Sonos S14 thoughts and wishes

Interesting that an article about a JBL product spent have the time talking about Sonos. More interesting tough in that such a product (Sonos/Fire TV, not JBL/ Android TV) would definitely be something I'm interested in.

He first rumours we heard earlier this year was a mini soundbar with hdmi.(notes from a former Sonos employe)
More recent rumours says its a speaker and a center speaker.
As for now im putting my money on a center speaker Where you can assign play1 as front left, right and rears.
I just dont think atmos is in that soundbar. I cross my fingers, but i dont think so

He first rumours we heard earlier this year was a mini soundbar with hdmi.(notes from a former Sonos employe)
More recent rumours says its a speaker and a center speaker.
As for now im putting my money on a center speaker Where you can assign play1 as front left, right and rears.
I just dont think atmos is in that soundbar. I cross my fingers, but i dont think so

It doesn't need to be in the soundbar if this new device is just a center channel 🙂 If you have a look some of the first atmos speakers on the market were from Klipsch and their atmos speakers are just small little drivers that fit on top of the left/right/rear channel speakers and fire upwards towards the roof

If this new device is a center channel only and you can pair some play 1's to make 5.1 or 7.1 as your choosing, all Sonos needs to be is release a new play 1 speakers and put an additional driver in the top of the speaker facing up for the upward channel OR alternatively Sonos just needs to release a mini atmos speaker that can fit on top of your existing play 1, that will work to like this: https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-RP-140SA-Dolby-Atmos-Speaker/dp/B00ZIQZBTG

Here I've uploaded what it looks like: See this speaker just fits on top of the existing left/right/rear speaker and points upwards - sonos could do the same thing, sell a upward facing speaker that just fits on top of your play 1 or play 3

A guy on Reddit was emailing the Sonos CEO last fall and the CEO confirmed that they were actively looking into incorporating Atmos. Makes sense since now you can stream Atmos content.

Naekyr - I think atmos COULD be part of this new soundbar since atmos is on streaming services now a days (as you also mentioned)
But I don think it will be via an dedicated upfiring speaker to place on top on Sonos1/3.
What if a connect with 2 channels could be used?

Ugh, I have a real dilemma now. I just bought a Playbase, I like the form factor (my tv sits too low to accommodate a sound bar without a new stand, which I don't want because the one I have looks nice.) and I am overall happy with it. However, if there is a possibility of a new model with more capabilities (HDMI, DD+, Alexa, Atmos, etc.) then I am going to feel terrible if that comes out right after I put down $700.

The thing is I have until May 27th to return it, but that's not long enough to wait for the event and see what is announced. I have a feeling I'm going to need to return it and hope there is a legit Playbase update with no downsides (like what if they use cheaper speakers/amps/whatever?). I guess I can always just buy another Playbase (maybe) if a replacement is announced, but returning stuff and setting up new ones is a PITA.

Also, how would they implement Dolby Atmos on a Playbase? It seems like the tv stand would have a good chance of blocking any upward-firing speakers (my stand covers nearly the entire surface of the Playbase) unless they went to a wedge-shaped front, or maybe had small wireless outboard Atmos speakers? I dunno, it seems tricky while maintaining the elegance of the Playbase design.

I dont think the playbase will have atmos ability - i think it will stay on marked as a simple soundbar solution.
After all i think Sonos released this new center speaker for those who want a more fullfilled surround experience.
After all this marked for simple allmlst wireless surround is huge and i have wondered for years why Sonos didnt want their cut of this huge marked. Maybe things turns out that way now.
I sure believe this new speaker will be a center speaker and then it is up to you to parten it with play 1/3/5.
I still hope atmos will be in somehow but im not that confident in that matter.

Playbase can’t ever do atmos. It can’t be sent via toslink.

I don't see Sonos coming out with atmos speakers that are designed to fit on top of the Play:1 or the Play:3. That tops aren't level or have a lot of surface area. It probably won't look that great either. As well, the Play:1 is likely to be phased out in favor of the Sonos One (where the mics are already on top) and the Play:3 is pretty old. I would bet that all new Sonos products come out with mics on them, likely on top if applicable. Then of course, why discourage sales of the Play:5 by making it incompatible with these theoretical speakers?

And, Sonos has only announced one new product, not two. And Sonos would have to wireless communicate with additional channel(s). I don't know much about atmos, but if can be done well with speakers in center channel/soundbar, why wouldn't Sonos opt for that? It just makes life a lot easier for them and for the customers.

As for an upgraded playbase with atmos, I don't see that happening till next year at the earliest. I think (I guess) more customers are interested in soundbars and/or center channels then a playbase. Really, if this new product is just a center channel, then there really isn't much need for a playbase version.

The new product won't come out to the fall regardless, so it may be worthwhile to keep your new playbase for a year or so before upgrading. I don't know what the used market is for playbases.

Also, there some tricks to raise your tv up a bit to make room for a sound bar if needed. One way is to place hockey pucks under the legs of the tv. This works especially well if your stand is black. I went the option of actually mounting the tv on the wall behind the stand a few inches above the stand. Not a good option if you don't like or can't drill into the walls. Neither is a good option if you have a height restriction issue.

Interesting quote:

For example, if Sonos wants to build a smart speaker -- as it is rumored to be doing -- SoundHound could provide the intelligence.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/2018/05/03/build-your-own-alexa-soundhound-just-got-100m-from-tencent-to-give-every-brand-an-ai-driven-voice/#2ebc8e8c4048

May explain why Sonos is taking soooooo looooong getting Alexa fully functional. Their voice engineers have been busy customizing Soundify for a super nice Sonos voice Assistant for the S14.

Bets?