Sonos Portables as Surrounds

What follows applies to the Play and Move2.

Let’s start by saying they sound GREAT as surrounds! 😊

Minimum Sonos Controller Requirement

Minimum Sonos System Requirements

Compatible Soundbars

Compatible Matching Portables * ^

What I learned

Portables used as a stereo pair must be broken which automatically sets then as separate rooms
Upon first use as surrounds with a compatible soundbar you must follow the normal procedure to set them up (i.e. Setup surrounds)
To stop using Portables as surrounds move them to a distance outside of the soundbars ability to recognize them. When back in range they will automatically connect.
I found a crude distance beyond 25 feet to be adequate for my ArcUltra. It should be noted that my ArcUltra had a clear line of site to the Plays; therefore walls should shorten the distance considerably.
To negate #4 above tap the toggle option in the soundbar room “Stop using surrounds”.
To use them as surrounds again (when in range) tap the toggle option “Use surrounds”
Portables become separate rooms when out of range or ending their use as surrounds via #5.
Portables cannot be re-joined as a stereo pair until they are removed as surrounds from the soundbar. (i.e. Remove surrounds).

Additional Attributes of Portables as Surrounds

Can be set to play as “Full” or “Ambient for music
Surround distance can be set
When out of range they appear as “Not in Use” in the soundbar room; but appear as active rooms in the app and can be used as such for streaming
Cannot participate in TruePlay tuning

* Roams of any generation and Move (Gen 1) are not compatible

^ For brevity “Portables” will be used to signify both the Play and Move 2