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Arc with Connect and in ceiling speakers for surround sound

  • December 30, 2020
  • 6 replies
  • 2051 views
A

I currently have a Sonos Connect conencted to my receiver and powering a Sub, front speaker and 4 in-ceiling speakers for surround sound.


I would like to upgrade my front speaker to the ARC and add a Sonos Sub and retain the connect to power the in-ceiling speakers as surrounds, trying to figure out if this is possible?

Spoke to Sonos Support and was quite a frustrating experience so hoping i can find answers here, Suport mentioned this will only work if either the port/connect or ARC are Hard wired which is not an options due to location.

I am also fine to upgrade to a Sonos Port if needed even though the Connect works via the S2 App, jsut want to make sure this is possible prior to purchasing. 

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6 replies

jgatie
  • jgatie
  • December 30, 2020

Support has no idea what they are talking about, and their info is quite out of date.

To use existing surround speakers with the Arc, you will need a Sonos Amp.  As long as the speakers are 8 Ohms, you can power all 4 with the Amp.  Anything less and you need to pick the best pair.  Neither need to be hardwired to Ethernet, however, the Arc needs an HDMI-ARC connection to the TV.

Note, the Arc will fully replace the receiver.  There is no way for the receiver to use the Arc as a center speaker or soundbar.  Nor is it possible to use the Arc as a center with left/right front speaker from Sonos or powered by an Amp.  The Sonos HT are configured as soundbar (Arc or Beam), Sub, and 2 surround channels consisting of two Sonos speakers or 2 channels from the Amp.

J
T
J
  • John B
  • December 30, 2020

 

You do mean a Connect not a Connect:Amp?

If so, then a Connect cannot be used in a Sonos HT setup. Wired or wireless makes no difference because it just isn't possible. 

If you meant Connect:Amp we'll reconsider. 

A
  • AZbrit14
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • December 30, 2020

Support has no idea what they are talking about, and their info is quite out of date.

To use existing surround speakers with the Arc, you will need a Sonos Amp.  As long as the speakers are 8 Ohms, you can power all 4 with the Amp.  Anything less and you need to pick the best pair.  Neither need to be hardwired to Ethernet, however, the Arc needs an HDMI-ARC connection to the TV.

Note, the Arc will fully replace the receiver.  There is no way for the receiver to use the Arc as a center speaker or soundbar.  Nor is it possible to use the Arc as a center with left/right front speaker from Sonos or powered by an Amp.  The Sonos HT are configured as soundbar (Arc or Beam), Sub, and 2 surround channels consisting of two Sonos speakers or 2 channels from the Amp.


So I need to buy an AMP and remove the receiver from the equation and be good to go?  Will it work in the same way as a full Sonos set up where you can group the AMP with the Arc and Sub?

In another room I have an ARC, 2 plays, a Sub, and setting it up was so easy, will the AMP in the situation above group in the same way. 

jgatie
  • jgatie
  • December 30, 2020


So I need to buy an AMP and remove the receiver from the equation and be good to go?  Will it work in the same way as a full Sonos set up where you can group the AMP with the Arc and Sub?

In another room I have an ARC, 2 plays, a Sub, and setting it up was so easy, will the AMP in the situation above group in the same way. 

 

Yes, that's all you need.  Setting it up will be just as easy, just connect the speaker wiring to the Amp, then use the Sonos app to add the Amp as surrounds.

A
A
  • AZbrit14
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • December 30, 2020


So I need to buy an AMP and remove the receiver from the equation and be good to go?  Will it work in the same way as a full Sonos set up where you can group the AMP with the Arc and Sub?

In another room I have an ARC, 2 plays, a Sub, and setting it up was so easy, will the AMP in the situation above group in the same way. 

 

Yes, that's all you need.  Setting it up will be just as easy, just connect the speaker wiring to the Amp, then use the Sonos app to add the Amp as surrounds.


Awesome, thank you so much for the Clarity, I wish Sonos Support were able to have been as informative, great products just very lacking tech Support.

Airgetlam
  • Airgetlam
  • December 30, 2020

They’re likely minimum wage folks, working from scripts or a knowledge base of some sort. Folks here in the forums tend to be experienced users, and are much more likely to own and use the devices in question ;)

Bruce
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