Contributor I

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Creating 5.1 with non-Sonos Subwoofer

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Sub disabled when Setting up SONOS CONNECT:AMP as Surround Rears Why are you disabling the subwoofer out when configuring the Connect Amp to drive non-Sonos rear speakers with a Playbar? I have a my own sub that i want to connect to the Connect Amp so that it can be driven along with the rest of the system. I do not want to buy another Sonos sub. Surely this would just be a software or firmware update that is easily achievable.

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ChrisAnswer

Lead Maestro

It's not possible. A 5.1 system has a discrete .1 channel.

The Connect:Amp is only able to receive a stereo signal (R/L). In this case the R/L is the right and left surround sound. There is no dedicated chanel to send to the Subwoofer.

The original design of the Connect:Amp was not to be used in the manner of surrounds. Its original hardware takes a stereo signal. Filters it through a crossover - sending higher frequencies to left/right channel speakers and the lower range to the subwoofer output. So the subwoofer output sits between the stereo input and the speaker output (just as a normal sub would). There is no direct channel to the subwoofer just a processing of the stereo signal.

Therefore, there is no reason to have the subwoofer active. There is no reason to filter out the low end output from the surround sound mix (as the surround sound mix doesn't have the LFE channel or really any low end to speak of).

It is an internal hardware issue that makes it impossible for the Connect:Amp to pass a discrete LFE channel in the form of the .1 signal from a surround sound setup. It just physically is not built to do that - so no asking for it will solve the issue.

A new Connect:Amp model designed to pass a discrete signal would be required.

Hope this makes sense as Sonos has no way to add this ability to the current model.

Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)

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Paul_188

Trending Lyricist I

I'm so glad I read this thread! I was about to spend A LOT of money buying into the Sonos Eco-system for my home, and use the AMP to connect my very capable Onkyo rear speakers and sub. Now that I know Sonos prevents people from doing this, I'm going to skip the system entirely and go another way. I wonder how many people out there didn't know this before buying (and are angry) or like me, aren't investing in it?

Frankly, I would still consider the Sonos system but $700 just for a sub is ridiculous (on top of $700 for a playbar).

I did exactly that, I got rid of my connect amp, play bar and a couple connect's and since I build AV automation systems for a living decided to integrate a creation adagio AMS, so I have 7.1 with all my own gear and then have 4 extra zones and plan to expand to another 8 in the future. I have both AMX Mio remotes as well as my iPad and iPad integrated into the system. There's options, but I definitely originally wanted to keep it simple going the only sonos route. I still have 3 sonos connect's, in addition to 4 am/fm/xm radio feeds on the crestron. If anyone is interested in going a custom route, I program AMX and crestron as well as custom embedded and realtime Linux, so we can make anything work. rrdbstudios@gmail.com

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Paul_188

Trending Lyricist I

I'm so glad I read this thread! I was about to spend A LOT of money buying into the Sonos Eco-system for my home, and use the AMP to connect my very capable Onkyo rear speakers and sub. Now that I know Sonos prevents people from doing this, I'm going to skip the system entirely and go another way. I wonder how many people out there didn't know this before buying (and are angry) or like me, aren't investing in it?

Frankly, I would still consider the Sonos system but $700 just for a sub is ridiculous (on top of $700 for a playbar).

To continue my comment, I did my research prior to buying into sonos, and at the time they were listening to owners and implementing many features, and although I don't know their complete underlying frame work, from my experience working with similar technologies in the professional world, they should be able to write software to accommodate the difference in use of the LFE output; if they are using a hardware based crossover coming out of the dsp chip, then I stand corrected. However they could just be open and tell users it cannot be implemented as opposed to ignoring talks about it leaving it potentially open ended to try to keep interest from those who may be on the fence over purchasing these devices.

Chris

Lead Maestro

I'm so glad I read this thread! I was about to spend A LOT of money buying into the Sonos Eco-system for my home, and use the AMP to connect my very capable Onkyo rear speakers and sub. Now that I know Sonos prevents people from doing this, I'm going to skip the system entirely and go another way. I wonder how many people out there didn't know this before buying (and are angry) or like me, aren't investing in it?

Frankly, I would still consider the Sonos system but $700 just for a sub is ridiculous (on top of $700 for a playbar).

its not open ended. No indication has been given that they are able to add LFE although amp for 5.1.

Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)

jgatie

I'm so glad I read this thread! I was about to spend A LOT of money buying into the Sonos Eco-system for my home, and use the AMP to connect my very capable Onkyo rear speakers and sub. Now that I know Sonos prevents people from doing this, I'm going to skip the system entirely and go another way. I wonder how many people out there didn't know this before buying (and are angry) or like me, aren't investing in it?

Frankly, I would still consider the Sonos system but $700 just for a sub is ridiculous (on top of $700 for a playbar).

What is open ended? Sonos has flat out stated it is not possible.

Chris

Lead Maestro

I'm so glad I read this thread! I was about to spend A LOT of money buying into the Sonos Eco-system for my home, and use the AMP to connect my very capable Onkyo rear speakers and sub. Now that I know Sonos prevents people from doing this, I'm going to skip the system entirely and go another way. I wonder how many people out there didn't know this before buying (and are angry) or like me, aren't investing in it?

Frankly, I would still consider the Sonos system but $700 just for a sub is ridiculous (on top of $700 for a playbar).

Unpopular facts

Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)

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Paul_188

Trending Lyricist I

I'm so glad I read this thread! I was about to spend A LOT of money buying into the Sonos Eco-system for my home, and use the AMP to connect my very capable Onkyo rear speakers and sub. Now that I know Sonos prevents people from doing this, I'm going to skip the system entirely and go another way. I wonder how many people out there didn't know this before buying (and are angry) or like me, aren't investing in it?

Frankly, I would still consider the Sonos system but $700 just for a sub is ridiculous (on top of $700 for a playbar).

I honestly could careless what's open ended and I have not seen a single official message saying they are unable to do this, except for that it is currently not a feature nor is it a planned feature. To me, that does not tell me it cannot be done, so please do not insist a detail that you are not privet to. Anyways I am here just to support the current facts which are it IS Not a current or publically planned feature and so I offered up an answer to the question, which was show another system that is capable of control via phone or tablet and have multi room/zone and surround audio features, well I believe I did that and offered help to other wanting this more integrated route. Kind regards, Paul

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Paul_188

Trending Lyricist I

I'm so glad I read this thread! I was about to spend A LOT of money buying into the Sonos Eco-system for my home, and use the AMP to connect my very capable Onkyo rear speakers and sub. Now that I know Sonos prevents people from doing this, I'm going to skip the system entirely and go another way. I wonder how many people out there didn't know this before buying (and are angry) or like me, aren't investing in it?

Frankly, I would still consider the Sonos system but $700 just for a sub is ridiculous (on top of $700 for a playbar).

And FYI by not stating it will not be a function (ever, not just currently) that does leave it open ended. ...again no where official states it cannot happen, just merely it is not currently supported.

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User42722

Lyricist II

My TV allows the analog audio out to be configured for headphones, audio system, or subwoofer. I am using the optical out into my playbar and the analog out into my Velodyne sub. I also use play 1's for surround. The "5" speakers are controlled by Sonos Volume. The ".1" is controlled by the volume control of the TV. So I use two methods of volume control to balance the system. A little annoying but it does work very well. My TV is a Sony 50" kdl700wb. Perhaps other people posting can benefit from this little trick. Tv audio settings disable internal speakers but allow pass thru of optical (fixed) and analog (variable). Hope this helps some of you!

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Tim Dautzenberg

Lyricist II

Is there already some more information about this issue?

Chris

Lead Maestro

Only a sonosnsub can be used for 5.1 in surround system. The connect:amp was never designed to pass a discrete channel to the sub output.

Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)

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