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Hi, 

I bought a home with 3 Sonos Connect:Apps powering 3 zones with built-in speakers. All fine there. 

There’s also a Sonos Connect and wires for 4 built-in ceiling speakers labeled right/left Middle and right/left Rear that are meant for the tv.

I’d like to have 5.1 sound from the tv (Center, right/left Middle, right/left Rear, Bass) and I’d like the ceiling speakers to link to my Sonos home system to play music as the other zones do.

I’m not sure what’s needed.

A Sonos App would power the speakers, but not as both Middle and Rear (two zones need two Apps, right?), and I’d still need to do something about a Center speaker or bar. Expensive to have 2 or 3 Apps just to get 5.1 sound from the tv.

Or perhaps a receiver to run all the speakers, but then not sure how to connect to Sonos and have the tv ceiling speakers join the other Sonos zones to play music simultaneously. 

You’re somewhat challenged as it stands. The Sonos CONNECT (and CONNECT:AMP)  is a stereo device. The previous home owner was using it to drive front right and left, and then a separate set of speaker wires (not sure how they were / what they were connected to. 

In order to get ‘true’ 5.1, you’re going to need to invest in more Sonos. First, a soundbar, Sonos currently sells the Ray (optical connection) the Beam, or the Arc Ultra (both HDMI-ARC) although some retailers may have older stock of ‘new’ devices. Any Sonos soundbar will contain the three ‘front’ channels, right, center, and left.

Using the data in the setting up Amp or CONNECT:AMP as surround speakers FAQ, you could use a current device to control the surround speakers, but I’d suggest a Sonos Amp, just for future proofing. 

Of course, you’ll need one Sonos Sub, or maybe two for the .1 or .2 of your system.

Sonos sells several combo packages that contain all of this, if the ‘discount’ hasn’t been consumed on your current devices, you might be able to apply it to the group as a single purchase. 

If you are definitely set on using the ceiling speakers for your surround sound, I would suggest purchasing a standard A/V receiver. With the zConnect being where it is, I am guessing that how the previous owners had things setup. The Connect will allow audio from your other Sonos devices to play through the ceiling speakers, AND audio from the A/V recurved to be played through your Sonos devices.

If you were inclined to not use the LRC speakers and just the rear speakers, you would need to purchase an Sonos soundbar, Amp and a Sub.

The cool thing about having an A/V receiver is that you are not confined to use a Sonos Sub. Any aftermarket sub with line in would work.

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