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nietzschex
Contributor I
July 19, 2018
Answered

How to activate Alexa mics on Sonos One surrounds?

  • July 19, 2018
  • 57 replies
  • 15977 views
I have a Beam with two Sonos One surrounds, and it's my understanding that the mics on the Sonos Ones are by default OFF, and that the Beam is the only one with mic input for Alexa. Is there a way to turn on the mics on the Ones? I ask because I'm usually closer to the Ones than the Beam when using Alexa, and Alexa on the Beam usually has trouble hearing me (I usually have to yell). Thanks!
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    Best answer by Ryan S
    As soon as you Enable the Sonos skill within Alexa then all Sonos Alexa devices have the capability to take voice commands. Can you please open the Sonos App>Settings>Room Settings>{Your Sonos One} and ensure that Voice Services are Enabled? If not please click Enabled and follow the prompts.
    This would work for everything but with the Beam and Sonos Ones.

    When bonded with a Beam, Sonos Ones will have Alexa disabled on them. We found during testing that the best experience was when the Sonos Ones microphones were turned off. CEC based Alexa commands don't work through the Sonos One, so if those were hearing your commands instead of the Beam, it wouldn't pass them to the TV. I'll pass the word along to the team that you'd like to be able to turn the microphones back on, and more importantly, that the Beam is having trouble hearing you. That shouldn't be the case.

    You might want to give us a call on our support line and see if they can help get the setup cleaned up a bit and improve the Beam's listening.

    57 replies

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    dangodin
    dangodin
    Trending Lyricist I
    November 27, 2018
    Has there been any movement with this? I'd sure like to use the microphones on my Ones so I don't have to scream across the room at the Beam. Why can't the One's simply relay the CEC command over to the Beam?
    -Thanks, Dan
      timfoster
      Trending Lyricist I
      November 27, 2018
      The reason is because as with most things Sonos, they don't care what you think. They have your money and so you are dead to them unless you want to give them more money.
      zarenina
      Lyricist I
      December 3, 2018
      Please fix this! Please enable alexa mics on Play Ones surrounds
        UKMedia
        UKMedia
        December 3, 2018
        Please fix this! Please enable alexa mics on Play Ones surrounds

        Just curious. As the only time the mics on the Sonos One's are disabled is when they are set-up as surround speakers with a Beam, why is this an issue? Is the mic on the Beam not sufficient?
        Remember: Sometimes Red Wine helps :)
        Driver28
        Lyricist III
        December 3, 2018
        Im looking inte this too but with a Play bar. Is the Ones mics off using Ones as surrounds with a Play bar too? Or does Alexa work when paired with a Play bar since the Play bar doesn’t have Alexa?
        melvimbe
        melvimbe
        December 3, 2018
        The Ones will work as Alexa mics when bonded with the playbar, playbase, or Sonos Amp.
        Danny
          Driver28
          Lyricist III
          December 3, 2018
          The Ones will work as Alexa mics when bonded with the playbar, playbase, or Sonos Amp.

          Thanks for your answer. Been thinking about this for a while as I want surrounds and Alexa in the living room
          EskayTan
          Contributor I
          December 14, 2018
          I have exactly the same problem. Bought 2 Sonos Ones rather than the cheaper Play for my Beam thinking that I can have an easier time talking to Alexa but was disappointed.
          Yvopyvo
          Lyricist I
          December 15, 2018
          Hello, i have beam and i planed to buy two ones, not only for better soun but mainly because alexa has very hard time to hear me once music is playing. Now i read here, that its not possible to talk to ones microphone. Can you please sonos respond, if you plan to add this feature soon? If not, iam not buying another 2 speakers. But cmon, its pretty stupid not allow just pass voice from smaller ones to beam.
            Chris
            Chris
            Lead Maestro
            December 15, 2018
            News to me - but appears Ryan said they did disable with the Beam. Shouldn't be a big deal though with the Beam as the Alexa.
            Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)
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