New House Audio Setup w/ Existing System

All of the components you currently have in the home can be controlled by the S1 app even if you didn’t upgrade anything. Being able to use the TV remote is easier if the TV has a ARC/eARC output as apposed to an optical connection. If you factory reset them and add them to your Sonos account, they should work just fine. This could also be used in another room in your home.

But since you are interested in upgrading for the Dolby Atmos experience, your plan is solid. Just note that only the Arc/ Arc Ultra will produce the immersive audio effects.

If the Connect: Amp is S1 not compatible with the new app, then you will need to have both apps on your phone.

Thanks for the prompt reply ​@Pools-3015 ! 

I noticed my TV (LG OLED C5) only has one ARC/eARC input. How would I best go about connecting both the Arc / Arc Ultra, the rear speakers (via Amp) and the sub to the TV and have them work in unison as one home speaker system? 

The Sonos system ( the Beam or the Arc) would connect to that ARC/eARC output. Any other ‘input’ devices would connect to the other HDMI inputs. The TV itself takes those HDMI inputs, and sends them out via the eARC/ARC connection. The Amp is ‘bonded’ to the Arc or Beam via a WiFi connection, no need to connect them to the TV. 

I think your first order of business is to decide how YOU want to enjoy your home theater...let me explain….

• As you have probably surmised in-ceiling speakers used as surrounds are limiting in reference to your seating arrangement.
• Ask yourself (and your significant other if one exists) if you want to be seated in the same area as was the previous owner to enjoy surround effects?
• Are you interested in Dolby Atmos audio for movies and/or music?
• How do you intend to position a Sonos soundbar? Will you place it on top of an entertainment center/cabinet below the TV or wall-mount it below the TV.

After you’ve answered those questions for yourself then come back to this community with that information. If possible, you might upload a diagram of the space showing TV position and proposed seating. 

Here’s a brief tutorial on Sonos soundbars:

• Sonos Arc Ultra offers full immersion for Dolby Atmos and other popular movie and music codecs. Has HDMI eARC and Optical connectivity. The latter will not produce Dolby Atmos.
• Sonos Beam2 is smaller than the Arc Ultra and it too offers Dolby Atmos sound but not as immersive as the Arc Ultra. It also has HDMI eARC and Optical connectivity. The latter again will not produce Dolby Atmos.
• Sonos Ray offers only Dolby Digital and no Dolby Atmos. It only has an Optical connection. Primarily a budget friendly soundbar designed for small spaces like a bedroom or small apartment.

Thank you everyone! 

To answer your questions: 

• I understand the in-ceiling speakers are limiting for seating, but luckily the current set up would work nicely for what I intend - see diagram below. 
• I would prefer Dolby Atmos. The immersion of the Beam2 is probably enough for me at this stage - lots of house expenses going out so spending an extra $1k AUD on the Arc Ultra might be difficult to get over the line! 
• I would intend to position the soundbar on top of the entertainment unit beneath the TV, although there is room to wall mount it there if that helps create better sound?
• The Connect:Amps seem to work with the new app, so appear to be Gen2 I believe

I’ve attached a diagram of the current setup (not exactly to scale of course!). 

Current thinking is so: 

1. Replace the current Playbar soundbar with the Beam2, and connect this to the TV via HDMI eARC. Potentially wall-mount the Beam2 (if it’s worth it?)
2. Replace 1 x Connect:Amp with the newer Sonos Amp and connect this to the system (either via WiFi or via HDMI to the TV). Is this necessary, or can I achieve the set up I want with the existing Connect:Amp?
3. Connect the existing Sub to the system via WiFi 
4. Keep the other Connect:Amp for use with the patio speakers

Let me know your thoughts and any suggested optimsiations please! 

Thanks for the diagram.

1. Wall mounting the Beam2 is a personal preference…there’s no audio benefit.
2. I’d go with a new Sonos Amp for the rears. Doing so makes everything wireless between the Beam2 and rears as well as the Sub connecting wirelessly to the Beam2
3. Re-purpose the Connect:Amp to the patio speakers

You’ll want to factory reset the Connect:Amp and Sub to get them on your Sonos account.

Also know that you can Group the Patio speakers to your Beam2 for music. However, doing so for TV audio will result in a 75ms delay to the Patio.