u/Downtown_Pin_5487

Hi everyone,

I currently have a Sonos setup (2x Era 300 + Sub Mini) but I’m struggling. The Era 300s are literally painful to listen to. The treble is too aggressive and I get ear fatigue almost instantly.

On the contrary, I love the Apple HomePod 2 sound signature. I find it very smooth and warm. I can listen to it for hours without any discomfort.

I want to move to a passive system (Amp + Speakers) that mimics that HomePod comfort but with better Hi-Fi quality. My budget is around 900 CHF (1,1k $)

I would be very grateful if someone could recommend a complete system:

1. ⁠The Sound: I’m looking for something very warm or smooth I need to avoid aggressive or bright speakers.
2. ⁠Connectivity: I use an Apple TV, so I would love an amplifier with HDMI ARC so I can keep using my Apple remote for the volume.

If anyone has the kindness to help me build a system that won't hurt my ears, I would truly appreciate it.

Hi everyone,

I currently have a Sonos setup (2x Era 300 + Sub Mini) but I’m struggling. The Era 300s are literally painful to listen to. The treble is too aggressive and I get ear fatigue almost instantly.

On the contrary, I love the Apple HomePod 2 sound signature. I find it very smooth and warm. I can listen to it for hours without any discomfort.

I want to move to a passive system (Amp + Speakers) that mimics that HomePod comfort but with better Hi-Fi quality. My budget is around 900 CHF (1,1k $)

I would be very grateful if someone could recommend a complete system:

1. The Sound: I’m looking for something very warm or smooth I need to avoid aggressive or bright speakers.
2. Connectivity: I use an Apple TV, so I would love an amplifier with HDMI ARC so I can keep using my Apple remote for the volume.

If anyone has the kindness to help me build a system that won't hurt my ears, I would truly appreciate it.

Hey everyone,

I’m having a weird issue with my Sonos setup and I’m wondering if anyone else experienced the same thing.
I have a stereo pair of Sonos Era 300 with a Sonos Sub Mini in a 20m² room. No matter what I try, they end up hurting my ears after a short period of time.
I already tried:

multiple Trueplay tunings
lowering the treble
listening at low volume
changing placement a bit

But there’s still something in the sound that feels harsh/fatiguing to me, especially in the highs.

What’s strange is that I previously had a stereo pair of HomePod (2nd generation) and never had this problem at all. Those sounded smooth and comfortable even for long listening sessions.

Has anyone else had ear fatigue with the Era 300s?
Any settings, EQ tweaks, positioning tips, or is it maybe just the sound signature of these speakers?