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Reggit
Avid Contributor II
March 16, 2017

Building a 5.1 system - slowly!

  • March 16, 2017
  • 19 replies
  • 1067 views
I've just bought a playbar, my 1st Sonos device and have to say that I'm impressed, it sounds way better than the bose stuff it's replacing. I'm wanting to slowly expand it to a 5.1 system as funds allow. What would people recommend to buy next? The sub or a couple of play 1's for the rear channels?

Also I can't mount the rear speakers behind the sofa as it's up to a wall, would the sound be right if they where out to the sides around 8' high and angled down to the seating position?

Cheers
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    19 replies

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    Airgetlam
    Airgetlam
    April 20, 2017
    Heh. Welcome to the addiction 🙂
    Bruce
    binh25
    binh25
    Avid Contributor I
    April 21, 2017
    Is the DTS thing a big issue for a non-audiophile?
    I've read about it but can't say i really understood it! All I know is that the playbar on its own whips the pants off the acoustimass system/onkyo av-amp I've replaced.

    Yes DTS is a massive issue for movies and bluray if you not willing to fiddle and work around. I manage to work around and manage to transcode all the dts movie sound to Dolby on the fly

    I wouldn't recommend it if you not willing to put in the effort to get around the limitation.
    ReggitAuthor
    Avid Contributor II
    April 21, 2017
    Very impressed with the system in 5.0 guise, not even convinced it needs a sub.

    As to DTS, 99% of what we watch is streamed either through an Apple TV 4 or Netflix. Think ATV only outputs in Dolby, that maybe why I dont see a problem?
    Airgetlam
    Airgetlam
    April 21, 2017
    I thought the same way, Reggit, until I purchased my first SUB. And I do still thinlk the Playbar does a fine job. It's just the transformation with the SUB makes it almost transcendental :)

    Your opinion is the same as Sonos' claim. Nothing wrong with that, as long as 99% of what you watch is streamed, and only in Dolby Digital, but there's a large number of folks in our community who do like physical media, particularly Blu-ray, and are extreme audiophiles who want something a little bit more from Sonos. Both sides are "right", and it boils down to what Sonos feels is feasible with their technology stack, and what they're willing to produce and support.

    I hold out hope for more, without complaining (too much) about the current implementation. Yes, I watch a lot of movies. But yes, I listen to a lot of music.
    Bruce
    ReggitAuthor
    Avid Contributor II
    July 4, 2017
    Oops, a got a little drunk on Friday night, and a sub has just turned up in the post!🆒🆒

    Will it sound ok if I put the sub on a high bookshelf in opposite corner to tv? Need to get it out of kids (1&3) reach. Ordered extension cable for this purpose already.
      Jc kitchens
      Contributor I
      July 4, 2017
      Oops, a got a little drunk on Friday night, and a sub has just turned up in the post.

      Too funny ??
      Airgetlam
      Airgetlam
      July 4, 2017
      Since bass is mostly omnidirectional to the ears, I don't think elevating it would make a significant difference.
      Bruce
      Kumar
      July 5, 2017
      No harm in trying as long as the shelf won't collapse due to the weight. Sonos does not recommend off the floor placement though. What about under a couch on its side, out of sight?
      Wherever you do place it, be sure to run Trueplay for optimum results.
      ReggitAuthor
      Avid Contributor II
      July 7, 2017
      Wow! It's had its first proper trial with a film tonight- I now see why people recommend the sub- the sound is amazing as a 5.1 setup, even with the speakers not optimally placed.
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