Contributor I

Custom Sonos Amp + In-Ceiling Setup for Samsung Frame (No Soundbar) – Need Layout & Phantom Center Feedback

15 replies
182 views

Hi everyone,

I am currently planning a new audio setup for a dedicated living room centered around a Samsung Frame TV. The absolute priority for this project is strict minimalism; I want to preserve the "art piece" aesthetic of the Frame TV completely, which means no soundbars or visible front speakers underneath or around the display.

To achieve this, I am planning to use a Sonos Amp to drive a pair of Sonos Architectural In-Ceiling Speakers by Sonance, paired wirelessly with a Sonos Sub.

This system will also integrate into an existing first-floor Sonos ecosystem, which already features two Sonos Five (one in the fireplace area, one in the dining area) and a Sonos Move (dedicated to the kitchen area). The main goal is to use the ceiling setup for TV audio, but seamlessly group it with the Five and Move for whole-first-floor music streaming when the television is turned off.

I have attached a layout diagram of the room for context. The TV is mounted on the front/left wall (Red circle), and the primary viewing area is the L-shaped sofa (Yellow circle). Based on the room's orientation, the in-ceiling speakers are planned as follows:

Left Channel: Positioned in the ceiling grid closer to the far wall on the left.

Right Channel: Positioned in the ceiling grid closer to the right wall.

A distance of 2 meters between each speaker. The tv is 75 inches. The Sonos amp will be hidden inside a custom box behind the tv.

I would love to get the community's feedback on a few specific points regarding this layout:

1. Phantom Center & Dialogue Visual Anchor: Since the Sonos Amp will be downmixing the TV's audio into a stereo pair to create a "phantom center," how realistic is the front soundstage when the drivers are overhead? If I physically pivot the Sonance tweeters directly toward the sofa listening position, will it effectively "pull" the dialogue down so it feels like it’s coming from the screen rather than floating strictly from the ceiling?

2. Acoustic Calibration via Trueplay: Given that the Left and Right channels run along the depth axis of the room relative to the TV wall, how well will Trueplay handle this specific spatial orientation? Will it successfully balance the stereo image so the sweet spot lands perfectly on the sofa?

3. Multi-Zone Grouping Performance: For those who group a Sonos Amp setup with standalone units like the Five or Move for ambient music, do you experience any latency or dropouts when using a mix of architectural architectural components and wireless speakers on the same floor?

I would really appreciate any insights, structural advice, or tips from anyone who has deployed a similar "zero-footprint" architectural setup with a Frame TV!

Below a lateral view of the space: TV in red - Seating position in yellow.

Here is a perspective from the seating position (it’s a passing area (the room is located between two rooms: dining area and fireplace) but is well enclosed by lateral walls, which the rendered image fails to convey properly. The future location of the Sonos speakers can be seen below: right in front of the light fixtures:

Here is another perspective showing the location of the sub:

Edit:

I should have mentioned that the wood on the front (sides of the tv) or the back, cannot be drilled or modified. The house is a heritage property, and I am legally forbidden from altering it.

Show previous replies

Pools-3015

Prodigy I

Thank you so much for your valuable input. I should have mentioned that the wood on the front cannot be modified. The house is a heritage property, and I am legally forbidden from altering it.

If you cannot do anything to the wood are your sure you can cut the ceiling to install speakers?

If you are able to get the speakers installed into the ceiling, you must lower your expectations slightly. The ceiling is not the best place for home theater speakers. For ambient audio they are great.

You will get a phantom center but because of your seating position, don't expect true home theater audio from this setup.

106rallye

How are you able to hang your TV if you cannot drill the wood paneling? Could something be fashioned to hang a soundbar in the same way or of the same construction - like some some TV supports allow you to also hang a soundbar on them below the TV?

Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

First post rules out the soundbar option for appearance issues.

Personally an Arc Ultra, given the room size or even a Beam, on a TV ISO bracket mount would be my choice.

For example: ISO mount, retracts for storage and 5.1 use and extends for Atmos, no holes and hides cables.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_051SATM1B/Sanus-WSSATM1-B2.html

Edit to add Beam mount.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_051WSSBM1/Sanus-WSSBM1-Mount-for-Sonos-Beam-or-Beam-Gen-2-Sound-Bar.html

AjTrek1

The issue is that sound from a TV is supposed to appear as if it’s projecting from the screen out to the listener not from overhead. Creating the Phantom Center channel is going to be a challenge as well.

In my head, the Sonos Amp can create a 2.1 system: the ceiling speakers play the left and right audio channels (stereo), while the Sub handles the low-end bass. Am I wrong to think this might solve the issue of sound coming from above (provided that the tweeters are properly angled toward the seating position)?

It is my understanding that the Amp will automatically create a phantom center channel to ensure that dialogue sounds clear and centered on the TV.

Short answer is “No”. There’s no getting around the sound imbalance of TV audio coming from the ceiling to create a home theater. If the space were a game room wherein you just want to hear the play by play audio of a game I’d say OK..go for it. It would be akin to a radio broadcast.

Suffice it to say that yours is a tough decision if no other options are available to you. I think it’s safe to say that everyone who has responded has given a 👎 to in-ceiling speakers to achieve optimum TV audio.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

buzz

Grand Maestro

I agree with the overall comments that ceiling speakers for TV sound are not optimal, however, if you can find a demo using the AMINA brand of planar speakers I think that you’ll find that they are a different class of product compared to a simple round speaker stuck in the ceiling.

Sign up

Login to the community