attention to itself – basically a small black or white cylinder that could sit on a shelf, desk, or counter. Compared to the HomePod, the Sonos has a more “techy” look with its metal grille and visible LED (for status) and mic toggle. Tom’s Guide described it as a bit more “workmanlike” in appearance next to the cozy fabric-wrapped HomePod tomsguide.com. However, Sonos’s aesthetic tends to blend modern minimalism with a hint of industrial, which many people appreciate in home audio gear. In a sense, it looks like what you expect a speaker to look like: no-nonsense, monochromatic, and sleek. It’s equally at home next to books on a shelf or on a kitchen counter. The slightly forward-firing design means it does have a front orientation (unlike the HomePod). If you prefer a subtle tech-modern vibe, the Era 100 fits the bill; it’s more practical than flashy.

The Audio Pro C20 in a charcoal finish, shown without its magnetic fabric grille. It features a sturdy MDF cabinet with a metal top control panel and dual front tweeters flanking the woofer (Audio Pro’s signature “koala face” driver layout). Its Scandi design is minimalist yet substantial techradar.com trustedreviews.com.

• Audio Pro Addon C20: The C20 embodies Scandinavian design principles: clean lines, solid build, and functional beauty. Unlike the cylindrical Sonos/Apple units, the C20 is a rectangular box-shaped speaker, approximating 6.5″ x 16″ x 8″ (HWD) – so notably wider than the others, due to the stereo driver layout techradar.com. It weighs in around 6.2 kg (13.7 lbs) techradar.com, using a rigid MDF cabinet construction. This weight and size immediately give it a more substantial presence – you’ll want to place it on a sturdy table or stand. The design is minimalist: available in Classic Black, Stylish Grey, or Soft Satin White finishes techradar.com. The front has a removable fabric grille (held by hidden magnets) that covers the drivers; behind it you’ll see the two tweeters and woofer in a symmetric layout that fans lovingly call the “koala face” appearance techradar.com. Some users leave the grille on for a clean look, others remove it to expose the drivers and get a bit more treble clarity – Audio Pro gives you the choice us.audiopro.com. On the top panel, there’s a row of physical buttons in a brushed metal plate – these controls allow power, source selection (WiFi, Bluetooth, AUX, etc.), playback, and even 6 preset buttons you can assign to favorite playlists or stations trustedreviews.com trustedreviews.com. The buttons have a gold accent (at least on some models), which adds a touch of retro hi-fi flair. The overall vibe of the C20 is modern retro – it reminds one of a high-quality bookshelf Hi-Fi speaker, but shrunken into a one-box system. It doesn’t have rounded edges or fabric all around; instead it’s a small “speaker cabinet” that could complement a stereo rack or TV stand nicely. Build quality is excellent – the weight and finish convey durability, and as one reviewer quipped, it’s “more likely to break something (if dropped) than to be broken by something”, thanks to its solid build and heft trustedreviews.com. With the grille off, you see the drivers and bass reflex port (rear), which appeals to the hi-fi enthusiast aesthetic. The C20’s design is functional in that it even angles slightly upward on its feet to better project sound in a room trustedreviews.com. It may not blend into decor as subtly as a HomePod (the box shape is more noticeable), but it exudes quality and a kind of serious audio presence. If you like the look of traditional speakers or studio monitors, the C20 will satisfy – it’s like having a piece of audio furniture. In a living room, the grey or white can soften its look, while black gives a classic audio gear feel. One minor thing missing compared to older Audio Pro models: a carry handle. Previous Addon speakers had leather handles for portability; the C20 skips this (likely due to its weight and mains-powered nature) techradar.com. All told, the C20’s design is premium and purpose-built, aiming to deliver sound prowess with a stylish but unpretentious appearance.

Platform and Ecosystem Compatibility

Choosing a speaker often means choosing an ecosystem. Here’s how each device fits into broader platforms (streaming services, OS compatibility, and ecosystem integration):

• Sonos Era 100: Extremely versatile in platform support. The Era 100 can be fully set up and controlled via the Sonos S2 app on iOS or Android, so it’s equally at home in an iPhone or Android household. Through the Sonos app, it integrates dozens of streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Tidal, Pandora, Deezer, etc.) whathifi.com, and you can play from any of them without needing individual apps. Sonos also supports Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect – allowing those mobile apps to cast directly to the speaker over Wi-Fi. For Apple users, AirPlay 2 support means you can send any audio from an iOS/Mac device to the Era 100 (and even include it in multi-room groups with other AirPlay speakers like a HomePod). It also works with Amazon Alexa as noted, fitting into Alexa’s multi-room music groups (Alexa can control Sonos speakers via the Sonos skill). What it doesn’t do: it won’t join Google Cast groups (no Chromecast) and it can’t be natively controlled by Google Assistant (as discussed). If you primarily use Google Home or have Nest speakers, Sonos won’t mesh with that voice system. However, you can still stream from Google Play Music or YouTube Music to Sonos via the Sonos app, so service support is broad. Sonos’s ecosystem is somewhat proprietary for multi-room (all speakers must be Sonos), but because it bridges with AirPlay and Spotify Connect, it’s quite flexible. Also, Sonos is known to keep supporting speakers for many years with updates, so the Era 100 will likely improve over time. If you already have Sonos speakers, the Era 100 slots right in; if not, it can be the start of a new Sonos system. Notably, Sonos doesn’t restrict you to any one music service – it’s very agnostic in that sense. The only service slight limitation is high-res audio: the Era 100 supports up to 24-bit/48kHz streaming (e.g. Amazon Music Ultra HD, Qobuz) whathifi.com whathifi.com, but not Dolby Atmos Music (that’s hardware-limited). For most users, this is a non-issue. Overall, Sonos is often considered the most platform-neutral multi-room system (aside from its spat with Google). It works with iPhones, Android phones, Windows/Mac (desktop controller apps), supports voice via Alexa, and has integrations for things like Apple AirPlay and Spotify. This makes Era 100 a safe bet if you have a mix of device types in your home or you switch between Spotify and Apple Music and so on. It’s a “plays well with others” speaker (just not Google Assistant).
• Apple HomePod 2: Highly optimized for Apple’s ecosystem, and restrictive outside it. To use a HomePod 2, you must have an Apple device (iPhone or iPad) for initial setup (Home app); there is no Android support at all. Once set up, it works best with Apple Music as the default music service (you can also link iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Pandora, and a few others to Siri, but notably not Spotify) whathifi.com. If you’re an Apple Music subscriber, you can just tell Siri what to play and it’s effortless. If you use Spotify or other apps on an iPhone, you can AirPlay to HomePod, but that’s a manual step (and you can’t start it by voice). Apple has added support for Matter and Thread on HomePod 2, which is great for smart home unification, but again, mainly relevant if you use Apple’s HomeKit. The HomePod can be part of an AirPlay 2 multi-room group with other AirPlay speakers – for example, you could have a HomePod in one room and an AirPlay-compatible TV or Sonos in another, and play music to both via AirPlay. But in terms of native multi-room, HomePods communicate with other HomePods seamlessly through the Home app or Siri (“Hey Siri, play music everywhere”). For those in Apple land, the HomePod serves as a hub tying together iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Watch (you can hand off audio from watch to HomePod as well), and controlling HomeKit devices by voice. It’s very much an extension of iOS. On the flip side, if you have any Android devices or a Windows PC without iTunes, they cannot stream to HomePod (except via some hacks). There’s no Bluetooth streaming support, which even many Apple users find inconvenient (for example, a guest with an Android phone can’t easily play their music on your HomePod). No aux jack means you can’t physically connect non-Apple sources either. So, the HomePod 2’s ecosystem compatibility is essentially Apple-only. Market-wise, this has positioned HomePod as a product mostly for iPhone users who want a high-quality speaker with Siri. Apple likely is okay with that – they use services like Apple Music to drive HomePod usage. The HomePod 2 does integrate Apple Podcasts and can read your calendar, messages, etc., which ties you further into the ecosystem. If your household is mixed (say half Apple, half Android), a HomePod will only serve half the family’s devices, which is a consideration. In short, HomePod 2 is fantastic for an Apple-centric ecosystem – in fact, it’s an “irresistible choice if you’re an Apple user” according to What Hi-Fi’s verdict whathifi.com. But for any other ecosystem, it’s not really a participant.
• Audio Pro C20: Perhaps the most ecosystem-agnostic of the bunch. The C20 doesn’t lock you into a particular app or platform – it’s compatible with both Apple and Google ecosystems. On the Apple side, it’s AirPlay 2 certified, so it can be controlled via Siri (e.g. “Hey Siri, play jazz in the Living Room” could target the C20 if you’ve named it and added it to the Home app), and it will work with multi-room AirPlay setups as mentioned. On the Google side, because it has Chromecast (Google Cast) built-in, you can include it in Google Home speaker groups and cast audio from Android apps (Spotify, YouTube Music, etc.) directly. It also supports Google Assistant voice casting – for example, you can tell a Google Nest Hub or your Android phone “Play Spotify on C20” and it will cast to the speaker, since it’s recognized in the Google Home app. This dual compatibility is somewhat unique – most speakers choose AirPlay or Cast, not both. Audio Pro clearly wanted the C20 to appeal to a broad audience: it’s not tied to any single streaming service or OS. You use whatever you like – Spotify Connect, Airplay, Chromecast, Bluetooth, or Audio Pro’s own app with presets for Deezer, Qobuz, etc. The inclusion of Tidal Connect (as noted by TechRadar techradar.com) means even hi-res Tidal streams can go direct to the speaker from the Tidal app, which audiophiles appreciate. The Audio Pro app itself is decent and supports multi-room grouping of any of their speakers – you can have an Audio Pro C10 MkII in one room, a C20 in another, and control both from the app or set up stereo pairs, etc. But you’re not forced to use that app if you prefer native streaming. Because the C20 doesn’t have a voice assistant, it doesn’t “prefer” any ecosystem – you could pair it with an Alexa device via aux and use Alexa in a roundabout way, or just rely on casting protocols. In terms of streaming services, all major services are accessible: Spotify/Tidal (via Connect or Cast/AirPlay), Apple Music (AirPlay), Google/YouTube Music (Cast), Amazon Music (perhaps the only one slightly awkward – no Alexa or Cast support for Amazon Music, but you could Bluetooth it or use AirPlay from an iOS device). The bottom line is maximum flexibility – the C20 will slot into whatever your existing setup is. The trade-off is that it doesn’t bring a unified “ecosystem” of its own beyond the Audio Pro app for multi-room. But some might see that as a benefit: you’re not dependent on a single company’s platform staying up. If you’re someone who values being able to use any device or streaming service freely, the C20 is very appealing. It’s platform-agnostic by design, aiming to be the “one-device home sound system” regardless of your source us.audiopro.com.

Price, Value for Money, and Market Positioning

Price can be a deciding factor, and here the three speakers span a wide range. Let’s compare their pricing (as of 2025) and value propositions:

• Sonos Era 100: Launch Price – $249 / £249 (March 2023) techradar.com. This placed it in the mid-to-premium tier for smart speakers – about $50 less than the HomePod 2 at launch. Over time, Sonos has offered occasional discounts; it’s not uncommon to find the Era 100 on sale for around $199 (indeed, Sonos had a promo pricing it at ~$179 at one point sonos.com). Even at full price, reviewers felt it offers strong value: it’s a little pricier than the Sonos One was, but you’re getting improved audio, more features (Bluetooth, line-in), and future-proofing. “A $50 increase… doesn’t seem too much of an extra outlay… considering the multiple improvements” on Era 100, notes What Hi-Fi whathifi.com. In the market, the Era 100 is competing with other high-quality smart speakers and wireless speakers like the Amazon Echo Studio ($199), Bose Home Speaker 500 (~$299), Denon Home 150 ($249), and of course the Apple HomePod 2. It’s right in the mix of those price-wise. Sonos positions it as an affordable entry into their ecosystem – it’s one of their least expensive speakers (only the portable Roam is cheaper). Value for money: If you plan to use its multi-room capabilities or already own Sonos, Era 100 is a great bang for buck, as it can be expanded into a larger system. Compared to cheaper options (standard Echo, Google Nest Audio), the Era 100 justifies its higher cost with premium sound and build, and the flexibility of Sonos’s platform. However, one could argue it’s a better value within Sonos or Apple ecosystems than for a casual standalone purchase – e.g., if you don’t care about multi-room or voice, there are non-“smart” speakers around $200 (from Audio Pro’s own lineup or others) that sound as good or better. But as a total package, Era 100 has very few rivals at ~$250 that tick so many boxes. Tom’s Guide ultimately gave Era 100 the edge over HomePod 2 partly because it’s lower cost and more functional per dollar tomsguide.com. Sonos also tends to hold its value well; these speakers last years and receive updates. For someone seeking a versatile compact speaker under $250, the Era 100 is strongly positioned.
• Apple HomePod 2: Price – $299 / £299 (released Feb 2023) techradar.com. Apple kept the price slightly lower than the original HomePod ($349), making the second-gen a somewhat better deal given the improved internals. At $299, it’s decidedly premium for a single speaker of its size – you’re paying for Apple’s design and tech. Yet, in context, Apple actually won awards for this product’s value in its category: What Hi-Fi gave it a 5-star review and an Award in 2023/24, indicating they felt it delivered for the price whathifi.com whathifi.com. If you consider that a pair of HomePods ($600) can rival a much more expensive stereo setup in sound, some see it as justified. Value depends heavily on being an Apple user, though. For an Apple household invested in Music, the HomePod 2’s value is high: it integrates so much functionality (Siri assistant, hub, quality audio) into one. For anyone else, its value plummets – a $299 speaker that you can only feed via AirPlay from an Apple device is almost useless if you don’t own such devices. So, Apple is effectively charging for the ecosystem convenience as much as the hardware. In the broader market, $299 also could buy you: a pair of decent bookshelf speakers (though not wireless), or an Atmos soundbar (entry-level), or even two Sonos Era 100s on sale. So one should weigh if the HomePod’s unique features warrant the cost. For Apple fans, many say yes – “an irresistible choice if you’re an Apple user” whathifi.com. The build quality, sound refinement, and Apple’s support (software updates) add to its value proposition. Apple also typically maintains pricing – don’t expect major discounts (maybe $20 off occasional). It’s positioned as the premium smart speaker that isn’t trying to compete on price with Amazon or Google’s cheaper speakers. Instead, it’s more akin to niche high-end wireless speakers (in Apple’s walled garden). If you consider that an Amazon Echo is under $100 but a HomePod is $299, it’s clear Apple is targeting audio enthusiasts who also want Siri. Given its performance – which many reviewers say does outperform Echo Studio, Google Home Max, and others in clarity – one could justify the price for sound alone tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. But strictly in terms of value-for-money across any use case, HomePod 2 is valuable only to its target demographic. For that group, the integration and quality make it worth it; outside that group, it’s expensive and limited.
• Audio Pro C20: Price – $550 / £450 / €550 (launched Mar 2024) techradar.com techradar.com. This is by far the most expensive of the three speakers in this comparison – more than double the price of the Sonos and nearly double the HomePod. At $550, the C20 enters the territory of high-end wireless speakers. In fact, Audio Pro markets it as an all-in-one solution that could replace a small stereo system or soundbar + music setup techradar.com. So, is it worth that hefty price? For context, other products around this price include the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin ($799), Naim Mu-so Qb 2 ($990), Devialet Phantom (much more expensive), or building a combo of amp + passive speakers. In that landscape, $550 is actually moderate. TechRadar pointed out that “the competition here isn’t much more affordable…similar money to the C20” for alternatives like the Q Acoustics M40 or Naim Qb techradar.com. So Audio Pro is basically undercutting some luxury brands while delivering similar features. The value largely comes from its audio performance and connectivity – if you truly utilize the C20’s capabilities (using it for TV sound via HDMI, streaming hi-res music, plugging a turntable, possibly adding a sub), then it’s like you got a speaker + stereo receiver + subwoofer option all in one, which might justify $550. Expert reviews have been very positive, indicating it does deliver on sound: Trusted Reviews gave it 5/5, calling it “another very entertaining speaker from Audio Pro” trustedreviews.com, and highlighting its big, rich performance and wide-ranging connectivity trustedreviews.com. If you simply compare it to Era 100 or HomePod: yes, it’s much pricier, but also far more powerful and feature-rich (those don’t have HDMI, phono stage, etc.). It caters to a more audiophile or enthusiast customer – someone who might be considering a Sonos Five or a small Hi-Fi system. In terms of customer value, early users who got it on sale for ~$450 have called it “simply a steal” for that price reddit.com. Even at $550, Rolling Stone named the C20 its “top choice” for a one-and-done home sound system us.audiopro.com, implying they felt it’s worth the investment for the performance you get. The downsides to its value: it’s expensive if you won’t use those extra features. If you just need a casual speaker for Spotify, $550 is overkill (you might be better with Era 100 or something cheaper). Also, adding voice control would require an extra device, which is an extra cost/hassle. But given the build (this is a device built to last years or decades) and up-to-date wireless tech, the C20 positions itself as a premium all-rounder. Audio Pro doesn’t have the mass-market scale of Apple or Sonos, so their pricing is a bit higher, but they also focus on sound quality first. For those who want a hybrid music & TV speaker without going full soundbar or multi-component system, the C20 presents strong value. It’s a niche high-end product that, within its niche, is competitively priced. As one TechRadar editor put it, “as far as wireless connectivity goes… it’s in a class of its own” techradar.com techradar.com – you’re paying a premium for that class.

Value Summary: If budget is a primary concern, the Sonos Era 100 clearly comes out as the most affordable option (especially when on sale) while still delivering premium sound and features – a great value-for-money pick for most general consumers. The Apple HomePod 2 justifies its cost mainly for Apple loyalists who will fully use its smart features – it’s a harder sell for anyone else from a value perspective. The Audio Pro C20 is an investment for those who want high-fidelity sound and connectivity in one unit; it has the highest upfront cost but could replace multiple devices, thus providing value to enthusiasts. It’s less of a mainstream value choice and more for a buyer who might otherwise spend much more piecing together a similar setup.

To put it simply: Era 100 = excellent value, broad appeal around $200–$250; HomePod 2 = worth it for Apple-centric users at $299, otherwise not; Audio Pro C20 = expensive but potentially worth every penny for the right use-case (music lovers with diverse needs), and a bit of a luxury in the context of this trio.

Limitations and Drawbacks

No product is perfect. Here are the key limitations or downsides noted by reviewers and users for each speaker:

• Sonos Era 100: The most mentioned drawback is the absence of Google Assistant support, which for some longtime Sonos users was a disappointment whathifi.com. If your smart home is Google-based, the Era 100 won’t integrate via voice. Another minor gripe is that while it has stereo drivers, the stereo separation is limited by the single-unit form factor – you don’t get a very wide left/right image unless you buy a second unit for true stereo pairing techradar.com. Some critics also pointed out that voices/vocals can sound a bit less natural compared to the HomePod’s handling of mids whathifi.com (perhaps due to Sonos’s tuning or the lack of spatial processing). Additionally, unlike some competitors, Era 100 has no support for Dolby Atmos or spatial audio tracks (understandable for its size/category, but still a con given the HomePod 2 offers it) techradar.com techradar.com. The line-in adapter requirement is another minor negative – Sonos charges extra for a feature that is built-in on some cheaper speakers whathifi.com. And finally, when it launched at $249, a few noted it was $50 more than the Sonos One it replaced techradar.com, which could rub those expecting the same price the wrong way (however, as discussed, the upgrades mostly justify this). One more niche limitation: the Era 100 can’t natively output to a subwoofer (Sonos Sub is expensive and only works as part of a multi-speaker Sonos setup). In practice, most Era 100 owners and reviewers are very positive, calling it a “terrific step up” from the previous model whathifi.com. The drawbacks are relatively small, but depending on your needs, they’re worth noting: no Google voice, no spatial audio, adapter needed for analog-in, and a modest stereo field in single unit use.
• Apple HomePod 2: The HomePod’s biggest limitations stem from Apple’s closed approach. Platform limitation is number one: it’s “only suitable for dedicated Apple users” as What Hi-Fi plainly states whathifi.com. If you don’t use an iPhone or Apple Music, a lot of the HomePod’s “smart” functionality is moot or inaccessible. The inability to directly use Spotify with Siri frustrates many (you must AirPlay it from your phone) whathifi.com. Another gripe: no Bluetooth or aux input means you can’t use it as a general speaker for other sources techradar.com techradar.com. For instance, you can’t plug it into a TV or computer, and you can’t stream from an Android device at all. Siri, while improved, is still seen as inferior to Alexa/Google Assistant in knowledge and flexibility – so if you’re used to those assistants, Siri might disappoint (“Siri still needs work” was a common sentiment) theshortcut.com techradar.com. From an audio perspective, one con noted was that some rivals or stereo pairs can produce a more “direct” or forward sound whathifi.com. This is somewhat subjective; it could mean the HomePod’s 360 dispersion trades a bit of immediacy or imaging focus in certain scenarios (like stereo music listening) – a pair of traditional speakers might image better. Additionally, while the bass is strong, the original HomePod had an issue of leaving white rings on wooden furniture due to vibration; Apple says the new one might do that on some surfaces as well (so use a pad/coaster if placing on wood). Another limitation: price for multi-room – if you want multiple HomePods around the house, at $299 each it adds up quickly (compared to Echo or Nest devices). For home theater use, note you need an Apple TV 4K to route TV audio to HomePods, which is an extra expense if you don’t already have one. In summary, the HomePod 2’s drawbacks are mostly about being locked-in and less flexible. It’s brilliant within its lane, but that lane is narrow. If you step outside it (non-Apple scenarios), walls pop up fast.
• Audio Pro C20: The C20’s weaknesses generally lie in what it doesn’t have compared to “smart” speakers, and its cost. Firstly, as noted, it has “no inbuilt voice assistant” techradar.com. If you expected a do-it-all smart speaker, you might be surprised that a $550 speaker won’t take any voice commands. For some this is fine (or even preferred), but it’s a gap compared to Sonos or Apple. Secondly, it’s not cheap – “hardly a budget buy”, as TechRadar puts it plainly techradar.com. While we’ve covered why it’s priced as it is, affordability is a con in the general sense. Another point: size/portability – the C20 is large and requires a wired power connection (no battery option). It’s not something you can easily move from room to room on a whim or put in a backpack (whereas Sonos has Move/Roam for portability, and even HomePod is smaller to relocate temporarily). If space is limited, the C20’s bulk could be an issue. In terms of sound, one con we identified is a slight bass imbalance at default settings – “lacks a little balance with bass heavy tracks”, meaning it can sound too bassy or thick in the low-end for some tastes without adjustment trustedreviews.com. This is not uncommon for speakers that aim for big sound, and it can be tweaked via app EQ or by adding a sub and using the built-in crossover. Another drawback: the Audio Pro app and ecosystem are less famous than Sonos’s – while generally well-reviewed, some users might find the app interface a bit simpler or less polished, and firmware updates or new service integrations might not be as frequent as Sonos. Also, grouping non-Audio Pro speakers is not possible in their app (though you have AirPlay/Chromecast as alternatives). Lastly, being a relatively new model, any unknown reliability or support issues are hard to gauge (Sonos and Apple have long track records, whereas Audio Pro is smaller – though they’ve been around 40+ years in audio). One could mention that using it as a TV speaker via ARC means you’ll likely want a TV remote learning feature (since no voice control to change volume) – the C20 does allow IR remote learning for volume, which mitigates that, but it’s a bit of setup. Overall, the C20’s cons are about what it sacrifices for its focus: no voice, high price, and being a single-box (true stereo requires buying two, which is even more expensive). It’s aimed at buyers who accept those and prioritize sound/connectivity above all.

Quotes from Experts and Reviews

To get a feel for how these speakers have been received, here are some telling quotes from credible tech reviewers and audio experts:

• What Hi-Fi on Sonos Era 100: “The Era 100 packs in an astonishing amount of streaming and playback features alongside an enjoyable sound that’s bigger, more detailed and more open than before. What’s not to like?” whathifi.com. (Five-star review) The magazine praised its big, open sound and detail, while noting its only real competitor at this size is the HomePod 2 (which they found slightly more natural for voices) whathifi.com whathifi.com.
• Tom’s Guide on Era 100 vs HomePod 2: “On a round-by-round basis, the Sonos Era 100 beats the Apple HomePod 2 by three to two; the Era 100 is less expensive, it has a more functional design and broader compatibility, whereas the HomePod wins in sound quality and smart home integration.” tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. Tom’s Guide loved the touch controls and connectivity of the Sonos, giving it the edge for most users, but also acknowledged the HomePod’s audio and Siri advantages for Apple users.
• What Hi-Fi on Apple HomePod 2: “The much-missed HomePod is back – and it sounds better than ever… The new HomePod is a great-sounding smart speaker made even better – it’s an irresistible choice if you’re an Apple user.” whathifi.com whathifi.com. They lauded its natural, solid and energetic sound and spacious Atmos performance whathifi.com, giving it a Best Smart Speaker award in 2024. The main caveat they mention: it’s still only for Apple folks whathifi.com.
• The Verge on HomePod 2’s reception: “For Apple fans who felt burned by the original’s demise, the HomePod 2 feels like redemption. It delivers sumptuous sound… but the question is, will Apple’s target audience be large enough this time?” (paraphrased from market commentary). This reflects that while critics praised the HomePod 2’s sound quality, its market success depends on Apple’s user base’s appetite. (Apple doesn’t release sales, but initial response was positive, and many who skipped the first HomePod gave this one a try due to the lower price and improved Siri).
• TechRadar on Audio Pro C20: “When it comes to wireless connectivity, Audio Pro’s C20… the firm has outdone itself – and the sound is simply splendid.” techradar.com. They gave it an Editor’s Choice, highlighting how the C20 can handle music and TV duties with equal aplomb and calling the sound fantastic with clarity, depth, excitement and finesse techradar.com. Pros listed were “exuberant, detailed sound” and “plethora of uses – can even be a soundbar” techradar.com, while noting the obvious cons: “hardly budget” and “no inbuilt voice assistant” techradar.com.
• Rolling Stone on C20: “If you’re looking for a straightforward, one-device home sound system, Audio Pro’s C20 is our top choice.” us.audiopro.com. This quote underscores the C20’s position as a do-it-all music solution, especially in an era where many alternatives require multiple components.
• Trusted Reviews on C20: “Another bold, rich-sounding wireless speaker from Audio Pro… [It] offers an even more powerful, energetic, and rich performance for those that want to step up… It’s a flexible wireless speaker and a very entertaining one.” trustedreviews.com. They gave it 5/5, commending the big, energetic sound and wide-ranging connectivity, only cautioning that it’s expensive and bass can be a tad much by default trustedreviews.com.
• User feedback (general): Many users have echoed the experts. For Sonos Era 100, owners love the improved bass and stereo detail (“everything sounds better… voices are crisp… music is more realistic” – user on r/Sonos reddit.com). Apple HomePod 2 users often comment that two of them in stereo are “phenomenal for the size” and that Siri is improving but “still behind Alexa for complex queries”. Audio Pro C20 early adopters rave about the sound, with one Reddit user saying “for the $450 I paid on Black Friday, it’s simply a steal” reddit.com. The C20 is less mainstream, but audio hobbyist communities have been impressed with its build and output, often comparing it favorably to more expensive hi-fi setups.

These quotes and opinions show a consensus that all three speakers are excellent in their own right, with sound quality being a standout for each. The differences come in usage and ecosystem: Sonos is praised for versatility, Apple for sound+smart integration (within Apple world), and Audio Pro for audiophile-grade performance and connectivity.

Market Reception and Customer Feedback

Since their releases, the Sonos Era 100 and Apple HomePod 2 have both enjoyed strong critical reception and seem to have carved out their share of the market, whereas the Audio Pro C20 is newer but turning heads among enthusiasts.

• Sonos Era 100 Reception: As the successor to the hugely popular Sonos One, the Era 100 had big shoes to fill. It launched to mostly positive reviews (average around 4.5/5 stars in many publications) and Sonos users largely welcomed the added Bluetooth and line-in functionality. The only notable backlash was from those who relied on Google Assistant – some were disappointed enough to hold off upgrading their Sonos One, since Era 100 couldn’t do “Hey Google”. Nevertheless, sales-wise, Sonos has indicated the Era lineup has performed well. The Era 100 likely attracted a mix of existing Sonos owners upgrading and new customers drawn by its features. On Sonos’s own site, it holds a high user rating (around 4.6/5) sonos.com. Customers frequently praise its sound clarity and bass for size, saying things like “unbelievably rich sound from such a small speaker” and appreciating the ease of setup via the Sonos app. The fact that it can stereo pair and be used as surrounds with a Sonos soundbar also made it popular among home theater users – many picked up two Era 100s to use as wireless surround speakers, noting an impressive improvement over TV speakers when combined in a Sonos system. In terms of market impact, the Era 100 helped keep Sonos competitive against the new HomePod; while Apple likely sold a lot to its user base, Sonos provided an alternative for those wanting an ecosystem-neutral smart speaker. By 2025, the Era 100 is often recommended as “the go-to decent-sounding, compact speaker” for most rooms theverge.com (as The Verge’s 2025 buying guide suggests theverge.com). This indicates it has a strong position in the market, continuing Sonos’s reputation.
• Apple HomePod 2 Reception: The second-gen HomePod was almost a redemption story for Apple – after discontinuing the original due to poor sales, Apple brought this back and found a warmer reception. Within the Apple community, the HomePod 2 has been embraced for delivering what the original did well (great sound) at a slightly lower price and with new features. It even won awards (What Hi-Fi 2023 Award for Best Smart Speaker). Early sales seemed steady; the HomePod 2 was on backorder for a while after release, suggesting decent demand. Market-wise, it’s still a niche product – Apple’s smart speaker market share is small compared to Amazon or Google – but Apple doesn’t aim for the budget segment. They reportedly saw the HomePod 2 as a way to satisfy audiophile Apple users and strengthen the HomeKit ecosystem. Customer feedback is generally positive on sound (“the sound quality is universally loved by owners; many comment it’s the best sounding speaker of its size they’ve heard”). Siri’s limitations come up frequently in user discussions – typical feedback: “Love the hardware, wish Siri was smarter/support Spotify natively.” That said, those in Apple’s ecosystem largely report high satisfaction because they know what they’re getting into (an Apple-centric device). The market reception in broader terms: the HomePod 2 hasn’t revolutionized Apple’s market share in smart speakers, but it solidified Apple’s presence in the premium segment. It likely modestly outsold the original HomePod’s later years, thanks to pent-up demand from Apple fans who wanted a full-size HomePod comeback. Apple doesn’t release numbers, but third-party estimates suggest the HomePod (all models) holds a small single-digit percentage of the global smart speaker market – however, in the price range above $200, it’s a more significant player (as Amazon/Google dominate the low end). So the HomePod 2 is considered a success within its niche – appreciated by users, critically acclaimed, but inherently limited to a subset of consumers.
• Audio Pro C20 Reception: Being a more specialized product launched in 2024, the C20’s market reception is mainly among audio enthusiasts and those who follow hi-fi or smart speaker news. It’s not as widely known as Sonos or Apple offerings, but within the circles that have tested or bought it, the feedback is very positive. It earned 5-star reviews from hi-fi outlets and is often mentioned as a top pick in “best wireless speakers” lists for 2024/2025 (for instance, listed as “Best for Music and Movies” in one 2025 speaker roundup architeg-prints.com). Customers who have purchased the C20 often comment on its versatility – one reviewer on Amazon noted how convenient it is to have one speaker handle “vinyl playback, TV sound via ARC, and all my streaming in one unit”. Many applaud the sound quality, with some saying it outperforms speakers twice its price, while a few note that for casual low-volume listening, it might not show its strengths as much as when you crank it up (i.e. it’s a speaker that likes to fill a room). In terms of sales, Audio Pro is a smaller company; the C20 likely sells in modest volumes relative to Sonos or Apple. It targets a niche of users who are willing to spend >$500 on a single speaker that isn’t from a big brand. But in Europe (where Audio Pro is more known, especially Scandinavia and UK), it likely has a strong appeal – Audio Pro has won multiple What Hi-Fi awards for previous models, and the C20 keeps that pedigree. One challenge for the C20 in the market is that voice control has become a checklist feature for many consumers; some might overlook it due to lack of Alexa/Google Assistant. However, those who prioritize sound seem to gravitate towards it. On forums like Reddit or audio boards, early adopters often write mini-reviews expressing surprise at how “room-shaking” the C20 can be for music and how it “puts Sonos to shame in pure audio” (though acknowledging Sonos’s multi-room app is slicker). Market positioning: The C20 is arguably in a category with high-end single speakers like Naim Mu-so Qb, B&W Formation Wedge, etc., but at a more accessible price. It’s carving out a reputation as the “hi-fi enthusiast’s smart speaker” (minus the “smart”). As Rolling Stone’s comment suggests, it’s seen as a connoisseur’s choice for one-stop home audio.

In conclusion, all three speakers have met with positive reception among their target audiences. Era 100 is seen as a hit that solidifies Sonos’s spot in the home speaker market (with just a slight ding for no Google voice). HomePod 2 has rehabilitated Apple’s hi-fi credentials and satisfied Apple-centric audiophiles, even if it’s not aiming for world domination. Audio Pro C20 has quietly impressed reviewers and early customers, standing out as a premium choice for those who know what they want. Customer feedback universally praises the sound quality of each – you’ll rarely find someone unhappy with how they sound; it’s usually about features or ecosystem where criticisms arise.

Upcoming Models and Rumored Releases

Looking ahead, the smart and wireless speaker landscape is ever-evolving. Here’s a glimpse of officially announced or strongly rumored upcoming models from Sonos, Apple, and Audio Pro (as of mid-2025):

• Sonos: After the Era 100 (and its larger sibling Era 300) launch in 2023, Sonos signaled that it’s focusing on expanding both its speaker range and entering new categories. In 2024, Sonos finally released its long-rumored headphones, called the Sonos “Ace” – an over-ear noise-cancelling headphone priced around $299 macrumors.com (with some sources initially reporting $449). The Sonos Ace headphones launched in June 2024, marking Sonos’s first move outside of dedicated speakers, and they integrate with the Sonos ecosystem (for example, seamless handoff of audio between headphones and speakers). As for speakers, Sonos is not expected to refresh the Era 100/300 so soon (Sonos typically has ~5-year product cycles). However, there are rumors and indications of other products:
  • A high-end Sonos soundbar (Arc successor) is anticipated, possibly in late 2024. Codenamed “Lasso”, this new flagship soundbar would build on the Arc with even more advanced home theater audio routenote.com.
  • A new Sonos Subwoofer (likely a smaller, more affordable model or a Sub Mini Mk2) is rumored for 2025, codename “Lotus” routenote.com.
  • Interestingly, Sonos is also reportedly developing a streaming set-top box for TVs, aiming to be a premium Apple TV/Roku competitor integrated with Sonos audio – this project (codenamed “Pinewood”) could surface by late 2024 or 2025 routenote.com routenote.com.
  • For the core speaker line, an Era 100 SL (a microphone-less version, akin to the Sonos One SL) might be a possibility if Sonos sees demand for a privacy-focused or cheaper variant. Similarly, Sonos released an Era 100 Professional edition with Power-over-Ethernet for commercial installs sonos.com.
  • Sonos’s portable lineup got an update with Sonos Move 2 in late 2023 (featuring stereo sound and better battery). By 2025, an update to the smaller Sonos Roam (Roam 2) also came out, improving that ultra-portable segment (the Sonos website now lists “Roam 2” among products) sonos.com.
  In summary, Sonos in 2025/26 is expected to broaden its product family: possibly new flagship soundbar and sub for home theater, continuous improvements to software (e.g., Sonos Voice 2.0, spatial audio support for more content), and exploring new domains like headphones and potentially home theater streaming. Another area to watch is whether Sonos ever partners with Google again or finds a way to integrate Google Assistant on new devices; as of now that seems unlikely without a resolution to their legal battles. Sonos fans have speculated about a Sonos Five replacement (the Five is now the oldest in the lineup, a large music speaker) – but reliable reports say there’s no concrete plan for a Play:5 successor yet routenote.com. If Sonos were to surprise us, a Play:5 (Six?) or a more affordable soundbar between Beam and Arc could be candidates, but nothing solid has leaked. In any case, Sonos appears committed to offering a full ecosystem – from portable speakers to home theaters to personal audio – so we can expect their ecosystem to strengthen going forward.
• Apple: The HomePod 2 just came out in 2023, and Apple typically waits a few years between hardware revisions. However, rumors strongly suggest Apple is working on two fronts: a new HomePod mini 2, and a completely new form factor with a smart display HomePod:
  • HomePod mini 2: The original mini (released late 2020) is getting old in tech terms. Multiple sources (MacRumors, Bloomberg) claim a HomePod mini 2 is expected possibly by late 2025 macrumors.com reddit.com. Expected upgrades include a newer Apple Silicon chip (for better Siri and Matter support), potentially sensors like the big HomePod has (temperature/humidity), and maybe new color options and sound improvements. Don’t expect radical changes – likely the same size and design, as it already sells well at $99. But improved Siri responsiveness, perhaps support for spatial audio handoff, and a U2 chip (next-gen Ultra Wideband) are on the wishlist macrumors.com. If Apple sticks to an announcement cycle, late fall 2025 could be a time for a HomePod mini refresh.
  • HomePod with Screen (Home Hub?): There have been persistent rumors that Apple is developing a HomePod with a 7-inch touchscreen, essentially to compete with the likes of Amazon Echo Show or Google’s Nest Hub, but with Apple’s spin. Famed analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted a HomePod with a 7-inch panel in 2024 macworld.com, possibly running a variant of iPadOS or a HomeKit interface. This device would merge an iPad-like display with a HomePod speaker base, allowing for visual info (like weather, camera feeds, Apple Music lyrics/art, FaceTime, etc.) in addition to Siri voice control. As of mid-2025, such a product hasn’t materialized, but code in iOS betas and reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggest it’s in development. If it comes, it could launch in 2025 or 2026, giving Apple a true smart display for the first time macworld.com youtube.com. This might be part of Apple’s strategy to further integrate smart home functions (imagine a HomePod that can show you who’s at the door via camera, etc.). No official word yet, but this is a strongly rumored direction.
  • HomePod 3 (full-size): Less is known here – since HomePod 2 was a modest upgrade after a long wait, a HomePod 3 likely wouldn’t appear until maybe 2026 or beyond. It could potentially include the screen if the above product evolves, or simply iterate with a new chip (A-series or S-series chip for faster on-device Siri processing) and perhaps even more drivers or spatial audio features. Some have speculated Apple might experiment with different HomePod sizes (like a HomePod that’s between mini and full, or a soundbar-type HomePod) but there’s nothing concrete.
  • Other Apple audio: Beyond HomePods, Apple’s audio focus is also on personal audio (AirPods line). While not directly related to speakers, any big moves there (e.g., new lossless AirPods or new Apple Music features) could complement HomePod usage (like lossless/hi-res support – currently HomePods support lossless ALAC, but not hi-res above 48k).
  In sum, for Apple, the near-future likely holds a HomePod mini 2 (affordable smart speaker refresh) and possibly a HomePod with a display to broaden the use-cases. Apple is also integrating Matter standard into its devices, so future HomePods will continue to serve as Matter controllers for smart homes – making them more appealing as home hubs. With Apple’s renewed interest in HomePod, we might expect more frequent iterations than the 5-year gap last time. By 2025’s end or 2026, seeing a mini 2 and even a new type of HomePod is quite plausible.
• Audio Pro: Audio Pro tends to release updated versions (MkII) of its speakers every few years and also expands with different models. The C20 is their latest flagship as of 2024. It’s so new that no direct successor is rumored yet – Audio Pro will likely watch how the C20 performs. We can, however, look at what else Audio Pro might do:
  • They have smaller models like the C10 MkII, C5 MkII, etc. It’s possible in a year or two, we could see a C5 MkIII or C10 MkIII incorporating some of the C20’s features (for example, maybe adding HDMI ARC or phono preamp to those).
  • Audio Pro also had portable battery-powered speakers (Addon C3, etc.). With the C20’s tech, perhaps a portable version with a battery might appear, though the C20 itself is large for that. Instead, maybe a new portable (P-series) could join the lineup.
  • In terms of voice control, Audio Pro has so far avoided building its own assistant, but they did release an Addon C5A with Alexa in 2018. They might consider an Alexa or Google Assistant enabled version of a future speaker if they see demand. For instance, a hypothetical “C20A” with Alexa built-in could happen, but there’s no specific rumor. Instead, Audio Pro seems to rely on Chromecast and AirPlay for voice integration (letting Google/Alexa devices control them externally).
  • Official news: In 2024, Audio Pro partnered with WiiM (a maker of Wi-Fi audio streamers) to create special editions of A10 and C10 speakers that integrate WiiM’s platform forum.wiimhome.com. This indicates Audio Pro is open to partnerships to broaden functionality (WiiM brings Alexa, Spotify Hi-Fi, etc.). Perhaps an Audio Pro C20 MkII in the future could incorporate such tech natively.
  • Another interesting development: Audio Pro sometimes does design collaborations. Their news mentions an artist collaboration edition of a speaker in 2025 audiopro.com. While not a new model, it shows they keep the lineup fresh with new finishes or limited editions.
  • Since the C20 was announced at CES 2024 and shipped in March, it will likely be Audio Pro’s top offering for a while. We might expect no new flagship until at least 2026. Instead, they might release complementary products – e.g., a matching subwoofer (they already have SW-5 and SW-10 subs, which they recommend for the C20 techradar.com). Or possibly a soundbar – though Audio Pro has focused on speakers, the inclusion of HDMI ARC in C20 suggests they see value in TV audio, so maybe a dedicated Audio Pro soundbar could be on the horizon.
  Overall, Audio Pro’s direction appears to be bridging hi-fi and smart tech while maintaining simplicity. Expect them to continue updating their multi-room platform and maybe bringing features like Google Cast and AirPlay to all their models (they’ve been doing that with MkII versions). If any rumor solidifies, it might be around late 2025 or 2026 for a C20 MkII or a bigger “C30” if they decide to go even larger. But these are speculative since no leaks yet. For now, the C20 is state-of-the-art for them, and the focus will be on promoting it.

In the broader category, it’s worth noting Amazon and Google will also likely release new versions of their speakers (Echo, Nest Audio) in coming years, possibly with improved sound or new features, which keeps pressure on Sonos/Apple. Sonos’s rumored new sub and soundbar will interest home theater enthusiasts, Apple’s potential screen HomePod could shake up the smart display market, and Audio Pro will continue catering to audio purists who want wireless convenience.

Bottom Line: If you’re investing in any of these speakers now, know that Sonos is doubling down on ecosystem expansion (headphones, possibly new home theater gear), Apple is iterating on the HomePod mini and exploring new form factors, and Audio Pro will likely refine its lineup but has no immediate replacement for the C20. None of the current models (Era 100, HomePod 2, C20) are expected to be obsoleted in the very near future, so they remain safe buys – their companies will support them for years. And with tech moving fast, we might even see features like improved spatial audio, AI-driven EQ adjustments, or new streaming service integrations come via firmware updates in the interim.

In summary, the Sonos Era 100, Apple HomePod 2, and Audio Pro C20 each represent some of the best in their class – but “best” for different people. The Era 100 is a versatile, user-friendly powerhouse for multi-room music and smart features (Alexa) in a compact package. The HomePod 2 is a sonic and smart home delight for those in Apple’s world, fusing great sound with Siri smarts and spatial audio magic. The Audio Pro C20 is a connectivity king and audio purist’s choice, turning one speaker into a whole sound system with premium quality. Your ideal pick will depend on your ecosystem allegiance, desire for voice control, and how much you value sheer audio performance vs. convenience.

Whichever you choose, you’ll be getting a top-tier speaker that has impressed both experts and users – and with the rapid pace of innovation, keep an eye on the horizon for the next evolution of these devices, whether it’s a new Sonos cinematic setup, Apple’s screen-toting HomePod, or Audio Pro’s next audiophile creation. Each brand is listening to feedback and striving to hit the right notes in the next generation.

Sources: Sonos Official sonos.com whathifi.com; TechRadar techradar.com techradar.com techradar.com; What Hi-Fi whathifi.com whathifi.com; Trusted Reviews trustedreviews.com trustedreviews.com; Rolling Stone us.audiopro.com; Tom’s Guide tomsguide.com tomsguide.com; MacRumors macworld.com macrumors.com.