Next generation Playbar 2018?

I sure hope so. I’m waiting patiently. Hopefully its all black to match the new Sonos One.

The only forthcoming Sonos hardware currently in the FCC database is an updated Connect, due in March. It would be nice to get an HDMI-aware Playbar though.

I would like a new connect, but only if it is either cheaper (like a chromecast audio, doesn't need to be the same price range) since it does the same job a chromecast audio does OR incorporate something more to justify the ridiculous price target...

Costco has put all their Sonos Playbar on sale in Canada to liquidate them.
$599

Mostly everything sold out already.

We're always watching the FCC database... however, looking at how the Sonos One played out, it didn't appear in the FCC database until Sonos announced it at the end of August... which was a little over a month before it became available. And the short-term confidentiality of the Sonos One's internal photos and other details is still in effect until late February. So if something new appears, we'll likely already know about it.

Will it happen? Eventually, I'm sure. This year? Who knows. My question is what Sonos will decide to support in terms of audio formats, if they do it. HDMI removes the restriction of bandwidth needed for the newer audio codecs... so there should be no reason to limit themselves like they did with the Playbar and Playbase.

Sonos needs to support the newer audio formats and Atmos. They do that and I'll gladly buy the new playbar (and it appears many other people will do so as well). They don't do that and I'm going to go with a traditional wired system. I love my 5.1 system but I want Atmos at home.

My dream scenario for the next Playbar (if there will be such a thing) is HDMI-driven supporting all the audio formats and Atmos with the ability to go up to 7.1 and the ability to add play 3s or play 5s as discrete front left and right channels. And then the ability to add four play 1s as Atmos height channels. Man that would be awesome.

Think about this....

OK...Everyone wants Dolby Atmos. However, designing a Dolby Atmos capable Playbar is only part of the picture. Even if such a Playbar handled the Left/Center/Right channels with at least two built-in upward firing speakers at either end; Sonos would still have to design surrounds with an upward firing speaker in each as well. The current Sonos sub would probably work.

So now next the question becomes does Sonos still support; but scuttles the existing line of speakers in favor of the new Dolby Atmos capable speakers (which will undoubtedly have a higher price point) or do they maintain two distinct line-ups?

Bottom-line....Integrating Dolby Atmos is more complex than adding Alexa to a Play 1 and calling it the Sonos One. :8

Think about this....

OK...Everyone wants Dolby Atmos. However, designing a Dolby Atmos capable Playbar is only part of the picture. Even if such a Playbar handled the Left/Center/Right channels with at least two built-in upward firing speakers at either end; Sonos would still have to design surrounds with an upward firing speaker in each as well. The current Sonos sub would probably work.

So now next the question becomes does Sonos still support; but scuttles the existing line of speakers in favor of the new Dolby Atmos capable speakers (which will undoubtedly have a higher price point) or do they maintain two distinct line-ups?

Bottom-line....Integrating Dolby Atmos is more complex than adding Alexa to a Play 1 and calling it the Sonos One. :8

There would be a multitude of ways to incorporate Atmos.

They could incorporate upward firing speakers into a new Playbar. Or they could come out with a new speaker that solely provides Atmos (see the new Damson Atmos speaker set). Or they could come out with multiple upward firing speakers where you would buy a pair or two pairs and place them around the room. Or perhaps supporting Atmos and requiring that two or four play 1s be mounted near the wall/ceiling junction. Lots of ways of potentially doing it.

Think about this....

OK...Everyone wants Dolby Atmos. However, designing a Dolby Atmos capable Playbar is only part of the picture. Even if such a Playbar handled the Left/Center/Right channels with at least two built-in upward firing speakers at either end; Sonos would still have to design surrounds with an upward firing speaker in each as well. The current Sonos sub would probably work.

So now next the question becomes does Sonos still support; but scuttles the existing line of speakers in favor of the new Dolby Atmos capable speakers (which will undoubtedly have a higher price point) or do they maintain two distinct line-ups?

Bottom-line....Integrating Dolby Atmos is more complex than adding Alexa to a Play 1 and calling it the Sonos One. :8

There would be a multitude of ways to incorporate Atmos.

They could incorporate upward firing speakers into a new Playbar. Or they could come out with a new speaker that solely provides Atmos (see the new Damson Atmos speaker set). Or they could come out with multiple upward firing speakers where you would buy a pair or two pairs and place them around the room. Or perhaps supporting Atmos and requiring that two or four play 1s be mounted near the wall/ceiling junction. Lots of ways of potentially doing it.

Separate speakers apart from the surrounds means more outlets required vs integrating the upward firing speaker into the surround. Otherwise with bunch of electrical cords following across the room you might as well ditch Sonos and go with a wired setup. Not advocating dumping Sonos but IMO having more cords to plug-in defeats the clean look of having Sonos.