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Hello, I have the Arc Ultra, sub 4 and 2 ERA 300 set up in surround mode. 
 

if I set the 300s to full mode, TV off, playing Apple Music through Sonos app, my understanding is the speakers will be louder (equal volume to arc) and full frequency range vs ambient where it would be lower volume and reduced frequency range. When I turn the TV on they will switch back to surround mode controlled by the movie/Arc (no longer in full mode).

Assuming the above is correct, is the only item I lose in this config for playing music is that the 300s won’t have stereo right and left channels playing? I assume the ultra will play music in right and left stereo channel mode?
 

So With full frequency range and the ultra playing right and left channels I would think the quality of audio would be pretty darn close to having the 300s in stereo mode grouped with the ultra?

 

any experience with this and opinions on sound quality?

 

thank you 
 

 

Streaming music in stereo from the TV with result in the Era 300s playing what the Arc Ultra determines to be ambient audio to create simulated surround sound. Streaming the same music in stereo through the Sonos app (with the Music Playback setting set to Full) will result in full stereo playback from the Era 300s.

But when used as surrounds, the front-facing driver on the Era 300s is disabled. This is not the case when the Era 300s are used separately as a stereo pair.

Thank you for your reply. Just to clarify, when the era 300s are configured as surround and in full mode, when playing music through the Sonos app with the TV off, the front drivers are always disabled?

My experience is very different.  I had two 300s and a sub Gen2 set up for music and the Arc Ultra for just TV sound.

I liked this option as I primarily listen to music and thought this would be better after experimenting a few years back with my Playbase and two Play 5s.

 

However I tried setting up for full atmos, when watching a Dolby atmos film, with the Sub and Era 300s linked with the Ultra for a one room full surround config.

 

I have to say I love the sound, regardless of the source.  Atmos audio content is amazing but standard music playing from my local library is superb too.  It has the added benefit that the sweet spot for listening is far bigger and I no longer mind where I sit in the room.  Trueplay helped too.

 

I’m not going back, which is testament enough for me.  Others mileage may vary!

Thank you for your reply. Just to clarify, when the era 300s are configured as surround and in full mode, when playing music through the Sonos app with the TV off, the front drivers are always disabled?

The front drivers are ALWAYS disabled when the Era 300s are being used as surround speakers no matter what is being played through the speakers.

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