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Answered

connecting my playbar and Sub 4

  • January 6, 2026
  • 11 replies
  • 107 views

Hi guys

 

Ive had a S2 Playbar for a number of years which has worked wonderfully. I recently bought a brand new s4 sub base unit but cannot get it to connect to the playbar network via the wi fi. Looking at the data im not sure they are compatable which is very frustrating as i cant get the base unit to work as it wont asign to the playerbar network. 

Is there any way i can get them to work together ideally without wiring them together ( even if thats a possibility) ? 

Any help appreciated.

Many thanks

 

Geoff

Best answer by jgatie

From (bolded mine): Set up your Sonos Sub

Compatibility

 

Home theater compatibility

  • Sub (Gen 1, 2, and 3) are compatible with all Sonos home theater speakers.
  • Sub 4 is compatible with all Sonos home theater speakers except Playbar and Playbase.

11 replies

jgatie
  • Answer
  • January 6, 2026

From (bolded mine): Set up your Sonos Sub

Compatibility

 

Home theater compatibility

  • Sub (Gen 1, 2, and 3) are compatible with all Sonos home theater speakers.
  • Sub 4 is compatible with all Sonos home theater speakers except Playbar and Playbase.

  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • January 6, 2026

Hi jgatie

 

Thanks for the quick responce . That is bloody frustrating as i thought id read they worked together. 

Thanks for getting back to me ill need to sell it and buy an alternative.

Do you know if they ll talk via an ethernet cable or do i have no choice but to replace one of the items ?

 


jgatie
  • January 6, 2026

Hi jgatie

 

Thanks for the quick responce . That is bloody frustrating as i thought id read they worked together. 

Thanks for getting back to me ill need to sell it and buy an alternative.

Do you know if they ll talk via an ethernet cable or do i have no choice but to replace one of the items ?

 

 

No, an Ethernet cable won’t fix it.  They are simply incompatible.  


Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • January 6, 2026

It is not documented that I have seen but I suspect the incompatibility lies at a deeper level than the Wi-Fi/ Ethernet level.

If you bought from Sonos or an approved reseller you should have a no-questions return time window. 


Forum|alt.badge.img+19
  • Senior Virtuoso
  • January 6, 2026

It’s the Gen 4 that creates the incompatibility. Get a refurbished earlier-gen if there’s anything available, or a pre-owned unit. 


Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • January 6, 2026

Makes you wish we had a section here where we could offer swaps and sales but the rules prohibit that.


  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • January 7, 2026

Thanks Guys

This unit was bought as New and unopened from Ebay. Ill go back to the seller to see if he can offer an alternative or pick up a later playbar. 

Thanks again for all your input as i am so ignorant in these matters !

To save future mistakes , Can anyone suggest which speakers i should by that are compatible and give me great surround sound for my sonos units and possibilty of putting my record player through it , if thats even possible ? Guessing ill need a phono amp or similar ??

Help much appreciated

Geoff


Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • January 7, 2026

I tried to find a list of what works / won't work together in the support section, didn't find one.

Probably have to check each product's user manual to see.


Forum|alt.badge.img+19
  • Senior Virtuoso
  • January 7, 2026

Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • January 7, 2026

...  and possibilty of putting my record player through it , if thats even possible ? Guessing ill need a phono amp or similar ??

Help much appreciated

Geoff

Either a phono with a built-in preamp or an external phono-preamp is needed to start with. A Port is the dedicated external input device but several Sonos have inputs or an add-on that allows inputs to be connected. 

Start here: 

https://en.community.sonos.com/groups/using-sonos-with-a-turntable-229138

https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/listen-to-your-turntable-on-sonos

https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/use-line-in-on-sonos

For Era Sonos:

https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/play-line-in-on-your-era-300

 


106rallye
Forum|alt.badge.img+18
  • January 7, 2026

@Geoff72 A later Sonos soundbar would work - “a later playbar” would not. There’s only one Sonos Playbar and that is shown to be incompatible with the Sub 4.