frustrating & tempermental App

Thanks, John. Believe me, I’ve tried all that and, also, the issues only seemed to stem from the app update.

Yes, I think it would be generally understood that this series of posts constitutes a thread.  But it may have been better if I had called it a “topic”, as this seems to be the term used on here (see above, “related topics”).  Sorry for any confusion caused.

John B,

I will try as you suggest this evening. My error by the way, it is the Connect that is connected by Ethernet and the unit I start grouping from generally. Although I have also tried starting from the soundbar and a One. No variation in outcome. Connected to internet through stable Starlink and also through a separate mesh.

the problem did seem to start when I installed S2, but might be a coincidence.

This is where I have to respectfully disagree. Sonos have not just updated the app or controller. They have updated the app, speakers and cloud backend. The new app would appear to be exercising different parts of the speaker firmware designed to interact with the new app and cloud based services. 

This is part of the reason why 3rd party apps appear to work better as they still use older API’s that in turn don’t trigger new function.

The “it’s just a controller, so can’t affect the speakers” is IMO wrong. Else the problems people have with the new app would be there with 3rd party apps, and they aren’t. 

EDIT: This includes Sonos’s own desktop controllers for Mac/PC which are still based on older API’s and in general have been much better at controlling things when if you use the new app it fell to pieces. 

If you have a PC/Mac, have you downloaded the Sonos controller and tried grouping from that to see if you get different behaviour? Also have you plugged/unplugged stuff into ethernet over the course of troubleshooting that wasn’t originally plugged in? 

I haven’t tried the PC approach, but will this weekend. I have tried plugging in the Ethernet when the setup in the App suggests. I have now done this full set up about 5 times since the S2 app install, tried reverting to S1 and tried different wifi networks twice and reset the wifi network several times.

I haven’t tried third party apps, but would like to. Any recommendations?

I would try the Sonos desktop controller first, it’s free, and will give you a clue as to whether it’s worth trying a 3rd party phone app. I’ve seen Sonophone recommended many times but have no direct experience of it. 

So what is the config of Sonos speakers you’ve ended up with after all the trials and tribulations? All on WiFi? Some on ethernet etc.? 

Currently (but not working since S2 install), Connect on landing, with Ethernet to MERCUSYS mesh, connected to Starlink, with Meridian Amp and AE1 speakers, One in each of 2 bedrooms, dressing room, bathroom, hallway, kitchen and 2 more outside in covered area, then Soundbar and Sub in lounge with tv. All but Connect is wifi to MERCUSYS network which has 6 mesh nodes throughout.

Boost and Bridge not used after we extended the MERCUSYS mesh k look last year. Another Connect is ready for connection to main stereo in lounge, but I haven’t got around to installing yet, as have single ended pre amp there at the moment.

Thanks. Have you disabled WiFi on the Connect that is plugged into ethernet?

Yes