Line-In Latency/Delay Disable PLAY:5

Hi! sorry for my english. I have the same problem as many. I´d like to use the Sonos Play 5 Gen:2 as a DJ speaker and latency is big issue.

I understand that latency is necessary to connect via wifi but when connecting via minijack i shouldn´t have this problem. In my Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air I can use the minijack input for DJ without any problem...

Arrgg.  I just brought home a Sonos amp to drive a second set of monitor speakers in my studio, and use the line in as a drum/bass monitor during rehearsals.  70 ms = unusable for any live performance.  I appreciate the reasons for the design but it is not something I would have anticipated.

There’s probably nothing that has not been said already. But I’m going to chime in anyhow.

I would also really like the no-latency standalone mode. The implementation could be very transparent: no delay on the line-in when not paired, the usual (configurable) 75ms~2000ms delay when paired with any other speaker. That would allow users of TV’s, computer speakers & DJ gear to use their great Sonos speakers to double as direct play speakers and completely replace the legacy systems. This would increase their footing in the industry they actually focus on: To be the prime audio system for the entire home. (Voice assistant, multi-room, streaming, local libraries)

Of course, the way wifi and streaming works, you can not remove the delay in all scenarios. That’s a fact of physics. But that does not mean other customers should vote against this idea while a lot of other users would love to see it. This is a great chance for Sonos, not a threat.

Please let the amount of votes & replies on this thread speak for itself.

Just to add clarification, Sonos already has speakers that can be used for TVs. The Beam, Arc, and Amp.  The Move has bluetooth.  

The three devices that have line-in capability are the Amp, Port, and Five.  As mentioned already, the Amp has the ARC port for no delay/TV audio.  The Port is usually used with a 3rd party amp that will likely have an input itself without delay.  So this feature you’re asking for would likely be used with the Five only.  I’m not sure why Sonos would want to make a no delay mode, to use with a TV, when they already have devices for TV use.

The other negative of this is that it would add some confusion to an already too complex, IMO, system. When in this no delay mode, would grouping be disabled?  Would you need to remove the mode in order to group?  Would grouping be allowed, but grouped speakers delayed, as it currently is for TV audio?

I am not against the idea, and likely would use it myself, but I definitely see reasons why Sonos hasn’t done it.  As far as the amount of replies, ~120 in 4 years doesn’t say a lot.  Granted, these are not people who buy if the feature existed, but more people who bought Sonos without realizing the feature wasn’t there.

This thread has little to do with the reasons why Sonos has not done this before. There are plenty. Otherwise they would’ve done so years ago. It’s a feature request, to persuade Sonos to add the functionality.

So, Sonos supports no-delay with HDMI ARC & optical audio. Why not provide this same functionality in the RCA / mini-jack line-in where available?

Group-wise: the Playbar, Beam & Arc have an implementation, you can set the group delay, expand the feature in a consistent way.

The request is not for just the Five. You forget the RCA line-ins on the AMP & Port. My example provides the exact usecase for those devices. It’s not feasible to run a computer speaker, dj controller or similar gear through HDMI.

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The amount of replies & votes does not imply this should be implemented. What I tried to say: Maybe over time, there will be enough for Sonos to listen.

That’s the question I addressed in my post.  Not sure why you are asking again.

I did address those.  The Amp has the ARC/optical port, which covers TVs, the majority of users.  If you want to use it as a computer speaker or DJ, you can get an analog to optical convertor.  This would be rather overkill though, as there are better devices built for this purpose.  

For the Port, it has no use except if connected to a 3rd party amp or to group with another room.  If grouping to another room, the delay is needed for multiroom audio, no point in removing it.  If connected to a 3rd party amp, then connect your computer/DJ equipment directly to the third party amp.

Again, it’s been 4 years.  More time isn’t going to increase the level of interest.  Not unless there is a dramatic change in how people listen to music.  I kind of doubt people are going to start using more computer speakers and DJ music...in their multiroom audio system.

Why counter my vote for the feature if you’re not against it? I was trying to prevent exactly this bike shedding with my first post.

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At Sonos employees: I would just like a straightforward way of connecting no-delay inputs like instruments & computer audio to the RCA / mini jack inputs on the AMP & Five.

The current solution looks a little ridiculous and still adds ~30ms of delay: HDMI-Optical audio converter → optical audio cable → digital-analog converter → RCA cable → Actual audio device.

BINGO.  The current marketing is a fraud.  For instance, they should not be calling it a line in port.  Line in ports do not have delays.

What Sonos has is a DLIP “Delayed Line In Port”.  Market it as such, or don’t market it at all.  Just don’t defraud the consumer with false expectations.  If you’re finding this thread because you just dropped > $500 on a speaker with more lag than a $5 PC speaker, RETURN IT TO THE STORE, and tell them why.

What is the latency on your car’s audio system and it’s line-in port?  It’s more expensive than a Sonos. so I’m sure you had that info before you bought it.  Right?

And to borrow some logic from elsewhere in this thread…

Wait a minute…. Why on earth would they integrate with Alexa or Google Home?  This is a multiroom buffered audio product, not an office assistant.  Don’t tow a horse trailer with a ferarri already!  Reply to that Sonos marketing guy would you, and fill him in about ferarris.

Oh.  Wait.  People wanted it.  Like the TRUE line in capability.  So they did it. So do it already with the true line-in option.  I’m not interested in excuses and apologizers with rose colored glasses defending a caustic design decision.

We all know the real reason the line in has delay to it.  You just don’t want to say it.  Products with line-in don’t cost enough, and the latency is your penalty/incentive to buy the more expensive model.  “Don’t be a cheater” says SONOS.  “You need to pay for the expensive home theatre products if you want true line in.  Proles.”  And you better like it too.

The fact that they do sell low latency versions for home theater tells you it is 100% doable.  They just want a bigger pound of flesh.  And good for them i guess.  Capitalism.

All my sonos products have wired ethernet.  And all products that are on a wired gig-e lan together, at this price point, should have 1ms or less latency.  Full Stop.

Return to the store.  Tell them why.  Ask for more refund than what you paid because of the time wasted.

yep.  Not like there’s been a big societal change. likely a permanent one that has more people using their home differently than before.  Perhaps necessitating that people use an entertainment space for computers some times, and entertainment for others. 

Nope.  Can’t think of anything like that happen recently….  cough… 

(Merged with other reply)

Good grief.