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Answered

Sonos 1 surround sound

  • February 22, 2019
  • 7 replies
  • 468 views
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Hi all,
I have a Playbar and Sub in my living room and the sound is superb.

What I would like to know is for watching 5.1 enabled movies, does having Sonos Play 1s as surround speakers really add much to the experience?

Thanks :)

Haden

Best answer by AjTrek1

Hi, HadenUK. I would say yes (as much as any other surround system), the experience would be the same as what you are accustomed to with a surround system. It would also provide a more immersive experience for music playback, as you would have the additional two speakers in the setup as well.So would a Play 1 give optimal surround sound or should I consider a more expensive speaker? FYI my Sonos set up is already controlled using Alexa.

The Play 1 and Sonos One are for the most part identical speakers. The latter having Alexa voice which bumps the price. In a blind test you'd be very challenged to distinguish a difference in sound (if any were present). The only more expensive speaker is a Play 5 which IMO is overkill in a surround setup except in the most extreme placements. So direct answer to your question...the Play 1 will provide optimal sound.

Hi, HadenUK. I would say yes (as much as any other surround system), the experience would be the same as what you are accustomed to with a surround system. It would also provide a more immersive experience for music playback, as you would have the additional two speakers in the setup as well.Also, just to confirm, when playing music through Amazon music (through the Sonos kit), would the surround speakers also be active,

Yes, the surround speakers would be active. However, in the Sonos app you can set them to automactically switch from surround mode to FULL speaker mode when playing music. You would also be able to control the volume of the surrounds and Playbar independently or as a group.

Cheers!
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    7 replies

    Edward R
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    • Edward R
    • Retired Sonos Staff
    • February 22, 2019
    Hi, HadenUK. I would say yes (as much as any other surround system), the experience would be the same as what you are accustomed to with a surround system. It would also provide a more immersive experience for music playback, as you would have the additional two speakers in the setup as well.
    Try searching our articles for help with your question: https://www.sonos.com/en/support
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    J
    • John B
    • February 22, 2019
    I would just point out that Sonos make a Play:1 and a Sonos One. An identical pair of either could be used. The One is more expensive but has voice control built in. The One also has Airplay 2, but when it is used for surrounds Airplay does not operate
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    • HadenUK
    • Author
    • Contributor III
    • February 22, 2019
    I would just point out that Sonos make a Play:1 and a Sonos One. An identical pair of either could be used. The One is more expensive but has voice control built in. The One also has Airplay 2, but when it is used for surrounds Airplay does not operate

    Ah, I was thinking of Play 1s. Thanks for pointing out the distinction John 🙂
    H
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    • HadenUK
    • Author
    • Contributor III
    • February 22, 2019
    Hi, HadenUK. I would say yes (as much as any other surround system), the experience would be the same as what you are accustomed to with a surround system. It would also provide a more immersive experience for music playback, as you would have the additional two speakers in the setup as well.

    Hi Edward, thanks for replying (again) to me today.

    So would a Play 1 give optimal surround sound or should I consider a more expensive speaker? FYI my Sonos set up is already controlled using Alexa.

    Also, just to confirm, when playing music through Amazon music (through the Sonos kit), would the surround speakers also be active, i.e. not requiring a special 5.1 feed?

    Thanks!
    J
    • John B
    • February 22, 2019
    Hi, HadenUK. I would say yes (as much as any other surround system), the experience would be the same as what you are accustomed to with a surround system. It would also provide a more immersive experience for music playback, as you would have the additional two speakers in the setup as well.

    Hi Edward, thanks for replying (again) to me today.

    So would a Play 1 give optimal surround sound or should I consider a more expensive speaker? FYI my Sonos set up is already controlled using Alexa.

    Also, just to confirm, when playing music through Amazon music (through the Sonos kit), would the surround speakers also be active, i.e. not requiring a special 5.1 feed?

    Thanks!    If you will excuse my butting in :)

    Play:1s work really well with Playbar and Sub. Unless you have a huge room anything else is probably OTT.

    For music you can set the P:1 sound to be AMBIENT (barely audible) or FULL (very audible). You can adjust the relative volume between bar and surrounds. It isn't a huge hassle to go into the app and turn the surrounds off or on if you really want to.
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    AjTrek1
    • AjTrek1
    • Answer
    • February 22, 2019
    Hi, HadenUK. I would say yes (as much as any other surround system), the experience would be the same as what you are accustomed to with a surround system. It would also provide a more immersive experience for music playback, as you would have the additional two speakers in the setup as well.So would a Play 1 give optimal surround sound or should I consider a more expensive speaker? FYI my Sonos set up is already controlled using Alexa.

    The Play 1 and Sonos One are for the most part identical speakers. The latter having Alexa voice which bumps the price. In a blind test you'd be very challenged to distinguish a difference in sound (if any were present). The only more expensive speaker is a Play 5 which IMO is overkill in a surround setup except in the most extreme placements. So direct answer to your question...the Play 1 will provide optimal sound.

    Hi, HadenUK. I would say yes (as much as any other surround system), the experience would be the same as what you are accustomed to with a surround system. It would also provide a more immersive experience for music playback, as you would have the additional two speakers in the setup as well.Also, just to confirm, when playing music through Amazon music (through the Sonos kit), would the surround speakers also be active,

    Yes, the surround speakers would be active. However, in the Sonos app you can set them to automactically switch from surround mode to FULL speaker mode when playing music. You would also be able to control the volume of the surrounds and Playbar independently or as a group.

    Cheers!
    Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
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    H
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    • HadenUK
    • Author
    • Contributor III
    • February 22, 2019
    Cheers guys. Right, I think some more Sonos kit will be bought this weekend 🙂
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