Home theater

Discuss Ray, Beam, Arc. Playbar, Playbase, and the entire Sonos home theater experience. Should you get a Sub Mini or a Sub? Maybe two Subs? Which Sonos work with your TV? Talk about your Sonos Home Theater experience here.

  • 6,172 Topics
  • 51,420 Replies
Ryan S
Ryan S
started this topic

Home Theater and Television Recommendation Megathread

Looking for information on Sonos home theater setups? Find answers about surround sound, Dolby Digital, TV recommendations, and all the rest...
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6172 Topics

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TMB357Contributor III
asked in Home theater

How to ensure Sonos 5.1 Home Theater system's surround sound is working?

Hey all, I recently set-up the Sonos 5.1 Home Theater system (Playbar + Sub + 2 Play:3s). I've plugged the Playbar directly into the wifi router, and the TV I'm using is a Samsung PN64D8000FF. When watching NBC Sunday Night Football last night, it didn't sound like the rear Play:3s were actually kicking in any sound. It sounded like only the Playbar was pushing sound, and the Sub was very weak. So, I have a couple questions: 1.) If I go to "About Sonos" in the app while the tv is playing, will it show me whether there is 5.1 Surround Sound being played? 2.) Can anyone confirm that the Samsung PN64D8000FF is capable of pushing out 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound in the first place? 3.) Any other recommendations/tips on how to ensure that the home theater system is actually pushing out surround sound, and that the speakers are working properly? Thanks as always everyone!

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Airgetlam
6 years ago
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chrisredmayneAvid Contributor I
asked in Home theater

Music recorded in 5.1 dolby surround ???

Just been reading this... http://blog.bowers-wilkins.com/music/top-10-surround-sound-recordings/ Anymore I should try out ??

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C
6 years ago
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Char900Contributor I
asked in Home theater

Sonos Connect + Play:1's with Klipsch Soundbar?

Hey there! I have a Klipsch Soundbar (RSB-11) and have been wanting to get some Sonos speakers as well. Would it be possible to use a Sonos Connect on the soundbar, and have it work with 2 Play:1's - for music purposes and for home theater purposes. Thanks!

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ratty
6 years ago
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chrism007Contributor I
asked in Home theater

Sonos / TV / HTPC Configuration Question

Hi All, I've got a configuration question I was hoping people could help out with. I've got a Windows 10 PC that acts as a HTPC with HDMI into a Sony TV. I'm not that keen on the PlayBar (it just won't physically fit with my setup) so was looking to get 1 * Sonos Connect 2 * Sonos Play 3 1 * Sonos Play 1 and run an Optical cable from the TV to the Sonos Connect. Will this work so I can play * Audio from the TV * Audio from the PC on HDMI Passthrough * Audio from the App for Spotify/Pandora etc Or is the Connect only for using with your own speakers? Will there be any latency /sync issues with the HTPC if i'm playing Netflix etc? Thanks in advance Chris

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T
6 years ago
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MADSTAGContributor I
asked in Home theater

DTS MKV Help

I'm new to the world of SONOS, so please bear with me. I purchased the soundbar, 2 One's and SUB to create the so-called 5.1. After readfing the forums i'm starting to understand that DTS is not possible without workarounds. I have an LG 4K TV that is set to output Dolby Digital, an optical cable straight from the TV to the soundbar. XBOX one. I have managed to get Star Wars BluRay to churn out 5.1 from the XBOX One which does sound awesome, but when I play my MKV's from my NAS via the XBOX one, they only play in stereo, or no sound at all. Has anyone managed to find a way around this. I think the MKV's maybe decoded to DTS. I have also tried via Kodi, but again only playing in Stereo or not at all. Any help is greatly appreciated

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I
6 years ago
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cowleyContributor I
posted in Home theater

Beware new TV's audio settings - LG 65UG8700

Just wanted to add to TV compatibility notes: The LG 65UG8700 is a new 4k TV that you might assume would easily pass 5.1 from its optical port for the playbar. WRONG. It works under certain circumstances sometimes, but the reality is that this TV came shipped with its audio set to prefer PCM. To give you an idea of the amount of work involved: - MUST have a harmony remote - I had to load special LG model number on to my harmony remote - This old LG model number gave me 3 new options for "service menu" - "in-start" - "in-stop" - Once I had the harmony remote set, I had to locate a password (0413) for the service menu - In the service menu I had to go option by option to find something familiar - Finally under "Tool Option 7" I found PCM - Change that to AC3 - Reboot the TV Now the TV will prefer to pass AC3 when possible.

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C
6 years ago
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ecprevatteContributor I
asked in Home theater

Sonos Sub and Sound Bar won't stay connected

I've made a few changes to my network to allow for better online gaming, and I believe that is causing my sub and playbar to be knocked off the WiFi constantly. As of right now, even the hardwired method I can't even get Sonos' app on my Mac or iPhone to recognize the Sub for installation. I've tried the hard reset of the sub and no avail. I am hoping it's just something simple on my firewall or network that can bring my system back up and running. My living room is usually configured with: - 1 Playbar - 1 Sub - 2X Play 1s I do have a spare play 3 in another bedroom as it's own zone. The diagnostics report number is: 6739039.

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SBSurfer
6 years ago
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ecoast7Contributor I
asked in Home theater

connect to TV without playbar

Is it possible to connect my Play:5 and Play:1 to my TV without a Playbar? Could I do so with a Connect? I'd like to create sort of a surround sound and add another Play:1. Thanks in advance.

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Airgetlam
6 years ago
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kevcoops6849Contributor II
asked in Home theater

what do you think are the best eq settings for the 5.1 setup. playbar,sub and two play 1's.

what do you think are the best eq settings for the 5.1 setup. playbar,sub and two play 1's.

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K
6 years ago
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psteijnContributor I
asked in Home theater

What audio transcoder will convert everything to DD 5.1?

The classical problem problem here, Netflix produces DD+... Ok my MacMini can convert it into stereo but that is not optimal.. So i've been searching for a small device that can do this trick (not a full size receiver) So far i came across these switches: * Monoprice * Octava * Inday * Kanex Now these seem to, in the best case only request DD5.1 from the source, but they don't transcode when the source is available in f.e. DTS. Is there anybody here who can can advise me to buy a device that does: simply convert all audio coming out of a HDMI cable and transcode it into plain DD?

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J
6 years ago
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Ryan JTrending Lyricist I
asked in Home theater

Should I hardwired soundbar & tv?

Hi, I currently have 2 Play1s running as surrounds via ethernet connection, then a soundbar running on what I presume is Sonosnet. I would like to free up my wifi network as much as possable therefore I am considering hardwiring the TV into the soundbar then hardwiring the bar back to the network switch. Is there any benifits from doing this?

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R
6 years ago
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craighl4Contributor I
asked in Home theater

Playbar above TV - How high?

I am considering purchasing a Playbar. I know you can wall mount it above the TV and the manual says to allow 50mm clearance. What if the TV is on a cabinet below the Playbar? Do I need to allow more than 50mm clearance given the TV will be forward of the Playbar? I am concerned the TV will block the sound.

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ratty
6 years ago
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edwardfromnorwayContributor I
asked in Home theater

Playbar - is ethernet a must?

I have a Playbar. The router is not in the same room. Can I connect the playbar to my wifi network, or MUST i have a Ethernet connection? If I connect the Sonos to Ethernet via a repeater, will it work?

2
T
6 years ago
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ME60TRNContributor I
posted in Home theater

Perfect 5.1 settings?

Gentlemen, I'm just pondering the perfect setup in regards to 'sliders' for perfect settings.... I have the sound bar, and sub, with 2x play 5's acting as the surrounds. My 2x play 1's are downstairs for other uses. This post is referring to perfect level of bass in sub, i.e. increased to max, with sound bar with bass setting at 0,and surrounds at 5%, blah blah blah for example... This is not a 'why use play 5's for surrounds' topic... i have the money to waste, they are surrounds... PERIOD!! But all jest aside, your thoughts would be much appreciated, as i haven't 'tinkered' much with these phennomenal products, and want an atuned setup. Much obliged.

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Max P
6 years ago
davvis
davvisTrending Lyricist I
asked in Home theater

5.1 setup with play 3

Current the full 5.1 setup with play 1s as my left and right. Has anyone had experience using play 3s as the left and right? Was there a big difference in sound? I currently have 2 play 3s on the way. Deciding if I should place them around the house or change them out with the play 1s and put the 1s around the house.

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M
6 years ago
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dbwhite77Contributor I
asked in Home theater

Multi-device setup with a receiver, replacing 5.1 speakers with Sonos

Hey all. I'd like to replace my current speaker setup, which is a 5.1 Energy setup, with a playbar, sub, and two play 1s. I currently have a Pioneer VSX-1019AH that is acting as the brains for TV, Roku, Mac Mini, etc. The TV is mounted above and only connected to the receiver via HDMI into the one and only HDMI out port. Since the Playbar only has optical audio, I don't know how to do this and still have my receiver run everything. How do others set up a system with multiple sources with a Playbar and receiver? Seems like it was designed to only plug into the TV. I'd rather not have to go buy a new receiver to do this and I can't plug everything directly into the TV. Thanks for the help!

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D
6 years ago
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De JeanContributor I
asked in Home theater

How to connect a dj-controller to SonosNet

I am planning on buying a Playbar, Sub and 2 Play:3's, mainly for use as 5.1 hometheatersystem. I also want to connect my Pioneer DDJ-Ergo-K dj-controller, to the SonosNet, in order to be able to hear my mix trough all Sonosspeakers. How can i do this? I already know that Sonos has the Connect and Connect:Amp, which have an analog input that i can use. If this is really the way to do it, do i use the Connect or the Connect:Amp? I do have 1 doubt; i have found on the internet that when i connect a mixer to the Connect (:Amp), there might be a slight delay. (The music in the headphones is not in sync with the music played trough the speakers, which is not acceptable when mixing). If there will be a delay, i could use a receiver: Connecting the Pioneer dj-controller to the analog input of the receiver, then connecting the receiver with HDMI to my tv, which has the Playbar connected on it. The Playbar will send the music to the other Sonosspeakers. Is this a possible solution to the proble

17
jgatie
6 years ago
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Justin ClarkContributor I
asked in Home theater

Can i plug a Fetch Tv box to a Playbar via its digital output? My TV doesn't have a optical socket.

Can I use the optical output on my Iinet fetch box as my Sony Bravia tv doesn't have an optical socket. If I get an optical to digital converter what sound quality will the Playbar play?

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T
6 years ago
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Jerome_2Contributor I
asked in Home theater

Playbar and DTS

Will the Playbar ever support DTS decoding?

3
G
6 years ago
Scrivener
ScrivenerTrending Lyricist I
asked in Home theater

Will Sonos do a Dolby Atmos equivalent

This appears to be a firmware upgrade job to other marques. Can Sonos do that too? http://www.whathifi.com/advice/dolby-atmos-what-it-how-can-you-get-it Onkyo has released two AV receivers: the TX-N1010 and TX-N3030, a network AV controller, two home cinema in a box packages, and two speaker packages. Along with the new products, Onkyo has announced a firmware update for the TX-NR636, TX-NR737 and TX-NR838 AV receivers. The update means that owners won't need to buy a new AV receiver to benefit from Atmos (just the extra speakers). And you won't have to have in-ceiling speakers. Dolby’s hardware partners will also produce side speakers that aim to do a similar job. Watch the video. Read more at http://www.whathifi.com/advice/dolby-atmos-what-it-how-can-you-get-it#H8X237ssDpp1QHw1.99

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Chris
6 years ago
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teedeepeeContributor I
asked in Home theater

Playbar with 2x Play 1's but NO SUB

Thinking of splashing out on a Playbar and adding in my 2 Play 1's to give me surround sound. Questions: 1) If my TV Optical isn't passing through full 5.1, will the above set up still give me a version of surround sound (albeit without the sub)? 2) Could I connect the optical cable directly into my XboxOne instead, and get true Dolby 5.1 (From Netflix, Blu Ray and Games), again, albeit without the Sub? Thanks in advance.

5
T
6 years ago
T
TimH69Contributor I
asked in Home theater

PLAYBAR only with PC - no TV connection intended!

Hello, I am interested getting a SONOS PLAYBAR + SUB (and eventually extend it later to 5.1). I want to use it only as a PC speakers replacement, thus not planning to have a TV connected to it at all. I use my PC as TV (analog TV card) and watching e.g. Netflix over the PC. For now I have a 5.1 PC speaker system that I connect to my PC integrated sound card via stereo jacks. My audio card has a SPDIF output. In case this is possible, I also get instant audio signal without any delay, right? Thank you for your answers

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AjTrek1
6 years ago
F
FitzyContributor I
asked in Home theater

5.1 setup

Need help setting up my sonos 5.1 please, I've got it set up with a tandak switch Plugged in is a xbox one - showing in app as working as 5.1 Firestick - stereo Popcorn hour - stereo And sky box- stereo The switcher has options pass , 2.0 . 5.1 options for audio which does this option need to be set on 5.1 obvious choice but still getting stereo ?

1
F
6 years ago
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spalmisanoContributor I
asked in Home theater

Dolby Digital Options

I just added two Play:1s to my Playbar and the result is fantastic. The Sonos app is showing Dolby Digital 5.1 and Im happy with the audio when watching via DirecTV. I also have Plex hooked up to this same setup and Im having an issue with getting the surrounds to return audio. If I tell Plex the receiver is capable of DTS, I get no audio. This is as expected since the Playbar doesn't support DTS. Once that's disabled I do get audio but not always from the surrounds. If the movie is encoded with just AC3/Dolby Digital, I get all five zones. If the movie is only DTS, there's still audio from the Playbar, but nothing from the surrounds. Is this because Sonos (or Plex) is down-mixing the audio to 2.0/stereo? In every circumstance the Sonos app shows DD 5.1 for about my system. What am I missing? .sal

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B
6 years ago
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Gunit63Contributor I
asked in Home theater

Does Sonos support 2.2 or 4.2 channel audio on LG TVs?

Wondering if Sonos can support 2.2 channel audio. Can I use two subwoofers with the sound bar? I'm assuming the optical output from the TV is 2.2 channel.

2
T
6 years ago

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