Skip to main content

Home theater

Discuss Ray, Beam, Arc, Arc Ultra, 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.

  • 6,834 Topics
  • 55,502 Replies
Tips & Tricks

Understanding Surround Sound and Sonos

  • 11
  • 17
Ryan S
Ryan S
started this topic

Home Theater and Television Recommendation Megathread

Moderator note:  This article was updated in December 2024. Looking for information on Sonos home theater setups? Find answers about surroun...
  • 16
  • 254
6835 Topics
S
STR_StratContributor I
asked in Home theater
No sound when changing TV channels

For the last few weeks we have an intermittent problem where we lose sound when changing TV channels. Disconnecting the optical cable and plugging it back in cures the problem for a while and then it will happen again. Once the sound is on and the channel not changed it is fine, sometimes switching from a channel will lose the sound and it won't come back on even when switching back to the original channel. Any ideas?

15793
Airgetlam
C
CasperhbvContributor I
posted in Home theater
High pitch noise & standby

Hi Im having 2 different problems with My Sonos system, wich is quite new out the box. System: Two Play 1 speakers One soundbar One sub Set Up as surround, plugged in with optimal cable to my television, soundbar is connected with ethernet and the rest Wireless. The soundbar is giving a constant low " high pitch " noise at All times wich is getting really annoying when not watching tv or listening to television - my soundbar is placed 2 meters from my router. I have encountered that my playbar wont always go to standby after watching television, so even after 8 hours of sleep, and i enter the loving room, i can hear the high pitch Sound, and then i know it hasnt even went idle/standby. I ran the diagnose: 8263252

21386
Keith N
C
cliffmiller22Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Connect PLAYBAR with existing receiver??

I just got a PLAYBAR for Christmas and am trying to figure out if I can use it with my current system. I currently have a Denon receiver connected to 2 Def Techs towers (front L and R) and a Def Tech Center channel. I also have two ceiling speakers connected as well. Lastly I have a connect hooked up so I have it all on Sonos. Will the PLAYBAR work with this setup or so i basically have to scrap the system and then get a connect amp and run the rear ceilings so i have surround sound?

93534
J
L
Lauberge49Contributor I
posted in Home theater
controller shows the play bar as a question mark

I have the play bar, sub, and two play1's set up as surround system to my Panasonic Viera. All of a sudden the system shows in the living room only the following: "+?+LS+RS". Where is my Playbar and sub?

14675
A
M
MauiMisfitContributor I
posted in Home theater
Cinema Codecs & 5.1: Where Are You Sonos?!

Let me first say, I love Sonos as a product. They look stylish, are extremely simple to set up and operate -- and are reliable. That said, I can't help but find myself frustrated at the Sonos Playbar and Playbase. The features these components are lacking are just baffling to me. I could understand when Sonos refused to support "high resolution" audio for music. The argument was a cost benefit one - and I could see where Sonos felt that the customer demand did not equal the costs of support. But, when it came to home theater - things change. You cannot assume that home theaters are equivalent to music - especially to people willing to invest more than a thousand dollars on theater gear. People experience cinema differently than music. The argument that held water for audio was weak when it came to home theater. The argument for audio was "the majority of music listeners are moving to online sources and we support these more lossy options" and CD quality. But, whe

277120
S
S
Sir NottContributor I
asked in Home theater
Am I getting enough from my Play 5’s as rear speakers in my living room surround sound ??

I love my Sonos Playbar, Sonos Bass & two play 5’s. I’ve owned & still own full Bose wired surround sound & they have been great for over 17 years. I’m wondering if I’m getting enough out of my play 5’s using them as the rear speakers in my surround system for my living room. While playing music it’s off the chain, but doesn’t seem to Dazzle me in 5.1 like the rear speakers of my Bose. Does Sonos lack the ability to control the output of the rear surround sound ?? Do I need to buy play 3’s & move my 5’s elsewhere ? Everyone says they love the play 1’s but I like the full sound of the 3’s & 5’s. Again as far as music they are wonderful but movies lack true surround sound. What gives ??

8692
S
Z
ZorContributor I
asked in Home theater
5.1 Sound using playbase, sub 2x Play:1 on PC

Hello everyone! This is actually my first post here, so if it has to be moved, please do so. I'm actually considering getting a playbase for my pc monitor (it's a big 35" ultrawide) and I already have a pair of play:1's. The on board sound of my motherboard is the realtek ALC1220, which has an optical output. However, the only thing holding me back right now, is that i'm afraid i'll end up with stereo from the playbase and two play:1's not giving off any sound. I use my pc for all forms of media consumption, of which movies in the forms of streaming/blu-ray/downloaded, music and games. Will it depend on the movie/game whether surround sound will work on this combo, or can I be sure that all of them support dolby digital and therefore activate the rear speakers? This confusion was caused by the lack of HDMI and DTS support on it :( Has anyone had a similar situation or any advice if it would work? I'd hate it to return such a great product. Thanks in advance!

5055
Airgetlam
T
Tyler_7Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Sonos 5.1 on XBOX One

Hey guys, I feel dumb for not being able to figure this out, but I'm looking for some help in getting the most out of my 5.1 setup with my Xbox. I've read as many posts as I can but some are quite old and a lot of the links given by Sonos Support are broken. When I go into the Xbox audio settings I have the option for 5.1 but it comes back with an error. I have my Playbar connected to my Samsung TV (2yrs old), along with a Sub and two Play 1's. When I go into the Controller it says that the player is outputting in stereo. I've read that some people are using switches to connect their Xbox directly to their TV but it seem like it should be more simple than that given everything is fairly new. Any thoughts on the settings to get surround going? Thanks in advance!

112925
P
S
starnold44Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Home Cinema 5.1

I have been looking at getting the Sonos Base and then the additional Sonos 1's to create the 5.1 home cinema system. When I went to John Lewis the guy told me that it is not true 5.1 though? He said the Sonos 1's will just play the same sound as the play base and not the surround things e.g. Helicopter flying round the room etc. Is this correct and can you set it up to perform as a true 5.1?

5906
S
G
Greg NicholsonContributor I
asked in Home theater
Getting sonos system to work as home theatre for Samsung tv

Hi I have a new Samsung ue55mu6121 which I have linked to a Sonos play bar via the optical cable. My Sonos sound bar is linked to two play 1 speakers in the room. Via Spotify I get all speakers working together to create a surround sound but the two speakers are not working through the tv system. In the tv menu on the sound system setting it won't let me select home theatre. Seems to only want to recognise a Samsung sound bar. Any suggestions to sort this out?

15622
controlav
S
shalinContributor I
asked in Home theater
Hang playbar on TV (below)

If I want to TV mount playbar, are this brackets (http://www.amazon.co.uk/AVF-Universal-Soundbar-Bracket/dp/B00GUZYS5C/ref=pd_cp_rec-ht_3) enough or do I need sonos wall mount kit as well (http://www.sonos.com/shop/products/playbarwallmount) ?

187037
H
S
smithers4Contributor I
posted in Home theater
Connecting digital optical cable to sharp aquos

I just bought a playbar and I don't have a digital optical input on my tv. Is there an adaptor out there I can use? My TV is only 5 years old so I'm surprised I'm having this much trouble setting it up

69953
Airgetlam
B
Bballguy2323Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Playbase with PLAY:1

Hello, I just got a 2 play 1 , play sub and the playbase. It works great for music but it is not working for surround. I have it hooked up via the optical cable to my TV. Any advise on how to get it going or what to check would be very much appreciated.

6231
Airgetlam
R
RomeoincContributor I
posted in Home theater
Sonos Playbar and Wireless Headphones

We recently bought a Sonos Playbar and Connect Amp. The latter is connected to wall speakers and the playbar is connected to the TV (Samsung MU 7000) vis optical cable. TV is run through a Fetch TV box. We have existing Sennheiser Wireless headphones (TR120) which we have used in the past to connect to the TV via an optical adapter. There is only 1 optical port into the samsung box. I have read a few threads on the topic but still having issues on how to make the wireless headphones work easily to be able to mute the TV and use the headphones but have had no luck. This is an outline of what we have tried below: - We tried pruchasing an optical splitter which didn't work - We have also purchased an optical Toslink switch (with 3x In and 1x out), however if I plug in the Sonos and headphones into different Input 'In' and a separate optical plug out to connect with the Samsung TV I get nothing on either - I have tried plugging in the playbar as the out cable to the switch whic

22533
R
M
MEDaughertyContributor I
asked in Home theater
IR Remote Volume Control of Line-In on Play 5

I would like to use an IR remote to control the volume of my Play 5 without purchasing a Playbar. The mobile apps work but it is an added level of complexity for my guest and children that I would like to avoid. I just want to pick up the remote, point it at the TV and adjust the volume. Again, the Play bar is not an option for me at this time. The third party apps like "Home Remote" and "Zonos" work with my Xbox One but it requires me two switch apps or video input sources. So far, I have been able to imagen a few solutions for IR control of Sonos volume without using the playbar. They are: Solution 0) The Playbar. It is a great device but it does not meet my needs for several reasons. Solution 1) Get Sonos to get Microsoft (and Sony) to add an option to the console to forward IR volume commands to the Sonos. This solution does not require additional hardware and further legitimizes Sonos by integrated it into the gaming console. I know some SONOSians may be snobbish audiop

34916
N
J
jpenn10Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Playbar with Multiple Subs

Does Sonos plan on updating it's Playbar offering to support multiple (at least 2) Subs? I believe it currently only supports one Sub. I have a Sonos 5.1 configuration (Playbar, 2 Play:1's for rear, and Sub). I have a large room and like good, heavy, and balanced bass so I would like to add another Sub if possible. I just wanted to know if there are any plans to support this configuration? I really enjoy Sonos throughout my home but feel only being able to add one sub to the Playbar is a shortcoming. I am sure there are many other people that have the same request/scenario. If so please chime in. Thanks.

402015
L
P
paulstevens83Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Surround sound without playbar

I’m sure this has been answered somewhere on this site but I have seen varying responses and am still unsure of the answer. I’m looking to install in wall and ceiling speakers in my lounge for tv surround sound. I would also like to use the same speakers for music. Is it possible to have these speakers connected to and controlled by the Sonos app for surround sound and music. I believe I should be able to connect them via an av receiver and connects?

7981
UKMedia
O
orgitsContributor I
asked in Home theater
different rooms different music?

My living room has a play bar, subwoofer, and 2 Sonos one all connected to the TV. I just added a Sonos Play 1 to my exercise room. When I attempt to do exercise I checked the box on the app the Sonos Play 1 exercise room ans started music. The problem is when I did that I unchecked the living room because I didn't want the music playing in the living room. My wife was watching TV in the living room and the audio turned off when I did that. Is there a way I can play music in the basement in my exercise room and have TV audio come out same time in the living room?

6131
Chris
P
pruthvireddy30Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Sonos Play 1 as home theater

Can I get 2 play 1 speakers and use them as tv speakers instead of buying a soundbar?

5281
H
U
User933547Contributor I
posted in Home theater
My solution to a TV that doesn't pass Dolby Digital 5.1

I too have be having the issue of my older TV not passing Dolby Digital 5.1 to my Playbar.  For reference I have the following components: Sources: Dish receiver VIP622 PlayStation 3 Apple TV (2nd Gen) Wii Connection to the TV, in order: Source from above  Kinivo 501BN 5 port HDMI switch Monoprice HDBaseT wall plate extender TV:  LG 60PC1D With the above setup I was not able to get a DD5.1 signal to the Playbar using any of the sources, but when using the internal tuner in the TV the digital signal was passed to the TV.  Just like many other people on this forum I have found this to be really frustrating but I feel that I have finally found a solution.  I added the following box just before the HDMI input into the TV. From Amazon: ViewHD Premium HDMI to HDMI + Audio (SPDIF + RAC L/R) Audio Extractor This box essentially has an HDMI in and HDMI out along with an optical output.  On the side of the box there is a switch that allows you to configure the

36493
R
K
Kritarth JhaContributor I
asked in Home theater
Hi, wanted to ship this to india, but couldn't find it in the list of countries you ship to. Kindly advise, Thanks.

Wanted to buy this for home, however it seems that this doesn't ship to india.

150721
K
D
DMTContributor I
asked in Home theater
Directv Remote and Sonos PLAYBAR

I just bought an LG, and have the optical audio running from the LG to the sound bar. I had the directv remote controlling both tv and sound bar audio, and I must have clicked something that disrupted the sync. How can I control the Lg audio and sound bar from my directv remote? Thanks!

10910
D
S
seamusoContributor I
posted in Home theater
Sonos surround not able to play with all other speakers

Hi does anyone have a solution for this? When my play ones and soundbar are bonded as a surround sound system I can’t seem to utilize that room to play all speakers together through the house - I don’t want to have to manually deactivate surround each time. I might be missing something here but seems like a functionality issue?

5587
Chris
B
bluesriffAvid Contributor I
asked in Home theater
which blu-ray/dvd player for playbar

i am looking for a blu-ray/dvd 4k uhd player to use with my playbar and a samsung 4k uhd 43" tv. the 1st one i am looking at is a panasonic with audio output of dolby digital +. and the 2nd one is a sony with a audio output of dolby true hd decoding (2ch) ,dolby atmos, hi res audio. will any of these two work with my playbar, i have the intention of adding a sonus sub or play ones for home theater at a later date which is the best option.

5140
B
R
robbhinrichsContributor I
asked in Home theater
Can I have 2 playbars to 1 TV? (Then two subs, 4 Play 1’s)

I have a large tv and a large room. I want to do the Playbar, sub, 2 x play 1’s setup twice from one TV...any help would be appreciated before I purchase. Thanks.

4411
Chris
Terms & ConditionsCookie settings