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DuranDoranMartell
Avid Contributor III
August 12, 2020
Question

Can Sonos Port introduce a wired Subwoofer

  • August 12, 2020
  • 17 replies
  • 6887 views

I have a Sonos Arc and 2 Ikea Sonos Lamps for surround sound.

I recently introduced a Sonos Port in order to bring my Pro-Ject turntable into the Sonos system. It works great. No complaints.

My question is this-

Can I add a wired Subwoofer to my system by using the A/V outputs on the Sonos Port? Will the Sonos system recognise it as a Sub and make the appropriate adjustments across the system?

I do eventually want to add a Sonos Sub but I have already gone beyond my budget for stereo equipment.  A lower priced wired sub would be ideal for me right now, and help justify the cost of the Port.

For anyone interested- I can confirm that you can add any normal self-powered speaker to the Sonos System via the a/v output, so if for instance you want to add another soundbar you can do that. Although Sonos won't know where it fits into a surround sound array. I am not sure how subs work, so not sure if it's just a matter of plug and play. Or if subs need a specific signal. 

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    17 replies

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    DuranDoranMartellAuthor
    Avid Contributor III
    August 12, 2020

    Make a Sonos version of the Bluesound node 2i    with no distortion of the digital variable output and I can guarantee them at least one sale. . It’s like they just completely ignored all the competition when they built the port. They will get sales from people in the Sonos system but if you are just starting by looking for a streamer for Hi-Fi it is not competitive on price sound connectivity or formats. 

    I must admit- I have no complaints about the sound quality I get from my turntable via Port.

    I do use the high bandwidth 2000ms delay though, to ensure quality. Which can be a bit disorientating when you lift the needle and the sound carries on for 2 seconds.

    TTT15
    Enthusiast I
    August 12, 2020

    Using the fixed volume line out gets rid of the distortion I was getting from variable output but means I’m for ever switching between fixed and variable depending on how I’m using it Quite why they want to distort the sound to a Hi-Fi I don’t know. The spec is poor value compared to the market. 

    John B
    August 12, 2020

     

    .

    The purpose of a Port is to turn a conventional HiFi set up (amplifier and speakers) into a Sonos streamer.  The line-in is a subsidiary feature, and not the primary purpose of a Port at all.  You are right - it is a heck of a lot of money just to attach a turntable, but that isn’t really what a Port is for.

    The fact that is designed to work with a HiFi also explains why you get only stereo sound - it is not designed for AV applications at all.

     

     

    I suppose it services people who have Sonos in some rooms and a Hi-Fi system in another. 

     

     

    Yep.  Like me, and lots of others (although I in fact have the Port’s predecessor, the Connect).

    Sonos’ first products were earlier versions of the Port and Amp.  Sonos’ first all-in-one speaker came 4 or 5 years later.

    TTT15
    Enthusiast I
    August 12, 2020

    Strange given their roots that Sonos didn’t produce a product competitive with other Hi-Fi streamers. 

    John B
    August 12, 2020

    Strange given their roots that Sonos didn’t produce a product competitive with other Hi-Fi streamers. 

    I think you are missing the point. Sonos aren't trying to compete in the HiFi streamer market. They are providing a means to incorporate a Hifi in the Sonos ecosystem  I can't imagine too many people would choose it standalone.

      John B
      August 12, 2020

      And it's terrible value just for a line-in,  but it isn't marketed for that.  I always suggest people consider getting a Sonos Five instead 

        TTT15
        Enthusiast I
        August 12, 2020

        I fully agree they aren’t trying to compete in the Hi-Fi streamer market. They are failing. But they are trying to sell a streamer that connects to a Hi-Fi so strangely enough I’m comparing it with Steamers that connect to a Hi-Fi. I do get your point though. It is aimed at Sonos customers not at Hi-Fi customers    In offering the Arc they have offered an upgrade to compete with the market so it shows that Sonos are more than capable and the Arc has been well received.   In the Port it is actually offering less rather than more. Hardly compelling or competitor and not surprisingly it hasn’t been well reviewed because it offers less than the competition.  Rather just a neat looking black box where it seems focus has been on the market appearance rather than the substance. Disappointing. 

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