One Wireless stereo speaker

One option is to perhaps wire the (source) Onkyo Receiver RCA analog output to the 3.5mm line-in of a Sonos Five and (wireless) stereo pair it to a second ‘Five’ - what I’m not sure about is if the fireplace/environment will cause any issues with the WiFi connections between the players themselves and the router, but that’s a case of trying these things to see if they will work in their proposed environment.

Unless your wireless environment is very poor this will work fine, however, you should be aware that there is a 75ms latency between a SONOS Line-In and output through the players.  This will create issues if you attempt to play through the SONOS speakers and speakers connected to the ONKYO if both sets of speakers can be heard by a listener.

Yes I know that a Sonos Play 5 has a line-in jack but the cost of 2 of the Play 5’s would be prohibitive.

I’m thinking that a Bluetooth solution would be the less costly approach but I can’t see to find the right combination of components to put it together The two speakers would only be about ten feet apart with on the other side of the fireplace.. I’m thinking that two powered bookshelf speakers with a Bluetooth transmitter on the output of the Onkyo amp with two Bluetooth receivers would work but can’t seem to get enough details about the Bluetooth devices to determine if that configuration would work. It seems as if every configuration I look at requires a wire run between the two speakers. There doesn’t seem to be any info about transmitting stereo to two separate POWERED speakers via Bluetooth. I found reference to JBL and Sony having Bluetooth speakers that could be set up with separate stereo speakers but the speakers are small waterproof speakers made for portable outdoor use.

I was also looking at the old Sonos Connect amp. It too has a line input. I see that there are plenty of them available on line at very reasonable prices since it was discontinued.

Can any one verify that I could use an aux output from the Onkyo amp into the line-in on the Connect  and then group two of the small Sonos speakers to be a stereo pair?

Still looking for some suggestions.

Thanks

You would not want to use a Connect:Amp, but a Connect (no amp) for your case.  Sonos doesn’t sell these anymore, Port is the replacement,  and many of the older ones are S1 only, not compatible with the current system, S2.  It would work, but the new Sonos speakers won’t work with it.  I wouldn’t go this route.

Why does the customer want to keep using the Onkyo receiver? Is it connected to a TV, turntable, or something of that nature?  If the customer just wants to streaming audio from a service, there’s no need for the receiver.  A pair of Sonos Ones will work just fine.

However , one potential solution is to get a Sonos Roam along with a pair of Ones.  The Roam has bluetooth, so it can connect to the receiver via a bluetooth transceiver.  The Roam can then be grouped with the pair of Ones to play in sync.  This doesn’t seem like the ideal solution as there are a lot of moving parts to deal with.  And you still have 75ms delay mentioned earlier.

I’d still want to know why the receiver needs to be a source.

Sometimes Taperwire works miracles. 

Yep, you guessed it. The Onkyo is very old and IS connected to a VERY old turntable. I tried to warn the customer about the fact that the existing equipment could last for a short time and then have to be replaced anyway. - - - -  But, apparently it has nostalgic meaning to him.He’s got a collection of old vinyl that he’s chomping at the bit to play and not the least bit interested in streaming ANYTHING.

Very “old school” guy.

I like the idea of using the Bluetooth “transceiver” but not ever having heard the Sonos Roam speakers I’m not sure of what kind of sound field and range he’d be getting. Which is the reason I was looking for self powered Bluetooth bookshelf speakers with 5 or 6” drivers. These are the only speakers he will be using so looking at the room size and the size of the Roam I don’t know if they would give the effect of filling the room with sound. There will be no subwoofer either.

If you can, please give me a link to this Bluetooth “Transceiver” that you mentioned That’s what I can’t seem to find out any info about if these transceivers will actually send stereo via Bluetooth.

And the other issue is - - - - I can’t seem to find any === SINGLE-bookshelf-Bluetooth-powered-speakers === with a substantial sized driver.. All that I’ve been able to find is a PAIR with one passive speaker that requires a wire between them.

Also, I DID think about the tapewire solution but really. - - -  there’s this big brick fireplace with the Onkyo and turntable on a shelf on one side. Tile floor, vaulted ceiling, no molding, no basement, no attic. And considering I have the WAF ( wife acceptance factor, which means no additional molding) to deal with, I don’t see any other way.

Thanks all for your input.

Gene

I have no experience with the audioengine W3, but it may satisfy the requirements. You would need three of these, plus two powered speakers. This assumes that the ONKYO analog outputs are after its Volume control. It may be possible to use only two W3’s, but I worry about latency differences in the audio paths to the two speakers. Here is a similar product. Again, I have no experience with these.

I think I would sell him on the idea of getting a single Five, assuming that’s within the budget.  You aren’t getting the stereo pair, but the Five will sound good by itself and give you the option to add the second Five in the future.  

Another thought is to get a Bluetooth transceiver and a Sonos Move.  It’s a little cheaper, but it will give your customer the ability to move the speaker around the house, maybe even still be connected to the turntable depending on signal strength.  You won’t have the option to add a second move (not with a bluetooth connection anyway) but if that will never be in the budget, perhaps not a deterenet.  I think the Move is a little better suited for use as a mono speaker, filling the room, etc.  The auto true play is nice as well.

That said, there could very well be a non-Sonos brand bluetooth  speaker of similar quality that also has an aux input.  That could be a better option.  

Back on the idea of a stereo pair, I can’t say that another brand would be a cheaper option that Sonos.  Amazon, for example, obviously has a cheaper system, but they won’t work with the turntable.

I don’t see why I’d need three of the W3’s

Description says one transmitter and one receiver will send stereo. REALLY -  - I think I only need one transmitter and two receivers. Then I’d plug the left speaker into the left channel of one Bluetooth receiver and plug the right speaker into the right channel on the other Bluetooth receiver. I’ll have to call the mfg to see if they can be ordered that way. But that still leaves me with the problem of finding a single powered Bluetooth speaker. However, In looking for a single powered bookshelf Bluetooth speaker with a sizeable driver I’ve come across single Bluetooth powered “studio”  speakers. This seems to be a way to get a single Bluetooth speaker without a wired remote speaker. I’ve also seen a powered Bluetooth speaker with a “wireless” remote speaker --- which would be ideal except they were out of stock.

Still looking. Thinks for your input.

By the way ---- if this subject is getting to much away from Sonos related issues, just let me know.

When using a W3 or similar, it is not necessary for the powered speakers to be Bluetooth.

So OK, Thought I’d get back to everyone just to let you know what I settled on.

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3 Bluetooth transmitter/receivers (about $50.00 ea)

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/IBT402--hosa-ibt-402-drive-bluetooth-audio-interface-transmitter-receiver-stereo-3.5-mm-trs-jack

and two of these speakers. (about $150.00 ea)

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR305MK2--jbl-305p-mkii-5-inch-powered-studio-monitor

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Just need power xfmrs for the Bluetooth transceivers.

Thanks for your input during this little quest to make a customer happy.

Gene.