Contributor I

Era 100 or 300 and speaker placement

Forum|Forum|4 months ago
May 14, 2026
25 replies
699 views

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to decide between the Era 100s and Era 300s for my theater room to pair with a Arc Ultra and likely a sub under my sectional, was hoping to get some feedback on my setup.

As the attached image shows, the TV is across from the longer side of the sectional, and there are two windows directly behind the couch. The picture doesn’t really show it, but the windows are recessed about 10 inches. The black boxes behind the sectional on the window sill at ear level are where I’d ideally like to place the speakers.

My thought was to use the window sills since there’s enough room for either setup. The speakers would have roughly 2–4 inches of space behind them, about 10 inches on each side if I went with the Era 300s (and even more space with the Era 100s), plus plenty of room above them. The sill height lines up almost perfectly with ear level, and the sectional sits directly against the wall.

Given this layout, do you think the Era 100s or Era 300s would work better? One thing I’m trying to avoid is having the speakers feel too overpowering for anyone sitting right next to them. I’m also curious whether either model would have issues performing properly while sitting in a recessed window sill like this.

The image shows the room dimensions.

Would really appreciate any thoughts or experiences with a similar setup. Thanks!

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Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

You are trying to compare apples and oranges, they are intrinsically different and picking one is a matter of taste, not comparison.

The 100 doesn't need much side room... because it has no side drivers. Of course with no side drivers there is no side channel sound.

The 300 has side channel drivers and they need room to work properly, the minimum distance is a minimum, not optimum distance.

Same for the height channel, it needs to bounce sound off the ceiling for optimal sound. Since your image didn't post I can't see how that would work out.

Now as to picking, go with the 300s if at all possible, even in less than optimal positions they are going to add more Atmos impact than the 100s.

In my case I bought both and tried them, couldn't position the 300s to suite the spouse so I used the 100s instead. I'm quite happy with the 100s as surrounds, they are noticeably different than the 300s but better than no surrounds that was the other option here. The 300s make a wonderful stereo/Atmos pair in another room, where the 100s would have gone if not used as surrounds.

F

FastHamFredAuthor

Contributor I

Appreciate the feedback. Not sure why the image is not loading as it is showing up for me, but not a big deal.

Out of curiousity (as I also have a spouse to please) were the 300s too loud or overpowering for you wife? or did she just prefer the 100s over the 300s?

N

nik9669a

Senior Virtuoso

Appreciate the feedback. Not sure why the image is not loading as it is showing up for me, but not a big deal.

Out of curiousity (as I also have a spouse to please) were the 300s too loud or overpowering for you wife? or did she just prefer the 100s over the 300s?

How can they be “too loud”? Just reduce the volume, surely?

It was aesthetics (over speaker placement) that I had to cope with rather than anything else, to get spousal approval for my wall-mounted 300’s.

Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

Purely placement, the 300s needed to be in one of several places to work well and none met with approval. Some mine, the remaining spots hers. The 100s just went in where we had Play 1s for our old Arc, better sound than the Play 1s so it was some Improvement.

No sound issues from the 300s when placed in line with the Sonos suggested mininimums or better.

The image is showing now, likely just forum slowness.

AjTrek1

My only concern is that the window sill isn’t high enough above the rear of the couch. However I can’t discern that from the diagram.

The Era 300’s really need as much clearance as possible before the audio output encounters a blockage which concerns me regarding the rear of the couch. However, as has been said they are the better choice for the Arc Ultra to create the Dolby Atmos surround bubble.

If possible I would consider moving the couch forward and mounting the Era 300’s on stands directly behind the Arm Rests of the couch. Assuming the diagram is a close representation of the furnishings.

The alternative choice is to mount them on the rear wall above the couch possibly centered above each window or to either side.

Loudness is subjective. Mine are mount on stands on either side of my eight (8) foot double theater seating. Surround sound is typically lower than the ArcUltra and balanced. You can always adjust the audio or allow TruePlay to set the audio level.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

If above the windows is an option, consider possibly mounting them inverted and close to the ceiling.

F

FastHamFredAuthor

Contributor I

I apologize, did not do a good job describing the window sil. T

The window sil is about 12” deep (just measured it) and the window itself is recessed into the wall, so all around the window is about 12” which I could set the era 300s on the window sil and basically use it as a shelf.

Since the window is recessed I didnt know if this would be too enclosed around the speaker.
I cannot mount them above the windows, however I can mount them to the side of each window.

Appreciate all the feedback!

AjTrek1

I apologize, did not do a good job describing the window sil. T

The window sil is about 12” deep (just measured it) and the window itself is recessed into the wall, so all around the window is about 12” which I could set the era 300s on the window sil and basically use it as a shelf.

Since the window is recessed I didnt know if this would be too enclosed around the speaker.
I cannot mount them above the windows, however I can mount them to the side of each window.

Appreciate all the feedback!

Thanks for the reply. However, the concern (or mine) is whether or not the Window sill is above, slightly below or even with the highest point of the back of the couch/sofa.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

F

FastHamFredAuthor

Contributor I

I apologize, did not do a good job describing the window sil. T

The window sil is about 12” deep (just measured it) and the window itself is recessed into the wall, so all around the window is about 12” which I could set the era 300s on the window sil and basically use it as a shelf.

Since the window is recessed I didnt know if this would be too enclosed around the speaker.
I cannot mount them above the windows, however I can mount them to the side of each window.

Appreciate all the feedback!

Thanks for the reply. However, the concern (or mine) is whether or not the Window sill is above, slightly below or even with the highest point of the back of the couch/sofa.

The window sil is slightly above the back of the couch right at ear level and they go about 3.5’ up the wall. Its right at ear level maybe 3’ to 3.5’ off the floor.

AjTrek1

I apologize, did not do a good job describing the window sil. T

The window sil is about 12” deep (just measured it) and the window itself is recessed into the wall, so all around the window is about 12” which I could set the era 300s on the window sil and basically use it as a shelf.

Since the window is recessed I didnt know if this would be too enclosed around the speaker.
I cannot mount them above the windows, however I can mount them to the side of each window.

Appreciate all the feedback!

Thanks for the reply. However, the concern (or mine) is whether or not the Window sill is above, slightly below or even with the highest point of the back of the couch/sofa.

The window sil is slightly above the back of the couch right at ear level and they go about 3.5’ up the wall. Its right at ear level maybe 3’ to 3.5’ off the floor.

Thanks again for the reply. If mounting the Era 300’s on the window sill is your best and only option then so be it.

However, proper placement suggests that surrounds be placed 6 to inches to the outside and 12 inches to the rear on either side of the sofa/couch. In all honesty that is an ideal placement that even I can’t fully adhere to.

In your case I’d consider moving the sofa/couch forward and using stands to approximate the ideal placement as mentioned. The other alternative is to wall mount them as far out to the left and right as possible inline with the ends of the sofa/couch.

If the window sill is still your best option then position them to the furthest corner of the will sill away from the centers with the suggested clearance on either side.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

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