Prodigy I

Answered

Opinions on Playbase/Sub/2 x One for listening to music

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Does anyone have the above set up and listen to a lot of music through it?

I want to set up a 5:1 home cinema system but I am hoping that it will also work well for listening to music. Doing this will allow me to ditch the traditional hi-fi in the room and free up space.

As well as streaming from Spotify, I would probably link in my turntable & CD player as well through a Port.

How well does it perform as a music player and can it crank out a high volume without distortion?

Thanks

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melvimbeAnswer

In my opinion, it works very well, but it’s really a subjective question. The front channels doesn’t have the stereo separation you’re probably used to, but many don’t miss it. As well, you have the option of playing full stereo, meaning stereo music coming through the rear channels as well as the playbase. I’ve never had any distortion at high volume.

One option to consider is getting the Sonos amp instead of a playbase. It can play your TV audio and has aux connections for your CD and turntable, so you would not need a Port as well. You would be able to use your existing front passive left and right speakers, with a phantom center channel. You can add the Ones and a Sub, same as you do with the playbase. It’s not going to free up as much space as the playbase option, but if you’re hesitant to give up your current speakers, it’s a nice option.

Danny

Chris

Lead Maestro

Actually it performs very well. The sound is different as it is more spacial and room filling then a set of stereo separated speakers.

My opinion - great for parties and cranking up the volume. But if your an audiophile type purist that wants to sit down and listen to the music with true stereo separation and no surround effect then your going to be disappointed.

Frankly - the room with my Sonos 5.1 setup is my favorite place to hear music loud.

Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)

melvimbeAnswer

In my opinion, it works very well, but it’s really a subjective question. The front channels doesn’t have the stereo separation you’re probably used to, but many don’t miss it. As well, you have the option of playing full stereo, meaning stereo music coming through the rear channels as well as the playbase. I’ve never had any distortion at high volume.

One option to consider is getting the Sonos amp instead of a playbase. It can play your TV audio and has aux connections for your CD and turntable, so you would not need a Port as well. You would be able to use your existing front passive left and right speakers, with a phantom center channel. You can add the Ones and a Sub, same as you do with the playbase. It’s not going to free up as much space as the playbase option, but if you’re hesitant to give up your current speakers, it’s a nice option.

Danny

L

lohr500Author

Prodigy I

Thanks for the quick replies.

Years ago I sat and listened to music through a quality hi-fi system for hours on end. But nowadays I just don’t get the chance to do this anymore and the hi-fi sits largely unused.

The TV is in one corner of our room so difficult to position the existing hi-fi speakers to use as part of a 5.1 set up. And they are very tall B&O Penta’s!

Normally I would go listen to some Sonos products in a store, but given the current Covid 19 situation in the UK, I can’t do this.

So I think I am going to order my proposed set up and try it at home. If it really doesn’t suit, then I can always return it under the 100 day trial arrangement.

90% of the time, we will be using it for home cinema or PS4 gaming, so a compromise on the music side is probably OK. The convenience of streaming and control through a single App appeals to me and I suspect the CD and vinyl collection will rarely see daylight!!

Chris

Lead Maestro

Sonos speakers tend to multiply quickly - you will probably get the urge down the road to get a Sonos Amp and put with the B&Os somewhere in your house.

Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)

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lohr500Author

Prodigy I

I think I’ll give the Sonos system a try and then if I’m happy, I’ll sell the old B&O gear on fleebay.

I’m disappointed the Sonos Move’s won’t work as surround sound speakers because I had a thought that they could be used as such most of the time, but taken outside for BBq’s etc as needed.

However, I think you are correct Chris. Once I start with Sonos, I suspect they will multiply quickly :grinning:

There is a following for the older B&O kit, so it still has some value. The Pentas have their own Amps built in and take a pre-amp volume controlled signal from the main unit. They will take a regular amplified speaker input but then regulate that and amplify it again which I suspect screws up the sound quality. Whilst they are great speakers, they are very tall and have always been a bone of contention with SWMBO. Moving to the Playbase, a Sub behind the TV and the much smaller One’s as surround speakers will earn many brownie points as we remodel the sitting room and help justify the purchase!

Chris

Lead Maestro

Your Sonos Ones can be taken outside as well - you just have to plug into power outlet.

Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)

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lohr500Author

Prodigy I

That’s plan B !! It would have been handier with Move’s but no big deal to run an extension cable outside.

I like the idea that the Moves are water resistant as well. Less worry if there is a sprinkling of rain.

Chris

Lead Maestro

I have several friend that have purchased a move since seeing mine

Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)

L

lohr500Author

Prodigy I

I’ve bitten most of the bullet and ordered the Playbase and two Ones.

I am going to keep an eye on the refurbished section for a Sub as it doesn’t matter if it has a few marks and scratches as it will largely be out of sight.

Our TV is a relatively old Panasonic Plasma and as far as I can gather it doesn’t pass any Dolby Digital signals that it receives via the HDMI inputs through to the optical digital out port :disappointed_relieved: So I have ordered a three way optical switch and will connect the optical outs from the TV and PS4 to the switch, and then on to the Playbase. I’m not even sure if anything on regular UK DVB-T digital terrestrial TV is broadcast in 5.1, so TV viewing may be limited to stereo anyway.