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Only1jayray
Only1jayray
Avid Contributor I
July 30, 2017
Answered

Has anyone used a playbar and 2 play 1's for 5.0 home theatre

  • July 30, 2017
  • 13 replies
  • 2114 views
Hello has anybody used a playbar and 2 play 1's for a 5.0 home theatre without the sub?
I say this as I want to extend but can't afford the sub, so I just want to know if anyone has used without sub and if it's any good?
I mostly watch freeview tv and streaming services,I don't have sky or anything so will I get that surround affect, Dolby digital? Cheers
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      Best answer by Airgetlam
      FWIW, I used the system without a SUB for a year or so, without any significant issues. I was unclear to me why I would need to buy a SUB until I did so, it sounded that good. The SUB just added a huge amount of "extra" that was impressive.

      As BoredofBalham states, you need to check your owners manual for the TV, but in my experience, all Sony TVs have passed through Dolby Digital for at least the last 10 years. You probably need to also look at the Audio settings in the TV menu, to see what options you have (again, instructions are in the owner's manual).

      You can look at the settings in the Sonos controller app under "About My Sonos System" and it will tell you what kind of signal that the Playbar/Playbase is receiving at the moment you generate the report

      13 replies

      Stuart_W
      Stuart_W
      World-Class Superstar
      July 30, 2017
      The 2 Play 1s will certainly give you the surround part of Dolby 5.1. In the UK only the HD channels have Dolby sound. Often that's 2.0 rather than 5.1 though I am seeing more 5.1 (Freesat). You need to make sure your TV will send Dolby 5.1 through the optical out. Most will if it originates on the TV but some don't pass DD5.1 through from an external source (Like a Freeview PVR for instance)

      Personally I think you'll notice a big difference but ultimately, especially for music, you will want a Sub as well.
      Arc + Sub (Gen 1) + 2 x Play 1/ Stereo Play 3s/ Era 100 Stereo in Kitchen, One Stereo in Bedroom, Play 1 stereo pair in Study, Play 1in Bathroom, Sonos Move 2
      Only1jayray
      Only1jayrayAuthor
      Avid Contributor I
      July 30, 2017
      I have a new Sony tv. Will that send Dolby 5.1 through the optical?
      What would you do. Play 1's or sub?
      BoredofBalham
      Prodigy II
      July 30, 2017
      Erm...what TV? What does the manual say?
      Only1jayray
      Only1jayrayAuthor
      Avid Contributor I
      July 31, 2017
      It's a Sony KD49XD8077SU android TV I have. I no idea? I have a feeling it does pass 5.1 reading through the jargon. If most of what I watch is it 5.1 I may aswell just. It the sub??? Oh so confused I really can't afford everything
      Airgetlam
      AirgetlamAnswer
      July 31, 2017
      FWIW, I used the system without a SUB for a year or so, without any significant issues. I was unclear to me why I would need to buy a SUB until I did so, it sounded that good. The SUB just added a huge amount of "extra" that was impressive.

      As BoredofBalham states, you need to check your owners manual for the TV, but in my experience, all Sony TVs have passed through Dolby Digital for at least the last 10 years. You probably need to also look at the Audio settings in the TV menu, to see what options you have (again, instructions are in the owner's manual).

      You can look at the settings in the Sonos controller app under "About My Sonos System" and it will tell you what kind of signal that the Playbar/Playbase is receiving at the moment you generate the report
      Bruce
      Only1jayray
      Only1jayrayAuthor
      Avid Contributor I
      July 31, 2017
      Great response and very informative. Thankyou
        Only1jayray
        Only1jayrayAuthor
        Avid Contributor I
        July 31, 2017
        Okay so I checked the status like you mentioned and it says Dolby digital 2.0 I'm assuming this is because I have just my sound bar and no other speakers. If I were to add a sub it would be 2.1 or 2 play 1's 5.0. With both sub and play 1's 5.1 right?
        Airgetlam
        Airgetlam
        July 31, 2017
        Umm. Huh, you've stumped me. I don't think that's correct, to be honest. I think it is showing what the system is receiving, not what it's "sending". Which means either the source is only in stereo, or you may need to adjust the settings for audio on your TV and all devices connected to it, so that they're all set to "Dolby Digital". That's the only way you'll get the 5.0 that you're looking for.
        Bruce
        Only1jayray
        Only1jayrayAuthor
        Avid Contributor I
        July 31, 2017
        I tried on another station (non hd channel) and the signal input was just stereo. I do wonder? Has anyone else any information? Living and learning 😃
        Airgetlam
        Airgetlam
        July 31, 2017
        The audio settings on your TV, or the source feeding the TV need to be adjusted, as I explained in the previous post. Non HD will always be stereo, but HD channels could be 2.0 or 5.1. I'd try a movie channel to see, if you have something like HBO, etc, they generally carry movie (current ones, not from the 70s) in Dolby Digital. You'll find a lot of daytime TV (talks shows, news, etc) don't do anything other than 2.0, since there's a minor cost to them to do so.
        Bruce
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