Support has no idea what they are talking about, and their info is quite out of date.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Support has no idea what they are talking about, and their info is quite out of date.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