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Contributor I
April 12, 2018

Expanding Sonos system beyond a single Play:3 in main living area

I bought my first Sonos (Play:3) in November 2017 and love it. I’m hooked on Sonos.

I’m looking to expand the system with another 2 or 3 speakers and would appreciate recommendations and/or if my plan sounds like a good one.

Prior to buying the Play:3, the last time I bought quality speakers was in 1995 when I bought my Cerwin-Vega DX-7s, which I’m still rocking today in my home office.

Since then I’ve only acquired a smattering of lower quality bookshelf or computer speakers, and a fairly cheap 9-year-old Onkyo HT-S3200 5.1 system I use with my TV.

Needless to say, I’m loving the sound of the Play:3 and have been deliberating how to expand the system. The Play:3 does a great job filling the main living area of my house, but I’d like to take the sound to the next level.

Below is a floor plan of my main level living area, which shows current placement of my existing Play:3 (marked in pink):

https://www.dropbox.com/s/sxxheat55sjzbl2/floorplan-sonos-2018.png?dl=0

I marked in green the spots where I’m thinking about adding a Play:5 (living room) and Play:1 or Sonos One (up high in kitchen on top of a cabinet near the ceiling).

I’m also considering a second Play:1 / Sonos One for possible stereo pairing or use elsewhere in the house (or relocating to porch / patio on nice days).

The dining room and living room are open, and the kitchen is mostly closed off, but the Play:3 sound travels nicely into the kitchen.

The dining room is about 13’ x 14’.
The kitchen is about 12’ x 19’.
The living room is about 14’ x 19’ (and open to the foyer).

Thoughts on my plan or other suggestions?

Thanks in advance!
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26 replies

Prodigy III
April 17, 2018
Think all the smart speakers were design to be counter level actually. As all of the mic arrays are top mounted🆒

But from framjam option one, pointed out that it will be high on the kitchen book shelf. Sonos one might not be the best option there. Also alexa and smart assistance is not a concern. And it looked like full nice sound through the house it key. Just adding a stereo pair of play3 will give the livingroom a rich full sound with a lot better bass response then a 2 play1 alone. And cheaper then adding a sub while still gaining on the bass response over 2 play1.
Chris
Lead Maestro
April 17, 2018
Maybe if on a bracket facing kind down (exposing the mics more) - since that high you would want a little angle anyhow.

Or just heck with it and get a DOT.

Actually I have an Alexa Show in my kitchen (of course can control my Play:5 in kitchen).... very nice having the video part too.
Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)
Lyricist III
April 18, 2018
You guys are awesome. Thanks for all the advice.
Chris
Lead Maestro
April 18, 2018
Good luck. Let us know how it goes and if our advice was way off 🙂
Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)
Lyricist III
April 19, 2018
Play:3 installed in kitchen yesterday.

Plan for living room is Play:1s on bookshelves, facing sofa, and (eventually) a SUB under it. I have a birthday coming up, so we'll see how much more equipment gets purchased. 🙂

Can't wait to put some more upstairs and downstairs, too. Cleaning day gets pretty tedious in a four-floor, skinny house!
Prodigy III
April 19, 2018
Play:3 installed in kitchen yesterday.

Plan for living room is Play:1s on bookshelves, facing sofa, and (eventually) a SUB under it. I have a birthday coming up, so we'll see how much more equipment gets purchased. 🙂

Can't wait to put some more upstairs and downstairs, too. Cleaning day gets pretty tedious in a four-floor, skinny house!


enjoy