Can I add a second pair of error 100s placed left and right of the arc. For additional sound
Answered
adding a second pair of era 100 to my main system
Best answer by kdowling
I've ignored the option, there is past discussion on just what activating the present, but unused by Sonos, option does.
Only thing stuck in my memory is the statement from Sonos, they tried it and didn't like the results.
I have a Beam (gen 2), Sub (gen 3) and Era 100s as surrounds. I added One SLs as fronts using SonoSequencr and it sounds fantastic. If it doesn’t work out or you don’t like the result, you can remove the fronts using the Sonos app.
Below is CEO Tom Conrad from the “January Open Office Hours” on reddit:
I’m genuinely enthusiastic about this space. The idea that people want to build more expressive, more powerful front soundstages tells me there’s still a lot of creative energy around the Sonos system, and I love that people are experimenting enough to build third-party solutions when we haven’t shipped something ourselves yet.
That said, there are real technical challenges here that are easy to underestimate from the outside. Once you move beyond the classic soundbar plus surrounds model, you’re dealing with tight latency budgets, radio competition, phase alignment, room acoustics, and a wide range of physical layouts. Getting that right across millions of homes, with different speakers, rooms, and networks, -- and then tied into my focus on reliability -- is non-trivial. We won’t ship something in this category unless it’s predictable, stable, and meaningfully better than what people can already cobble together.
What I can commit to is continued innovation in exactly this direction. We are actively working on richer, more flexible home theater configurations. I won’t pre-announce specific features or timelines, but I do want to be clear that this isn’t being ignored, and it isn’t blocked by marketing (or any other) dogma. When we do it, it needs to feel like a Sonos solution, not a science experiment.
Yes. It’s not officially supported but can be done using the iOS app Sonosequencr.
They will need to be grouped with the Arc, and will therefore by playing out of sync. Some find this a distraction but others say it’s acceptable.
They will need to be grouped with the Arc, and will therefore by playing out of sync. Some find this a distraction but others say it’s acceptable.
Not if you add them as front surrounds.
They will need to be grouped with the Arc, and will therefore by playing out of sync. Some find this a distraction but others say it’s acceptable.
Not if you add them as front surrounds.
Fair enough: the question asked was “Can I add a second pair of error (sic) 100 placed left and right of the arc. For additional sound”?
What additional sound will the Eras be playing? How does that work, without playing out of sync? Or, if they play the surround effects, doesn’t it confuse the 3D soundstage?
I've ignored the option, there is past discussion on just what activating the present, but unused by Sonos, option does.
Only thing stuck in my memory is the statement from Sonos, they tried it and didn't like the results.
Fair enough: the question asked was “Can I add a second pair of error (sic) 100 placed left and right of the arc. For additional sound”?
What additional sound will the Eras be playing? How does that work, without playing out of sync? Or, if they play the surround effects, doesn’t it confuse the 3D soundstage?
They play as true left and right front channels. However, Sonos doesn't support this remnant of a past beta because it can suffer from dropouts due to the close proximity to the main soundbar radios, and Trueplay tuning can be difficult.
I've ignored the option, there is past discussion on just what activating the present, but unused by Sonos, option does.
Only thing stuck in my memory is the statement from Sonos, they tried it and didn't like the results.
I have a Beam (gen 2), Sub (gen 3) and Era 100s as surrounds. I added One SLs as fronts using SonoSequencr and it sounds fantastic. If it doesn’t work out or you don’t like the result, you can remove the fronts using the Sonos app.
Below is CEO Tom Conrad from the “January Open Office Hours” on reddit:
I’m genuinely enthusiastic about this space. The idea that people want to build more expressive, more powerful front soundstages tells me there’s still a lot of creative energy around the Sonos system, and I love that people are experimenting enough to build third-party solutions when we haven’t shipped something ourselves yet.
That said, there are real technical challenges here that are easy to underestimate from the outside. Once you move beyond the classic soundbar plus surrounds model, you’re dealing with tight latency budgets, radio competition, phase alignment, room acoustics, and a wide range of physical layouts. Getting that right across millions of homes, with different speakers, rooms, and networks, -- and then tied into my focus on reliability -- is non-trivial. We won’t ship something in this category unless it’s predictable, stable, and meaningfully better than what people can already cobble together.
What I can commit to is continued innovation in exactly this direction. We are actively working on richer, more flexible home theater configurations. I won’t pre-announce specific features or timelines, but I do want to be clear that this isn’t being ignored, and it isn’t blocked by marketing (or any other) dogma. When we do it, it needs to feel like a Sonos solution, not a science experiment.
I have been tempted in to this front speaker setup, however the ceo mentioned a cobbled together solution with this 3rd party sequencing ios app, and ezplainedtrying to get a stable 100% baked in solution is harder than it seems.
As you are all tweakers on here(not breaking bad) reference, but like to push the boat out with trying things out:) is it worth investing in this sequencer and is it a pain to work with?
I have no clue about it, plus don't own an iphone,& borrow one when I run trueplay.
I can order front speakers today, but I guess what I'm looking for, is reassurance from power users what the deal is; plus ease of setting up front speakers, or is it worth waiting for the vendor to sort a solution out.
Thanks
I have been tempted in to this front speaker setup, however the ceo mentioned a cobbled together solution with this 3rd party sequencing ios app, and ezplainedtrying to get a stable 100% baked in solution is harder than it seems.
As you are all tweakers on here(not breaking bad) reference, but like to push the boat out with trying things out:) is it worth investing in this sequencer and is it a pain to work with?
I have no clue about it, plus don't own an iphone,& borrow one when I run trueplay.
I can order front speakers today, but I guess what I'm looking for, is reassurance from power users what the deal is; plus ease of setting up front speakers, or is it worth waiting for the vendor to sort a solution out.
Thanks
Just my personal opinion, but I think you'll find most of the regulars don't bother with this. The posters that claim to do it appear to delight in criticizing Sonos for almost everything; including not offering this option, no matter what the issues may be. Either way, you probably aren't going to get a clear answer to your question unless you try it yourself.
I have been tempted in to this front speaker setup, however the ceo mentioned a cobbled together solution with this 3rd party sequencing ios app, and ezplainedtrying to get a stable 100% baked in solution is harder than it seems.
As you are all tweakers on here(not breaking bad) reference, but like to push the boat out with trying things out:) is it worth investing in this sequencer and is it a pain to work with?
I have no clue about it, plus don't own an iphone,& borrow one when I run trueplay.
I can order front speakers today, but I guess what I'm looking for, is reassurance from power users what the deal is; plus ease of setting up front speakers, or is it worth waiting for the vendor to sort a solution out.
Thanks
The SonoSequencr app is like $2.99. It does much more than just add fronts and includes a subscription model if you want it. Doesn’t require a subscription for just this. I haven’t opened the app since I added the front speakers. It’s not needed once set up.
My personal opinion is that it’s worth it. But you’d have to decide that for yourself. You can read all about it and peoples questions and experiences on the developer’s subreddit. He’s active there and answers questions.
I have been tempted in to this front speaker setup, however the ceo mentioned a cobbled together solution with this 3rd party sequencing ios app, and ezplainedtrying to get a stable 100% baked in solution is harder than it seems.
As you are all tweakers on here(not breaking bad) reference, but like to push the boat out with trying things out:) is it worth investing in this sequencer and is it a pain to work with?
I have no clue about it, plus don't own an iphone,& borrow one when I run trueplay.
I can order front speakers today, but I guess what I'm looking for, is reassurance from power users what the deal is; plus ease of setting up front speakers, or is it worth waiting for the vendor to sort a solution out.
Thanks
The SonoSequencr app is like $2.99. It does much more than just add fronts and includes a subscription model if you want it. Doesn’t require a subscription for just this. I haven’t opened the app since I added the front speakers. It’s not needed once set up.
My personal opinion is that it’s worth it. But you’d have to decide that for yourself. You can read all about it and peoples questions and experiences on the developer’s subreddit. He’s active there and answers questions.
Thanks I was not aware it's only a few dollars/pounds.
This does seem very appealing and not such a pain to use, I will take look at the reddit pages too.
Appreciate it!!
I have been tempted in to this front speaker setup, however the ceo mentioned a cobbled together solution with this 3rd party sequencing ios app, and ezplainedtrying to get a stable 100% baked in solution is harder than it seems.
As you are all tweakers on here(not breaking bad) reference, but like to push the boat out with trying things out:) is it worth investing in this sequencer and is it a pain to work with?
I have no clue about it, plus don't own an iphone,& borrow one when I run trueplay.
I can order front speakers today, but I guess what I'm looking for, is reassurance from power users what the deal is; plus ease of setting up front speakers, or is it worth waiting for the vendor to sort a solution out.
Thanks
Just my personal opinion, but I think you'll find most of the regulars don't bother with this. The posters that claim to do it appear to delight in criticizing Sonos for almost everything; including not offering this option, no matter what the issues may be. Either way, you probably aren't going to get a clear answer to your question unless you try it yourself.
I see, for sure it won't hurt to at least have try.
Thank you
So how does it work? Does it redirect the left/right audio from the soundbar to the new external speakers, without any delay? Or is it duplicating the channels, without any delay? Or is there a delay? Or is it reproducing all three front channels through the two speakers?
I'm glad you're not asking me 😊
You don’t (yet?) have the app, so I wouldn’t expect you to know. But I think it’s a fair question to users.
So how does it work? Does it redirect the left/right audio from the soundbar to the new external speakers, without any delay? Or is it duplicating the channels, without any delay? Or is there a delay? Or is it reproducing all three front channels through the two speakers?
The app is using the ability to add front left/right speakers to Sonos soundbars that was put in the sonos system when Sonos was beta testing this. It’s still there. When added, sonos sends the front left and right channels to your added speakers instead of the soundbar. It seams to work differently with different soundbars. I’ve only done this with my Beam (gen 2) so can’t speak about others (arc/arc ultra etc). I don’t notice any delay at all, just a wider sound field in front.
So how does it work? Does it redirect the left/right audio from the soundbar to the new external speakers, without any delay? Or is it duplicating the channels, without any delay? Or is there a delay? Or is it reproducing all three front channels through the two speakers?
The app is using the ability to add front left/right speakers to Sonos soundbars that was put in the sonos system when Sonos was beta testing this. It’s still there. When added, sonos sends the front left and right channels to your added speakers instead of the soundbar. It seams to work differently with different soundbars. I’ve only done this with my Beam (gen 2) so can’t speak about others (arc/arc ultra etc). I don’t notice any delay at all, just a wider sound field in front.
Thanks for that explanation. I may get the app and play around with my speakers to try it out. Are there any limitations, do you know? Can I try Playbase with One Gen 1’s?
Thanks for that explanation. I may get the app and play around with my speakers to try it out. Are there any limitations, do you know? Can I try Playbase with One Gen 1’s?
It should work, as long as those are on S2. I don’t think the beta was ever in S1. Probably the biggest limitation is not being able to control the volume/balance of the fronts separately. In my setup, that’s not an issue. The One SLs with the Beam (gen 2) seem pretty balanced volume wise. And my sitting position is centered with the soundbar.
But I’m no expert on this. Do look here: https://www.reddit.com/r/SonoSequencr
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