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0b5cur1ty
Enthusiast I
July 3, 2019
One thing to consider in terms of flexibility is that a setup of play:1s + sub can more easily be converted to a home theatre setup than a pair of play:5s.

A good point.

Actually, off topic but I’m curious (and know nothing about this sort of use): In your current system, is it possible to switch back and forth between a stereo 2-channel ‘music configuration’ in which only the Play 3s (as a stereo pair) and Sub are active and the home theatre configuration in which the Playbar is the front and the Play3s are the rear surrounds (as I presume it’s configured)? I suspect (given your ideas about adding Play 5s) that the answer is no, but am wondering...
KumarAuthor
July 4, 2019
The answer is no, on two counts. First, the physical - stereo music requires speakers in front, aimed towards the listening position or straight ahead, so they would have to be physically moved each time from the surround position at the rear.
Second - the reconfigurations would need some time tapping away at the controller app, a tiresome thing to do each time.
I agree with Danny; the best solution would be a HT that has just a centre speaker that does all the transcoding for HT, sending sound to a separated front pair, a Sub and a rear surround pair. The front pair could then be disconnected from all else, for use as a stereo 2.0 system, although with some amount of controller tapping. Of course that tapping could be replaced by a software powered toggle like the one for Sub ON/OFF.
The Sonos HT compromise as it stands today prevents the centre box that has L/R/Centre in one box to do full justice for movie sound that pans across and often even beyond the width of the screen. And it also cannot provide the speaker separation needed for a good stereo image for music. Although there is Full mode for music play with music coming from the rear surrounds as well; I don't know how that stacks up against the traditional stereo sound via 2 channel with 2 separated front speakers. It may well be a matter of preferences based upon what one has become used to.
PS: Removing the compromise for those willing to pay the extra may even be as "simple" as a configuration that converts the existing Bar/Beam/Base to play just the centre channel, and stream L/R signals for use by a front pair - be it 1/3/5. That would reduce the need for another physical box to be designed and made.
    0b5cur1ty
    Enthusiast I
    July 5, 2019
    The answer is no, on two counts. First, the physical - stereo music requires speakers in front, aimed towards the listening position or straight ahead, so they would have to be physically moved each time from the surround position at the rear.

    My thought was actually that one might sit facing one wall (with the TV and soundbar) for home cinema and sit facing the opposite wall/direction for stereo HiFi. I do realise most living rooms don’t have back-to-back sofas though. 😉
      Qgon
      Contributor II
      January 30, 2020

      Oi Mates!

       

      I already own a Play 5 for my TV and 2 Play One SL (in the opposite corner) for music. I use them in a group for both TV and music right now but want to switch to 5.1 the next weeks. What I want is a 5.1 (or 5.0) Setup in my Living Room for TV and music and also Multiroom music.

      In Bedroom and Bathroom I will go with 1 Play One. My Living Room is around 20m². Now I have a few options which setup I should go with:

      1. Playbar + 2 Rear Play One (full mode) + Sub | Play 5 Kitchen 
      2. Playbar + 2 Rear Play 5 (full mode) + Sub | 2 Play One Kitchen
      3. Playbar + 2 Rear Play One (full mode) + Sub | 2 Play One Kitchen
      4. Playbar + 2 Rear Play 5 (full mode) w/o Sub | 2 Play One Kitchen

      I want the best option for the Living Room since I watch TV and listen most of the time to music in my Living Room. Do you think It’s worth using the 2nd option over others and do I “need” a sub for movies too? Most ppl say it’s overkill to use 2 Play 5 with a Sub in a music setup for a room of that size.

      Maybe you can give me some feedback/input what your thoughts are. I know the best way to decide is to listen to it but I thought I get some input of you guys first (:

      Regards

      Michael

      Jan Schreiber
      Trending Lyricist I
      May 30, 2020

      Do you know if there is a big difference between a pair of Play 5s (vertically) with Sub and a pair of Play 1s with Sub?

      I’ve already had both setups but never had the chance of direct comparison.

      Jan Schreiber
      Trending Lyricist I
      May 31, 2020

      Apart from that I also think the One is the most important Sonos player. It is far enough for background listening (you don’t need a Five for that unless you need the line in) and if you want to listen to music seriosly, you need a stereo pair anyway, and I prefer 2 Ones with Sub over 2 Fives. Even two Ones without Sub are great considering the price!

        krismusic
        Avid Contributor III
        June 7, 2020

        I still hold the belief that every Sonos system should start with the Play:5

         


        I agree. Own the 5 for over a year now. Its so versatile. Loud enough to fill the room and low enough to hit bass notes. Transportable outside/inside/on-trips, just plug and go. And it doubles as a speaker for your TV with line in! All for $399 if you get one on sale.

        Best speaker ever made IMO.

         

        I thought that there were latency issues with a Party 5 and TV?

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