When it comes to premium audio, we're living in a golden age of options. Today we're comparing two innovative but very different approaches to high-quality sound: the portable powerhouse Morel BIGGIE and Sonos's spatial audio flagship Era 300. While they may seem like apples and oranges at first glance, many buyers are actually weighing these exact options when deciding how to invest in better audio.
The audio world has evolved dramatically in recent years. Bluetooth speakers have gone from basic portable units to serious audio contenders, while home speakers have embraced spatial audio and smart features. Both of our contenders here represent the cutting edge of their respective categories.
The Morel BIGGIE, released in late 2023, brings high-end audio engineering to the portable space. Meanwhile, the Sonos Era 300, launched in March 2023, represents a new generation of home speakers designed for both traditional and spatial audio playback.
The BIGGIE employs a sophisticated two-way design that's rare in portable speakers. Its 1-inch soft dome tweeter (which handles high frequencies) pairs with a 4-inch woofer (for mids and bass) in a carefully tuned enclosure. This setup, powered by 60 watts of Class D amplification, delivers remarkably balanced sound for a portable unit.
What's particularly impressive is the BIGGIE's bass response - it reaches down to 40Hz, which is exceptional for its size. The speaker uses custom Digital Signal Processing (DSP) to maintain sound quality at different volumes, preventing the harsh distortion that plagues many portable speakers.
The Era 300 takes a more complex approach with six drivers (speakers) positioned for spatial audio. It includes:
This array, powered by six discrete amplifiers, creates a true three-dimensional soundstage when playing Dolby Atmos content. Even with standard stereo content, the speaker uses this array to create an impressively wide and detailed sound field.
In testing, the BIGGIE consistently surprises with its ability to fill medium-sized rooms while maintaining clarity. The speaker really shines in near-field listening (when you're close to it), where its precise imaging and balanced frequency response become apparent. Bass is punchy without overwhelming the mids, and highs remain clear without becoming harsh.
Battery life is truly impressive at 20 hours, and the fast-charging feature (4 hours of playback from a 20-minute charge) is genuinely useful in real-world situations. The ability to use it as a power bank for your phone is a thoughtful touch.
The Era 300 demonstrates its superiority in permanent installations. When properly positioned and tuned using Sonos's Trueplay room correction (which adjusts the sound based on your room's acoustics), it creates a remarkably immersive listening experience.
The spatial audio capabilities really shine with Dolby Atmos music from services like Amazon Music HD and Apple Music. Instruments and vocals appear to float in specific locations around the room, creating a listening experience that's closer to live music than traditional stereo.
The BIGGIE keeps things relatively simple with Bluetooth 5.3 as its primary connection method. This latest version offers improved range (up to 165 feet) and better stability compared to older Bluetooth standards. The True Wireless Stereo (TWS) feature lets you pair two BIGGIEs for proper stereo separation - a significant upgrade for larger spaces.
Sonos takes a more comprehensive approach with WiFi 6, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and integration with virtual assistants. The speaker works seamlessly with other Sonos products for multi-room audio and can be part of a sophisticated home theater setup when paired with a Sonos soundbar.
The BIGGIE at $299 represents excellent value for those needing premium portable audio. Its build quality and engineering suggest it will last for years, and the USB-C charging keeps it future-proof.
The Era 300 at $449 requires a bigger investment but offers more sophisticated capabilities. Its value increases if you're already in the Sonos ecosystem or planning to build a multi-room setup.
While the BIGGIE wasn't designed for home theater use, the Era 300 excels here. Two Era 300s can serve as rear surrounds with a Sonos Arc or Beam soundbar, creating a legitimate Dolby Atmos system. The speakers' upward-firing drivers add genuine height effects that make movies more immersive.
The decision between these speakers really comes down to your primary use case and existing setup:
Choose the BIGGIE if:
Choose the Era 300 if:
Both speakers represent the cutting edge of their respective categories, and neither would disappoint in terms of sound quality. The key is matching their capabilities to your specific needs and usage patterns.
As speaker technology continues to evolve, the line between portable and permanent speakers has begun to blur. The BIGGIE shows how far portable audio has come, while the Era 300 demonstrates the potential of modern home audio. Your choice between them should be guided by how and where you'll use them most often, rather than purely by specs or price.
Remember that audio is deeply personal - while the Era 300 might offer objectively "better" sound in technical terms, the BIGGIE's portability could make it the more valuable choice for your lifestyle. Consider your specific needs carefully, and choose the speaker that best fits your daily audio requirements.
| Morel BIGGIE ($299) | Sonos Era 300 ($449) |
|---|---|
| Primary Use Case - Determines if the speaker matches your needs | |
| Portable premium audio for indoor/outdoor use | Permanent home speaker with spatial audio capabilities |
| Sound Architecture - Impacts overall audio quality and performance | |
| 2-way system: 1" tweeter + 4" woofer | 6-driver system: 4 tweeters + 2 woofers with spatial audio |
| Power Output - Affects maximum volume and sound clarity | |
| 60W total (45W woofer + 15W tweeter) | Six Class-D amplifiers (one per driver) |
| Connectivity - Important for system integration | |
| Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm aux input | WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, AirPlay 2, optional line-in |
| Multi-Speaker Features - Expands usage possibilities | |
| True Wireless Stereo (TWS) pairing only | Full multi-room audio, home theater integration |
| Portability Factors - Consider mobility needs | |
| 5.7 lbs, 20-hour battery, carrying handle | 9.85 lbs, AC power only, no handle |
| Room Correction - Affects sound quality in different spaces | |
| Basic DSP adjustment | Advanced Trueplay tuning with room analysis |
| Special Features - Additional value considerations | |
| Power bank functionality, water-resistant | Dolby Atmos, voice control, smart home integration |
| Size - Impacts placement options | |
| 7"W x 7"H x 4.5"D (compact) | 10.24"W x 6.3"H x 7.28"D (larger footprint) |
| Frequency Response - Determines bass depth and overall range | |
| 40Hz - 20kHz | Not published, but extends lower with dual woofers |
| Setup Requirements - Affects ease of use | |
| Simple Bluetooth pairing | Network setup required, app-based configuration |
| Future-Proofing - Long-term value consideration | |
| Auracast-ready, firmware upgradeable | Regular software updates, expanding feature set |
The Morel BIGGIE is specifically designed for portability with its 20-hour battery life and carrying handle. The Sonos Era 300 requires constant AC power and isn't portable at all, making the BIGGIE the clear choice for portable use.
The Morel BIGGIE is designed for both indoor and outdoor use with its durable construction and battery power. The Era 300 is not meant for outdoor use as it requires AC power and isn't weather-resistant.
The Sonos Era 300 offers superior overall sound quality with its six-driver spatial audio system. However, the BIGGIE provides excellent sound quality for a portable speaker, just in a more focused soundstage.
The Morel BIGGIE costs $299 while the Sonos Era 300 is $449. The price difference is justified if you want permanent home installation with spatial audio, but the BIGGIE offers better value for portable use.
The Morel BIGGIE is better for parties due to its portability, battery power, and ability to be moved where needed. It's also more durable for party environments than the Era 300.
Both support Bluetooth, but the Era 300 also offers WiFi, AirPlay 2, and smart home integration. The BIGGIE primarily uses Bluetooth 5.3 with auxiliary input as a backup.
The Sonos Era 300 is significantly better for home theater, especially when paired with a Sonos soundbar for Dolby Atmos surround sound. The BIGGIE isn't designed for home theater use.
The Morel BIGGIE offers 20 hours of battery life with fast charging capability. The Sonos Era 300 doesn't have a battery and requires constant AC power.
The BIGGIE is easier to set up with simple Bluetooth pairing. The Era 300 requires WiFi network setup and app configuration, but offers more features once configured.
The Sonos Era 300 can integrate with your TV system, especially when paired with Sonos soundbars. The BIGGIE can connect to TVs via Bluetooth or aux cable but isn't optimized for this use.
The Morel BIGGIE has a smaller footprint and is more suitable for tight spaces. While the Era 300 is larger, it provides more immersive sound if you have room for proper placement.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: theabsolutesound.com - ecoustics.com - crutchfield.com - techradar.com - crutchfield.com - tpdhifi.com - audioxpress.com - nlp.stanford.edu - eisa.eu - muzix.eu - rtings.com - notebookcheck.net - audiosciencereview.com - whathifi.com - digitaltrends.com - sonos.com - sonos.com - youtube.com - soundguys.com - schaeferstv.com - en.community.sonos.com - bestbuy.com - youtube.com - sonos.com
