Feature Request: Allow 2x Era 100s as Front Left and Right

Hi 

I suggest you return the Beam2 and Era 100’s and purchase an Arc which in the US is $98 less. The Arc will produce an expanded sound experience. Whether or not it will be enough depends upon your ear.

The soundbars do not support external left and right front speakers.

This is a common request, perhaps SONOS will offer this capability in the future. My preference would be to offer a center channel only soundbar that contains all of the processing functions, supporting surrounds, SUB, and ERA 300’s or ERA 100’s as front left and right.

A center channel only soundbar would be the same as a center speaker I’d think?

Thanks for your suggestion AjTrek1. I have tried the Arc but I have come from a 5.1 system with discrete speakers with a really nice front sound stage. While a nice sound bar the Arc is still narrow in comparison.

Thanks also buzz. Because I’m completey new to Sonos and had heard really good comments about flexibility I was sure that satellite fronts would be possible as satellite rears would be possible. I spent some days getting familiar with the Sonos system configurations before realizing this was not going to work out. I even tried setting the Eras up in a different room from the beam as a stereo pair and then grouping the two rooms. But that introduced slight delays and they were not quite in sync with each other.

This is my request to Sonos.

The Beam used by itself has the processing power and currently does simulate all 4 surround speakers. Front left and right speakers and the rear left and right. The Beam is by default is the center speaker.

Sonos currently allow you to use 2 Eras as rear speakers. It is only a software extension and update that would also allow 2 Eras as the front two speakers. The front two are already separated and sent to left and right drivers in the Beam itself.

The Beam would then mainly operate as a center speaker and it is already setup to be one. The front left and right within the beam could still operate in balance with the Era front left and right.

I can’t see this as a big job and fits perfectly with current configurations. It doesn’t conflict with any other requirement and can simply revert back to the current Beam front Left and Right if not required. This would allow a true 5.1 system.

PS. It has just occurred to me that I could get into the Beam and  take the internal signals that drive the Beam Front left and Right speakers and bring them out in cables to the Era aux inputs. I really shouldn't need to do this.

The Beam doesn't "simulate" the front left/right speakers.  It actually has left and right speakers, which is the very definition of a soundbar.

@rodt

How things are at the moment I see two options for you…

1. taking a Sonos amp and using it with passive speakers of your choice 
2. a group of two rooms as you already tried - be aware that the grouped stereo Eras will result in some sort of channel mix of center and front channels if you use 5.1 signal, but this also could sound ok- to avoid the delay/echo you mentioned, use the „tv dialogue sync“ option in Beams room options. Set it to about 3 and the delay will be gone. 

Yes, I’m aware of this. I did wonder about using the word simulate for the front when writing it.

I think it was made clear though by my comment “The front two are already separated and sent to left and right drivers in the Beam itself.“ Also in the PS I talk about taking the signal from the two Beam internal front speakers.

Thanks for your comment though jgatie, as you say the fronts aren’t simulated.

Thanks for your suggestions.

1. Passive is good but do tend to be much larger. I’ve come from a true 5.1 system using passive speakers and I’m wanting to downsize.
2. Appreciate your comments about channel mix. I’m still trying to get familiar with all the Sonos options and their effects. Thanks also for the tv dialogue sync suggestion. I will check all this out.

For practical acoustic purposes yes, but in the SONOS context this front central speaker would have all of the processing and wireless links necessary to deliver audio to the other speakers in this surround Room. Maybe this central unit could contain height speakers necessary for ATMOS, but ERA 300’s in the front and rear would do a better job. If there were no height speakers in the central unit, mounting options would be relaxed. Currently, ARC should not be mounted below the TV, such that the TV blocks the up firing speakers. And, if the central speaker would be mounted above the TV (still not recommended) the audible consequences would not be as severe.

Thank you all for your replies and interest.

What is frustrating here is that allowing the Beam (also Arc) to have separate front and rears has no downside. As with the rears if they are not required it reverts back to the beam internals that already exist.

Also, what a great selling point for Sonos, “If you want to expand the surround effect you can add extra front and rear satellites”

How could I elevate this request so that Sonos are aware of it? I’m not sure how well they monitor the forum for requests.