If you are going to use an S2-only compatible sound bar like an Arc or Beam (Gen 2), then the Connect:Amp also has to be a Gen 2. If the Connect:Amp is a Gen 1, then it cannot be used.

Read more here about how to use a Connect:Amp as surrounds:

https://support.sonos.com/s/article/2237?language=en_US

Thanks!  That’s what I thought, but wasn’t t positive. That link was what gave me the idea, but it doesn’t mention if the sound bar has to be gen 1. But thanks for the clarification!

The label on the CA will have a serial number preceeded by 4 digits. What are those 4 digits?

Although tbh I think you would be better off getting an Amp rather use a C;A.

The serial number on my connect amp starts with 1005.  It’s about 12 years old, so I’m pretty confident it is Gen 1. Maybe time for an update

It is definitely gen 1, from May 2010. You would not be able to use it with an Arc or a Beam gen 2. Also, there are requirements for wired Ethernet connections that aren't needed with the latest Amp.

You can use the upgrade credit on the C:A to get a worthwhile discount on new Sonos. 

I think the discount can be used against surroumd sets, so you should also consider a soundbar, Sub and two One SLs or Fives.

Thanks John B, I just realized that you recommended two Ones or Fives with a soundbar and sub.  Can I ask if there is a benefit to using Ones/fives vs. an amp with the speakers that I already have?  I’ve been thinking that I would use the speakers that I have because 1) they are already wired and in a good location and 2) one of them is located in the outermost corner of the house, as far as possible from the modem, and I worry about the quality/strength of the wifi there.  If I use an amp the amp can be installed in a better location for wifi.  Also, as far as I am aware, both the one and five need to be plugged in to a power outlet so there would be cables running around the room.  But is there a something that might tip the scales in the direction of Sonos speakers vs an amp?

Thanks for your help!

Hi.  I didn’t recommend Fives/Ones over a Sonos Amp and existing speakers, I just said you should consider them.  Things like availability of power sockets versus no speaker wires are the sorts of things you should consider, as you are doing.

But there is one important misunderstanding in your last post.  Whether you use a Sonos Amp or Sonos speakers for the surrounds, they will get their music data from the Sonos soundbar using direct routing, not via WiFi.  So the worst thing you could do would be to put the Amp close to your router and away from the soundbar.  The Sonos HT products should all be in the same room.

Sorry, my response wasn’t clear.  It wasn’t my intent to put the Amp near the router, I just meant (but didn’t say) that the location of the soundbar (and therefore the amp) has better wifi signal than the current location of the speakers.

But you said something that is interesting to me.  Are the Sonos speakers (One, Five, etc) not dependent on wifi?  As I said my existing sonos system is very old, and all of my sonos ‘rooms’ consist of a set of wired speakers connected to a connect amp (so no Sonos speakers).  I had heard that the newer systems don’t need to be hardwired to ethernet to set up, so I assumed they need wifi.  The surround sound system that I am looking to set up would consist of a sound bar and amp located close together and two rear speakers 1-015 feet away.

Thank you so much for the advice, I really appreciate it

What you heard is correct in that you have the option to setup Sonos speakers to use sonosnet (with one speaker connected by wire to router) or completely on WiFi.  You have the chose of whatever works best for you.  However, that doesn’t apply for speakers bonded together in a single room.  In that case, the soundbar is going to communicate with the route and other Sonos speakers setup in different rooms...and send audio to the other speakers it’s bonded to...amp and maybe a sub in your case.

So as John was stating, your amp, or ones/fives, set up for surround sound duty need to be relatively close to the soundbar, rather than close to the router or any other Sonos speaker in different rooms.

Oh, but they don’t communicate to each other over wifi?  I didn’t realize that.  Thanks for the info - typically weak wifi in one corner of the house (where 1 speaker is located) was a concern for me.

To be absolutely clear, the soundbar and its surrounds do not communicate with each other over WiFi  Communication between 'rooms' may use WiFi. 

Please also note that none of your Connect:Amps (assuming they are all pre-2015) will be able to be in the same system as an Arc or Beam gen 2.

Awesome!  Thanks everyone for the help!  

Yes, I understand that my existing Connect Amps are not compatible with anything new I buy.

Thanks again!