Skip to main content
We recently remodeled our family room, and the Sonos Playbar was a key component in the upgrade. I spent a good deal of time researching the various aspects of the remodel. I know this post is lengthy, but I wanted to include pertinent details to hopefully help others researching similar setups.



Previously we had a 40” TV inside a TV armoire, with an inexpensive surround system, bluray player, and cable box all in the same armoire. When remodeling the room, we decided that having the TV above the fireplace would work best with regards to room dynamics. However, there were two issues created by that decision:



1. I wasn’t crazy about the prospect of staring up at the TV constantly (being an Optometrist, I am keenly aware how eye position relates to eyestrain and headaches).,

2. I wasn’t going to accept the poor quality sound from most TV speakers. However, there was now nowhere in the family room to keep the A/V components, including a sound system.



Problem #1 was solved with the Down and Out Mount from Dynamic Mounting (dynamicmounting.com) (Full disclosure – Dynamic Mounting pays a rebate for customers who post their experience with their product to a message board). Although significantly more costly than stationary mounts, in my opinion it is worth the extra cost. There is no other product like it right now (I found one that was fully automated but it was about $2000 if I remember correctly). As you can see from the pictures (https://www.dropbox.com/sc/jldk19quv5h1vku/m1t8tcaOnV ) , the Down and Out Mount allows the TV (and attached Playbar) to move out over the mantle and down to a much more comfortable viewing height.



It is very easy to use – even my 13 year old daughter has no problem using it. The hydraulic arms allow the TV to stay in whatever vertical position you desire. It works as advertised, and we have had zero problems with it. When watching a 2 hour movie, it is much more comfortable to lower the TV to its’ lowest position. For shorter viewing times, we often keep the TV in its’ highest position.



As you can also see from these pictures (https://www.dropbox.com/sc/a79sk18nun9kmio/s-aJZiR3xk) , we were able to install the mount in a recessed area behind the TV, allowing the TV and Playbar to be almost flush with the surrounding trim and mantle. Preparing for the installation can be a bit tricky, as you have to do some calculations to determine how high above your particular size mantle to install the mount to maximize downward travel. I was impressed with the level of support in this area, as Kurt Massey, the owner of Dynamic Mounting, personally responded to my numerous emails very quickly. In the end, his help was invaluable to a successful install. I highly recommend the Down and Out Mount for above fireplace applications to reduce eyestrain and increase comfort, especially for long viewing times.



I knew that Problem #2 would involve a sound bar, since the better half had shot down any talk of placing speakers anywhere in the room (we already have a very good home theater setup in another room). Since we already had two Play:5s, a Play:3, and a Connect, deciding on the Playbar was a no brainer. Cost was a factor, but since we were spending so much on the remodel, a few extra hundred was easy to justify considering our already established Sonos addiction. So now we had to figure a way to mount the Sonos to the TV so that it would move with the TV when using the mount, as well as how to connect the cable box and Blu-ray player to it, which were to be located in another room.



Mounting the Playbar to the TV was surprisingly easy. We used Sewell Direct SW-29908 Universal Soundbar Brackets in conjunction with the Playbar wall mount bracket. As you can see from the pictures (https://www.dropbox.com/sc/yeciyj5cqcpg46y/vG7Z9GSpcb ), this allowed the back of the Playbar to be even with the back of the TV, which was important so that the Playbar didn’t hit the wall behind it when in the highest position above the mantle. I did have to buy shorter mounting screws (Home Depot, about $3) to attach the brackets to the Playbar, since the screws included with the brackets were too long and would stick out behind the Playbar.



For the A/V component connections, we had an audio guy run a 50 ft HDMI cable, a 50 ft Toslink cable, and two CAT5E network cables from the A/V room, through our crawlspace, and up to the area behind the TV above the mantle. We then attached the Blu-ray player and cable box to a Monoprice HDMI switcher, and attached the switcher to the TV via the 50ft HDMI cable and to the Playbar via the 50ft Toslink cable. Since our TV doesn’t pass 5.1 through its’ optical port from HDMI sources, this setup allows the switcher to send video to the TV and the 5.1 audio directly to the Playbar. After adjusting the audio delay in the Sonos software, everything works perfectly. Our Blu-ray player converts DTS to DD 5.1, so no silence or plain stereo sound with DTS only content.



To control the A/V components from the family room (the room with the TV and Playbar), we decided to use the Logitech Harmony Smart Control remote. Since the remote uses RF to communicate with a base hub located near the A/V components, we are able to control everything from the family room. We have even setup sequences so that, with the touch of one button, the proper components are powered on/off, the HMI switcher changes to the proper input, the TV sets the sleep timer, etc. It’s awesome, and so easy that the kids can use it.



For the Playbar volume control, we spliced an IR emitter to the CAT5E cable and attached it the IR receiver on the Playbar (picture - https://www.dropbox.com/s/9awgt2w5t673im0/Photo%20Jan%2022%2C%2010%2006%2046%20PM.jpg ). The other end of the cable is connected to the back of the Smart Control hub in the A/V room by a spliced on mini-jack. Using the Sonos software, we then taught the Playbar to respond to an old Sony TV remote we had laying around, and then told the Smart Control to use those remote codes to control volume. Works great, and avoids the TV volume dialog problem mentioned elsewhere on these boards.



In this picture (https://www.dropbox.com/s/h5s3cu5xexr4uxz/Photo%20Jan%2022%2C%2010%2001%2035%20PM.jpg ), you can see (from top to bottom) the HDMI switcher, the Blu-Ray player, the cable box, and the Smart Control hub with its’ attached IR emitter (the hub itself also acts as an emitter). This is all in a separate room from the TV and Playbar.



As mentioned, it took weeks of research to make decisions on how to implement this whole thing, and these boards were invaluable in that regard – thank you to everyone for your help. I hope this post helps others as much as you helped me. There are many details I haven’t included, especially with regard to configuring the various components. I have listed the brand/model of my A/V components below.



I’ll be glad to answer any questions anyone may have.



• Sonos Playbar (have since added two Play:1s for surround sound – amazing! Just do it!)

• TV – Samsung UN60F6350A 60" Class 1080p 120Hz LED Smart HDTV

• Bluray – Samsung BD F5900 Smart Blu-Ray Player.

• Monoprice 7974 4x1 HDMI®️ Switch w/ TOSlink & Digital Coaxial Audio Output (Audio Return Channel/3D/CEC Support)
Top of mantle is 58 7/8" above floor

Playbar bottom is 3" above mantle

Bottom of TV is 8 1/2" above mantle

Mantle depth is 4", but the tv mount is recessed and the depth of recessed area is 5"

The bottom ledge of the recessed area is 10 3/4" above the mantle.



The recession measurements factor into the equation of how much travel you will get from the down and out mount, but I can't remember how. If I remember correctly, the bottom of the recessed area is considered the mantle, so it would be considered a 5" mantle depth. It's in the manual online.



Hope that helps!
Thank you!



I''m looking at a shorter mantel (49"), so the bottom of the TV would be about 53" off the floor, so not quite as high as yours. Not sure I need the traveling mount, but a good option to consider as I get further into this.



I think either way I'd look to mount the playbar above the TV on the wall. My only concern would be if the height would impact the sound. The bottom of the playbar would be just over 7 feet off the floor (about 86"). It would be mounted with the connector panel on top so the drivers would be angled down into the room at 45 degrees (ceiling is about 8ft, 9 inches high).



Anybody have their playbar mounted this high and have any feedback?
mclemens68,



There are some conflicting goals. Visually, you want what you want and there might be some physical considerations for mounting above or below the TV.



From an acoustic standpoint, you would like the tweeters to be approximately at ear level.



For sitting and viewing the picture, a very high or very low location may result in some long term neck discomfort. Viewing the picture straight on is the best plan. Of course, if this is a party space, placing the picture at a seated eye level will limit the viewing area because of all the bodies.
Rash, I found your post very helpful. We just completed a fireplace remodel and mounted the tv above it. I also used the down and out mount and followed your advice with the Sewell mount to mount the playbar mount below the tv. Trouble is that the Sewell mount slides downthe back of the tv and won't stay in place leaving a 3 inch gap between the tv and playbar. And the playbar seems pretty wobbly and fell off on one end when we tried to decrease this distance. It seems that Sewell may have changed the design of the mount as it is more curved than that in your photos and that may be part of the problem. What type of screws did you use to attach the Sewell mount to the playbar mount? Thanks!
I'm intrigued. Is the fireplace entirely cosmetic? If you used a real fire with the TV down the Playbar could get toastier than a marshmallow on a stick.



I heard gas fireplaces are a lot safer in the heat regard than traditional wood burning. My play at and TV have been mounted above ours without any issue
In my experience smoke, not heat is the issue. If you can comfortably place your hand at the proposed TV location while a fire is burning, there is no temperature issue. Most units will tolerate a 100°F ambient.
Rash, I found your post very helpful. We just completed a fireplace remodel and mounted the tv above it. I also used the down and out mount and followed your advice with the Sewell mount to mount the playbar mount below the tv. Trouble is that the Sewell mount slides downthe back of the tv and won't stay in place leaving a 3 inch gap between the tv and playbar. And the playbar seems pretty wobbly and fell off on one end when we tried to decrease this distance. It seems that Sewell may have changed the design of the mount as it is more curved than that in your photos and that may be part of the problem. What type of screws did you use to attach the Sewell mount to the playbar mount? Thanks!



I did have to use different screws and nuts, but i don't remember the size. i think I took them to Home Depot and sized out what needed. I was able to get the Playbar flush up against the TV. It's a two person job - one to push the Playbar up against the TV, one to tighten the bolts while it is help up. You're right - if it's not tight up against the TV, the playbar will sway as the brackets are fairly thin.



Here is a pic of the the bracket screw and nut. That thin white line at the top of the pic is the TV bottom, not space -(it has a 1/2 clear plastic bottom).



http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn160/richmod/Mobile%20Uploads/0198F023-F59F-408A-A1FD-51CB0B9D5C32.jpg
You might consider putting on some lock washers to prevent the nut from becoming loose (which it will, eventually.) Star washers should be available at any hardware store.
Redwood4 - I re-read your post, and it sounds like you mean that the brackets are slipping down from the under the bolts that connect it to the back of the TV.. If that is the case, then my picture doesn't help. I don;t have an answer because I don't have that problem. I just had someone hold the Playbar up against the TV and tightened the bolts until it didn't drop down. Hasn't dropped since.
Is it recommended to use any form of active HDMI cable for a run that is 30 feet or so? Also is it better with a premium kind of optical cable or just basic ones (mono price has both but not sure if one is better for 25-35 feet lengths)
Is it recommended to use any form of active HDMI cable for a run that is 30 feet or so? Also is it better with a premium kind of optical cable or just basic ones (mono price has both but not sure if one is better for 25-35 feet lengths)



I did go with an active HDMI cable and a higher end optical cable just to be safe - 50 ft each, $140 and $60 respectively. No problems or issues.
Thanks for the Star Washer idea. I will give that a try. Probably need to replace the screw too as it seems almost stripped.
Rash,

Any problems with the weight of your playbar and the down and out mount?
You mentioned that you had to buy shorter screws for the Playbar at Home Depot. Can you tell me exactly what you needed (how many screws and dimensions)? I'm doing the exact same thing you have posted. Beautiful setup!
Terms & ConditionsCookie settings