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AsonosInEveryPot
Contributor III
April 28, 2017
Question

Play1, Play 3 or Play 5 as 5.1 surround speakers: any advantage using the 3's or 5's vs. the 1's?

  • April 28, 2017
  • 12 replies
  • 9085 views
Any recommendations?
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    Stuart_W
    Stuart_W
    World-Class Superstar
    May 6, 2017
    If you are listening to music only surround sound all the speakers should be infront of the listener.
    Some will disagee with this.

    If you are ONLY listening to music you don't need a Playbar do you? Then stereo Plays might provide a better sound stage being in front rather than behind.

    But if you have SURROUNDS then you have a Playbar and you definitely want those behind you.

    I'm SONOS only, 9 year loyal customer, and don't watch TV, so I would want a Playbar for 5.1 to integrate with the other Zones.
    I have read 5.1 rear speakers definitely should be in front for music only enjoyment, but everyone is different.

    I don't understand what you are saying. Surround sound such as 5.1 is designed for video (Ie TV and films). Although I was recently corrected that there is some music made for 5.1 it is vanishingly small. Virtually ALL music is designed to be enjoyed in stereo. There really isn't ANY point, in my opinion, in having a Playbar if you only listen to music.
    Arc + Sub (Gen 1) + 2 x Play 1/ Stereo Play 3s/ Era 100 Stereo in Kitchen, One Stereo in Bedroom, Play 1 stereo pair in Study, Play 1in Bathroom, Sonos Move 2
    ratty
    ratty
    May 6, 2017
    Surrounds should be to the side, or slightly behind the listener's shoulder. Not directly behind.
    https://www.dolby.com/us/en/guide/surround-sound-speaker-setup/5-1-setup.html

    As for music through them when seated, if it's on Ambient the surrounds should sound good. Full probably makes more sense if you're moving around the room.
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