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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
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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6887 Topics
melvimbe
melvimbe
posted in Home theater
Feature Suggestions : Setup

I upgraded my Arc to an Arc Ultra over the weekend and I have a couple thoughts on how this process could possibly be improved. 1 - Allow quick setup for soundbar replacement  - I would guess that it’s fairly common for a consumer to upgrade their soundbar while keeping the same sub and surround speakers.  In this scenario, it would much appreciated if you could simply run a copy wizard to bring over all the setting from the previous theatre room (room name, TV setup, voice assistant, etc) as well as automatically recreate the dedicated connection to sub(s)  and surround speakers.  Since the room audio dynamics isn’t changing either, bring over the trueplay settings too.  That’s assuming that trueplay, doesn’t depend on speakers involved but on room acoustics alone (or the room accoustics aspect could be saved separately so that you don’t have to wave your phone around again, the calculations are just redone).To clarify, I have no idea how often setups are soundbar replacement only, an

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Sotiris C.
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MiamiC70Trending Lyricist I
posted in Home theater
dual sub mini’s with ARC Ultra

Why, oh why does Sonos artificially limit use of two sub minis with ARC Ultra? Don’t bother with corporate line because I KNOW it works using 3rd party apps. 

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CPash84Avid Contributor I
posted in Home theater
Sonos Pinewood Streaming Box

I am thoroughly disappointed to read that Sonos is abandoning the Streaming Box. This device is the gateway to wireless connectivity to Sonos Speakers and Soundars. It's not a direct alternative to Apple TV, Roku etc. Because those devices wouldn't enable wireless connectivity to Sonos Speakers and Soundbars. "Pinewood" is not just a Streaming Box, it's so much more. I have been waiting years for this device to be considered and when it finally is, it's abandoned. I am gutted.  https://www.theverge.com/tech/628297/sonos-pinewood-streaming-box-canceled Sonos, please reconsider. 

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MaribogContributor I
posted in Home theater
Feature Request - MPEG-2 AAC

I am based in Japan and using a lot of Sonos products (ARC, Sub, ERA, etc).I would would like to request Sonos ARC to support MPEG-2 AAC.The reason is TV broadcast in Japan is using this encoding.Normally you set your TV HDMI output to the Sonos ARC to “AUTO” - which you would do if you want to receive various formats like Dolby atmos, etc - and leave it like that. The problem is when I switch to Japanese regular TV broadcast, no sound comes out of the Sonos ARC. I have to then switch my TV audio output to PCM to be able to hear the TV program sound..Hence throughout the day, I have to switch my TV output to PCM or AUTO back and forth which is an inconvenient thing to do, and I believe most if not all Japanese users also find it inconvenient.This makes the Sonos experience in “Japan” a lot less desirable compared to other Japan based manufacturers like Sony, etc. Hopefully this message reaches someone in Sonos to drive this change.  

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supernovaTrending Lyricist I
asked in Home theater
Sonos Beam 2 Centre Channel over Airplay

I have recently purchased a Sonos Beam 2 to use wirelessly from my projector, the projector is connected to an Apple TV - strangely, when I stream a Dolby 5.1 test stream via airplay from the Apple TV direct to the Sonos Beam 2 I can clearly hear that the Centre Channel is working when the Centre Channel speaker test is delivered.How can this the case? I thought Airplay to the Sonos Beam 2 only supports Stereo - yet I can clearly hear that the centre speaker is activated in the Soundbar during the Centre Channel test?Is this emulated somehow? I really don’t understand yet I am pleasantly surprised.   

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Schlumpf
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AndyMittelmanContributor I
posted in Home theater
Accessory for Arc Ultra soundbar

I am looking to buy the Arc Ultra Soundbar and the Arc Ultra Wall Mount Accessory. Does anyone have experience purchasing a recessed wire hider (to snake the wires into the wall). For example, I’m looking for something like this, but that will fit with the Arc Ultra Soundbar. Thanks!! https://www.amazon.com/Echogear-Soundbar-Safely-Cables-Behind/dp/B07H9DDP1X/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3G2FR10D4T8R6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6J46AJuvnCYq3ghoiQqz37nPiX1nIUkEIDxEeXC7afOpM-F2JDXQFqwuMKEvT4TpULf3yCxQC0iNefCDqG7p_mGQAjudXt73iNwdzC8Sts5rFTcsfxvqHMtvbDruonHU9xBDi686C7VziE4I72IqKM6ZaEdyl94a6pZvc4WpYXoXNADEbocIV9IbJdGzCjRKcbYKRbggxoiakUHBIrAjjTwRnJeFjuVmz6abRRdcP5o.i-T64rbpYXivsNPirs5O2y58rUIjpxedlnXwiHAUzGc&dib_tag=se&keywords=tv+and+soundbar+cable+concealer&qid=1743075310&sprefix=tv+and+soundbar%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

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jgatie
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ABallContributor I
posted in Home theater
HT 5gh band change

Hi, could support please tell me the channel numbers the Arc uses to talk to the surrounds? It's playing havoc with wireless devices killing speed and causing disconnection. If the Arc has been designed to use a specific range of channels I can create a new 5ghz network with a fixed channel outside of the HT range the Arc uses. I read some old posts where people have fixed the Arc to 52 but I can't find a way into the system to change it, just it's 2.4 for router connection. I have transferred my system to a friend so I need a permanent fix. Ethernet is not an option if that's one solution. Thanks.

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RowiAvid Contributor II
posted in Home theater
Best way to listen to music in home theater setup

Hello Sonos community,I’m struggling to find the best way to listen to music in the full setup: Arc Ultra, Era 300, Sub 4The music sounds completely different depending on the source, that is super annoying:Spotify from Sonos App vs Spotify from AppleTV Apple Music, … Airplay

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Mjc1503Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Sonos Arc Ultra and Sound Issues with Sky Q

I have just purchased the Sonos Arc Ultra (one week ago) and I am having issues with the sound not playing on some sky channels and fine on other channels. When I use it direct with the Tv’s Apps it seems to be working fine with Amazon and Disney etc but when playing it back from the SKY Q will not play properly  I can see there are lots of other people with the same kind of issues  Any advice would be appreciated 

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Lomeli_11Contributor II
asked in Home theater
Connecting sonos amp to a frame tv that already had a samsung sound bar and wireless sub?

I recently jumped the gun and installed four sonance in ceiling speakers with a Sonos amp controlling them. I already have a Samsung soundbar for the tv with a wireless subwoofer from Samsung. Now stuck trying to figure out if possible to have all speakers work at the same time for the tv? Would love to have the four ceiling speakers and sound bar work at the same time but concerned I can’t link all together. Help please

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Airgetlam
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Anonymous
asked in Home theater
Is it possible to set up a home theater using just a pair of Sonos Beam Gen 2 and Sonos Era 100 pair without a Sub?

https://www.sonos.com/en-us/blog/5-1-vs-7-1-surround-soundThe article above says that pairing Sonos Beam 2 + Era 100 + Sub allows for 7.1.4 expansion. My question is, is the Sub absolutely necessary? Is it possible to configure it as 7.0.4 without the Sub?

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CguielContributor I
asked in Home theater
hooking two sonos amps to outdoor tv hdmi arc

I have two sonance architechural outdoor 6.1 sets powered by 2 seperate sonos amps and have now added an outdoor tv. I would like to use both amps for the tv. It has an Arc hdmi out on the tv which I have spit to the two amps but I don't seem to be able to get sound. any ideas. tv is set to arc ou

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PerroflautaContributor I
asked in Home theater
No stocks of era 300

Hello, I enter the Sonos page and, although they say that from May 2, when I try to pay with PayPal it tells me that PayPal cannot be used if there is a lack of stock. This seems incongruous. I am quite disappointed because I was determined to take advantage of 30% to renew my playbar and play1 for the Arc ultra system and it was 300, but I find it impossible to buy it. When will there be stocks of era 300 in Spain? Greetings.

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Airgetlam
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soundlyContributor I
asked in Home theater
Roam 2 pair: slow to catch up when unpausing BT

I use a Roam 2 stereo pair over Bluetooth as bedroom TV speakers. Works fine, *except*: if you pause the TV, then (a little later) unpause, it takes about 5-8 seconds before it plays an audio - before that: silence. It also does this when turning the TV on, but that's less annoying. Is there any way of disabling whatever sleep mode this is?

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bbeck757Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Arc Placement Advice

I’m moving into a new home in a couple weeks and have some questions about how to place the Arc. For a little background, my setup in my living room will be the Arc, Sub (gen 3), and (2) One SLs for my surround speakers. I’d like to mount the Arc to the brick wall below the TV and above the fireplace/mantle but I don’t think the wall is tall enough to mount the Arc 4” below the TV like the website suggests unless I leave the Arc on the mantle. It’s a decent size TV and it might be close to touching the ceiling.How is the sound quality difference between mounting the Arc on the brick wall vs it just sitting on the mantle? The mantle sticks out probably 8” so I’m concerned with it blocking sound. Anyone have any advice? 

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BrodonkadonkContributor I
posted in Home theater
Upgrading from Ikea bookcase surrounds to Era 300s game console sound issues

I recently upgraded from an Arc with ikea bookcase speakers for surrounds to Era 300 surrounds. Streaming content sounds great which is in typically Dolby Atmos or Dolby Digital 5.1. I tried out using my game console and am finding that the rear channels have a bit of a garbled sound. My console is outputting uncompressed 5.1 sound, and with the ikea speakers the rear channels sounded normal. My console specifically is a docked Steam Deck and I’m unable to output Dolby digital or atmos. Has anyone experienced this before and is there some remedy to fix?

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Schlumpf
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EricalismContributor I
posted in Home theater
Should I upgrade ?

Hi, I am currently have beam gen 1, 2 One SL as surround, 1 sub mini. I mainly steam movies through Apple TV. Should I upgrade to Beam Gen 2 or Arc and do I need to upgrade the 2 One to Era in order to have Atmos? Thank in advance

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MSN88Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Different configuration for TV and music?

Hi, I know this question was already asked several years ago, so I thought maybe it’s been updated since.I’ve got an Arc Ultra, Sub 4, and 2 300s, and I’d like to use a different configuration when listening to music then when watching TV. Basically, I’d like turn off the surround sound, when listening to music.Anybody know how to do that easily?Thanks everybody.

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dttiimd98Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Single Era 100 with Ray soundbar

I bought a ray sounbar and sub mini as a set. I then felt like I missed the surrround experience as I have 4 overhead speakers from before but I don't have room for two speakers behind my couch so I only bought one era 100 speaker which I was told could sync with the ray sound bar and provide a rear feed. Is this incorrect? Do I need two speakers two have any chance of rear sound? Since the era 100 is sold as a single or a pair I thought it was good to go but I can't get it to sync with the ray soundbar for tv/movies. 

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SamSinContributor I
asked in Home theater
Beam Gen2 User Manual

I had an install done by Best Buy. I purchased the Sonos - Beam (Gen 2) 5.0 Channel Smart Soundbar with Dolby Atmos. They took the manual when cleaning up.I tried downloading the PDF, but it shows up the size of a postage stamp no matter how hard I try to print it.  Is it possible to have a manual mailed to me? Who do I contact?

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XenomorphContributor I
asked in Home theater
Surround arc ultra

Hi!. I’ve just started with somos arc ultra and i’d like ti know wich surround soeakers and sunwoofer i need to complete my home cinema (médium size room) . Itll be enougb with sub mini and era 100?

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DrecabContributor I
posted in Home theater
No power button on Sonos Arc

When you spend 2700 on a surround setup you would hope it has a power button. Brand new 3200 lg tv always reverts back to sonos even when switched to TV speakers. I have to unplug from the wall everytime we are not watching a movie. 

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buzz
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Danitron81Contributor I
asked in Home theater
I can only get PCM stereo or Dolby Digital 2.0 sound on my Beam Gen 2

Hello, I have a Sonos Beam (Gen 2) connected to the HDMI ARC (not eARC) on my Samsung Q60R, and honestly, I'm completely stuck with the setup. So far, I can only get the sound to output in PCM 2.0 stereo or DD/DD+ stereo. I've already checked the TV settings, and there's no "Passthrough" option to let the soundbar handle the decoding. I have the option to connect it via Optical, but I'm not sure if that would help me achieve my goal of at least using the 5.1 channels (for now, without a subwoofer). Any ideas that could help me? Thanks!

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FriskeAvid Contributor I
asked in Home theater
Surround Sound LG 75UT8000

Our fire station just got an LG 75UT8000.  We have been doing surround sound through a Samsung tv prior. As of right now I can get surround through the LG when playing through the built in apps. But I only get PCM when playing through the HDMI output which plays from an Apple TV 4K. There were no issues through Apple TV on Samsung TV. I haven't changed settings on Apple TV. I've tried auto & pass through options on LG TV and still get PCM through the Apple TV. Currently connected optical output audio through a Sonos Playbar.  Thanks for any insight 

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michaelwekuContributor II
asked in Home theater
Home Theater Era 300 Placement

Hi,Would placing the era 300 upside down around 50cm from ceiling affect sound quality that much?Perceptually how would it differ from placing them at ear level?Thanks

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Sotiris C.
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