Enthusiast I

Just putting it out there. Hope option for Front speakers happen soon.

Forum|Forum|11 months ago
October 28, 2025
67 replies
1866 views

Like the topic title says, Just putting it out there. Hope option for Front speakers happen soon.

New CEO really seems to finally care about customers wishes and wants. Hopefully this is one first things that comes out very soon.

After this happens, love see DTS;X finally arrive.

This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

Show previous replies

G

GuyinPA75Author

Enthusiast I

I think there are a few issues that people aren’t considering if they were to provide this feature.

Unlike SonoSequencr, Sonos would actually need to provide some level of support for this. Even if they provided some sort off non-guarantee that the product doesn’t always work as advertised, they would need to spend support time and effort helping customers through these issues.
They would need to provide trueplay tuning support for all the additional configurations that would be opened up by this feature. Would this only be available with the an Arc Ultra front end, or would they need to support arc and Beam configurations as well?
How would the ceiling atmos channels work if you want to use an Arc Ultra and Era 300s up front? Are you repeating those chanels, not using some of the upfiring speakers, or re-writing the logic of what audio goes where?
For the customers that go and spend $500-$1200 on a pair of front speakers, and it turns out not to work well, how will the react? At the very least, they will return the product., which isn’t good for Sonos? At worst, they will stop buying Sonos altogether and go complain on the internet about how Sonos doesn’t work, and it’s not my network because all my other smart devices work fine.

Like others, I would be in favor of this. I already have a pair of 5s flanking my Arc Ultra, more than 3 feet apart, so this would likely work well for me. I wouldn’t have to buy anything, and it would probably be a 5 minute setup. I would be welcome it. I’m just seeing at a definite win for Sonos to do this, unfortunately.

Truplay to my knowledge works with SonoSequencr and there steps on how to do this online. So I will say that box already been checked.

I doubt, and don’t think it’s possible for tuning to be accurate when there are speakers present that are not actually tuned. Those 2 front speakers may have no tuning applied, or they may just get copy of the tune for the soundbar. Not sure, but I can’t see that really being good enough for Sonos to just pass off as being an actual tune of the speakers.

Far as Arc Ultra vs Beam. Allow support and use of feature be exclusive to the Arc Ultra. It is the premium Sonos product and level. Many, many, many, companies only offer complete features only with their higher tier product offerings. This would be the norm and not unheard of. Beam does not even offer up-firing speakers to my knowledge? It is all virtual height speakers?

You’re missing the point. If you have front Era 300s in your setup, much the Arc Ultra is overkill and wasted in your setup. The upfiring speakers, side firing speakers, and wider front stage of the Arc Ultra have no value in this setup and very likely sound better with them turned off than on. Given the backlash Sonos received for turning off the front speakers of Era 300s when used as surrounds, it’s hard to imagine this will be ok with consumers.

The Arc Ultra up-firing, I’m going to suggest could be handled by utilizing the code. How do other surround systems (5.1.2 or 5.1.4) utilize the speaker layout? Code is used from my understanding? Sonos home theater already do turn off drivers depending what speaker configuration being used, so I feel comfortable saying most this already figured out, speaking linguistically, at least.

Yes, there would potential be up to 6 upfiring speakers, with potentially 2 pair of speakers providing the same audio location from the ceiling. The pairs could maybe share the load, or turn them off, which as I mention before doesn’t go over well with consumers. Again, this is a big reason why a Beam makes a lot more sense for this configuration than an Arc.

Next bullet point. What about the customers that paid $2500+ for a system that is essentially being neutered from achieving full potential? At the very least, when at full potential people will buy 2 more speakers as fronts, which selling more speakers would be in Sonos best interest. At worst customers will simply skip over Sonos since able purchase legit and functioning 5.1.2 or 5.1.4 systems from other manufactures.

A system isn’t neutered when it already has all the features that it was designed and marketed to do. Yes, they may get more speaker sales, but they may also get more dev and support costs and could hurt an already damaged reputation with consumers if it does not work as well as it should, which seems to case.

As far as other manufacturers go, I’m not aware of any other product that allows wireless front 3 speakers, 2 wireless rear speakers, 2 wireless subs, with multiple upfiring and side firing speakers. Wired? Yes. And that has also been an option that existed.

Far as any above references to customers complaining. We can all pause and look at the Sonos App fiasco. Sonos absolutely needs a win at this point in company’s history. Allowing front speaker setup and finally getting onboard with DTS:X would be exactly that. A MUCH, MUCH, needed win for Sonos and Sonos customers.

It would very likely be a win for me personally, and a lot of others who already have a lot of Sonos gear and don’t mind experimenting. There are good reasons to believe it would not be a win in the eyes of consumers at large.

Will touch more on the above in next day or so. Busy with work. But I just wanted to add this for all to see.

“Going forward, Sonos will focus on nudging customers to add more of the brand’s core devices to their existing setups, rather than branching too far into new product areas. “We see a $5 billion revenue opportunity in driving devices per multi-product household higher to six per home, and another $7 billion in converting single-product households to current multi-product levels,” said CEO Tom Conrad on Wednesday following the release of the company’s fiscal 2025 and fourth-quarter results.

Sonos aims to “unite every dimension of sound” into “one cohesive and radically easy system,” he added. It also views artificial intelligence and conversational chatbots as a “new frontier” for its platform.”

To me? That sounds like an amazing and wonderful opportunity and plan for not only front speakers but definitely have a way for DTS:x to finally enter the home theater setup.

Smilja

I think Sonos would be better off designing a “Super Connect” device that enables customers to piece together an individual Sonos system.

»And the world is like an apple whirling silently in space, Like the circles that you find in the windmills of your mind.« (›Windmills Of Your Mind‹ [1967]. Music by Michel Legrand ; English lyrics written by Alan & Marilyn Bergman)

G

GuyinPA75Author

Enthusiast I

I think Sonos would be better off designing a “Super Connect” device that enables customers to piece together an individual Sonos system.

Highly support your idea. Believe that is part of what Pinewood device was going for. Sadly, it was canceled.

The completely avoidable and unnecessary App disaster still has Sonos little scared and reallocating resources. It is possible may not see a new product in 2026. At least not until 4th quarter.

jgatie

Highly support your idea. Believe that is part of what Pinewood device was going for. Sadly, it was canceled.

The completely avoidable and unnecessary App disaster still has Sonos little scared and reallocating resources. It is possible may not see a new product in 2026. At least not until 4th quarter.

Why are you doing all this speculating? Everything you want to know about this feature; why it was pulled, what the problems are, what are the possible solutions, and even a hint on whether or not it is coming and when, are spelled out quite clearly by the CEO himself in the reddit link given in this very thread.

melvimbe

“Going forward, Sonos will focus on nudging customers to add more of the brand’s core devices to their existing setups, rather than branching too far into new product areas. “We see a $5 billion revenue opportunity in driving devices per multi-product household higher to six per home, and another $7 billion in converting single-product households to current multi-product levels,” said CEO Tom Conrad on Wednesday following the release of the company’s fiscal 2025 and fourth-quarter results.

Sonos aims to “unite every dimension of sound” into “one cohesive and radically easy system,” he added. It also views artificial intelligence and conversational chatbots as a “new frontier” for its platform.”

To me? That sounds like an amazing and wonderful opportunity and plan for not only front speakers but definitely have a way for DTS:x to finally enter the home theater setup.

To me, it sounds like Sonos is looking to convince customers to add a sub, surround sound speakers, or additional rooms.

I think that the previous CEO was under the believe that Sonos needed to constantly release new features and software, even if it wasn’t ready or was prone to issues. The new CEO is taking a much more measured approached, without making any big splashes, and although the stock hasn’t been doing great, it’s been ok.

It is possible may not see a new product in 2026. At least not until 4th quarter.

I believe Conrad was hinting at the 1st half of 2026. I would link the article, but I believe it was in bloomberg that let me read it one time, and then put up a paywall. I actually think it’s the same article that has your quote above. Either way though, I expect this ‘new product’ to be more of a refresh/update of an existing product. The Ray for example, could probably benefit from updating hardware, ARC support, and perhaps add voice control. It would also make sense for Sonos to make a low end bookshelf speaker to replace the ikea/sonos bookshelf speakers that are going away.

Danny

Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

I'm waiting for the Era-500 to show up, the best of the Era-300 and Five plus a bit more.

G

GuyinPA75Author

Enthusiast I

@melvimbe Pretty sure it was Bloomberg, so we’re on same article. They are notorious for paywalls. Really thinking on set my browser up block Bloomberg just to avoid giving them a free click for nothing.

Former Sonos CEO was really tone deaf to customer wants and needs at the end and ultimately lost job or was pushed out. That CEO I really like compare to Don Mattrick with how, in span of 15 mins, he single handed hurt Xbox tremendously and destroyed what incredible momentum the Xbox 360 era had to the slow descent of joke Xbox has become today. Really is a shame.

Agree, the current Sonos CEO wanting have higher attach rate or add-on sales for products. Every CEO tries for that, of course. Have to figure selling 4 Era 300s for surround sound would absolutely make stock holders smile. Yes, there are the small contingent of usual suspects on here that absolutely do best play Negative Nancys to anything a person here suggests, and ever constant in saying no one wants front speakers (or other options) but they are grossly incorrect.

Lot people want a front speaker option -- it’s all over forums that are beyond Sonos -- then factor in good many people not even realize is “possibility”. Given that option customers will want jump on it. Just like lot people not know now or even think 2 subs are possible -- they LOVE it once have 2 subs -- heck, I’m looking to add second sub in near future. So the market is there and waiting for front speakers. That untapped and unrealized potential of customers should not be ignored or casually dismissed at all. It is just leaving money on the table.

Sonos should be taking advantage of customers having excellent Sonos home theater setup that is centerpiece to other Sonos speakers in customer’s house. It will multiply sales when friends and relatives see that Sonos home theater centerpiece and want their own … and other Sonos speakers in their house. Free advertisements, basically.

I’m also 110% with @Stanley_4 on seeing some Era 500s show up soon. Maybe Beam Gen 3, too. Would love see them release like yesterday, I’ll buy for sure. Have figure both will support Atmos and customers using Fives now for front speakers say is amazing. Imagine Era 500s would not only be more expensive (more revenue for Sonos) than Era 300s but also step-up in quality, that’s more speaker sales. More speakers going out the door to customers. More stockholders happy. One CEO with more job security.

It is a win-win for everyone -- the stockholders, the customers. And it hurts no one.

If want front speakers? Great! Buy them. If not want front speakers? No big deal. Don’t have buy them. If like setup way it is? Keep it way it is. It’s beautiful situation be in.

jgatie

Good grief. Do I need to quote and bold the entire post?

https://www.reddit.com/r/sonos/comments/1kl50g0/comment/msb0ou4/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Oh boy, same. I’d love to be able to set up Era 100s or 300s as discrete front left and right channels too. It’s one of those ideas that just feels right. And I want you to know that posts like this - direct, passionate, clear - are one of the reasons we pay close attention to Reddit. You help point us toward the kind of experiences people are hungry for, and this is a great example.We’ve actually done a fair bit of work on this over the years, including an external beta where we let people try out a front L/R setup using speakers like the Ones. The bones of that effort are still buried in the software, which is how tools like SonoSequencr can recreate the configuration today.
But what we learned in the process gave us some humility. It turned out that pushing discrete front channels over wireless, especially that close to the soundbar in some homes could cause a lot of packet drop and bandwidth issues. That created dropouts right in the front soundstage. That kind of thing is unforgiving. It’s super noticeable and totally undermines the experience.We also found that tuning the front soundstage in those configurations was tricky. Without precise positioning, getting the balance right between the soundbar and the extra speakers was harder than you’d expect. And when you add in multi-channel speakers like the Era 300, the challenge only grows.
That said, we’re investing here. Arc Ultra and the latest Era speakers support 6GHz WiFi, which gives us more bandwidth to work with and helps reduce interference. We’re also getting smarter about how we understand room layouts and speaker positions, which should go a long way toward making these kinds of setups more feasible and better sounding.
We’re not going to get there in 2025, but this is definitely something we want to bring to life the right way. We know how much flexibility and richness this kind of configuration could add to home theater. And we want to build it in a way that doesn’t just technically work, but feels magical.

J

JesterIzDead

Trending Lyricist II

From the above reddit link:

We’ve actually done a fair bit of work on this over the years, including an external beta where we let people try out a front L/R setup using speakers like the Ones. The bones of that effort are still buried in the software, which is how tools like SonoSequencr can recreate the configuration today. But what we learned in the process gave us some humility. It turned out that pushing discrete front channels over wireless, especially that close to the soundbar in some homes could cause a lot of packet drop and bandwidth issues. That created dropouts right in the front soundstage. That kind of thing is unforgiving. It’s super noticeable and totally undermines the experience.

Gee, packet drop and bandwidth issues due to pushing discrete front channels over wireless causing dropouts. Who’da thunk it? 😉

My guess is their testing was quite a while ago and home wireless network bandwidth/speed is much improved, since. I’ve been running the front L/R setup via SonoSequencr with Arc, two Sub Minis and rears on a wireless network with about 30 other connected devices and it works great!

jgatie

My guess is their testing was quite a while ago and home wireless network bandwidth/speed is much improved, since. I’ve been running the front L/R setup via SonoSequencr with Arc, two Sub Minis and rears on a wireless network with about 30 other connected devices and it works great!

So are they going to require everyone who wishes to add fronts to own the most up to date wireless network? I guess that works . . . sort of . . . for some.

Show more replies

Sign up

Login to the community