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This topic falls somewhere between a conversation and a question. 

When there is need for a multi-solution sound system with limited funds Sonos might not be the optimal choice, but with what I assume to be simple means it could be a better choice. 

Speaking from personal experience: 

I’ve previously bought 2 Era 100s and use them as TV-speakers awaiting an upgrade on the Arc to later use them as surrounds. Meanwhile I own a turntable which I’m looking to hook up to the same system (disclaimer; I am well aware that it’s sub-optimal and that there are better ways to enjoy your vinyls, though for the sake of convinience, this would be my personal preference).

It is common knowledge that when the era 100s, or 300s for that matter, loses its capability to use the line-in function when used as surround speakers. Something to do with optimizing their primary use as surround speakers. 

However, browsing the web there seems to be a fair few who would like a function to easily switch between surrounds and to line-in other sources.


Could it simply be adressed through software changes? Are there any other solutions to bring in a turntable in a surround system without having to purchase additional speakers. 

 

Could it simply be adressed through software changes? 

 

 

I imagine not, or Sonos would have done it.  As you say, there are many threads on the Community covering this topic.  Surround speakers connect to the system in a totally different way from when used as principal speakers, and this apparently precludes the surrounds feeding a line-in input into the system.

I do not know whether this is impossible to resolve.  If it could be done, I can imagine that it might involve a fundamental change to the way lines-in or surround speakers, or both, function. 

As historical background, lines-in have been a feature of some Sonos products since their first products.  The design dates from before surround speakers, or indeed any AV functionality, was in anyone’s mind.

 

To achieve the outcome the Era surrounds need to be unbonded from the main HT setup, which of course is possible and can be achieved now via the App, but when unbonded the HT TruePlay settings are also lost. So it’s then a ‘pain’ to rebond the surrounds and TP tune the setup again after using the Era line-in feature with the TT.
 

It’s far easier to just add another standalone Sonos product with a line-in and leave that setup with the Turntable instead. In my own case I use a Sonos Port, but there are cheaper Sonos products that can be used instead.

These are the Sonos products that have a line-in that can be used:

  • Sonos Port/Connect 
  • Sonos Amp/Connect:Amp
  • Five/Play:5 (gen2) 
  • Era-100  (requires additional dongle)
  • Era-300 (requires additional dongle)
  • Sonos Move 2 (requires additional dongle)

It is common knowledge that when the era 100s, or 300s for that matter, loses its capability to use the line-in function when used as surround speakers. Something to do with optimizing their primary use as surround speakers. 

 

It’s not “optimising” in the traditional sense. The soundbar creates a dedicated 5Ghz link to the surrounds, so the surrounds have to be told to look for that link, then link to it, then establish left and right, initial volume settings, etc. It’s not a quick process. 

Though Sonos might also have commercial reasons tot not want to put much time into your requested feature, your assumption that this would be made possible by simple means does not seem right.

A used S2 capable Connect would be my first choice. An Era 100 next then a Port. Might look at the TV for analog input options too.

Add to the issues on changing surrounds the need to redo True play.

Add to the issues on changing surrounds the need to redo True play.

That’s a good point

Though Sonos might also have commercial reasons tot not want to put much time into your requested feature, your assumption that this would be made possible by simple means does not seem right.

Fair enough. Wishful thinking on my part I’m sure. 

Given that it has been requested essentially since Sonos allowed the Sonos Amp to drive surrounds (years and years), it does seem to be unlikely. My guess is it’s due to the different nature of the connection between a parent and child speaker, and a normal peer speaker setup. There are all sorts of network differences, IMHO.

I kind of get the argument about being optimised for surround, and the issues with reconfiguring the network, but surely there is no reason why whichever Era the line in is connected to couldn’t simply play the content as if it was a single speaker setup - I think this would satisfy a lot of use cases where users want the same music piped through the house, but aren’t really listening to all the stereo nuances of sound stage presentation etc., and would require no network changes or reconfiguration

Think Sonos should consider this as a compromise solution at least.

I kind of get the argument about being optimised for surround, and the issues with reconfiguring the network, but surely there is no reason why whichever Era the line in is connected to couldn’t simply play the content as if it was a single speaker setup - I think this would satisfy a lot of use cases where users want the same music piped through the house, but aren’t really listening to all the stereo nuances of sound stage presentation etc., and would require no network changes or reconfiguration

Think Sonos should consider this as a compromise solution at least.

As already said, in order to achieve surround sound performance without any lag, it’s a one way link from soundbar to surrounds. Thus the Era can’t pass anything to anywhere. Nice to have: yes; going to become available: highly unlikely. 

Think you misunderstood my suggestion….my system is an arc ultra with two era300s as surrounds. As a compromise solution, I'd be happy if any line in content played just through the era300 to which it was connected… No need to stream to the other devices, and therefore no need to reconfigure any network settings. 

 

Think you misunderstood my suggestion….my system is an arc ultra with two era300s as surrounds. As a compromise solution, I'd be happy if any line in content played just through the era300 to which it was connected… No need to stream to the other devices, and therefore no need to reconfigure any network settings. 

 

 

You stated previously that your suggestion would ‘satisfy a lot of use cases where users want the same music piped through the house...’.  Anyway, I am doubtful that a lot of consumers would be satisfied with the line in connection that could only play on one speaker, from what I’ve see from other posters.  Even then, there would be other issues to resolve, such as how the speaker connects individually to the Sonos app for control, and how the speaker should handle receiving audio from the soundbar while it’s connected via line in.

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