I have a Sonos Amp and a pair of Fives and recently purchased a new TV to replace a very old and outdated TV. The Fives sit either side of my new TV and I connected them to my TV via a Sonos Amp using the eArc Hdmi out from the TV into the HDMI on the amp (there are no hardwired speakers).
The issue with this setup is that volume / mute from the TV remote only controls the Amp and is not tethered to the Fives so I have to use the S2 app which is super annoying. Speech can be a little unclear as well but the bass from the Fives is truly impressive. So I considered replacing the Amp with an Arc (not the Arc Ultra) but want to know the following:
1. Will my TV remote pass the volume / mute to the Arc?
2. Can I connect the Fives so they act more like subs as the position of them is perfect for music listening and the Arc is likely limited in it's bass response? I really want to avoid having to add a sub when the Fives do such a good job.
3. Alternatively, given that, in the S2 app I can see the TV remote controls the Sonos Amp volume slider... Is there any way this can 'tether' to the Sonos Fives volume slider which is in the same grouping?? Seems dumb that it controls one but not the other.
Using Arc with Fives for more bass?
1. Yes
2. No. You can set them as surrounds and place them to the rear but the will add little to tne bass. You can Group them with tne Arc, for music that will be perfect but for TV listening the Fives will have an echo/delay.
3. When Grouped you will have a master volume for the Group as well as individual volume controls.
I find the original Arc a bit weak on bass and have had a Sub attached to mine. The Ultra is better and not bad alone, I added a single Sub anyway as I like it better.
Keeping tne Fives as a stereo pair, not Grouped is going to give you the best stereo music. The Arc alone will do a decent job of Atmos reproduction. Together I'd find the stereo or Atmos image distorted and much less listenable.
If you want surrounds the Era 100s are good for 5.1 sources, the 300s do far better on Atmos sources. Fives are pretty much underutilized as surrounds.
Thanks for the detailed answer
Sonos needs to consider offering chocolate versions. :-)
A Sub can be slipped into a lot of places where it sounds good and is not noticeable. Flat on the floor under a chair or couch, under a desk or in a corner are all options. My under-desk Sub on a 300 Pair really has some nice impact while not flooding the house with thump.
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