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Justin_alan
Contributor I
January 10, 2021

Looking for Suggestions re: Amp and Arc

  • January 10, 2021
  • 12 replies
  • 177 views

I recently purchased a home that was pre-wired with ceiling speakers in the den and outdoor speakers in the backyard. I am looking for the best surround setup with Sonos speakers. I recently purchased an Arc and an Amp. I also own a Sonos One SL that I’ve used for a few years. I am thinking about connecting the in-ceiling speakers w/ the Amp and using the Arc to get a 5.0 setup. Any other ideas? What should I do with the speakers in the courtyard? Any advice will help! Thanks. 

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12 replies

GuitarSuperstar
Lead Maestro
January 10, 2021

Where are the in-ceiling speakers located in your den? Will they work as rear surrounds in relation to your Arc?

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
Justin_alanAuthor
Contributor I
January 10, 2021

Right above the sofa.
Yep, they should work a rear surrounds. 

GuitarSuperstar
Lead Maestro
January 10, 2021

The Arc/Amp/in-ceiling speakers would be a good option. If you don’t like the way the in-ceiling speakers sound, you could purchase a second Sonos One SL and use the pair as surrounds instead.

If you have the budget, add another Amp to power your outdoor speakers.

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
Justin_alanAuthor
Contributor I
January 10, 2021

That’s what I was thinking as well! When I originally purchased the amp, I thought (incorrectly) that I would able to connect the in-ceiling and the outdoor speakers to the same amp, and be able to have different volumes for each pair of speakers. Recently determined that it’s impossible to do w/ a single amp.  I don’t want the outdoors speakers to play every time I am watching TV inside, so I’ll probably just leave the outdoor speaker disconnected for now, or purchase a used, inexpensive amp outside of the Sonos eco system for the outdoors speakers. 

    GuitarSuperstar
    Lead Maestro
    January 10, 2021

    Another option would be to get a used Connect:Amp (Gen 2) for your outdoor speakers. They are selling for around $300-$400 on eBay. It’s not as powerful as the newer Amp, but it should be enough for a pair of outdoor speakers. And you would be able to play the same music outside as in your den which is always great to have especially for entertaining.

    "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
    Justin_alanAuthor
    Contributor I
    January 10, 2021

    That’s a great idea! Also may use an older Pioneer that I have for the outdoor speakers for now. 
     

    Will the Connect:Amp connecting the outdoor speakers also be able to play whatever is playing on the TV inside? 

    GuitarSuperstar
    Lead Maestro
    January 10, 2021

    Yes, you can group the den room or zone to the  outdoor zone so the same audio will play through all of your speakers. Be sure the Connect:Amp is the Gen 2 so you can use it with the S2 app.

    "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
    Justin_alanAuthor
    Contributor I
    January 10, 2021

    Thanks! That helps a bunch!

    Justin_alanAuthor
    Contributor I
    January 11, 2021

    Last question — Is there any way I can integrate my sole Sonos One SL in another room to play whatever is on the surround sound? 

    Airgetlam
    Airgetlam
    January 11, 2021

    You can group the two rooms, with two caveats. 1] it won’t play the surround sound, it will play all 5.1 channels at the same time (it’s a mono speaker), and 2] there will be a 75ms delay between the Room that is the Arc and any grouped room, but only when using the TV input. When streaming music, they’ll be in sync. 

    Bruce
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