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PDG
Contributor I
February 26, 2017
Answered

Connecting my B&W 805 speakers to sonos system.

  • February 26, 2017
  • 8 replies
  • 1760 views
I'm looking to add my B&W 805 speakers to my Sonos system. Currently I have a sonos connect and a independent Rotel power amp which I used to use to power the speakers from my old non sonos system. #1) Do I need the Rotel power amp to power my BW speakers or can I go from Sonos Connect direct to my B&W speakers. Thanks..
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    Best answer by ratty
    CONNECT outputs at line level, so you need an external power amp to drive the 805s. Just use the Rotel.

    (CONNECT:AMP contains power amps and can drive passive speakers directly.)

    8 replies

    ratty
    rattyAnswer
    February 26, 2017
    CONNECT outputs at line level, so you need an external power amp to drive the 805s. Just use the Rotel.

    (CONNECT:AMP contains power amps and can drive passive speakers directly.)
    Kumar
    February 27, 2017
    Just be sure that you don't have the Connect in fixed output mode before powering up the Rotel! Variable output, with the volume level below 50% is a good place to start things.
    PDGAuthor
    Contributor I
    February 27, 2017
    Ratty: Thanks for the reply: When I run Connect RCA out puts into my Rotel I'm not getting anything. I test the Rotel to the speakers signal path and it seems ok. I'm making the assumption nothing is coming out of the Connect through the outputs. Is the audio out through the Connect outputs a fixed signal? Or does it have to be set up in some way... AND... if it eventually works I guess the volume is controlled through the Connect (Sonos softwae) since the AMP has no volume control. THanks for your help!
    Kumar
    February 27, 2017
    No set up needed, except choosing variable mode - for volume levels - for the Connect because fixed mode will probably cause speaker damage! Are you seeing the Connect on the controller app and are you able to see the track playing with the volume control slider moving? Is the Connect muted?
    PDGAuthor
    Contributor I
    February 27, 2017
    Kumar: thank you, this makes total sense. How do I change the variable level setting of the Connect. When I follow the direction I can change it for my Sonos speakers (ie. Sound Bar) but don't see Connect and component to set.
    Kumar
    February 27, 2017
    Are you not seeing Connect at all in the Controller app? If you are, clicking Sonos>Preferences ought to let you access the Fixed/Variable output for the setting on the Connect under Room settings. Choose Variable output and only then apply power to the Rotel.
    If you aren't seeing Connect in the Controller app, it isn't being recognised by your set up.
    PDGAuthor
    Contributor I
    February 27, 2017
    ahhh that was the problem. I just moved to a new apartment and it the connect needed to be reset. Thanks !
    Kumar
    February 27, 2017
    Excellent; that sounds like the perfect audio set up with no unnecessary kit, short signal paths and an up to date front end! And Rotel amps are keepers.
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