Play:1 sound quality

Very interesting - I am considering 2x Play 1s for use with my Playbar + sub as rear surround speakers.

Can anyone advise as to how they perform in this scenario? I had hoped to use 2 x Play 3s but we are currently a bit limited for space in terms of our lounge area.

In my opinion, while it is true the Play:1 is smaller, I don't think the Play:3 would take much more space considering it will stand in a vertical position. Obviously, it will be taller and I don't know your room configuration but I would say the difference is marginal.

Now, as I was mentioning, whether you should go for Play:3 depend on your room size, your audio exigence and whether you plan to use your speakers as much for movies as for music.

In a surround configuration, my Play:1's stand between 0.8/1m from me and they do their job perfectly. I don't think there would be an added value to choose Play:3s as surround speakers because of the definition of surround speakers which remain support speakers in your audio setup. Thus, the difference shouldn't be, if not at all noticeable.

I have been playing a lot with my 5.1 setup this week-end; trying out again Play:1 itself, in a stereo configuration, with and without a SUB and playing as a stereo pair along the Playbar + SUB and my recommendations would be:

The obvious: if you principal incentive for buying these is 5.1 setup to enjoy your movies, then you shouldn't spend the extra money on Play:3s.

The not so obvious:
- If listening to music is equally, if not more important, then you should take into consideration how you will listen to it. If you would only use the stereo pair (alongside a potential SUB) to listen to music without the Playbar and if you have high exigence in terms of audio quality, you should go for the Play:3s
- If you plan to listen to music while having the Play:3s in stereo and the Playbar+SUB playing as well the same music, you will get a truly great sound in your whole room (this was the most enjoyable to me and it will rock in parties) and I don't think you will be able to perceive much of a difference between a Play:1 and Play:3s with the Playbar+SUB participating in filling your room with sound.

Nonetheless, I am currently listening to my Play:1s in stereo configuration without the Playbar+SUB and I am, once again, satisfied. In this configuration, I don't expect to push my speakers to a really high volume and it's more of an ambiance mood while I'm in the room.

Hope my feedback can help you in your choice.

P.S: you should also know that currently, there is no easy way to switch from a 5.1 to stereo configuration in your sonos setup. You have to remove the surround speakers from your 5.1 setup and then make them a stereo pair every single time.
Sonos planned a new feature to address this but when this will be available, this is another question 😉

I've added a single Play 1 to my system in the Bathroom. The sound quality in a 4mx2m tiled room is great - but echoy !! No complaints for me in this application.:)

In my opinion, while it is true the Play:1 is smaller, I don't think the Play:3 would take much more space considering it will stand in a vertical position. Obviously, it will be taller and I don't know your room configuration but I would say the difference is marginal.

Now, as I was mentioning, whether you should go for Play:3 depend on your room size, your audio exigence and whether you plan to use your speakers as much for movies as for music.

In a surround configuration, my Play:1's stand between 0.8/1m from me and they do their job perfectly. I don't think there would be an added value to choose Play:3s as surround speakers because of the definition of surround speakers which remain support speakers in your audio setup. Thus, the difference shouldn't be, if not at all noticeable.

I have been playing a lot with my 5.1 setup this week-end; trying out again Play:1 itself, in a stereo configuration, with and without a SUB and playing as a stereo pair along the Playbar + SUB and my recommendations would be:

The obvious: if you principal incentive for buying these is 5.1 setup to enjoy your movies, then you shouldn't spend the extra money on Play:3s.

The not so obvious:
- If listening to music is equally, if not more important, then you should take into consideration how you will listen to it. If you would only use the stereo pair (alongside a potential SUB) to listen to music without the Playbar and if you have high exigence in terms of audio quality, you should go for the Play:3s
- If you plan to listen to music while having the Play:3s in stereo and the Playbar+SUB playing as well the same music, you will get a truly great sound in your whole room (this was the most enjoyable to me and it will rock in parties) and I don't think you will be able to perceive much of a difference between a Play:1 and Play:3s with the Playbar+SUB participating in filling your room with sound.

Nonetheless, I am currently listening to my Play:1s in stereo configuration without the Playbar+SUB and I am, once again, satisfied. In this configuration, I don't expect to push my speakers to a really high volume and it's more of an ambiance mood while I'm in the room.

Hope my feedback can help you in your choice.

P.S: you should also know that currently, there is no easy way to switch from a 5.1 to stereo configuration in your sonos setup. You have to remove the surround speakers from your 5.1 setup and then make them a stereo pair every single time.
Sonos planned a new feature to address this but when this will be available, this is another question ;)

Thank you for your advice - I would be using the Play 1s as rear speakers and wouldn't be too concerned about using as additional music speakers. I have a Playbar & Sub + a Play 3 which I use in the dining room.

I think the Play 1s are looking like an ideal option for surround sound. Thanks again.

I purchased a single Play 1 on Saturday as we needed to get some background music to a patio area for a BBQ.

I did not have particularly high expectations of the Play 1 based on the size, or what I could hear on the demo unit at the store, but remained a little more optimistic based on the reviews.

What a sensational little unit, great sound considering the size and price point. It got a real workout from our guests :D

In fact liked it so much, went out first thing Monday morning to buy a second to make a stereo pair, better again, very happy !

I am considering to buy 2 Play 1 (stereo) devices and a Sonos SUB. Is this supported?
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I am considering to buy 2 Play 1 (stereo) devices and a Sonos SUB. Is this supported?
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Yessir.

I really like the sound on the Play 1 over the Play3, more rappid sound or punchier

Think it's because of the Mono setup or just that the Play 3 must be played louder to get same effect

I've tried to shut of the loudness on the Play 3 and also have it vertical wich I Think is more to my likening with loudness on

I'll need Another Play 1 for sure, then a Playbar then a S... DAMN


SeYa/Ambrose...

I came from a Play 5 to 2 Play 1's, and yes the sound quality is very much different and kinda ruined my experience BUT after a couple hours of listening I placed my Play 1's very far apart from each other in stereo pair and I'm so impressed that I have decided to keep them due to this, if you listen to orchestral music then 2 play 1's in wide stereo is AMAZING.

Test run the Sub bonded to the 1 pair and placed somewhere between the two, as close to the centre as practical, and prepare to be even more amazed! But do so only if you plan to keep the Sub if you get the value for money it provides.
PS: Now and also if you try the Sub, see what Trueplay does to further improve the sound as well.