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Answered

Using Port and ERA 100s for rear surround on existing 3.1 setup

  • November 29, 2025
  • 4 replies
  • 38 views
R

I have Sonos Port connected to a Marantz AVR using PreAmp out RCA connectors and a pair of ERA 100s for rear speakers. The app says the Port is connected to my AVR but I am unable to get a signal to the Port or output to the speakers.

Wondering if there is a setup issue here. 

Any help appreciated.

Best answer by Airgetlam

Several issues here.

First, the AVR won’t put out surround information via PreAmp RCA jacks

Second, any analog line in on the Sonos will be slightly delayed by 75ms.

As ​@Stanley_4 suggests, the Sonos Port is only stereo capable. If this were to work (extremely poorly, and not suggested), the input to the Port would need to be the surround channels, and not a stereo output from the PreAmp outputs. Most AVRs don’t provide a line level surround output, only an amplified version, which would connect to normal speakers.

Sonos doesn’t make any solution for adding only surround speakers. You either need to go all in with a Sonos soundbar, or not at all. Perhaps unfortunate, I don’t know what sales would be, but the current state of affairs. 

4 replies

Stanley_4
  • Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • November 29, 2025

How do you intend to create a Sonos Room that offers Surround audio with a Stereo only Port?

You could Group the 100s with the Port and have a dual stereo (not surround) setup in that room.

If you want Surrounds you MUST have a Sonos device capable of creating a surround Room. Arc, Beam, Ray or Amp will do that.

Sotiris C.
Airgetlam
  • Airgetlam
  • Answer
  • November 29, 2025

Several issues here.

First, the AVR won’t put out surround information via PreAmp RCA jacks

Second, any analog line in on the Sonos will be slightly delayed by 75ms.

As ​@Stanley_4 suggests, the Sonos Port is only stereo capable. If this were to work (extremely poorly, and not suggested), the input to the Port would need to be the surround channels, and not a stereo output from the PreAmp outputs. Most AVRs don’t provide a line level surround output, only an amplified version, which would connect to normal speakers.

Sonos doesn’t make any solution for adding only surround speakers. You either need to go all in with a Sonos soundbar, or not at all. Perhaps unfortunate, I don’t know what sales would be, but the current state of affairs. 

Bruce
R
  • rkaye805
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • December 3, 2025

Thanks for the feedback, and I get what you are saying. I was just trying to add rear speakers to my existing 3.1 setup in a wireless configuration to fill out the room - I know it’s not true surround. Trying to avoid running anymore speaker wires across the floor. :)

Stanley_4
  • Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • December 3, 2025

Best in my opinion: Replace the AVR with an Arc Ultra, add the 100s as surrounds.

Pretty decent: Replace the AVR with an Amp, add the 100s as surrounds. The Amp will create a virtual center channel and power your left and right speakers and providea line level sub output.

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