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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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Understanding Surround Sound and Sonos

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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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BluJayContributor I
asked in Home theater
How to connect tv, playbar & DTS converting bluray player together to get DD output

Hi, just purchased the playbar recently and feeling ripped off to be honest as I asked the salesman for the best product for surround sound without going down the full home theater path. Now I realize the playbar does not accept the DTS signal that my TV (Samsung UA55JU7000W) is outputting on blurays and to make full use of my $1000 bar I must outlay more cash and hunt down a new bluray player that decodes DTS to DD. Before I do this, I want to know exactly how this would be connected up to provide DD on blurays whilst still outputting stereo on normal tv viewing. Does the setup remain the same? i.e bluray HDMI > TV > optical cable > playbar Or do I need more cables and a different setup? My tv has only one optical port and I'm trying to keep this as simple as possible. Having to go to this trouble and expense is an absolute joke for a "top of the range" soundbar and I feel like an idiot for buying it.

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lonlonmilkloverContributor I
asked in Home theater
Able to use Playbar with my own receiver and sub?

Seeking to use Playbar with my own receiver and subwoofer. I have a Yamaha RX-V371 receiver, and a Subwoofer that is still fairly new, and very powerful. The Yamaha receiver has no Digital Optical out, so I can't go from the receiver directly to the Playbar, but I can go from the receiver to the TV with HDMI, and the TV has a Digital Optical Out. My question is, can anybody see a reason why this wouldn't work to use the Playbar (and potentially some rear Sonos Speakers), with my own Sub that is going through my receiver? I'd love to invest in Sonos speakers, but don't want to have to forfeit my perfectly working Receiver and Sub, which would be a $500 loss. (As far as I know, I'd imagine the Optical Out from the TV would in no way impede the function of the active Subwoofer being signaled from my receiver)

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DanukContributor I
posted in Home theater
Playbar volume Samsung QE55Q7F

Is there a way to get the new Samsung universal remote to control the new sound on the Soundbar. The steps for the F series do not work on the new Samsungs.

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neal2000ukContributor I
asked in Home theater
Sonos Soundbar flush too wall?

Is it possible to install the soundbar flush inside a wall something like this? http://s3.amazonaws.com/electronichousesite/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/02181835/1soundchoice_in_wall.jpg Will this compromise the sound quality? if it is possible, would i have to create space around the 'hole in the wall' for the sound to travel?

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snbtwinsContributor I
asked in Home theater
Does your playbar vibrate on mantle?

My AV guy telling me that I should mount the playbar under the TV as it will vibrate on the mantle. I would rather not mount it though. Has anyone experienced the vibration? Thanks.

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Jamie_CheltContributor I
asked in Home theater
PlayBar or PlayBase with Samsung TV

I have a Samsung UE49KU6400U LED 4K Ultra HD Smart 49" TV and I want to purchase either a PlayBar or PlayBase. I cannot really sit the PlayBar in front of the TV, due to the low nature of the stand and the fact that it will partially block the TV. Because on the unusual shape of the PlayBase, I'm not sure if the feet for the stand will protrude over the edge. Does anyone have this TV coupled with either a PlayBar or PlayBase? If so, where is the TV positioned in relation to the PlayBar or PlayBase. I do have a Play:1 and Play:5 with a Rega turntable, so really want a Sonos option.

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MugenabeContributor I
asked in Home theater
New to Sonos, home theater experience?

I just purchased a 5.1 setup and a play 5 (still waiting for delivery). While waiting, I've been reading more forums and started ro see a lot of complaints about the lack of support for newer codecs like DD+ and Dolby Atmos etc. How much am I limiting myself by going with Sonos? I've always loved the quality of it when I've heard Sonos speakers but I'm wondering if 2k+ investment is worth the limited capability. I read that the Bose soundtouch line has similar quality but with an HDMI input, does anyone have any experience with both and recommend that instead? I would like to know before the return period. For music I mainly rely on Spotify so both would work for me. Any input would be great! Thanks.

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ajaykiran1011Contributor I
posted in Home theater
Sound keeps cutting out when watching cable

My sound cuts out after 5/10 mins of watching cable them when I change the channel and go back to the channel I was watching it comes back on. I have a play base and 2 play 1s connected! Play base is Ethernet connected into modem but not sure if its running on wifi? Play 1s are on wifi. Help would be appreciated thanks

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jwalter0071Contributor I
posted in Home theater
Does Sonos Surround work properly with Samsung TV.

Is there still an issue with Samsung TVs not sending the dolby digital info from the HDMI inputs down to the optical output?

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SileongContributor I
asked in Home theater
Unable to add sub and Play:1s as surround

Hello all! Just purchased a Playbase, Sub and two Play:1s and trying to set them up as a 5.1 system. Unfortunately when I'm trying to add the Sub or the Play1s as surrounds, I'll always get failed message. When prompted to press the pair button(s), they were all detected successfully. However, on the next screen when Sonos is trying to add the devices to work with the rest of the system, it'll take a very long time, then the screen with an exclamation mark telling me that the it failed and make sure my connection is normal and the devices are powered on. If you go to room setting, I'll have the options to "remove sub" and "remove surround" so I'm assuming the they're in the same group as the Playbase already but somehow I can get them to work. I've tried reset the Sub and the Surrounds to factory setting multiple times but still can't get pass the last step of the pairing process. Any helps would be much appreciated. Thanks!

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alterastroContributor I
asked in Home theater
Sky Q and Samsung passthrough

Hi All Can someone help with something that is causing confusion.... So I have a Sky Q box set to output Dolby Digital over HDMI which is connected to my Samsung 55KU6000 which is connected to my Playbar. If I watch a movie or HD channel that is 5.1, I get 5.1 (as reported by the app) however, if there are adverts then the audio stops and the app reports 'pause burst'. Certain channels play fine with the app reporting 'stereo' but some have no audio (BBC2 HD for example) with 'silence' indicated. The Tv has HDMI Audio Format set to Bitstream and the Audio Format set to Dolby Digital. So any idea why I'm not getting sound on adverts and some channels??? ***Edit: occasionally sound will appear on some channels after a very long pause (minutes) with the app reporting Dolby Digital 2.0*** Thanks Nick

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baseggioAvid Contributor III
posted in Home theater
Getting 5.1 from Chromecast and Playbar + 2 P1s

My setup is fairly typical, I think. I've got a TV that won't pass DD signals to its optical out, so I connect my video sources to a Monoprice HDMI switch and use the optical out to feed a Playbar that's paired with 2 Play:1's for rear surrounds. It feels like I'm always chasing 5.1 with this setup. The latest culprit is my Chromecast. Last night we rented a movie from Google Play Movies, and Cast it from my phone to the Chromecast. The Sonos app was showing it was only in stereo. Today I did a bit of testing. I tried other movies I own from Google Play Movies as well as Netflix and HBO Now. They all showed as Stereo in the Sonos app. I also own a Fire TV. You can't watch movies rented from Google Play Movies on it - there's no app for the Fire TV, but Netflix and HBO Now both show as Dolby Digital in the Sonos app. So I moved the Chromecast into another room where I've got a Yamaha AVR. With the Chromecast directly connected to that I was able to get 5.1 sound from Netflix, Goog

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Northern HenryContributor I
asked in Home theater
Panasonic "speakers off"message

Hi done a bit of a search on here, seems to be many old threads.. other than overly complicating is there still not a fix for this? Have new 780z speaker turn-off easy... message pop-up annoying..

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jason3105Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Playbar placement

Good evening, I am looking at buying a new tv stand and the one I am looking at has a rectangle compartment that is the perfect size for the playbar, aesthetically I think that this would look awesome, but I just want to know if it would affect the sound at all? I am not sure if it matters but I am also running a sub and 2 play 1's all connected to the sound bar. If you're not sure what I mean with regards to the placement of the playbar in the tv stand I have put a link to it below. http://loaf.com/products/goggle-mate-tv-stand

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jakesContributor I
posted in Home theater
Turntable through tv and playbar

Hi - I don't have a sonos playbar yet - but am looking for advice on getting one. Can I route my turntable through my preamp to the tv and then have the sound through the playbar - if so - does the TV need to be on to do this - or will the audio pass through?

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astathedogTrending Lyricist I
asked in Home theater
Playbar with 2 Play 1s for TV and music?

I know this setup will work as a 3.0 surround system, but when I'm not watching TV can I use just the pair of Play 1s to stream music in stereo?

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murrato13Trending Lyricist I
asked in Home theater
idle power mode not working as expected

Hi, my energy meter is working properly and it shows 17W in "idle" ,even when all devices (TV, digital converter) are disconnected from power. During TV signal it uses mostly 23W and it goes for idle for 17W, even after removing optical cable. When i turn on the TV the power goes to 23W again. So, why it is using 17W when only the playbar is connected to power? (no WLAN, app closed) What can i do? as its not the expected official consumption? https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/260/~/sonos-power-consumption-when-idle Regards, Murrato

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jmonstahhhContributor I
asked in Home theater
Playbar gen 1 vs gen 2

I recently bought one of the refurbished soundbars from sonos and was under the impression it would be the newer playbar that comes in the colorful orange boxes but when it arrived it was in the older box with the green on it. I'm curious if there's any differences between the two or it it just the packaging it comes in.

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amattasAvid Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Play Bar in Home Theater Media Cabinet

I'm building a new home theater in my basement with my existing playbar. Does anyone have experience putting It in a cabinet? How has it affected channel separation?

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leedsmackyContributor I
posted in Home theater
Sonos Home Theatre and Epsom EH-TW7300 Projector

Hi, I'm fully expecting an angry redirection to a area in the community where this has already been answered. I have looked, honest and apologies in advance for posting here if the wrong place! In short. Help! I'm currently converting my basement and want to create a cinema room. I'm going to use a Epsom Projector and would really like to use my existing Songs products for sound (player, sub 2 x Play1s). What I can't get my head around - How do I connect my PS4 Pro / Sky Q to the projector and have the sound coming through the Sonos. Is this possible in a way that will work seamlessly? Apologies again if this is a ludicrously thick thing to ask! But the builders are asking where I'll want wiring etc and I can't answer. Cheers, Mark

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JohnzContributor I
posted in Home theater
Playbar wall mount or under TV mount

We intend to wall mount our TV but on an arm to allow us to swing the TV out at an angle from the wall for good viewing and back against the wall when not in use. My dilemma is if I am best to undermount the Playbar on the TV so that it's always oriented with the TV and at the viewers or to wall mount it so that it's always stationary and therefore not messing with the True Play tuning of the room. We don't watch a lot of TV and the Playbar would also be used to augment our existing Sonos set-up as our new living room speaker, allowing us to re-purpose the Play 1s elsewhere. Thanks.

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ja_3282Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Pairing PLAYBAR and CONNECT AMP

I am looking to upgrade my system by add the PLAYBAR. I currently have the connect amp which is connected to some book shelf speakers. To cut down on space and clutter I want to pair the connect amp to the PLAYBAR. This is so that I can play records through the PLAYBAR. Can I pair both device wirelessly? Is there a better way to pair these together than what I am thinking? I can not move the CONNECT AMP to the PLAYBAR, there is no shelf for the AMP.

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JeffoContributor I
asked in Home theater
Is Playbar compatible with a BenQ W1070 projector?

I bought a BenQ projector (http://www.amazon.com/BenQ-W1070-Theater-Projector-Silver/dp/B00A2T6X0K) and now need a sound system. The room is rectangular, ~ 18-feet by 12-feet. Directv and blu-ray at one end; projector nearly at the other, throwing the picture onto third wall. I'd like the sound to emanate from beneath the picture but i don't want to rip apart the ceilings/walls to hide wires. so wireless is appealing. Is the playbar right for this situation? can it work with a projector? can it work with a projector and DirecTV and a blu ray player? Do i also need a receiver? any advice much appreciated. 🙂

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SFromContributor I
posted in Home theater
Remote doesn't work with Amazon Fire TV when using Soundbar

Here is my set up: - New Amazon fireTV made by Element - Sonos Soundbar connected to Amazon TV through optical cable and set for dolby digital. - AppleTV 4th generation connected to TV with HDMI Using the built in speakers on the Amazon TV, I can use both the Apple TV remote and the Amazon TV remote to control volume. However, when I configure sound output to the Soundbar through the optical cable, both remotes stop working for volume controls. The only way I can control the volume on the Soundbar is through my Sonos App. The message I get on Amazon Fire TV is "Volume control not supported for this audio output device." The previous TV had a remote that did work in controlling volume on the Soundbar. Is there a work around, so I can use either the Apple remote or the Amazon Fire TV remote to control the volume? Thanks

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Only1jayray
Only1jayrayAvid Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Has anyone used a playbar and 2 play 1's for 5.0 home theatre

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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