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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.

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Tips & Tricks

Understanding Surround Sound and Sonos

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Ryan S
Ryan S
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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...
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6828 Topics
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satyajit2007Contributor I
posted in Home theater
Samsung TV remote not able to sync with Sonos PlayBar.

Sonos App->Living Room-> Tv Remote setup As per the instructions i pressed Volume + button and tried to sync up. It is not working. what is the issue ? I have the below TV samsung 65 4K SUHD LED LCD TV (UN65KS800DFXZA)

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User699402Contributor I
asked in Home theater
annoying tv message when turning volume up or down

i have a samsung tv and when i turn the volume up or down from my tv remote "not available in current mode " appears on tv. the sonos set up said this may occur but i cant turn it off. ive been through the tv menu and turned everything off.

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Airgetlam
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teliasContributor I
asked in Home theater
My sonos system stopped playing sound from my TV all of a sudden...why?

I have done some research on various forums and haven't been able to find a solution as to why my Sonos stopped playing sound from my TV (samsungJUN65JU7100F). My sonos system will play sound from apps like Pandora or on my phone though. I tried toggling the power, verified my TV audio is set to PCM, I verified that the optical cable has a red light on it, I even tried a new optical cable and the results didn't change. Diagnostics 7903144

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Joe ProtanoContributor I
asked in Home theater
Does Playbar Connect to a TV with HDMI cable?

I am purchasing a new tv and it is limited by only 2 HDMI outlets. I figured one HDMI is for my cable box and the other for my DVD player. Does playbar need a HDMI input too. The answer to this question determines which TV I buy. One with 2 HDMI or one with 3HDMI

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James_221Contributor I
posted in Home theater
Unable to add surrond speakers

Hi, I am trying to add 2x Play 1 speakers as surround speakers to a playbar. I already have a sub connected. When I try to add the second speaker, it initially recognises it when I push the buttons on top, but fails to set it up and gives me a message saying "Surround Setup Error. There was a problem adding the surround speaker. Please ensure the surround speaker and the PLAYBAR are connected to power." Can you advise what I should do please? I have tried removing and re-adding the surround speakers, but experience the same problem each time. The room setting says "(+SUB+LS+?)"

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pedalmasher
pedalmasherAvid Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Question about the Sonos app's voice enhancement feature

I just got my 5.1 system today, and I find that the voice enhancement works great to bring out voices. I'm not sure specifically how it affects music when activated. I decided to try an experiment by putting it on and off while listening to just music but unless I am missing something, apparently if you have it turned on for TV watching, it is deactivated during the playing of music with the TV off. I assume that in that I don't see that choice in the app when simply playing music. Is my assumption about it being off during strictly playing music accurate or must it be turned off when finished watching TV prior to listening to just music? I'd be curious as to opinions as to how it affects background music when activated during the watching of TV with both music and dialogue.

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pedalmasher
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djrobsdAvid Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Playbar newbie needs a little HDMI help!

My Denon receiver currently controls all of my inputs. I have an AppleTV, Amazon Fire TV, Bluray player, PS3, and a wii all hooked in. From the receiver to the TV I have an HDMI cable that goes into the ARC HDMI connection on the TV. The TV has an optical audio out, so I hooked that into my playbar. No sound.. Still goes through my Denon receiver. I couldn't find any settings or info about passing the audio through to the TV instead of the stereo speakers, so what are my options here? My TV only has 4 HDMI inputs, and 2 analog. I could probably consolidate and get rid of Apple TV and then just run everything through the TV, but ideally I'd like to keep the Denon for now, I just don't see a way to pass all those inputs to the Playbar. :) Also, does anyone know of a good stand for the playbar to go under the TV? I don't want to wall mount it. I would have gotten the playbase, but I got this for half off from Best Buy open box deal, so I couldn't pass it up. 🙂

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nifoxke
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alan birdsongContributor I
asked in Home theater
Play 1's as surround disappointing

I was under the impression that when I bought Playbar and 2 Play 1's as surround system the Play 1's would help my wife hear the tv better. When watching after set up the surround speakers seem to only play a little sound, but not any talking. This doesn't help her at all. Is there any way to set these up so she can hear without unsyncing from surround set up?

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MrMookie123
MrMookie123Avid Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Playbase, Samsung TV, 2 Play 1's for 5.0 Surround Sound

OK, I need some general input from those of you that have a bigger brain than I do. I just got the Playbase, and Setup 2 Play 1's as surround sound. TV - Connected to Cable Box with HDMI Cable, ROKU 4 Connected to TV with HDMI. Playbase to TV with TOSLINK Optical Cable. I'm hearing very FAINT sound out of the 2 Play 1's. Now Sonos Support had me go in on my Samsung TV(UNE46) to try to UPDATE PDM to Dolby, however the Dolby is grayed out and I can not make this change. Can anyone take a minute and explain what I'm doing wrong, or maybe it's just something that I will never be able to have with my setup. Thanks in advance for any information, it will be appreciated.

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nifoxke
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bfleigContributor I
asked in Home theater
Can the Playbar connect directly to the Sony Bravia KDL-46EXE645?

I am interested in going with the Sonos Playbar but after reading some of the threads and not finding my TV in the list of known supported devices, I don't know if it will work. The TV has an optical out (with the red light). However, it doesn't turn my current (crappy Vizio) soundbar on automatically when I turn on the tv. I have to mute the tv and then turn on the soundbar. And when I go through the Audio settings for the tv, there is NOT an option for "Optical output" where I can select "Auto" or "PCM" as I have seen referenced in some posts. I am just trying to verify that this TV will work with the Sonos Playbar. Any advice out there? Thanks!

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nifoxke
e1035116
e1035116Contributor I
asked in Home theater
How does the Samsung UN55C8000 work with Playbase?

I have a Samsung UN55C8000 LED tv purchased in 2010. It does not have a native digital optical output jack. Rather It has 3.5mm port. Has anyone made the Playbase work with this Samsung tv? Has anyone used a MINI TOSLINK to TOSLINK cable to get sound from the tv to the Playbar? Can anyone provide the Samsung tv sound settings too? Thanks ?

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Bart123Lyricist I
asked in Home theater
Amazon Prime Video - surround compatibility

Can it work?

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adc731Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Sonos 5.1 with Xbox One and HDMI Switch

I recently purchased a Sonos 5.1 home theater system (Playbar, Sub, 2 Play 1s), and I'm currently having issues getting DD 5.1 to play from my Xbox One. I'm well aware of the issues with many TVs not being able to pass through 5.1 from HDMI sources, so I purchased the Monoprice 4x1 Switch (MD-415ARC) like many others recommended. Currently I have the Monoprice switch plugged into a Samsung UN60H7150 Smart TV. I have my Xbox One, Apple TV, and Verizon cable box plugged into the HDMI ports on the Monoprice switch, and my Playbar plugged into the TOSLINK optical port. I've been able to get 5.1 DD out of my Smart TV apps, Apple TV, and Verizon cable box, but no luck from my Xbox One. The issue I'm having is when I go to Xbox One settings>Display & sound>Audio output>HDMI audio, I cannot select "5.1 uncompressed" or "Bitstream out" - I get an error saying "Check your audio receiver." Additionally, changing Optical audio to "Bitstream out" and "DD" does nothing since I don't have it dire

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Papa CContributor I
asked in Home theater
underwhelmed

Ive been looking at the Sonos system for quite a while now, and when the playbase came out i know i was destined to buy one. I bought a Playbase and two Play 1s. Set it up and was very impressed with the clarity and seperation of the system. However for the ammount of money that the system costs I couldnt believe how lacking in Bass the system is. Im templeted to buy a sub to see if that fixes the poor balance ( my opinion) of the set-up. However Im kinda dammed if I do and dammed if I dont. If buying a sub does fix the problem im gonna be very disapointed that i would have had to pay £2000 to get a decent sound. If buying a sub doesnt fix the problem im gonna feel confused as to how this system got such good reviews. Any suggestions anyone?

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Nik of TimeTrending Lyricist I
asked in Home theater
Is there a benefit to wiring Playbar and Sub in a 5.1 setup?

I have a Playbar, Sub, and two Play:1's for a surround setup at home + other sonos speakers throughout the house. Currently the only Sonos component wired to my router is my Sonos Bridge. Since it would not be difficult to wire my Sub and Playbar to my router as well, I've been considering doing this because intuitively it seems like it would simplify my overall network with fewer individual wireless components. Is my thinking correct? Would there be any benefit?

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slp1948Contributor I
posted in Home theater
Private Listening

I recently purchase a Playbase for my bedroom and would like to listen to the TV with headphones so as not to bother my spouse. Is it possible? It is connected to a new Samsung Smart TV. I am wondering if I have to connect through bluetooth or wireless to my Samsung TV and bypass the Playbase?

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donl1150Avid Contributor I
posted in Home theater
Playbase & CONNECT:AMP driving rear speakers

Had my Playbase delivered a few days ago. Once I finally figured out how to turn OFF my TV speakers, the setup was a breeze. Since I was using existing ceiling speakers as the L/R rear, I hooked one of my CONNECT:AMPS up to drive them. First few days though, it sounded simply like front speakers coupled with two others behind me. No sound separation. Then I re-read Megathread for Home Theater. I overlooked the final step when using a CONNECT:AMP discussed here: https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2248?_ga=2.202710546.2070754677.1512439315-1680833299.1505599964&_gac=1.255898105.1511795554.Cj0KCQiAjO_QBRC4ARIsAD2FsXPt5g1jZN42OmaFNUdz7CWEGtwEdfH3AdHqg4ql0tOOmpixBPTH6LsaApc7EALw_wcB Presto changeo - Surround Sound! Just an FYI when using CONNECT:AMP.

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victoriaandshaunContributor I
asked in Home theater
LG OLED55B7 + Chromecast v2 + Google Play Movies interesting issues

Recently purchased LG OLED TV and then a Playbar and SUB. Have been playing with the setup and noticed some interesting issues in the config. 1. When chromecasting from Google Play TV & Movies app, I cannot get video and audio to sync. I played with the settings from the Sonos app and all of them made it worse. (HBO GO over Chromecast didn't have the same issue) 1a. Also the voice track was way quieter than then music track (after trueplay tune it got slightly better, but still not right) Also tried the voice enhancement mode, which made the dialogue understandable but a little tinny. which brings me to... 2. Switched to the native Google Play TV & Movies app on the LG TV and that only puts out Dolby Digital 2.0 vs the 5.1 from the Chromecast. However the audio sounds better from this. Test movies: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone & Jurassic Park

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jandjContributor I
asked in Home theater
Playbar flashing white light

I can only get white flashing light on Playbar. Tried to cure with all Sonos tips but eventually had to submit a diagnostic to Sonos. What do I do next? How do I follow this up?

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Ben S
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RoaxerContributor I
asked in Home theater
Playbar will not detect Apple Siri Remote

My Apple TV 4K (5 gen.) remote will not connect to my Playbar. The Apple Remote have no mute button wich make pairing the device impossible.. Is there any work arounds? I’ve tried all these following steps with no success: https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4043/~/programming-your-apple-tv-4th-gen-remote-to-control-the-playbar-or-playbase Edit: I’ve managed to connect Siri remote, by using a different remote when told to push the mute button. BUT the remote will only turn the volume up! No mather if I push «+» or «-« the Playbar responds by turning the volume up!!

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Keith N
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Chimaera43Contributor I
asked in Home theater
PlayBase + Play:5?

Love my new PlayBase! A 2 month old Play:5 is now sitting in the closet and I was wondering if: 1) it was possible to add the Play:5 to the media network so the PlayBase and Play:5 work together, and 2) would there be a noticeable difference?

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ZulloftContributor II
asked in Home theater
Setting Up Sonos 5 with Connect as TV Sound

I know that this has been covered before but doesnt seem to help in my case so appreciate any guidance. This is for my bedroom as i still have a stereo sound but my intention is to replace them with sonos. In my bedroom, i bought a connect, two Sonos 3 and 1 sonos 5. I had connected the TV analogue out into the Connect, I then connected the analogue output to the sono 5. I also have the optical connected to my current soundbar only because nothing comes out from the sonos 5. i dont what i need to do. do i need to to the app to change the line in settings or something. This has gotten frustrating and expensive. the only solution is to buy another playbase which is too much for room with the sonos 5 and 3 in it. Even my living room is not too small for that combination. please help

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Eric_HPQContributor I
asked in Home theater
Playing music with playbar and sub

I just got a play bar and sub, when I play music on my cell phone, only the play bar is playing, the sub is not. How can I solve this problem? Thank you.

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akarns07Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Connecting RCA turntable to 3.1 playbar/sub system

I'd like to connect a Fluance RT81 turntable to my 3.1 playbar/sub system. It looks like the turntable has a built in pre-amp with an RCA output. Do I need to purchase a Sonos Connect or Connect:AMP, or can I simply get an RCA > RJ45 adapter and plug/play through my Playbar?

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rrneherContributor I
asked in Home theater
Problems with the home theater system

I have a problem with my home theater systems (surround sound) when I hear the music or i play the tv, sometimes my surround sound goes off, and after 20 or 30 second it comes back. I don’t like that and I want to know what i have to do to fix that problem with my surround sound. Help me please and thanks!

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JennieMerritt
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