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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
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...
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6756 Topics
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birdman522Contributor II
asked in Home theater
Will adding Ones gen 2 be preferred to Ones gen 1 as surrounds to a Beam gen2 ?

per the title, I can relocate 2 One gen 2s from another room and swap those with the One gen1s currently serving as surrounds to a Beam Gen 2. Is there any benefit? I am wondering if the gen2 Ones may have some features that will slightly improve the sound of the Beam gen 2 and current Ones.

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B
2 years ago
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leobel00Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Sonos plays on my AV system and vice versa

I would like to have music play on my AV system (I have a denon AV-X4400H) when I start it on my sonos system via the app or voice commands and I would also like the Sonos system to play the music when I have music started from my AV system. Is this possible?    Also, can the HDMI on your sonos connect be used as INPUT to an amplifier?

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J
2 years ago
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darshakparmarTrending Lyricist I
posted in Home theater
Volume level sync with TV

I started using Sonos Arc today with Sony Bravia XR X90J. I can see that there are mulitple layers of volume control. Volume level control in the App Volume level control that appears when phone’s volume buttons are pressed (appears as CAST volume control, I am using an android phone) Volume level control on TV which in turn controls the volume of Arc via HDMI eARC Master Volume limiter in the App advanced settingsWhat I have observed is that the volume level displayed on TV is not synronized with what it shows on the Sonos App. Also, Sonos App volume control overrides TV’s volume control - acts like a master volume knob! For example, I kept raising TV volume to 90% and yet, Arc was barely audible. I also checked the volume limiter in the App and it was at 100%. At first, I thought it’s an issue with the overall output of Arc, later I realized the regular volume control on the App was at 10%.Shouldnt the App’s volume control increase when TV sends command to Arc to increase the volume

22886
D
2 years ago
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Macx214Contributor I
asked in Home theater
airplay sonos

Wanting to airplay a video from ipad to my sonos beam which is then connected to a monitor. Does the beam only output audio and no video?

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J
2 years ago
RangerDog
RangerDogEnthusiast I
posted in Home theater
Upgrading TV seems to also force a Sonos upgrade, which leads to more choices.

Currently I have an 8+ year-old TV that has performed well but it is heading toward an honorable retirement. It is mounted in a corner of the viewing room on an articulated wall mount as will its larger, more technically adept replacement (LG QNED85AQA) with such new feats as Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision and I’m hoping enough simplicity to learn how to use it. I will also attach an Apple TV (latest available currently) since I love the interface. I also requirement a second box from Dish TV to give me local channels and traditional viewing. (This is non-negotiable for other household members.) For audio the current setup is a Sonos Playbar mated to a early Sonos Subwoofer and a pair of Play:1s for rear channel. I imagine I’ll hook the Playbar up via optical to start while fiddling with the TV and sorting the video. This is also where I listen to music so I can maintain a happy status quo in that capacity. Once that’s sorted no doubt I will want the Atmos effect. Literally, a 2-minute stor

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Airgetlam
2 years ago
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matthewgeorgegContributor I
asked in Home theater
Have to turn tv off and on multiple times for audio to work

Hi i’ve been having a problem with my set up for some time now.  I have Sky Q which i watch on a samsung tv. My sonos bean is connected by arc hdmi, and there are 2 play 1’s connected vis the wifi as surround sound.  Often, but not always, when I turn on the TV the sound does not work. Sometimes it will play sound for around 1 second, then go off. Other times, just no sound.  To get it to work I have to turn the TV off and back on, usually a few times - sometimes 8 or more times! Quite frustrating.  Can anyone help with this issue??  Ive read a few similar ish posts and have restarted my equipement, checked TV is on autoplay, and am all up to date.  I have also just swapped the HDMI lead in case that was a problem. Time will tell.  Thanks!

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M
2 years ago
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Sailsparty1Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Using Sub Mini with Sub

I currently have an Immersive set with Arc, Sub, & 2 One SL’s. Would I be able to add a Sub Mini to my current system? 

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G
2 years ago
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skeller23Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Blu-ray player for LG C1 and Sonos Arc?

I recently upgraded to an LG C1 with my Sonos Arc (running in home theater with a pair of Ones and a sub) and love it...until I tried to get a new UHD player (Sony X700) that supports Dolby Vision and ran into the dreaded problem where DTS signals are only getting downmixed as PCM Stereo. I’ve read the monster thread on this topic (linked below) on the Panasonic UB820 and it seems it has the same issues.What’s incredibly frustrating is that clearly the TV is capable of passing through LPCM properly if the player converts DTS to it, as I have this working with DTS tracks on my Xbox Series X and PS5 -- but neither of them support Dolby Vision for disc playback (so frustrating).I’m willing to spend money to solve the problem but do not want to get an HD Fury Arcana if I can at all avoid it because I don’t want to add an HDMI switch to my setup and I think that’s unavoidable with multiple components and the Arcana. Worst-case scenario I suppose I will use the PS5 for discs with DTS tracks

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2 years ago
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JeroenVRProminent Collaborator I
posted in Home theater
Update 14.16

Where is it?

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Ken_Griffiths
2 years ago
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nick776Trending Lyricist I
posted in Home theater
New Behaviour with 14.16

I finally got the chance to tinker around with 14.16 today.  I have an Arc plus Sub Gen 2.  Oddly enough, when I turn TruePlay OFF it totally neuters the bass on my system.  When it is on it sounds powerful and authoritative, more so than before.  I was not prompted to re-run TruePlay as others were upon downloading 14.16.  Has anyone else noticed more pronounced bass with 14.16 with TruePlay ON as opposed to the other way around (the “work around”)?  Specifically, has anyone else noticed better bass with Arc plus Sub Gen 2 when running 14.16?

4698
J
2 years ago
Salty Pug
Salty PugContributor I
posted in Home theater
Can I connect my Apple TV and gaming systems to a AV receiver and Sonos Beam to my TV’s eARC?

I have a LG C1 OLED TV with a Sonos Beam, Sub, and two Plays for my rear audio. My Beam is connected to my LG’s eARC for audio. I also have a very heavy gaming set-up that includes a PS5, Xbox Series X, Gaming PC, Nitendo Switch, and an Apple TV.I want to take advantage of 4K 120hz gaming, but also keep my Dolby Atmos for my Apple TV and gaming when available. I don’t have enough HDMI inputs on my TV to hook everything up. Would a AV receiver like the Onkyo NR-6100 work if I used that to just hook all my gaming systems and Apple TV into it and then connect that one of the TV’s HDMI 2.1 ports and keep the Sonos Beam connnected to the TV’s eARC or would there be audio pass through issues with that? If that wouldn’t work is there any HDMI 2.1 switches that anyone can recommend?

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Airgetlam
2 years ago
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MezoContributor I
posted in Home theater
how to connect the third play:1 to the surround

i have 3device play:1left & right conected already to the surround but i dont know how to conecte the therd as a middle in my behind !

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106rallye
2 years ago
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jeminijosephTrending Lyricist I
posted in Home theater
New to Sonos - bass issue

I just got Sonos arc after reading lots of reviews. I want a soundbar now without woofer and surround speakers and may add these stuff later. However very disappointed with sound quality. Almost no surround effect (Atmos etc). But that’s ok. May be my expectation was too high. Biggest issue is the bass. This thing has no bass!. My $200 bose TV speaker has much better bass (that’s all I need). I don’t see many reviews mentioning this despite some early threads. Is this normal? Is there any solution?I use Android device. So certain features are not available in app. My TV has ARC output, but don’t see it’s eARC. Does it matter for bass?Here’s an example. The short movie ‘Olaf's Frozen Adventure’ in Disney+ has deep bass at 19 minute and 27-28 seconds. It’s great with my tiny bose speaker. But almost none with ARC. All comments are appreciated.

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J
2 years ago
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Zurzus_WainrightContributor I
posted in Home theater
Sonos Arc soundbar issues with older Sony TVs

Here's a crazy situation. So I own a Sony 900f and a 900e model TV. Those tvs have ARC ports in hdmi 3. So I bought a beam with surrounds and everything worked great. All of a sudden when I went to watch TV after having audio the day before, there is absolutely no audio coming through that. So I changed the motherboard on that TV and boom everything works absolutely fine. Upgraded to the ARC and after a month or so same issue happened with the HDMI 3 ARC port on that new board I put in. So go to switch out that board on the TV again with my protection plan from Best Buy where I worked as an Advanced Home Theater installer. That 900f ended up being dead in the water after replacing the board again, fine I got my money back on that TV. So I go to use my slightly older 900e series Sony, and it happened again tonight where there is no audio.I have done every form of functionality testing you can think of. Tested out an old sound bar of mine, that didn't get audio either, reset the app and

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Z
2 years ago
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WonkeyDonkeyContributor I
asked in Home theater
No DTS audio on new 4K player?

Just Bought a Sony UBP-X700 4K player (multiregion) and having some problems with audio.  Here's the rest of my set-up:  LG C9Beam (Gen 1)2 x Play:1Sub (Gen 1?) The 4K disk I've been testing with is Interstellar (although I have tried others). When the audio settings for the player is set as follows: Digital Audio Output: AutoBD Secondary Audio: On ...the Sonos app reports that the Beam 'Audio In' is Stereo PCM 2.0 when I play the disk on the default audio setting (English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1ch 48KHz). However.. When I set the following on the player: Digital Audio Output: AutoBD Secondary Audio: Off ...and play the disk on the same default setting, there is no audio and the Sonos app reports 'Audio In' as Silence. When I switch the audio setting on the disk to the next one: English Dolby Digital 5.1 ch 48KHz I get audio but unfortunately there's Audio Description bundled as part of the main soundtrack (the Sonos app reports' Audio In' as Dolby Digital 5.1). Is there a problem with

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J
2 years ago
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Barry_4Contributor I
posted in Home theater
how to set up 4.1 or 5.1 with Sonos Amp

Hi everyone. I’m pretty new to this so please bare with me. I want to set up either a 4.1 or 5.1 using a Sonos Amp which I have acquired. At the moment I have a Sky glass tv which has eARC but no optical output. A Sonos sub and playbar which I used on my old tv. Also I have 2x play ones, 2x play threes and a Sonos Port that I use for my CD player. Any ideas how to add the Sonos amp to create 4.1 or 5.1. I also have two 75 watt 4 ohms speakers. Hope someone can helpcheersBarry

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Bumper
2 years ago
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DaytrindadeContributor I
asked in Home theater
Turn tv on from diffrent room

I have 2 amps on the same network and different rooms. When I turn on one TV , the other TV turn on too. The room are far so it’s not signal from remote control turning on 2 tv’s and if I turn of amps this issue don’t happen 

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buzz
2 years ago
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GubesAvid Contributor I
posted in Home theater
Sonos 5s as rears (but for main purpose for music)

Hi All.BackgroundMy original intention was to go for the ARC + Sub + 2 One SLs but wondering whether I should go for the 5s.  I know full well, that the Sonos 5s are overkill if they are primarily used as rears.  However while it would serve that purpose, its more about having better music playback more than anything else (when listening to music in FULL mode).  I don’t want to have speakers either side of the TV just for music (given aesthetic reasons) and it would also not leverage off the sub I would have already paid for.  My room is fairly large - 20 feet long (6m) and its open plan on width 15 feet wide (4.5m) in the Living area but extends to a total of 30 feet (9m) including the dining area.  The bulky 5s would be placed within a wall long book case shelf so they will be easy on the eye (located over 1m or 3ft behind the couch that faces the TV).  I have no real intention to use the line in port (which gets disabled when using the 5s as rears).  Questions: Does anyone have this

911
Not An Opossum
2 years ago
A
Anonymous
asked in Home theater
SONOS Arc and One SL (no sub)

I bought an Arc and I want to know directly from Sonos what happens to the speaker arrangement inside the Arc when I connect the 2 One’s? I have heard that if the surround channels are taken over by the One’s, it frees up two of the Arcs surround speakers to drive more bass response? Is that an accurate understanding of how the software sorts itself out? thanks! If not please explain what happens with the two One’s.  Thanks again!

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Ken_Griffiths
2 years ago
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dewdropwContributor I
asked in Home theater
Surrounds Won't Add

I have a Sonos Arc and recently bought two One SLs to add as surrounds. I can get the One SLs added to my Sonos app but when I go to add them as surrounds, it errors out telling me that “There is a problem adding your surrounds. Check the network connection and make sure your products are powered on. Try again.”  If I quit the start up, it ends up saying “Living Room (+?+?)” on my rooms. Any help?

13551
jgatie
2 years ago
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GCGQLDTrending Lyricist I
asked in Home theater
Sonos Arc changes audio formats after switching off TV.

I have had this problem since I purchased the Sonos Arc about a month ago and it is getting very frustrating.I have a TCL 75C727 TV with the Sonos Arc connected in the eArc HDMI port and stream everything through an Nvidia Shield TV Pro. The TV is set to passthrough audio.When I first start up everything the Sonos Arc is outputting the correct audio formats.For Disney+ the app will show Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 correctly depending on media.For Netflix it is Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 and for Youtube it is Stereo PCM.However once I turn off the Nvidia Shield and TV and turn everything on in a few minutes the only format that works correctly is the Dolby Atmos. All the other formats show up as either Dolby Multichannel PCM 5.1 or Dolby Multichannel PCM 2.0.I have tried powering down the TV and the Shield but the problem only resolves when I power down the Sonos Arc and restart it and then the audio formats are correct again, until the next time I want to watch something.Has any

73121
Corry P
2 years ago
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omgivContributor I
asked in Home theater
Logitech Harmony Elite and Sonos Volume Issues

Logitech pushed out a firmware update at the end of March that broke the volume adjustment on my Sonos system.  It takes about 10 presses of the volume on the remote before anything registers.  I was hoping that Logitech would push out another firmware update to fix the issue but I am starting to think that is not the case.  Has anyone else found a solution to the problem or a better alternative?  Thanks!

13286
Airgetlam
2 years ago
T
The Bear.Avid Contributor II
asked in Home theater
No sound Beam Gen 2

I’ve suddenly lost sound on my Beam Gen2. I was watching some content on my Apple TV 4K and all was OK, but found I couldn't adjust the volume using the Apple TV remote, when pressing +/_ the volume didn't change and the text ‘Home Theatre -/+’ didn’t appear on the TV screen. However I could adjust the volume when using my Sky Q remote and the volume text did appear on my TV screen.When I finished watching the programme I got no sound at all so I turned off the Apple TV 4K, and found I have no sound via Sky Q either. When pressing the volume buttons on my TV remote and Sky Q remote I get the volume text appear on my TV screen, but nothing happens, no sound at all.When using the SONOS app on my iPhone I can slide the volume bar along but still no sound from my Beam and no volume text appears.When I ask “What volume is Sonos” she speaks back to me via the Beam saying “This device is at volume 1”.I have pressed the volume buttons on top of the Beam but nothing. I have a solid white light 

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buzz
2 years ago
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CellAvid Contributor I
asked in Home theater
LG 77C14 MIA 5.1

I’m just about pulling my hair out with my Sonos and 77C14.I have a Playbase, two One’s and a 3rd Gen Sub running off Optical Out. Always works, never a problem until today. Nothing from any source will play in 5.1, says Stero/PCM in the Sonos App. Tried my Sky Q box, ATV 4K, and even the on TV streaming with the TV displaying that the output is in the correct DD 5.1 or Atmos etc.Tried different HDMI cases, just in case, tried a different Optical cable, still the problem persists. Read 1000 different solution and tried everything I can find/think of. Anyone have a clue please as it’s doing my head in. 

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C
2 years ago
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drtishlvContributor I
asked in Home theater
Sonos Arc volume dispay

Can the Sonos Arc display the volume connecter to a Sony A95k thru the e-Arc HDMI port??

1055
106rallye
2 years ago
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