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Connect Amp works standalone but not when used as surround sound

  • January 16, 2025
  • 12 replies
  • 302 views
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Samsung Frame TV connected to a Playbar and Sub in my living room.  Works fine if playing from the TV or other SONOS sources.  2 Speakers connected to a Connect AMP (with 2 speakers) and configured as surround sound for the room produce either no volume from the TV or it’s so low I can’t tell if they’re working because I hear the sound from the playbar and sub.  If I pull the Connect AMP out of that room and set it up as a separate room both speakers are loud and clear when playing any SONOS source other than TV.  Why would that be? How can I get these speakers to work as both surround sound and when playing music from a SONOS source.

 

 

Best answer by Ken_Griffiths

​@Steve_245, 
Note: you can get away with a wireless Sonos Sub, but the PlayBar and Connect:Amp will need cabling to the same switch/router - I’d wire the Sub to the same switch too, but perhaps try it wireless and see.

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12 replies

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  • Steve_245
  • Author
  • Contributor III
  • January 16, 2025

I should add that, when the Connect Amp is set up as surround sound speakers, I don’t hear music coming from them when I play SONOS sources.  No volume from any source unless they’re configured as a separate room and not surround sound.  

106rallye
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  • 106rallye
  • January 16, 2025

Is the Connect:Amp set to “Full” when playing music? What sound format does the app display when you watch TV?

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    • Steve_245
    • Author
    • Contributor III
    • January 16, 2025

    Music Playback is “Full” if that’s what you mean.  How do I check sound format on the TV?

    Ken_Griffiths

    I should add that, when the Connect Amp is set up as surround sound speakers, I don’t hear music coming from them when I play SONOS sources.  No volume from any source unless they’re configured as a separate room and not surround sound.  

    Are both your PlayBar and Connect;Amp wired back to your router, or to the same network switch?

    Stanley_4
    • Stanley_4
    • Lead Maestro
    • January 16, 2025

    I was quite frustrated with my surrounds until I realized the source I was playing said multichannel, but the App's now-playing screen showed it was really just stereo.

    What source and what content are you playing?

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    • Steve_245
    • Author
    • Contributor III
    • January 16, 2025

    The playbar and sub are wifi, the connect is wired to the router.

    Stereo or multi channel or mono - shouldn’t I hear something when playing music and not using the TV?

    Ken_Griffiths

    The playbar and sub are wifi, the connect is wired to the router.

    Stereo or multi channel or mono - shouldn’t I hear something when playing music and not using the TV?

    All your HT products need to be wired, when using a Connect Amp. There are a couple of options - see this link:

    https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/set-up-connect-amp-as-surround-speakers

    That’s undoubtedly why you’re having these issues with your surround speakers.

    Ken_Griffiths

    ​@Steve_245, 
    Note: you can get away with a wireless Sonos Sub, but the PlayBar and Connect:Amp will need cabling to the same switch/router - I’d wire the Sub to the same switch too, but perhaps try it wireless and see.

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    • Steve_245
    • Author
    • Contributor III
    • January 17, 2025

    That web page says……

    • Both the Sonos home theater speaker and Connect:Amp are wired to the router with an Ethernet cable.

    The Connect Amp already has an ethernet cable going to the router.  So if I run an ethernet cable from my Playbar to my router do I also have to run an ethernet cable to my sub or can that remain wireless?  There’s no way I could run an ethernet cable to the sub because of where it is.

     

    Ken_Griffiths

    That web page says……

    • Both the Sonos home theater speaker and Connect:Amp are wired to the router with an Ethernet cable.

    The Connect Amp already has an ethernet cable going to the router.  So if I run an ethernet cable from my Playbar to my router do I also have to run an ethernet cable to my sub or can that remain wireless?  There’s no way I could run an ethernet cable to the sub because of where it is.

    You just need to wire the playbar to the router - the Sub should be fine. 🤞

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    • Steve_245
    • Author
    • Contributor III
    • January 21, 2025

    Nope.  The Playbar and Connect Amp are connected to the router and I have the same problem.  There’s either no sound or sound so low it’s undetectable coming from the Connect Amp speakers if they’re configured as surround sound.  The Sub is connected wirelessly and cannot be connected with an ethernet cable because of where it is. 

    If I set up the Connect amp as a separate room it works fine.

    Is there anybody else with this setup?  Somebody who could send me screenshots maybe?  I don’t see why it matters which TV I use.  

    Ken_Griffiths

    Nope.  The Playbar and Connect Amp are connected to the router and I have the same problem.  There’s either no sound or sound so low it’s undetectable coming from the Connect Amp speakers if they’re configured as surround sound.  The Sub is connected wirelessly and cannot be connected with an ethernet cable because of where it is. 

    If I set up the Connect amp as a separate room it works fine.

    Is there anybody else with this setup?  Somebody who could send me screenshots maybe?  I don’t see why it matters which TV I use.  

    In that case it’s probably best to first reproduce the issue seen/heard and immediately submit a Sonos system diagnostic report from within the Sonos App, note it’s reference and contact/chat with Sonos Support Staff via this LINK and see what the Staff can perhaps suggest to help you to resolve the matter.

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