I bought a new Arc a few weeks ago to replace my Samsung sound bar and then was given a Gen 1 Play 5 which I was hoping to add to and then use as a rear surround. However I now find that the Play 5 only works with the S1 app and thus is not compatible with the Arc.
I would like to avoid buying new due to the cost so is there any restrictions or guides as to what play Ones or One SL’s will work with the Arc?
Many Thanks.
Best answer by GuitarSuperstar
If you want to save money and buy used, get a used pair of Play:1s or One SLs. Getting a pair of Ones is unnecessary because you cannot use the microphones and voice assistant when the speakers are connected as surrounds.
Here is a full list of surround options:
Any pair of Sonos speakers if the same type (both Ones, or Fives, or PLAY:3s) that run S2 will work as surround speakers for the Arc. The only speakers that will not work are any S1 speakers, as you’ve found out, or the Sonos Roam or Sonos Move. Those two speaker types are designed for moving from space to space, and don’t have the capability to be bonded as surrounds.
If you want to save money and buy used, get a used pair of Play:1s or One SLs. Getting a pair of Ones is unnecessary because you cannot use the microphones and voice assistant when the speakers are connected as surrounds.
Here is a full list of surround options:
I believe the Sonos One series, much like the PLAY:1 series, can run either S1 or S2 (not at the same time). I use pairs of PLAY:1s for both of my Arc’s surrounds, but Ones would have been fine, too. You can mix and match Ones as needed, but if you’re buying new, for the express purpose of surround use, the One SL is the best deal, same sound, lower cost as it doesn’t have the microphone. GuitarSuperstar’s post covers this.
In case it wasn’t clear, you do need a pair of S2 speakers. You cannot setup a single speaker for surround sound, as you were intending to do with the Play:5 gen1.
In case it wasn’t clear, you do need a pair of S2 speakers. You cannot setup a single speaker for surround sound, as you were intending to do with the Play:5 gen1.
Thank you for the clarification but I was not intending to use just one Play 5, rather I was going to buy an additional pre-owned example to make a par.
I am now looking at Play Ones’ but wanted to make sure there wasn’t a S1 ad S2 version so that I avoided the same trap!
Many Thanks to all for the information.
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