Sonos AMP/ Beam/ Wired Rear Speakers/3rd Party Subwoofer

Enabling the subwoofer output on CONNECT:AMP or AMP when used to support surround channels would not be a satisfactory solution for the subwoofer connection because in this configuration the subwoofer would respond only to bass that is part of the surround channels. The likely result is that there would be occasional thumps and booms associated with surround channel activity, not an overall uniform bass experience.

I realize that there is a certain sticker shock associated with the price of SUB, but (in my opinion) it is a bargain because it will out perform subwoofers that are much more expensive. SUB injects quite a bit of low frequency energy into the room. One will often discover items inside the walls or nearby cabinets that will become excited. In my own case, I had to subdue the window glass a bit to eliminate some buzzing. Prior to SUB I had been using an impressively large, more expensive subwoofer that did not cause any such issues and SUB sounded better. In an average living room using PLAYBAR, SUB and surrounds, one can achieve levels that one experiences in an IMAX theater. An IMAX theater will use more speakers and might achieve a more immersive experience, but there is no difference in level.

Hi - I have a similar query for my home theatre 4.1 setup... Except instead of the Beam, I already have two Play:1s, in addition to a wired Sub, and wired in-ceiling rear speakers (from my old wired setup). I'm considering the new Sonos Amp to help pull it all together... Most of the product description I read about the Amp suggests using the passive speakers in front, and the Play:1s (or other Sonos wireless) in the rear. However, since I already have my wired speakers in the rear (and they're ceiling mounted), I would prefer to leave them there, and use my Play:1s in FRONT. Will this arrangement work?

PLAY:1's cannot be used as front speakers in a surround setup. In the SONOS scheme PLAYBAR/BEAM/PLAYBASE would replace the wired L-C-R speakers and SUB would replace the subwoofer. AMP would support the rear wired speakers.

Another arrangement could use AMP in the front, wired L-R speakers, and a 3rd party powered subwoofer. Rear speakers could be the PLAY:1's or speakers wired to another AMP.

PLAY:1's cannot be used as front speakers in a surround setup. In the SONOS scheme PLAYBAR/BEAM/PLAYBASE would replace the wired L-C-R speakers and SUB would replace the subwoofer. AMP would support the rear wired speakers.

I currently only have a Playbar. My house was built with cutouts for two rear 8" overhead L-R wired speakers and two front 6.5" L-R wired wall speakers, with wires terminating near the Playbar. To make use of this I am considering installing two overhead rear speakers, and connecting them to a Sonos Amp, with an Amp to Playbar Ethernet connection.

I'd like to clarify that this arrangement work for a surround system. And if I understand correctly from above the Playbar would function as the L-C-R speakers?

Any recommendations for the wired speakers?

Yes, this will work, although with the new Sonos Amp, there isn’t a need to wire the Sonos Amp to the PLAYBAR, since the Sonos Amp has the requisite 5ghz antenna to handle being bonded to the PLAYBAR. That’s assuming the location is in range, of course.

Yes, the PLAYBAR has right, center, and left speakers in it.

I have have no recommendations for in ceiling speakers. The Sonance ones that Sonos is a reseller of seem good, allowing you to TruePlay them, but I’m not sure, having never shopped for ceiling speakers, if they are a tad expensive.

And I’d be tempted to add another Sonos Amp and a pair of speakers to drive those front ceiling holes with just music, and leave them
out of the 5.1 room consideration kind of like what I have, a 5.1 system flanked by a pair of PLAY:5s for music ;)

Oh, and a SUB for the TV “room”....

@Airgetlam - Thank you much!

Hi all,

I currently have a Sonos Beam connected to the TV, Sonos Sub, and 2 Play 1’s in the rear to complete a home theatre setup.

However, i have a much bigger/better Subwoofer, and 2 Wharfedale floor standing speakers which is just lying around, which i think would be better for music / connected to the TV.

would i be better off with:

Sonos AMP connected o the TV, 3rd party subwoofer connected to the Sonos AMP, Wharfedale floor standing speakers connected to the Sonos AMP, and 2 play 1’s in the rear for surround (wirelessly connected to the Sonos AMP)?

1) would this setup even work ?

2) would the sound with the Amp and the bigger subwoofer be much better than my current setup ?

1) Yes, that would work.

2) That would be up to you. Try it out and see.

@Davewoon Hi....

First, here's some Sonos 101 🙂
The Beam was designed for smaller spaces such as a master bedroom. The Playbar and Playbase are designed for larger spaces. All three provide a Left/Center/Right channel across the front. When Trueplay is used (requires an iOS device) all components are balanced as a unit to the room environment.

To your question
Using your Wharfedale floor standing speakers with a Sonos Amp can be done. However, the dedicated center channel is lost to a Phantom Center channel created by the left and right speaker for HT. Music on the other hand (2 channel stereo) IMO would sound better. IMO (again) the Sonos soundbars and soundbase actually color the music.

Of course you can use a 3rd party sub with the Sonos Amp as well as Sonos Play 1's for surround.

2) would the sound with the Amp and the bigger subwoofer be much better than my current setup ?

As I indicated IMO for music, Yes. For Home Theater it's a matter of taste regarding the center channel effect.

You might try a Playbar or Playbase in place of the Beam for HT. Who knows you may even like the resulting sound for music.

Remember you can set the rears to auto-switch to FULL on speakers in the Sonos app when playing music and auto-switch back to surround mode after the music stops. I hope this helps.

P.S.
If you have more questions on this or another subject I suggest starting your own post.

Cheers!