I have read lots of threads here and on Reddit with naysayers indicating that Sonos does not work well as your home computer speakers and this is simply not true. If you have the budget, there is nothing that even comes close to Sonos for immersive sound for gaming etc.
I have been using Sonos as my go-to surround sound speaker system for my PC for the past 4 years without issue. I have also installed them through various versions of Windows without issues. The installation procedure is as follows:
If you do not have a Sonos system already go to step 2 below. If you do have a system already then you need the app on a tablet, phone or other device that is different from where you are going to install the computer Sonos system.
**Needed - 1 x Playbar or Playbase, sub if required and surround speakers (play 1 or 3) if required. Computer needs a sound card that has an optical output (most do). Make sure you have a random old remote around that has a volume control on it. Need an Ethernet connection for the Playbar/Playbase and a working Wi-Fi network (2.4ghz)**
**Make sure to create a new account with Sonos that is different from your other setups if applicable**
1. You need the Sonos app for your "other" system(s) on another device such as your iPad, phone or other computer so that you do not lose those setups.
2. If not new, factory reset your Sonos gear
3. If installed, delete the Sonos app from your computer
4. Connect Playbar/Playbase to internet and optical output from PC
5. Reinstall the app, launch it and when it asks, select "new system"
6. Name the room something that is not already being used in your home (can be whatever if this is your only Sonos system)
7. Go through the set-up screens and install the bar/base, sub (if required) and surround (if required)
8. Follow the program and set up the sound
9. Play the test pattern and everything should be good so far
10. Trick the app that you are not using a TV by using some old random remote and click on the volume button when requested.
11. Answer the question "saw the volume bar" or "saw nothing"...don't choose the 1st option or you will need to start again
12. Register the speakers when asked.
13. If you get errors registering the speakers, close the program and reopen it. Log in and register the speakers
You now have earth-shaking sound for your games! You can max out the volume on your PC and use the remote that you set up to control the volume or use the Sonos program for that. If you want to use your keyboard keys to control the volume instead, lower the output on your sound card and max out the Sonos program...either works well.
You can now use your computer to watch movies with surround sound, link to music services via the program or simply play games etc with amazing sound! My setup is a Playbar, Sub and 2 x Play 3 for surround.
Hope this helps everyone!!!
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If you don't have Dolby Digital Live support, the sound coming out of optical on PC will be stereo (2ch) PCM. You need DDL to have 5.1 signal output in AC3 format.
P.S. Beam is really good as a computer speaker in this configuration.
Thanks for this! In the settings of the sonos app I can see that the output is stereo. I have the optical plugged in directly to my pc’s motherboard (an older motherboard) so if I would buy the asus xonar U3, plug the optical in that, instal creative soundblaster omni and x-fi surround 5.1 pro I get better sound quality?
I know I can’t get surround sound with the beam alone, but right now I am not using the beam optimally (Don’t get me wrong, the sound is already amazing as is!)? I want to get two sonos one’s as soon as possible but probably not this month.
Would you happen to know if dolby 5.1 is automatically supported when using an ARC hdmi port? I want to buy either a sound card/usb or an hdmi to HDMI-ARC converter (don’t know if this works, need to look into this).
Man setting this up on pc is harder then I expected lol. Would love to get my switch and ps4 (and blu-ray) sounds on the beam as well.
Thanks in advance!
edit: my pc says in the sound setting that dolby is supported, the test triggers all 5 speakers (and bass) in the beam but I will need something like the xonar to also use this as output?
For surround audio, you need a soundcard that supports Dolby Digital Live via optical. I use Asus Xonar U7, but U5 and U3 also work, and Creative Soundblaster Omni and X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro.
If you don't have Dolby Digital Live support, the sound coming out of optical on PC will be stereo (2ch) PCM. You need DDL to have 5.1 signal output in AC3 format.
P.S. Beam is really good as a computer speaker in this configuration.
If you don't have Dolby Digital Live support, the sound coming out of optical on PC will be stereo (2ch) PCM. You need DDL to have 5.1 signal output in AC3 format.
P.S. Beam is really good as a computer speaker in this configuration.
Those comments are from users that just want a speaker/speaker pair flanking their computer, that will replace the speaker inside the computer, to get stereo sound where available in the source, for everything that the built in computer speaker can play - things like streamed movies, youtube videos and the like.
Such a simple application needs speakers that do bluetooth - which Sonos does not - or have line in jacks to take a wired feed from the computer. The only Sonos speakers with line in jacks are the 5 units that are too expensive and are not easy to place on a desktop.
If the play 1 units had line in jacks, most of these complaints would have disappeared, but they do not, and neither do the follow up One models.
While your guide is good, it does not address the needs that are not being met by Sonos for this use.
I have been using Sonos as my go-to surround sound speaker system for my PC for the past 4 years without issue. I have also installed them through various versions of Windows without issues. The installation procedure is as follows:
If you do not have a Sonos system already go to step 2 below. If you do have a system already then you need the app on a tablet, phone or other device that is different from where you are going to install the computer Sonos system.
**Needed - 1 x Playbar or Playbase, sub if required and surround speakers (play 1 or 3) if required. Computer needs a sound card that has an optical output (most do). Make sure you have a random old remote around that has a volume control on it. Need an Ethernet connection for the Playbar/Playbase and a working Wi-Fi network (2.4ghz)**
**Make sure to create a new account with Sonos that is different from your other setups if applicable**
1. You need the Sonos app for your "other" system(s) on another device such as your iPad, phone or other computer so that you do not lose those setups.
2. If not new, factory reset your Sonos gear
3. If installed, delete the Sonos app from your computer
4. Connect Playbar/Playbase to internet and optical output from PC
5. Reinstall the app, launch it and when it asks, select "new system"
6. Name the room something that is not already being used in your home (can be whatever if this is your only Sonos system)
7. Go through the set-up screens and install the bar/base, sub (if required) and surround (if required)
8. Follow the program and set up the sound
9. Play the test pattern and everything should be good so far
10. Trick the app that you are not using a TV by using some old random remote and click on the volume button when requested.
11. Answer the question "saw the volume bar" or "saw nothing"...don't choose the 1st option or you will need to start again
12. Register the speakers when asked.
13. If you get errors registering the speakers, close the program and reopen it. Log in and register the speakers
You now have earth-shaking sound for your games! You can max out the volume on your PC and use the remote that you set up to control the volume or use the Sonos program for that. If you want to use your keyboard keys to control the volume instead, lower the output on your sound card and max out the Sonos program...either works well.
You can now use your computer to watch movies with surround sound, link to music services via the program or simply play games etc with amazing sound! My setup is a Playbar, Sub and 2 x Play 3 for surround.
Hope this helps everyone!!!
Hi there, Thanks for this guide! I just bought the Sonos beam today. I was so excited. When I came home and tried to install it on my pc monitor I came to the conclusion that my monitor does not have an optical or HDMI-arc output (did not know this was required when buying). I was a little disappointed since this would mean that I would have to return the beam. I then found out I could hook it up to my pc directly! Though I did not use your guide I almost did all the same steps, I only did not setup a remote control (so I skipped those steps somehow) I think I got my beam configured really good. It took some time though. At first the 5.1 was off and the bass was turned off somehow. So the sound was horrible. But after some configuration the beam works perfect (I think?). Tested with some 5.1 test videos and I can hear 5 different channels. Only thing that is bothering me is that my pc says it is sending out 2 channel 44100Hz (16bit). I don't know if this is bothersome or not.
Only thing I need to get used to is that I need to switch from app to ''tv'' when I use google assistant since it will play spotify through a different streaming channel lol.
With that all said, I am happy with the Sonos! Such an upgrade from my old phillips sound bar. Now already looking to expand the sonos universe. Any tips on where to start?
Thanks in advance, and thanks for the good guide!
Hi tried to trick the app, but only option is "My TV is On". how to get past that stage. I don't have a remote to trick somehow.... thanks for your help....i am really keen to get this going for my PC
Thank you for sharing this info!
I am thinking of replacing a set of old JBL computer speakers to a Sonos Beam in my home office. My Dell XPS tower has a sound card with optical output. Before my purchase, I have a couple of questions:
[1] Will the Beam connect to my PC using this instruction?
[2] Can I use the PC directly to set up the connection or do I have to use another device in addition to my PC?
[2]Will I need to create a separate Sonos account from the one that I use in my living room?
I am thinking of replacing a set of old JBL computer speakers to a Sonos Beam in my home office. My Dell XPS tower has a sound card with optical output. Before my purchase, I have a couple of questions:
[1] Will the Beam connect to my PC using this instruction?
[2] Can I use the PC directly to set up the connection or do I have to use another device in addition to my PC?
[2]Will I need to create a separate Sonos account from the one that I use in my living room?
Hello, Drowfiend. Thanks for the detailed walkthrough! I, too, have Sonos set up as my computer speakers and playing games on a full Sonos system is "out of this world". Thanks again for sharing the knowledge!
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