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Choose the PSB iQ2 if you want a real left-and-right stereo system, native phono and HDMI eARC connections, and BluOS multiroom. Choose the Sonos Era 300 if you prefer one compact smart speaker, Dolby Atmos spatial audio, AirPlay 2, and an easy path into a Sonos home-theater system. They are different kinds of products: the iQ2 is a powered pair, while the Era 300 is one speaker.
PSB iQ2 and Sonos Era 300 at a glance
The most important comparison is quantity and layout. A PSB iQ2 package contains two powered cabinets that create dedicated left and right channels. An Era 300 package contains one powered speaker with drivers aimed in several directions. Comparing one iQ2 cabinet with one Era 300 would therefore compare unlike packages.
| Category | PSB iQ2 | Sonos Era 300 |
|---|---|---|
| System format | Powered wireless stereo pair; separate left and right speakers | One powered smart speaker |
| Primary design goal | Conventional stereo playback with many physical sources | Spatial-audio playback and Sonos-room integration |
| Native connections | Moving-magnet phono, HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth aptX Adaptive, Wi-Fi/BluOS | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, AirPlay 2; USB-C line-in requires a separately sold adapter |
| Streaming platform | BluOS, with access to more than 20 services according to PSB, plus local-library and multiroom playback | Sonos app, Sonos-compatible services, AirPlay 2 and compatible Sonos-room features |
| Spatial audio | Not presented as a Dolby Atmos spatial speaker | Dolby Atmos-focused design with six drivers aimed left, right, forward and upward |
| Current US manufacturer listing | $1,699 per pair — PSB Speakers, 2026 listing | $499 per speaker — Sonos, 2026 listing |
| Size | Each cabinet: 5.7 × 9.7 × 7.6 inches; pair weight: 16.2 pounds | 10.24 × 7.28 × 6.30 inches; 9.85 pounds |
Prices are manufacturer listings observed in 2026 and can change. The figures do not include optional accessories, taxes, delivery or additional speakers.
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PSB iQ2: a complete stereo pair
The PSB iQ2 product page describes two powered speakers that link wirelessly to supply left and right channels. You do not need a separate stereo amplifier. Each cabinet uses a 4-inch woofer and a ¾-inch aluminum-dome tweeter in a bass-reflex enclosure. PSB specifies 45 watts for each tweeter, 90 watts for each woofer and 270 watts for the complete system.
#1 Best Overall
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This format suits a desk, media console or conventional two-channel listening position where you can place speakers apart from one another. It also gives you a physical left/right image rather than asking one enclosure to create the impression of width.
Sonos Era 300: one spatial-audio smart speaker
The Era 300 is a single networked speaker controlled through the Sonos app. Sonos says its six drivers direct sound left, right, forward and upward, and positions the model for Dolby Atmos spatial audio. It can also respond to Sonos Voice Control and Amazon Alexa where those services are supported; language and country availability vary.
Because it is one cabinet, the Era 300 is simpler to place in a room than a two-speaker pair. It is not, however, a conventional left/right package. If your goal is a wide, symmetrical stereo stage from two positions, the iQ2 starts with the more suitable physical arrangement.
Connections: the decisive difference for TV, vinyl and older sources
PSB iQ2 inputs
The iQ2 has the broadest built-in source selection:
- Moving-magnet phono: connect a turntable with an MM cartridge directly, without adding a separate phono preamp.
- HDMI eARC: connect a compatible television for audio from built-in TV apps and other devices routed through the TV.
- Optical: use the television or another digital source’s optical output when HDMI eARC is unavailable.
- Bluetooth aptX Adaptive: play from compatible mobile devices without joining the BluOS network.
- BluOS over Wi-Fi: stream supported services and music from a local library, then group compatible BluOS products for multiroom playback.
HDMI eARC is especially useful if the speaker pair is replacing a soundbar. It allows the television to send audio back to the iQ2 over one HDMI connection and generally makes volume control more convenient when the TV and speaker support the required HDMI-CEC behavior.
Era 300 inputs and adapters
The Era 300 provides Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 and Apple AirPlay 2. Its USB-C port is not a built-in analog jack: line-level or headphone-style analog sources require the separately sold Sonos Line-In Adapter and a 3.5 mm auxiliary cable. Sonos says this line-in connection is not intended for TV use.
Rank #2
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Sonos also sells a separately purchased Combo Adapter that adds Ethernet. That is relevant if your Wi-Fi coverage is unreliable or you need a wired network connection, but it increases the total cost and adds another accessory to the installation.
For a turntable, the Era 300 therefore needs a turntable with a suitable built-in phono preamp or an external phono stage, followed by the Sonos Line-In Adapter. The iQ2 is the cleaner choice for an MM turntable because the phono input is already on the speaker system.
Streaming platforms and multiroom behavior
BluOS on the iQ2
PSB says BluOS provides access to more than 20 streaming services, playback from a local music library and synchronized playback across BluOS-enabled products. The exact service list depends on your country and the current software, so check the live BluOS catalog if a particular service is essential.
BluOS is most attractive when you already own, or plan to add, other BluOS-compatible products. The iQ2 can then be part of a broader multiroom system while still accepting wired sources such as a turntable and television.
Sonos control on the Era 300
The Era 300 is managed through the Sonos app and can join compatible Sonos rooms. AirPlay 2 adds a convenient route from supported Apple devices, while Bluetooth is useful for guests or quick playback without configuring a shared account.
Service availability is not universal: music providers, voice features and playback options can vary by country, language and software version. Check the current Sonos app listings for the services you use rather than assuming that every provider appears on every platform.
Rank #3
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Spatial audio, Dolby Atmos and ordinary stereo
Sonos describes the Era 300 as a Dolby Atmos spatial-audio speaker. Its launch announcement explains that six drivers direct sound in left, right, forward and upward directions. Sonos Vice President of Sound Experience Giles Martin called spatial audio “the next evolution in listening,” while Dolby executive Kevin J. Yeaman described the Era 300’s Dolby Atmos design as an immersive music experience. Those are company statements about the product’s intent, not independent comparative test results.
To benefit from the Era 300’s spatial presentation, you need content supplied in a compatible Dolby Atmos or other supported spatial format and a playback path that preserves that format. Ordinary stereo tracks still play, but they do not contain the same height and surround information.
The iQ2 takes the opposite approach: two conventional channels, each coming from its own cabinet. PSB specifies an on-axis response of 64 Hz–20 kHz within ±3 dB and a low-frequency cutoff of 35 Hz at −10 dB. These are manufacturer measurements, not a controlled comparison with the Era 300. The iQ2 is not marketed in the supplied specifications as a Dolby Atmos speaker.
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For a television-centered setup, the iQ2 has the clearer connection path because HDMI eARC is built in. Connect the TV’s eARC port to the iQ2, select the appropriate audio output in the television menu, and use the TV remote if HDMI-CEC volume control is supported by both devices. Optical is the fallback when the TV lacks eARC.
The Era 300 can be part of compatible Sonos home theater systems and can serve as a surround speaker with supported Sonos soundbars. Verify current compatibility, required software and Atmos-content requirements before buying specifically for that role. Sonos explicitly says the Era 300’s optional analog line-in is not intended for TV, so do not plan to connect a television through the USB-C adapter as your primary TV path.
If you want two independent speakers flanking a television without adding another ecosystem component, the iQ2’s left/right pair is the more direct fit. If you already use Sonos soundbars or other Sonos products and want to extend that system, the Era 300 may be more practical despite its adapter and compatibility considerations.
Rank #4
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Which is better for vinyl?
The iQ2 wins on simplicity for a moving-magnet turntable: plug the turntable into its phono input, select that source and keep the signal in the same powered stereo system. No external phono preamp is required for an MM cartridge.
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The Era 300 does not list a native phono input. A turntable setup requires a phono preamp, the Sonos Line-In Adapter and a 3.5 mm cable. A turntable with a built-in preamp can omit the separate phono-stage box, but it still needs the Sonos adapter. That additional hardware is worthwhile only if the rest of your household is already organized around Sonos or you specifically want the Era 300’s room and app features.
Room placement and physical requirements
Placing the iQ2 pair
Each iQ2 cabinet measures 5.7 × 9.7 × 7.6 inches (145 × 246 × 192 mm). Measure the available shelf or stand for two cabinets, not one, and leave the clearance recommended by PSB around the bass-reflex enclosure. Place the speakers at roughly equal distances from your main seat, with the left speaker on the left and the right speaker on the right. Keep the tweeters aimed toward the listening position if your furniture allows.
The pair weighs 16.2 pounds (7.36 kg) in total. A narrow shelf that supports one speaker may not be wide or strong enough for both, and the two power cables and speaker-link arrangement need room behind the furniture.
Placing the Era 300
The Era 300 measures 10.24 × 7.28 × 6.30 inches (260 × 185 × 160 mm, listed width × height × depth) and weighs 9.85 pounds (4.47 kg). Keep it upright on a stable surface with open space around the sides and above it so the directional drivers are not blocked by a wall, cabinet side or shelf. Avoid placing objects directly over the speaker because its spatial design includes an upward-firing component.
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- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Price, quantity and accessory costs
At the time of the 2026 US manufacturer listings, the PSB iQ2 was shown at $1,699 per pair on PSB’s product page. Sonos listed the Era 300 at $499 per speaker. Two Era 300 units would therefore total $998 before adapters, tax and delivery, but the products are sold individually and a two-unit purchase is not the same package as the iQ2’s included left/right system.
PSB’s launch announcement listed historical suggested prices of $1,399 for color finishes and $1,499 for Walnut Veneer. Sonos’s 2023 launch announcement listed a $449 launch price for the Era 300. Those older figures provide launch context only; use the current product pages for a purchase decision.
Budget for accessories according to your sources:
- iQ2: no phono preamp is needed for an MM cartridge, and HDMI eARC and optical inputs are built in.
- Era 300: analog line-in requires the separately sold Sonos Line-In Adapter and a 3.5 mm cable; Ethernet requires the separately sold Combo Adapter.
- Either system: add suitable stands, longer cables or additional speakers only if your room plan requires them. Inventory and prices can change.
Choose the iQ2 when these priorities match you
- You want a genuine left/right stereo pair rather than one spatial speaker.
- Your system includes an MM turntable and you want a built-in phono input.
- Your television has HDMI eARC or optical output and TV playback is central.
- You need several physical inputs for legacy and modern sources.
- You prefer BluOS and expect to add other BluOS-enabled rooms.
- You can accommodate two cabinets and the higher current pair price.
The iQ2’s main trade-off is commitment to a two-speaker layout and a higher current US listing price. Its specifications describe strong connectivity and a full powered system, but they do not establish that it sounds better than the Era 300 in every room.
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- You want one smart speaker with minimal physical wiring.
- Dolby Atmos music and spatial playback are more important than a traditional stereo image.
- You already use the Sonos app, compatible Sonos products or AirPlay 2.
- You may build a compatible Sonos home-theater system later.
- Your sources are primarily network streaming, Bluetooth and AirPlay rather than turntable or TV cables.
- You accept buying an adapter for analog line-in and understand that Sonos does not intend that connection for TV.
The Era 300’s main trade-off is that a single unit is not a conventional two-speaker stereo pair. Its spatial effect also depends on compatible content and placement, while voice features and service support vary by country and language.
Setup steps for each system
PSB iQ2 setup
- Place the two cabinets on stable surfaces with the left and right positions clearly separated and the bass-reflex openings unobstructed.
- Connect each speaker to AC power and allow the pair to establish its wireless left/right link according to the supplied instructions.
- For a television, run an HDMI cable from the TV’s eARC port to the iQ2 HDMI eARC input. If eARC is unavailable, use optical.
- For an MM turntable, connect the turntable’s output to the iQ2 phono input. Use an external phono stage only when your cartridge or turntable requires one.
- Install the current BluOS controller, connect the iQ2 to your home network and complete any firmware update shown by the app.
- Add streaming services or a local music library in BluOS, then test left and right channels separately before adjusting placement.
Sonos Era 300 setup
- Stand the Era 300 upright on an open, stable surface with space above and to both sides.
- Connect power, open the current Sonos app and choose the option to add a product. Follow the on-screen Wi-Fi setup.
- Sign in to the music services you use and test Bluetooth or AirPlay 2 from a compatible device.
- Run Sonos Trueplay room tuning if available. Sonos says the current feature works with iOS and Android devices; follow the app’s movement and listening prompts.
- For analog playback, attach the separately sold Sonos Line-In Adapter to USB-C, connect the 3.5 mm cable and select the line-in source in the Sonos app.
- If you need wired networking, use the separately sold Combo Adapter and confirm that the app shows the speaker on Ethernet.
What the published specifications cannot answer
Neither manufacturer’s material supplies a controlled, head-to-head measurement showing that one model has superior sound quality in every room. Power ratings, frequency-response limits, driver counts and Dolby Atmos support describe design and intended capability; they do not predict your exact tonal balance, bass response or spatial impression after placement.
Your room, listening distance, source quality and content format matter. A carefully spaced iQ2 pair may produce the more convincing stereo image for one listener, while an Era 300 with Atmos content may create the more engaging presentation for another. Treat promotional statements from PSB and Sonos as descriptions of product goals, not independent test findings.
Final buying checklist
- Count the cabinets you actually need: two included with iQ2, one included with Era 300.
- List every source before buying: MM turntable, HDMI-eARC TV, optical device, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 and network services.
- Confirm your preferred streaming services and voice features for your country and current software version.
- Measure the furniture, vertical clearance and power outlets for the chosen layout.
- Add the Era 300 Line-In Adapter or Combo Adapter to the budget only if you need those connections.
- Check current manufacturer prices and inventory because both listings and available finishes can change.
For a source-rich, conventional stereo system, the PSB iQ2 is the more complete one-box-per-channel solution. For a single-speaker Sonos room centered on spatial audio, AirPlay 2 and future Sonos expansion, the Era 300 is the more natural fit.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
