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Improving Current Setup: Playbar + Sub (Gen2) + AMP (2 wired rear-ceiling-speakers)

  • April 16, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 39 views
O
  • owo
  • Contributor I

Hi all

Our current set up for our Living room TV where the family watches anything from daily news to movie nights uses the following Sonos products:

 

Playbar + Sub (Gen 2) + Amp (wired to 2 in-ceiling rear speakers)    

 

The products are obviously from a while back and wondered when choosing from the “Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc Ultra”

  1. would upgrading to the Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc Ultra be a significantly recognised difference (e.g. kids movie nights); or
  2. would a single item provide a big enough improvement i.e. Arc Ultra OR Sub 4 OR Era 300 (pair); 
  3. any other thoughts / advice

The only reason I am considering an upgrade is because we have a Play5 Gen1 in our system which is not compatible with the Sonos S2 app and we can get a discount if we upgrade.  Saying that the discount does not expire so there is no rush. 

 

Thank you in advance for any thoughts / advice :) 

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1 reply

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  • Pools-3015
  • Prodigy I
  • April 16, 2025

I upgraded from the Playbar to the Arc during the Christmas in 2023. I had a Sub Gen 1 and Play 1 as surrounds at the time. I removed and reset all the speakers in my HT system and set the Arc up from scratch.

I was a little disappointed when I listen to the Arc by itself. The Playbar is a “better sounding” soundbar than the Arc when not used with a Sub . The Playbar is warmer and IMO better for music.

Then I added the Sub and WOW! what a difference! The Arc filled the room like the Playbar never could! Then I added the surrounds back and it seemed like the older speakers had new life! They sounded amazing with the Arc! I did Trueplay and the sound was definitely better, but still not as warm as the Playber IMO. So I adjusted the treble to -2. This setting was what I could live with.

I have swapped the Play 1s for Era 100s and to me that also made a big difference.

Even though I do not have an Ultra or 300s, I had to tell my story so that I can answer your question about upgrading, and if there will be a significant difference.

Yes there will! Especially with Dolby Atmos content. I enjoy watching movies and shows so much that I have upgraded three streaming services to allow me to take advantage of Dolby Atmos audio.

You will not be disappointed with the upgrade.

Airgetlam
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Sotiris C.
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