Two PLAY:5 as front speakers with Playbar center

I have another thread on this. It seems a huge failing that it’s not possible to use two play 1s as front L and R speakers in a 5.1 setup. Sonos totally relying on the fidelity of their Playbar/beam kit but it totally lacks the soundstage of a true 5.1 setup. I just bought beam plus 2x play 1 for surround sound but I misunderstood what sonos mean by surround. They are not trying to emulate a true 5.1. I envisioned getting 2 more play 1s as rear but pointless as I can’t use the current play1s as front speakers for cinema.

This needs a complete re-think from sonos as others previous on this thread are suggesting.

I am getting frustrated wth Sonos. It's a love hate situation. I bought the Playbar, sub and two rear Play 1s. The wifi technology is great. But Sonos has had many years to get enhancements to their core Home Theater, and they have done nothing. Just talk and no action. During the holiday we watched singing shows and everyone asking me to boost the singers in middle channel. Holy smokes, there is no control for this!!!! What? Why can't I adjust the center singers? I have a monster hdtv antenna with the best clean digital input. It's not my signal. The Voice finals sounded bad with the singers buried and I could not boost the center.

If Sonos can't put a simple center volume then what chance is there for me to add Play 5s to my front L & R? I believe that answer is ZERO ..?

I love Sonos but without obvious enhancememts, i'm going to leave when the next wifi HT competitor steps up with real L-C-R. What do you say Sonos?

If that's what you're looking for then you're better off with a proper receiver based system.

If that's what you're looking for then you're better off with a proper receiver based system. Explain why i would be better off with receiver and wires compared with a proper wifi based 5.1 or wifi 7.1? I am curious why you think the receiver is better?

You are using a soundbar based system, if you want more separation and a dedicated centre centre speaker then that is not what you are going to get with this type of setup. If you want to stay with Sonos then you can use the Amp.

If that's what you're looking for then you're better off with a proper receiver based system. Explain why i would be better off with receiver and wires compared with a proper wifi based 5.1 or wifi 7.1? I am curious why you think the receiver is better?

That's just it, there is no WiFi 7.1. If you wish for 7.1, you need to go receiver and wires. You have no choice. Something which exists is always better than something which doesn't exist.

Thank you for this thread. Was thinking to have this setup, but i have learned that Sonos isn’t made to pair with a TV. Bummer.

The beam, playbar and playbase are for connecting to a TV. The others cannot unless bonded as rears.

If the Playbar is on and the 2 front 5s are on with a pair of rear 3s, is that good, quality sound for music? If the 5s are designated as a separate room, then they can be adjusted higher or lower to strengthen of weaken the sound. Is this overkill? It seems to sound good, but maybe I am incorrect as I am not an expert on sound.