Hi everyone,
I am currently planning a new audio setup for a dedicated living room centered around a Samsung Frame TV. The absolute priority for this project is strict minimalism; I want to preserve the "art piece" aesthetic of the Frame TV completely, which means no soundbars or visible front speakers underneath or around the display.
To achieve this, I am planning to use a Sonos Amp to drive a pair of Sonos Architectural In-Ceiling Speakers by Sonance, paired wirelessly with a Sonos Sub.
This system will also integrate into an existing first-floor Sonos ecosystem, which already features two Sonos Five (one in the fireplace area, one in the dining area) and a Sonos Move (dedicated to the kitchen area). The main goal is to use the ceiling setup for TV audio, but seamlessly group it with the Five and Move for whole-first-floor music streaming when the television is turned off.
I have attached a layout diagram of the room for context. The TV is mounted on the front/left wall (Red circle), and the primary viewing area is the L-shaped sofa (Yellow circle). Based on the room's orientation, the in-ceiling speakers are planned as follows:
Left Channel: Positioned in the ceiling grid closer to the far wall on the left.
Right Channel: Positioned in the ceiling grid closer to the right wall.
A distance of 2 meters between each speaker. The tv is 75 inches. The Sonos amp will be hidden inside a custom box behind the tv.
I would love to get the community's feedback on a few specific points regarding this layout:
1. Phantom Center & Dialogue Visual Anchor: Since the Sonos Amp will be downmixing the TV's audio into a stereo pair to create a "phantom center," how realistic is the front soundstage when the drivers are overhead? If I physically pivot the Sonance tweeters directly toward the sofa listening position, will it effectively "pull" the dialogue down so it feels like it’s coming from the screen rather than floating strictly from the ceiling?
2. Acoustic Calibration via Trueplay: Given that the Left and Right channels run along the depth axis of the room relative to the TV wall, how well will Trueplay handle this specific spatial orientation? Will it successfully balance the stereo image so the sweet spot lands perfectly on the sofa?
3. Multi-Zone Grouping Performance: For those who group a Sonos Amp setup with standalone units like the Five or Move for ambient music, do you experience any latency or dropouts when using a mix of architectural architectural components and wireless speakers on the same floor?
I would really appreciate any insights, structural advice, or tips from anyone who has deployed a similar "zero-footprint" architectural setup with a Frame TV!
Below a lateral view of the space: TV in red - Seating position in yellow.
Here is a perspective from the seating position (it’s a passing area (the room is located between two rooms: dining area and fireplace) but is well enclosed by lateral walls, which the rendered image fails to convey properly. The future location of the Sonos speakers can be seen below: right in front of the light fixtures:
Here is another perspective showing the location of the sub:
Edit:
I should have mentioned that the wood on the front (sides of the tv) or the back, cannot be drilled or modified. The house is a heritage property, and I am legally forbidden from altering it.
