Can the Amp and Connect be told to output mono rather than stereo? Using with mono ceiling speakers in bathroom and kitchen.
Userlevel 1
Single ceiling speakers (already bought) being used in the bathroom and kitchen. I need to sum the stereo signal for those, as I listen to a lot of soul which is 'dual mono' i.e. drums on left, everything else on right. Can the output be set to mono?
This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.
Page 3 / 4
Yes on Mono Control! - Plus it would be awesome to allow individual volume control for each Left and Right as most likely, like in my case the speakers are technically completely separate locations!
Userlevel 1
The more you ask for, the more the engineers have to do. You are asking for the functionality of two units in one with a separate volume control. That's not cheap to do. Requires a completely new design. Mono is already available in the portables. Just needs to be added to connects. Your issue can be resolved by setting the gains differently on the power amp powering each zone. If you are using a powered connect or a standard receiver, then you have to just buy two connects. This lack of mono is killing custom installation companies like mine .
It doesn't take anything more... Its actually just connecting the two Volume controls to the balance... If you want the Mono left channel up, turn the volume up and the balance slides to favor left. If you want right mono as well turn its volume up, if left is already up it just slowly banaces adding right... Its a simple algorithm they could add with mono to allow for two volume controls instead of one. Most people who use MONO use it as they are using speakers in separate locations... Why not allow for separate volume control. Keep it as one box just separate volume control... For example mine are labeled Side/Front Yard... Obviously the same thing would have to play on both speakers, just the volume control would be huge!
Userlevel 1
My original question was actually a bit simpler than that, though. I don't need separate volume control over the two outputs, as I can set that manually (or via RS232) on the d-class power amp. All I'd like is both the left and right phonos to output identical, mono-summed outputs so I can send them to different zones and (post the amp) volumes. Should be easy, but would need a software implementation. Would've thought this would be easy enough tho. Hey ho.
Userlevel 1
Balance is not the same as separate volume controls. As you raise one side with balance, you decrease the other. It's just not the same thing. This requires rework. Furthermore it canobalizes the companie's sales even if they were to do it. The solution to two zones is two units. You are trying to save money. The lack of mono has no real solution.. I'm not trying to knock your idea, but it's diluting the original request which is quite important and desperately needed. If someone from Sonos reads this I want them to see a simple and necessary request. Nor a bunch of different ideas thrown at them on a single post by people who really aren't product engineers. We need mono capability on Connects. Please.:. Someone from Sonos let us know you are at least reading this. This thread was started a long time ago.
Userlevel 1
Agreed Adam. Wish someone was listening.
Userlevel 2
Agreed here as well. Mono for me would be useful so that in a kitchen/diner or a bathroom/ensuite I could have a single speaker in each and provide a 'full' sound feed rather than just a left or right. I don't need separate volume control.
Problem is that no one from Sonos is apparently reading this, or they just don't care.
I was fairly invested in Sonos equipment at one time (in spite of their relatively huge price premium), and the lack of action on this issue made me change directions. I ended up getting an AV receiver with multiple zones and Apple AirPlay support. The receiver also has a mono option for zone 2 because someone there evidently realized this need.
So instead of spending a bunch of money for a dedicated Sonos amp for my back yard on top of a Sonos Connect for my main receiver and separate Sonos speakers for every room that I wanted music, I bought a new receiver that handles my living room AND my back yard, and used the Apple TVs I already had in the rooms as AirPlay devices with relatively inexpensive amplified speakers.
Don't get me wrong - there are plenty of annoying issues with Apple AirPlay, and I would still pay a premium for Sonos, but I won't even look at them again until they address or at least respond to this issue. If this requires hardware changes to implement, at least let us know. If it can be done in software, then there really is no excuse for no action or response from Sonos or over 2 years.
I was fairly invested in Sonos equipment at one time (in spite of their relatively huge price premium), and the lack of action on this issue made me change directions. I ended up getting an AV receiver with multiple zones and Apple AirPlay support. The receiver also has a mono option for zone 2 because someone there evidently realized this need.
So instead of spending a bunch of money for a dedicated Sonos amp for my back yard on top of a Sonos Connect for my main receiver and separate Sonos speakers for every room that I wanted music, I bought a new receiver that handles my living room AND my back yard, and used the Apple TVs I already had in the rooms as AirPlay devices with relatively inexpensive amplified speakers.
Don't get me wrong - there are plenty of annoying issues with Apple AirPlay, and I would still pay a premium for Sonos, but I won't even look at them again until they address or at least respond to this issue. If this requires hardware changes to implement, at least let us know. If it can be done in software, then there really is no excuse for no action or response from Sonos or over 2 years.
Well, Adam Brown below is asking for the exact same thing, yet uses an additional device (Non Sonos) to control the volume. Im just simply asking for your request, plus asking in addition for simple volume control, goes hand in hand with the Mono. Sonos my guess would want to keep Sonos with in Sonos. Why add more devices to something that doesnt need it. Its not even close to "Canobalizing" their sales. If so, then your simple request for Mono is what Canobalizes the sales. Mono allows for separate locations for the L/R outputs. Volume control is just a simple conjuntion with the Mono feature. Sorry you feel your idea Canobalizes their sales.
Balance. Balance is actually Volume control between the two Left and Right. Its the EXACT same idea. To make separate volume controls involves NO hardware additions. Its the simple ability of combining the Connect Amps Main Volume Control with the Balance Volume nob. I do it all the time with mine now, just have to jump into the settings to adjust it correctly. My volume/balance request in addition to Mono is a basic and simpe IFTTT procedure.
My guess is, Sonos wants to keep things with in their own devices. Plus as a consumer, we would rather purchase one device, instead of having to purchase more than one to do a simple task. Why add more devices to the mix, which cost more money...
My request is a VERY SIMPLE, well paired request with your Mono Request. Your clients would appreciate this feature! 🙂
Just curious.. why can't you use a Y cable out of a connect into the mono power amp? You can daisy chain this to a second (or more) additional power amps as needed. This is how I feed a mono amp that drives my outdoor bell tower speaker and have had no issues.
Userlevel 1
You can't sum signals with a Y cable. You can only split. I explained this elsewhere. If it worked for you it's because the amp already has an internal mono signal summing circuit. Otherwise you'll damage the preamp. I don't think anyone at Sonos cares otherwise this post would have had a reply over the last 2 years or whenever it was posted. I'm giving up and moving on, I'll use other products when really must have mono.
I suppose if the impedance of the Connect outputs is low enough then each side could struggle trying to drive the other so I see where you might want to use a mixer or at least a few isolation resistors. I guess a software change would in fact be the cleanest way to accomplish this.
I am seriously considering ditching my 5 zone sonos setup because 3 of the zones would be much better served by dual mono. Has anyone found a good alternative?
Userlevel 6
+11
I agree this should be an option, especially considering how two play units can be made a stereo pair. this essentially turns each stereo play unit into a mono play unit. if it can be done with a play, it can be done with a connect..
After 3 years the answers is still No. Why ? Some may ask , well it's very simple actually. Design you audio system correctly and do not ask Sonos to change their product due to your poor choices of equipment and lack of knowlegde. Anyone here who is complaining about Mono for outdoors. The correct solution is to use a connect preamp and a amplifier which can supports mono output if that's what you desire. Furthermore Sonos amps arent very powerful and suck at driving outdoor speakers in the first place. With regard to using the left output in an amplifier for one room and the right for another room. Are you people reading what you write? Your asking Sonos to basically make a 1 zone device 2 zones. It's so convoluted on many different levels. Basically because you guys are all cheap you want Sonos to reinvent the wheel for you. I'm no Sonos advocate but, they have a product for whatever you want to do. It's all there already. It's no wonder they wouldn't do this. Aside from possible limitations of design. Quit crying about this moronic feature and do it the correct way. If you want a robust outdoor speaker system your going to need amplification anyway. Get over it.
I still believe that the summed-momo option should be available in software/firmware for ALL Sonos players.
However, if you are using an amp and speakers off a Sonos line output, summing the outputs to mono is simple. Get two 1K resistors (this value is NOT critical - anything +/- 20%, or even more than that). Put each one in series with a line output signal lead (L and R) from the Sonos, connecting the resistor leads together at the other end, and then splitting the summed output into an amp (or sending the summed output into one input of a mono amp); this should do the job nicely. My suggestion is to have the amp nearby to the Sonos unit, but if they are separated, the resistor "network" should be closest to the amp and not the Sonos device. The output level into the amp will drop slightly but quite likely not enough to be any kind of problem. And depending upon location, you might need/want to shield the resistor assembly somehow, using either a mini-box, some aluminum foil (either of these connected to signal-ground), or the like - this is up to you.
Tech notes: The reason for keeping the resistors near to the amp is that the Sonos has a low-impedance output (as most devices do); you want to keep the signal cabling at its lowest-impedance for as long a distance as possible. Having the resistors nearest the Sonos device raises the impedance in the connecting cable. For a few feet this probably makes little difference.
Almost all amps/receivers these days have high-impedance inputs. If your amp has a low-impedance input (VERY rare), there will be some impedance mismatch and a greater volume-drop, but if it seriously affects the audio, you'll probably hear it right away.
Userlevel 1
Also I know how to wire resistors inline but this is a time muncher we don't need. I'm running a company where we need to finish an install and go to the next, I don't need to be sending my guy down to the truck to grab resisters and soldering irons only to have some hack looking thing hanging off the back of my box in an organized rack. It needs to be an embedded option.
Oh yes indeed. Totally agree with you. And of course, my comment was directed at those who might not know. I hope my instructions were OK - those usually work for me. Time-muncher for sure.
And thanks, Sonovo. Always helps to have um.. connections.
The last 10% of the job takes 90% of the time (and the rest of the job takes the other 90%!).
They work as designed, so there is nothing to "fix". If you want a single speaker in a room, buy a single speaker with stereo input. That is what they are made for.
Cant find the vote site?
I don't know if this solutions will translate to everyone's setup, but you can connect the speakers in "series" to a single channel; left or right, on the connect:amp. Then, go into room setting and push the balance to the side you are using.
Just be mindful that the overall volume will be lower as the impedance will be higher on the single "circuit".
I hope this helps!
Just be mindful that the overall volume will be lower as the impedance will be higher on the single "circuit".
I hope this helps!
Nvm no real mono coming out, ignore my comment.
I may need to start a new thread but thought this thread was relevant to what I am currently challenged with. In my old house I had a 6 zone Sonos system with Sonos Connect Amps powering a pair of speakers in each room. Worked great no issues and everyone in the family loved it...fast forward we just moved....in this new house we just purchased most every room has a single mono speaker wired with 2 wire from the ceiling to a wall volume control and then 4 wire (but only using one pair) going back to a central location. I was hoping to reuse my connect amps but very much NOT waning to cut drywall and run new 4 wire from each wall control to every mono speaker) do I have any options? I was also willing to replace the mono speaker with dual input stereo speaker (that would accept 4 wire, 2 pairs). The house was build in 2005 but I still can't believe they saved much money on cheaping out on the lack of 4 wire to every speaker.
After doing some research, I think the fact I dont have that 4 wire from wall switch to each speaker really limits me with at least my current equipment. If I sell all my connect Amps and buy just Connects and a multi zone amp, do I have options then? I am struggling on the stereo to mono aspect and the lack of wiring. All of these rooms would be non critical listening but would like to have different zones for my office, bedroom, kitchen, etc.
Any recommendations on what I may be able to do?
After doing some research, I think the fact I dont have that 4 wire from wall switch to each speaker really limits me with at least my current equipment. If I sell all my connect Amps and buy just Connects and a multi zone amp, do I have options then? I am struggling on the stereo to mono aspect and the lack of wiring. All of these rooms would be non critical listening but would like to have different zones for my office, bedroom, kitchen, etc.
Any recommendations on what I may be able to do?
MB... Easy there buddy. I'm a professional of this industry for 30 years. I know about designing AV systems. It's not a "poor choice of equipment or lack of knowledge" although I did point out that some of these requests are not logical. Here is the bottom line: the lack of mono ability on connects is an oversight. And it isn't being addressed. I know one of the founders of Sonos and will get in touch with him directky and bring up the issue. Clearly it's going nowhere posted here. Not a single reply from anyone at Sonos.
Sonovo - I hope you did put in a request. My master bath has one speaker, and so does the bedroom. My patio has outdoor speaker. Mono output is greatly needed. Car audio amps have mono settings, let alone an expensive home audio product.
I disagree. Having mono output makes it a more versatile amp. Connect amp is a great product. It's bridgeable to 4 speakers. Reading other posts, mono is highly desired by many. I'm not looking to debate others, just hoping to have this feature added.
Having mono output allows you to do one thing and one thing only; to use a single Connect unit where you would otherwise use two. That is not the type of "versatility" Sonos profits from. It's not rocket science to understand the economics behind this issue, nor the reason why it isn't going to be "fixed" (not that it is broken in the first place). If you want two channel output through a single speaker from a Sonos Connect/Connect:Amp, buy single stereo speakers that are fit for that purpose.
Page 3 / 4
Enter your username or e-mail address. We'll send you an e-mail with instructions to reset your password.