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Surround sound with amp with passive speakers

  • February 4, 2026
  • 10 replies
  • 106 views
S

Hi there

No doubt a similar question has been asked before, but I can’t find the exact scenario so I would be grateful for any input.

I currently have a Samsung 85” frame TV which is connected to a Sonos amp (using HDMI).  This is powering two in-wall speakers which are at the front either side of the TV.  I wanted to create a surround sound/home theater setup, so a smart home guy I know said to buy a sub and two Era 300 speakers.  However, having messed around with it you can’t seem to do Sonos surround sound unless you have a Ray, Beam or Arc.

If I used grouping to group the amp and two speakers together, you get an echo/delay with the audio which is not nice and I think, having gone on this journey, is to be expected.

So the question is without completely writing off my amp and in-wall speakers is there any way to create a surround sound/home theater setup using Sonos?  I could buy a Ray, Beam or Arc but then I’ve read you can’t have that doing your front speakers as well as the amp powering two passive front speakers?!

Please help!

Cheers 

Best answer by AjTrek1

Yes to question one.

Regarding question two

  1. Surrounds do not add nor diminish low response produced by front speakers powered by an amp. The same would be true if you were using a Sonos soundbar upfront.
  2. The sub only receives information from the Amp. In essence the Amp redirects low frequencies to the sub rather than sending them to the in-wall speakers.
  3. If you already have a sub connected to the Amp leave it as so

One last point…IMO I think Fives are overkill for surround. Although some say they make a difference. So I suggest you purchase both the Era 100’s and the Fives and do an A/B test. Then decide if the Fives really make a difference as surrounds in your space. Be sure to stay within the return window to get a refund for the set you don’t want to keep.

10 replies

AjTrek1
  • AjTrek1
  • February 5, 2026

Here are the two (2) ways you can create surround with your current setup.

  1. Purchase two Era 100’s for rear speakers. First select “add a product/component” in the Sonos app for each speaker and create a separate room for each. The room names can be fictional. Then in the room with your Amp select ​”add surrounds” then follow the steps.
  2. Purchase another Sonos App and use wired speakers of your choice. They can be in-wall or in-ceiling speakers. However, I recommend free standing wired speakers on stands or other support type. Add the second amp as a new component and follow the steps in the room with the current amp to add it as a driver for your surround speakers

Do not waste you money on Era 300’s as they will not produce Dolby Atmos as surrounds. The Amp is not capable of processing Dolby Atmos for the front speakers nor can it send Dolby Atmos to rear speakers.

Edit: You can add a Sonos Sub 4 (preferred) or a 3rd party sub to the Amp driving the front speakers.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
    106rallye
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    • 106rallye
    • February 5, 2026

    The Era 300 cannot even be bonded to an Amp for a surround set up, I believe. So Era 100’s, or the much more expensive Five’s should be your choice,

      Stanley_4
      • Stanley_4
      • Lead Maestro
      • February 5, 2026

      Surrounds with Amp

      https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/surround-sound-guidelines-and-limitations?product=amp

      From linked page

       

        S
        • samprior
        • Author
        • Contributor I
        • February 5, 2026

        Thanks so much to the three of you for replying - so quickly and with so much detail.

        So, to ensure I don’t make this situation any worse can I confirm the following:

        • If I purchase Era 100 or Five speakers, I will be able to use them with the amp for surround sound, whilst continuing to have the amp power the passive in wall front speakers?
        • With this configuration is there any point in keeping the sub?  For example, if I changed the kit so I have an amp with the two in wall passive speakers and two Five speakers configured with the amp in surround sound, will the system make use of the sub?

        Thanks once again.  One of the best forums I’ve ever used!

          AjTrek1
          • AjTrek1
          • Answer
          • February 5, 2026

          Yes to question one.

          Regarding question two

          1. Surrounds do not add nor diminish low response produced by front speakers powered by an amp. The same would be true if you were using a Sonos soundbar upfront.
          2. The sub only receives information from the Amp. In essence the Amp redirects low frequencies to the sub rather than sending them to the in-wall speakers.
          3. If you already have a sub connected to the Amp leave it as so

          One last point…IMO I think Fives are overkill for surround. Although some say they make a difference. So I suggest you purchase both the Era 100’s and the Fives and do an A/B test. Then decide if the Fives really make a difference as surrounds in your space. Be sure to stay within the return window to get a refund for the set you don’t want to keep.

          Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
            Stanley_4
            • Stanley_4
            • Lead Maestro
            • February 5, 2026

            I'd go with the 100s for surround use, most source material just doesn't put enough sound in the surround channels to need the Fives.

            However if you listen to streaming music in Full Mode the Fives are fully used and probably worth the cost.

              S
              • samprior
              • Author
              • Contributor I
              • February 5, 2026

              Thanks so much to you both.

              I was 50/50 but for now I have gone for the Five speakers.  I note what you have both said about the 100s for surround, but it’s quite a large barn with a vaulted ceiling plus I also want to play music through them at times, so to hopefully get this right I thought the Fives were worth the push.

              I will however return the Sub for now.  I spoke with Sonos support earlier and my primary viewing on the TV will be sport and they said the Sub will make little difference for that.  I appreciate for things like films and NetFlix it would help but I don’t see us using it that often for that, so I took the view to spend the money on the Fives and save it on the Sub.  I can always add the Sub back later.

              Thanks everyone for your time and expertise, it’s been invaluable.

                Stanley_4
                • Stanley_4
                • Lead Maestro
                • February 6, 2026

                Just remember to set the Fives to Full Mode after configuring them as surrounds and they will make you glad you got them.

                  AjTrek1
                  • AjTrek1
                  • February 6, 2026

                  Just remember to set the Fives to Full Mode after configuring them as surrounds and they will ,ake you glad you got them.

                  He means Full Mode for Music. 😂

                  Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
                    S
                    • samprior
                    • Author
                    • Contributor I
                    • February 6, 2026

                    You two are legends.  Thanks so much for taking the time to help me, much appreciated.  Fingers crossed England win the rugby to make the investment worth it LOL!  Otherwise, I will just blast out a load of loud music out!

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