Avid Contributor I

Ideal setup if line-in is needed?

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
April 1, 2021
14 replies
312 views

I am trying to figure out a design that will work with primarily using line in for a turntable and music stored locally on my phone (occasional Spotify streaming too). I am new to the Sonos ecosystem and some things are still a bit opaque to me.

For Sonos products that offer line in, I see there is the Amp, the Five, or discontinued Connect. I'm not sure what purpose the amp would serve for line-in though, since the Five also offers line in, is cheaper than the amp, AND is a speaker.

Here is what I'm thinking for the setup: 1x Five (instead of the Amp), a pair of Ones, and the sub, and have this all be one group. May add a beam for the TV at some point. I'd likely get a $50 stereo mixer and have that go line-in to the Five. Phone with local files, turntable, maybe my DJ mixer, would all be connected to the stereo mixer that goes into the Five.

Does that sound like an ideal setup or are there other things that I'm not considering? Listening environment is: Massive downstairs area, with kitchen, large living room and bonus room (all open space).

EDIT: Just a note, the other alternative I’m thinking is: Amp (that my local phone files/turntable is connected to), pair of Ones, sub. This doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense to me though, because it would cost about the same us the setup I mentioned above.

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G

GuitarSuperstar

Lead Maestro

I think that layout will work great.

If I am understanding correctly, I can play either Zone 1 or Zone 2 separately, or both of the Zones 1 and 2 together without any latency or anything?

Yes, you can play each zone separately or both zones together with no latency issues.

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi

buzz

Grand Maestro

I recommend keeping the SUB closer to the speaker(s) that it supports. It is true that it can be difficult for a blindfolded human to walk into a room and point to the exact subwoofer location, but if you separate the subwoofer as much as you propose, you may become aware of the separation and it may seem uncomfortable.

Also keep in mind that sound is pokey, traveling at about one foot per millisecond. If sub is too far from it’s speakers it may seem out of sync. Your room is large enough that sync may become an issue -- depending on your sensitivity and location relative to the speakers.

Everyone’s sensitivity to these sorts of issues varies. You can try your setup and see if anything matters. If it does not matter, celebrate. If it matters, you are on a long journey of pursuing the perfect sound. I know a woman who would notice your proposed subwoofer separation in a few seconds and complain. (and she knows virtually nothing about how sound propagates) I know a guy who is a bass freak and (at my suggestion) has his SUB placed in a far corner (SUB is most efficient on the floor in a corner) and turns the bass to max. In my opinion his is a gross sounding system because it is easy to locate SUB and the bass thump is overwhelming, but he loves his system. Only you know what sounds “best”.

K

Kumar

I recommend keeping the SUB closer to the speaker(s) that it supports.

I agree; I would go so far as to say that the Sub should be between the two One units that it is bonded to. Bass frequencies are passed to the Sub at around 95Hz; and what is said about origin of low frequency sound not being located usually applies to frequencies below 80Hz. So for proper music integration I could never live with Sonos Sub as in the diagram.

Of course, as said in the post above, try for yourself and consider yourself lucky if the off to one side placement works for you.

That placement may work for movies where the Sub only does the low frequency effects channel.

G

gimmesubAuthor

Avid Contributor I

I recommend keeping the SUB closer to the speaker(s) that it supports.

I agree; I would go so far as to say that the Sub should be between the two One units that it is bonded to. Bass frequencies are passed to the Sub at around 95Hz; and what is said about origin of low frequency sound not being located usually applies to frequencies below 80Hz. So for proper music integration I could never live with Sonos Sub as in the diagram.

Of course, as said in the post above, try for yourself and consider yourself lucky if the off to one side placement works for you.

That placement may work for movies where the Sub only does the low frequency effects channel.

Yeah, great recommendation. Ideally I’d have the sub in the middle, but due to the furniture layout in the room, this is the best compromise I could make without upsetting my spouse. The picture is a bit inaccurate too, it’s not as offset and separated as drawn.

Reporting back though, everything sounds great. There’s a small bit of separation but it’s nothing really noticeable unless I’m specifically looking for it. I actually ended up moving the Five into the living room area along with everything else and it filled in the sound very nicely. I was afraid that the Five would muddy up the Sub (not sure what the crossover frequency is for that) but it all sounds great together. Swimming in bass that feels nice and liquidy throughout the whole space. No dead spots or weird reflections or anything.

The only thing at this point that I can foresee adding is a few Ones in the adjacent dining room and another Five upstairs so that no one can escape the music, muah ha ha ha.

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