Skip to main content
Contributor I
February 5, 2014
Question

How do I connect Play:5s to the TV? And Will Quality be compromised?

Hello! I'm not really interested in buying a playbar because my primary objective is to play music in my living room via my mobile devices, etc. However, since my TV is also in my living room, I think it a bit of a waste to have a music system in place that doesn't integrate with my TV. So...originally, I was thinking of purchasing two Play:3s, since my buddy has this setup in his home. I really liked the sound quality of the Play:3s for the value! However, I notice that the Play-3s have no in-line input to connect to the TV. Can you tell me the different solutions for integrating the Play:3s or Play:5s to the TV - other than purchasing the playbar? If I were to purchase two Play:5s instead, how would I set them up to my TV? Would there be any sound delays from TV to the Play:5s in this scenario? FWIW, I have a Sharp Aquos TV. Thank you! D
This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

23 replies

Chris
Lead Maestro
June 28, 2014
I have a question with the original poster - you said that you are not interested in the Playbar because your primary objective is playing music in your living room.

You do realize the Playbar plays music exactly the same as if it were a Play:5 and has very good sound.

A Play:5 has 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range, one 3.5 woofer.   The Playbar has 3 tweeters and 6 mid-range.  Stand alone it may not get as low in bass as the Play:5 but it is pretty close with all of those mid's (of course a Sonos Sub paired with it would make for sound that would rival 2 Play:5's).

But functionally the Playbar is no different then a Play:5 other than having the TV input.


can you try running cables from another device you know the right and left channels are working.  I just keep thinking the Sonos is only getting one channel.
Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)
Chris
Lead Maestro
June 28, 2014
I have a question with the original poster - you said that you are not interested in the Playbar because your primary objective is playing music in your living room.

You do realize the Playbar plays music exactly the same as if it were a Play:5 and has very good sound.

A Play:5 has 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range, one 3.5 woofer.   The Playbar has 3 tweeters and 6 mid-range.  Stand alone it may not get as low in bass as the Play:5 but it is pretty close with all of those mid's (of course a Sonos Sub paired with it would make for sound that would rival 2 Play:5's).

But functionally the Playbar is no different then a Play:5 other than having the TV input.


Don't unpair them as stereo keep them paired and playing and swap the cable while you are listening.  Does it move speakers.
Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)
Contributor I
June 28, 2014
I have a question with the original poster - you said that you are not interested in the Playbar because your primary objective is playing music in your living room.

You do realize the Playbar plays music exactly the same as if it were a Play:5 and has very good sound.

A Play:5 has 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range, one 3.5 woofer.   The Playbar has 3 tweeters and 6 mid-range.  Stand alone it may not get as low in bass as the Play:5 but it is pretty close with all of those mid's (of course a Sonos Sub paired with it would make for sound that would rival 2 Play:5's).

But functionally the Playbar is no different then a Play:5 other than having the TV input.


I ran the line in to the Living room 2 play 5 and created the stereo pair. when prompted to up the volume (ident) on the left unit I kept it the same (Living room 2 left / living room right) - and I got nothing at all. 

When I re created the stereo pair (with line in on Living room) and ideated that as the left I got only audio though the living room unit. 
It seems to only play audio through the right unit (without the line in) when paired. 
Again grouping works on both
Contributor I
June 28, 2014
I have a question with the original poster - you said that you are not interested in the Playbar because your primary objective is playing music in your living room.

You do realize the Playbar plays music exactly the same as if it were a Play:5 and has very good sound.

A Play:5 has 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range, one 3.5 woofer.   The Playbar has 3 tweeters and 6 mid-range.  Stand alone it may not get as low in bass as the Play:5 but it is pretty close with all of those mid's (of course a Sonos Sub paired with it would make for sound that would rival 2 Play:5's).

But functionally the Playbar is no different then a Play:5 other than having the TV input.


I meant I got audio through living room 2 when line in was on living room and that ideated as left. 
Chris
Lead Maestro
June 28, 2014
I have a question with the original poster - you said that you are not interested in the Playbar because your primary objective is playing music in your living room.

You do realize the Playbar plays music exactly the same as if it were a Play:5 and has very good sound.

A Play:5 has 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range, one 3.5 woofer.   The Playbar has 3 tweeters and 6 mid-range.  Stand alone it may not get as low in bass as the Play:5 but it is pretty close with all of those mid's (of course a Sonos Sub paired with it would make for sound that would rival 2 Play:5's).

But functionally the Playbar is no different then a Play:5 other than having the TV input.


But if you have them playing stereo paired and only hear sound out of one of the speakers.  While they are playing and you are listening if you swap the red/white wire on the back of TV does the sound move from one to the other or not?
Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)
Contributor I
June 28, 2014
I have a question with the original poster - you said that you are not interested in the Playbar because your primary objective is playing music in your living room.

You do realize the Playbar plays music exactly the same as if it were a Play:5 and has very good sound.

A Play:5 has 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range, one 3.5 woofer.   The Playbar has 3 tweeters and 6 mid-range.  Stand alone it may not get as low in bass as the Play:5 but it is pretty close with all of those mid's (of course a Sonos Sub paired with it would make for sound that would rival 2 Play:5's).

But functionally the Playbar is no different then a Play:5 other than having the TV input.


Ive stereo paired them and swapped the rca/phonos. 
When swapping the audio seems to only be on one of the connector (1 legged?). I swap the working one from side to side of the TV outputs and Living room 2 (the non line in) is still the only one that works. If I swap the other connector from side to side I get nothing on either unit. 
So does that mean one side of my cable is not working? Or that the units aren't seeing stereo? I haven't another unit to test the cable with. 

I guess ill have to buy one to test. 

Cheers
Contributor I
June 28, 2014
I have a question with the original poster - you said that you are not interested in the Playbar because your primary objective is playing music in your living room.

You do realize the Playbar plays music exactly the same as if it were a Play:5 and has very good sound.

A Play:5 has 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range, one 3.5 woofer.   The Playbar has 3 tweeters and 6 mid-range.  Stand alone it may not get as low in bass as the Play:5 but it is pretty close with all of those mid's (of course a Sonos Sub paired with it would make for sound that would rival 2 Play:5's).

But functionally the Playbar is no different then a Play:5 other than having the TV input.


So my point is it doesn't move speakers when i swap!
Chris
Lead Maestro
June 28, 2014
I have a question with the original poster - you said that you are not interested in the Playbar because your primary objective is playing music in your living room.

You do realize the Playbar plays music exactly the same as if it were a Play:5 and has very good sound.

A Play:5 has 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range, one 3.5 woofer.   The Playbar has 3 tweeters and 6 mid-range.  Stand alone it may not get as low in bass as the Play:5 but it is pretty close with all of those mid's (of course a Sonos Sub paired with it would make for sound that would rival 2 Play:5's).

But functionally the Playbar is no different then a Play:5 other than having the TV input.


seems to me it is the cable.  Sonos must default to only left side working if it only gets one channel.

Is it seated real good in the Sonos - it's not a cable with 3 leads is it (right left and video - those seem to never work right both channels when just using for audio).

Do you have a cable you can verify the Sonos port is working right.  Such as a 3.5mm to 3.5mm where you can hook your phone into the Play:5 and see that both channels work.
Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)
Contributor I
June 28, 2014
I have a question with the original poster - you said that you are not interested in the Playbar because your primary objective is playing music in your living room.

You do realize the Playbar plays music exactly the same as if it were a Play:5 and has very good sound.

A Play:5 has 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range, one 3.5 woofer.   The Playbar has 3 tweeters and 6 mid-range.  Stand alone it may not get as low in bass as the Play:5 but it is pretty close with all of those mid's (of course a Sonos Sub paired with it would make for sound that would rival 2 Play:5's).

But functionally the Playbar is no different then a Play:5 other than having the TV input.


Right! so when 3.5 to 3.5 from my iPhone the stereo pairing works perfectly! so its my 2 x phono to 3.5mm cable thats 1 legged (its not one that has a yellow/video one). 

Thanks for the help!
Chris
Lead Maestro
June 28, 2014
I have a question with the original poster - you said that you are not interested in the Playbar because your primary objective is playing music in your living room.

You do realize the Playbar plays music exactly the same as if it were a Play:5 and has very good sound.

A Play:5 has 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range, one 3.5 woofer.   The Playbar has 3 tweeters and 6 mid-range.  Stand alone it may not get as low in bass as the Play:5 but it is pretty close with all of those mid's (of course a Sonos Sub paired with it would make for sound that would rival 2 Play:5's).

But functionally the Playbar is no different then a Play:5 other than having the TV input.


Glad we solved that mystery!
Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)