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I have recently purchased a Sub Mini in order to connect it to my two Play:1 speakers.

Initially it would not even connect to the speakers.

After about a day of trying, it eventually connected to the room and the speakers. However there was no sound.The sub was dead.

After endless resetting etc it suddenly gave me sound. I got about twenty minutes out of it. The next time I turned the computer on it was dead again, and has been ever since.

After extensive research all I can find is the usual “it’s not Sonos, it’s your router” diagnoses/excuses.

Well, if my router is as bad as so many seem to suggest it is, how is that it has been running my other Sonos Sub perfectly for over five years without one single problem? How is that Sonos still plays my music perfectly too? How is it that my internet reception/speed is perfect too? How is that SKY multi-room boxes all run fine off this supposedly defective router?

Before you ask - no - the sub is not too far away/too near the router, neither is there a microwave next to my speakers and neither have I insulted the sub or kicked it!

Everything else about my Sonos system runs perfectly - even with the new app - except for this piece of equipment.

Is it too much to ask that an item that cost upwards of £400 actually works efficiently and can be operated by an average person without a degree in computer science?

Right now I have an expensive white elephant sitting in the room with no other function other than to put something on it as an ornament.

This simply cannot be right.

I have done all the troubleshooting stuff ad nauseam, with no success.

Poor show Sonos. Very poor.

Since you are using Play 1s as the main speakers, for troubleshooting purposes, wire one of them to your router to see if things improve. 

The Play 1 are older and may not have the processing power needed to process audio to the Sub Mini wirelessly, while using WIFI to connect to your network.


Thank you for your reply.

Firstly, the Sub Mini does not work with my Play 3s either, yet the other larger sub that I have - that I use for the play 3s -  works fine when paired with the Play 1s.

Finally, the sub mini is sold as a piece of equipment that is compatible with Play 1. I checked this before purchasing, so why would it not connect?

UPDATE: This is now working successfully with the Ethernet from one Play 1 speaker to the router, as you helpfully suggested. How long this lasts - we’ll see!


Well, that didn’t last long! It played one album for over an hour without a problem, but then the moment I chose a new album it stopped and turned off again.


A diagnostic within a few minutes of the issue and calling support seems the next step.


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