Replace Arc with 2 or 3 Era 300

Mmm, I purchased the arc home theatre, for film. If I got a stereo pair I wouldn’t have upward firing sound ect? I have the Fives for Music only. 

I personally think the arc is plenty enough but your right it’s more meant for movies than music. I don’t say its bad for music, for me it’s great but i also feel that when playing music with the arc alone vs other sonos speakers and I don’t even have the fives or the eras! I am not sure but maybe it feel little lost because it’s more focused on creating sound objects everywhere and therefore lucking the  stereo effect of a pair of good speakers? Or maybe its just the difference between rooms? You can set up two amps and get also in ceilings for the rears but it’s a much more investment 

I wholeheartedly agree with Spaddywaddy - the Arc on its own is indequate, especially for music. It’s geared towards improving the TV sound, but even then it needs at least a sub-mini to sound full. I now have the Arc + sub + 2x Era 300s and it’s an amazing set up altogether, but it also cost a pretty penny to get here. I’m actually thinking of switching to the Beam Gen 2 + sub-mini + 2x Era 100s as a cheaper alternative. Won’t replicate my current setup 100%, but I think I’ll be happy if it gets me 70-80% of the way.

I wish Sonos would allow more customisation. I just watched a video on YouTube from a guy who seems to be on the same page. He has put together Era’s as a different room and messed with settings to get to a sound which Sonos should provide, but as a consumer clean set up. 

Ditch the Arc and just use the Era 300’s. I hate sound bars, now we have the Era 300’s give us the option for centre, left and right config in the Era’s rather than the Arc. I can't wait to hear the Era 500’s when they are released. 

If you hate sound bars, you invested in the wrong ecosystem as sound bars are the foundation of a Sonos home theater setup.

I’m not too sure why you had to make such an obvious statement? Maybe until owning soundbars you figure out they aren't great, especially for music. However, what is real, is that the era 300’s are far better than an Arc; period! Also, they are far better than any other consumer Atmos speaker out there.

IMO It makes sense to allow users to use the Era 300’s as a conventional front, left and right speaker set up, unless a Sonos representative can explain why it wouldn't? This set up would be awesome, for for dolby atoms content in home theatre and music. Are you the type of person who doesn't like to see change or debate, look where that gets people? If you are happy with their arc and your set up, that's great. 

Is it possible to get Dolby atmos for movies from 2-3 Era 300's without a Sonos sound bar?? 

No, this isn’t possible.

Unfortunately not. I wish Sonos would design a system where it can be configured how the user wants, rather than forcing them to use a soundbar. Just imagine if you could configure LCR Era 300’s, x 2 Subs,  2 x Era 300’s as sides, 2 x ceiling and 2 x Era 300’s as rears. 

I would add the additionals to my set up in a heart beat. It would also be great if the set up would support DTSX and HD. 

I’d have to wonder about the cost of the extra chips in the devices that weren’t being used in home theater systems. It makes more sense to create specialized (or some subset of) devices.