I just purchased 2 era 300’s to accompany a Arc Ultra, but I’m having trouble figuring out the best placement and angle. In the photo there is a representation of a couch which will be facing the TV (we are replacing this couch with a U shaped couch). The room is a bit tricky because it’s vaulted in a unique way, my guess would be for the red circles I would want it facing down, but I’m not sure if it would work well. The couch is relatively close to that wall as well, probably 4 feet? It seems like the downward facing driver wouldn’t hit your ears at the right angle? I believe I read that the upside down orientation is now supported via true play and Atmos content, but would love confirmation.
Would blue even be a realistic option? Any other ways to do this?
Thank you so much for the help!
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Hi @breadandbutter
Welcome to the Sonos Community!
TruePlay Tuning does indeed now support inverted mounting of Era 300s in a Home Theatre setup, but it has never been the preferred orientation. I would easily recommend mounting your Era 300s on stands behind the sofa over mounting them near the ceiling - surround speakers should be at sitting head height, and anything else is a compromise. It looks like you already have power sockets in the right locations, which is a plus.
In addition, there are no ceiling mounts available, only wall mounts, and I am not convinced that there would be a way to mount the speakers with the mounts so you can set the speakers at the correct horizontal level with that 45 degree angled section between the wall and the ceiling getting in the way. So, I think the blue circles are just not an option without custom-made shelves. I guess I would therefore recommend the red circles over the blue, but I heavily recommend the use of stands over both ceiling options.
Wall mounts at the same level as the stands would be just as good, and cheaper - I should have thought of that first!
Green! Maybe a little higher than I have them here, but only 6” or so
I hope this helps.
Thank you so much for this insight! When I get my 300’s I’ll see how much walking space the stand mounts would allow, but it might not pass the wife test.
If we have to mount them in the blue location would era 100’s provide a better experience than the 300’s for this specific placement?
If I had to go with the highest / blue location I'd go as low as possible on the angled ceiling section.
I'd use the wall mounts but make an angled bracket to attach to the wall and the 300s, just enough to offset the angle and allow them to be vertical. Just deep enough so the 300's top-back edge clears the ceiling. A simple nicely finished wood block would look nice and work well.
You might grab a couple 2x4 boards and use them to temporiarly (use that word with the wife, often) and find the best sounding position all can live with.
I don't have 300s yet but the Ones and Play 1s I now have, at far from the recommended positions still sound pretty good.
I wouldn't consider the 100s unless you just can't live with the 300s, then you could return the 300s and order 100s.
Hi @breadandbutter
If we have to mount them in the blue location would era 100’s provide a better experience than the 300’s for this specific placement?
I don’t think so, no.
All surrounds should be at head height, but Era 300s have directional drivers, including height drivers. So, when inverted, these point down at the user. Era 100s have no height drivers, so there is no point in inverting them and they would therefore be best located at head height. In addition, Era 300s just produce a bigger sound.
The best sound you can have will be with Era 300s on stands or wall mounts at the green circles. Some matching side tables might be a more wife-friendly solution, but watch for rattles if anything else is put on them.
