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In my living room I currently have a stereo pair of Play5 for music. I'd like to add a Beam just for the TV. I'm also considering adding a sub. Is there any way to have the sub work with both the Play5s and the Beam depending on which is active? I'm assuming the answer is no, but I thought it would be worth asking.

I read the thread, I just don’t buy that explanation. Maybe I’m wrong, but I work professionally in tv and film, and it just seems like it should be doable.

Like, if a mixer is mixing a video, they definitely have the flexibility to play back audio either as 5.1 or 2.0 and still make use of a sub in both scenarios while using all the same speakers. There’s definitely less flexibility in the sonos system.

Maybe there’s a hardware limitation, but it seems like more of a software/programming limitation to me. It shouldn’t be that complicated.

It seems like a feature they’d be able to build if they wanted to.

 

You don’t buy objective facts?  As stated before:  The connection to a Sub or surrounds is a special ad hoc one way 5GHz direct connection.  Which is why it takes time to reconfigure the radio and perform the handshake necessary for this special connection.  Also, it's simply not possible to have two of these direct connections at once to a single sub.

These are facts, not an “explanation”.  Disagreeing with them is like disagreeing water is wet.  Also, comparing them to a fully wired system isn’t apples and oranges, it’s apples and satellite dishes.

In addition, I find it telling that the Sonoseqncer app does all sorts of things the Sonos app doesn’t - pair unlike models, set levels across groups, set levels across all speakers, etc.  One thing it does not do is quickly and easily switch a Sub from one configuration to another, or have it bonded to more than one room at once.   If it is “more of a software/programming limitation” the rule breaking people behind the Sonoseqncer app probably would have done it by now. 


I’m not quite sure why this wouldn’t be doable. The sub is playing a signal. What difference does it make if that signal is coming from the TV in a 5.1 setup, or from the wi-fi to play music w/ a stereo pair.

 

I suggest you read the thread.  Especially the posts about the reconfiguration of the radios which occurs when a Sub is added to a room.

I read the thread, I just don’t buy that explanation. Maybe I’m wrong, but I work professionally in tv and film, and it just seems like it should be doable.

Like, if a mixer is mixing a video, they definitely have the flexibility to play back audio either as 5.1 or 2.0 and still make use of a sub in both scenarios while using all the same speakers. There’s definitely less flexibility in the sonos system.

Maybe there’s a hardware limitation, but it seems like more of a software/programming limitation to me. It shouldn’t be that complicated.

It seems like a feature they’d be able to build if they wanted to.


I’m not quite sure why this wouldn’t be doable. The sub is playing a signal. What difference does it make if that signal is coming from the TV in a 5.1 setup, or from the wi-fi to play music w/ a stereo pair.

 

I suggest you read the thread.  Especially the posts about the reconfiguration of the radios which occurs when a Sub is added to a room.


I’m not quite sure why this wouldn’t be doable. The sub is playing a signal. What difference does it make if that signal is coming from the TV in a 5.1 setup, or from the wi-fi to play music w/ a stereo pair.

 

I’m new to the Sonos world, and I do love the sound, but the limitations in the configurations are perplexing. The advantage of a wireless set-up should be massive amounts of flexibility.

 

I have to imagine that if a company like Apple made similar products, they would be enormously more customizable (although probably only when using Apple devices!).


+1
I have a Ray as a PC monitor and would like to change “scenes” from when I use my TV with Arc.
Two Subs is not an option + I have a handful of other sonos speakers that also wants to be shared.

 

I wouldn't plan on this ever coming to fruition.  It's been requested since the first Sub a decade ago, and there's never been an inkling it is even possible, never mind in the works.


+1
I have a Ray as a PC monitor and would like to change “scenes” from when I use my TV with Arc.
Two Subs is not an option + I have a handful of other sonos speakers that also wants to be shared.


I’d also think there is likely a memory limit of the hardware on the speakers in storing unused TruePlay settings. And I could easily see a litany of complaints about ‘well, you store X, why not X+1’ complaints. 


It's not going to speed up the switch, though it might save a couple of taps, it still needs to reconfigure the radios and perform the handshake.  I also have no idea how multiple Trueplay settings can be handled (and as a software engineer, I won't speculate how easy it is without any inside knowledge). 

And by the way, you are posting in a thread titled "Connect Sub to Multiple Groups?"  One can be forgiven if one thought that is what you are looking to do.


I anm not suggesting a simultaneous pairing.  I understand from previous reading here that it is possible by removing sub from one and then adding to the other, or is this not the case. However by doing so Trueplay is lost and must be reconfigured each time. It would thus seem that having the ability to make groupings such as Eras Stereo w Sub and Arc w Sub could be automated to do the switching and handshake.  However having to reconfigure Trueplay  in most situations would likely make this undesirable as the sub placement likely wouldn’t be optimal for both scenarios.

I am considering the Sonos bundle with Arc, Sub and 2 Era 300s but in my living room would use the Eras as a stereo pair not as surrounds (think rectangular room with TV on long side facing a couch 10 feet away and Eras on short side facing a chair 14 feet away) . I have a dedicated home theatre in my basement so don’t really need the surrounds in my living room IMO as most serious surround viewing will be in my theatre. Being eligible for the 30% discount (from my Sonos 5) makes this compelling but having to add another sub makes it less so economically..  Then again, perhaps using the Eras as surrounds and the whole system together for music might be an acceptable alternative. I’m not sure.


Sonos doesn't implement it because it's not possible.  The connection to a Sub or surrounds is a special ad hoc one way 5GHz direct connection.  Which is why it takes time to reconfigure the radio and perform the handshake necessary for this special connection.  Also, it's simply not possible to have two of these direct connections at once to a single sub.

But go ahead and search for a wireless multi-room home audio system which does allow you to assign a sub to more than one room.  Let us know what you find.


Very disappointed this feature doesn’t exist. It would certainly be a difference maker for me as far as considering a pair of Fives or Era 300 as my dedicated music speakers in my living room with an ARC for TV.  Having to buy separate Subs makes buying a different soundbar and/or stereo pair an equal consideration.  Amazing that Sonos can’t see the marketing benefit to this feature. It can’t be that hard to implement.  I suppose another consideration is buying two Sub Mini.  Have to wonder if Sonos doesn’t implement this feature to force customers into dual sub purchase.


I’d love being able to pair the sub to 2 systems in the same room, a stereo pair for music and a soundbar for movies...please Sonos!!!!!

YES, please OH please Sonos let us create groups with one or more of the same products we own.


I would also love to have this feature


I’d love being able to pair the sub to 2 systems in the same room, a stereo pair for music and a soundbar for movies...please Sonos!!!!!


Well, compared to the cost of a Sonos Sub, you get a complete system from another manufacturer for less money.

This implies that SUB provides no benefit relative to cheaper competition.

In my experience with some cheaper cousins, they don’t emit as much bass energy as SUB. With SUB you may notice some loose items inside the walls. I had to subdue some window rattles. I had not yet discovered while using another subwoofer that was larger (and more expensive, in current dollars) than two SUB’s strapped together.

 


Sonos doesn’t lay out future plans, if they even exist, so no updates on feasibility from Sonos.

No, the new Sub Mini does not have this functionality, either. 

Speaking personally, I wouldn’t expect anyone at Sonos to be excited about implementing this, it would certainly cost them some undefined number of sales. 

I have a completely different point of view. I don't buy a Beam or other playbar as long as that's not possible. I'd rather buy a different manufacturer's system before putting a second sub in the living room (one for two Fives and another for home theater)

 

What manufacturer allows you to use a single wireless sub with two different sound systems? Or are you saying you’d rather have 2 systems from 2 manufacturers rather than 2 systems from 2 different manufacturers.

 

I agree that Sonos is very unlikely to ever do this (as I’m sure I said before in this thread).  There seem to be two use cases.  The first is for people who want to move the sub to different rooms regularly. 

The second is for people who want 2 Sonos rooms in the same physical room.  One Sonos room is for music, and the second for TV, with the sub bonded between them. Lots of reasons why this won’t happen.  

  • It’s development costs that doesn’t result in increased sales.
  • It’s not the right solution technically.  It would make more sense to allow customers to set thiis setup as one room, with different speakers playing for music or for home theatre (though still not the best idea)
  • It’s not a very good sales pitch.  “Or soundbars aren’t good for music, so we made it so you guy 2 more speakers that are good for music!”.  While other manufacturers continue to say they soundbars play music well.
  • The rumor is that Sonos is working on speakers that are like Five with Atmos upfringing channels.  Assuming this is true and works with home theatre, that would be the solution you want, not a hybrid work around solution.  So Sonos would be working on a solution, just not the solution you think you want.

Well, compared to the cost of a Sonos Sub, you get a complete system from another manufacturer for less money. But to be honest, that wouldn't be a nice solution either. I am a fan of intelligent, integrated solutions and not to forget: many systems - a lot of power consumption.

A system based on two Five-New would be the right approach. But I can already see it coming: the thing is announced and when it is there, the analog input for the turntables that Sonos also sells is missing. Never mind, but you can then fall back on another component ...


Sonos doesn’t lay out future plans, if they even exist, so no updates on feasibility from Sonos.

No, the new Sub Mini does not have this functionality, either. 

Speaking personally, I wouldn’t expect anyone at Sonos to be excited about implementing this, it would certainly cost them some undefined number of sales. 

I have a completely different point of view. I don't buy a Beam or other playbar as long as that's not possible. I'd rather buy a different manufacturer's system before putting a second sub in the living room (one for two Fives and another for home theater)

 

What manufacturer allows you to use a single wireless sub with two different sound systems? Or are you saying you’d rather have 2 systems from 2 manufacturers rather than 2 systems from 2 different manufacturers.

 

I agree that Sonos is very unlikely to ever do this (as I’m sure I said before in this thread).  There seem to be two use cases.  The first is for people who want to move the sub to different rooms regularly. 

The second is for people who want 2 Sonos rooms in the same physical room.  One Sonos room is for music, and the second for TV, with the sub bonded between them. Lots of reasons why this won’t happen.  

  • It’s development costs that doesn’t result in increased sales.
  • It’s not the right solution technically.  It would make more sense to allow customers to set thiis setup as one room, with different speakers playing for music or for home theatre (though still not the best idea)
  • It’s not a very good sales pitch.  “Or soundbars aren’t good for music, so we made it so you guy 2 more speakers that are good for music!”.  While other manufacturers continue to say they soundbars play music well.
  • The rumor is that Sonos is working on speakers that are like Five with Atmos upfringing channels.  Assuming this is true and works with home theatre, that would be the solution you want, not a hybrid work around solution.  So Sonos would be working on a solution, just not the solution you think you want.

But that will lose you your Trueplay settings every time?

Not everyone has the ability to TruePlay their setup in a room and I don’t actually mind that issue if I’m just shifting a sub for a day or more - it only takes a few minutes to restore the TruePlay settings, but ‘yes’ it would be nice if a TruePlay profile could be saved and quickly restored. It’s not a deal breaker for me and it’s cheaper than perhaps purchasing another Sub, particularly if it’s something that’s only done occasionally and of course it makes no difference to  anyone who is not using/unable to use, TruePlay.

I’m a little queasy with respect to attempting to reuse a Trueplay profile. Depending on the room dimensions and SUB location, SUB’s effectiveness could change noticeably if SUB was not returned  exactly to its Trueplay spot.

I’m not quite so fussy, as in my ‘real world’ there are often doors that maybe left open/closed/part-open in a room, or curtains that can be open/drawn depending on the time of day and cushion/flowers that are moved about etc. and our chairs which maybe set upright, or reclined.

That said, I would put the Sub back and try to align it with indents in the carpet or marks on the flooring, so I would be happy to use a saved TP profile - and in some rooms I might Trueplay tune the room more than once aswell, to get a sound I prefer. In some cases I will even leave Trueplay disabled, if I think the sound seems better without it.

So I would like TP profiles that could be saved and perhaps cater for room curtains/doors being open or closed etc


But that will lose you your Trueplay settings every time?

Not everyone has the ability to TruePlay their setup in a room and I don’t actually mind that issue if I’m just shifting a sub for a day or more - it only takes a few minutes to restore the TruePlay settings, but ‘yes’ it would be nice if a TruePlay profile could be saved and quickly restored. It’s not a deal breaker for me and it’s cheaper than perhaps purchasing another Sub, particularly if it’s something that’s only done occasionally and of course it makes no difference to  anyone who is not using/unable to use, TruePlay.

I’m a little queasy with respect to attempting to reuse a Trueplay profile. Depending on the room dimensions and SUB location, SUB’s effectiveness could change noticeably if SUB was not returned  exactly to its Trueplay spot.


I decided that being able to use my sub gen2 both connected to my stereo pair fives and also my beam (which is in same physical room to my fives) was never going to happen. So I purchased a sub mini for the beam and another sub mini for my ray. Costly solution but happy with the results across the board.

Ross.


Sonos doesn’t lay out future plans, if they even exist, so no updates on feasibility from Sonos.

No, the new Sub Mini does not have this functionality, either. 

Speaking personally, I wouldn’t expect anyone at Sonos to be excited about implementing this, it would certainly cost them some undefined number of sales. 

I have a completely different point of view. I don't buy a Beam or other playbar as long as that's not possible. I'd rather buy a different manufacturer's system before putting a second sub in the living room (one for two Fives and another for home theater)


Put me on the list please. This is surely a common requirement especially given most modern living rooms are open plan and making the sharing of a sub component between speaker groups in that room is pretty fundamental.

It’s just as easy to group the Sonos players in such a combined room and play to all, with one player/room having the sub bonded to it.

that is certainly possible, but all in all too complex and you lose TruePlay


Sonos doesn’t lay out future plans, if they even exist, so no updates on feasibility from Sonos.

No, the new Sub Mini does not have this functionality, either. 

Speaking personally, I wouldn’t expect anyone at Sonos to be excited about implementing this, it would certainly cost them some undefined number of sales. 


I’m interested in this functionality as well. Has there been any update on feasibility from Sonos?

What about the new Sub Mini, does it have it?


Put me on the list please. This is surely a common requirement especially given most modern living rooms are open plan and making the sharing of a sub component between speaker groups in that room is pretty fundamental.

It’s just as easy to group the Sonos players in such a combined room and play to all, with one player/room having the sub bonded to it.