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Sonos Playbar, Sonos Sub & 2 In-Ceiling Speakers - Will this work?

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I plan on mounting a TV in the open space family area, I already have two in-ceiling speakers that I would like to work in conjunction with the TV.

I would also like to purchase the following:
- Sonos Playbar that would be mounted below the TV on-wall
- Sonos Sub is on the floor to the right of the TV
- Use the 2 in-ceiling speakers

For all of this to work together, I believe the following setup is needed.

- Sonos playbar would need a CAT5 cable to connect directly to a Sonos Connect Amp
- Sonos playbar would also have the optical connection to the TV
- 2 in-ceiling speakers run speaker wire directly to the Sonos Connect Amp

In this setup when I turn on my TV will the in-ceiling speakers automatically be used?

If I don't have the TV on and only want to use the in-ceiling speakers for music - Can I use the sonos app to configure a zone without the playbar just for music?

The in-ceiling speakers will be over the couch and won't be behind the couch - Should I be concerned about the in-ceiling speaker location since this setup is like a 5.1 setup if the playbar acts as the front-right, center front-left speaker?

Thanks in advance for any input.

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Stuart_WAnswer

World-Class Superstar

https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2248?_ga=1.118346889.1296342829.1464799860

Arc + Sub (Gen 1) + 2 x Play 1/ Stereo Play 3s/ Era 100 Stereo in Kitchen, One Stereo in Bedroom, Play 1 stereo pair in Study, Play 1in Bathroom, Sonos Move 2

T

The LHC

As well as the Connect:amp being wired to the Playbar you will also need the Playbar wired to your network in order to use the connect:amp speakers as surrounds, you won't be able to use Wi-Fi mode.

You can't also configure the Connect:amp as a separate stereo setup but you can set the rear speakers to Full in the app settings, which amounts to the same thing for music, although the music will still come out of the Playbar (and sub, which is the best bit).

The rear speaker location will probably be fine, provided they're wide of the listening position, if they're directly overhead you may not get much left/right separation.

P

philsterAuthor

Contributor I

Thanks LHC for the information

If I connect the Sonos Playbar via CAT to the Sonos Amp and connect it directly to my network - You mentioned the wireless will not work. Not sure I understand what the impact of this will be? I am assuming the Sonos App will still work properly.

For the Sonos Subwoofer, will it connect via Wifi to the network and find that it is connected to the Sonos Playbar & 2 speakers in the setup above?

P

philsterAuthor

Contributor I

I noticed there is a Subwoofer Out on the Sonos Connect AMP - Do I need to connect it in the setup that I am trying to achieve?

I would also like to purchase the following:
- Sonos Playbar that would be mounted below the TV on-wall
- Sonos Sub is on the floor to the right of the TV
- Use the 2 in-ceiling speakers

For all of this to work together, I believe the following setup is needed.

- Sonos playbar would need a CAT5 cable to connect directly to a Sonos Connect Amp
- Sonos playbar needs to have a direct CAT5 cable directly to the network as well
- Sonos playbar would also have the optical connection to the TV
- 2 in-ceiling speakers run speaker wire directly to the Sonos Connect Amp

Question is do I need to run a cable from the subwoofer out on the Sonos Connect Amp to my Sonos Subwoofer?

AjTrek1

Question is do I need to run a cable from the subwoofer out on the Sonos Connect Amp to my Sonos Subwoofer?

The Sonos Sub can only be BONDED to a speaker there is no input for a cable of any sort.

Regarding the rest of your setup --- The LHC can correct me on this if it isn't possible...but if you are running into a placement issue (i.e. distance to your router) to connect your Playbar to your network you could probably introduce a Boost as the direct Ethernet connection to setup the SonosMesh. All the other configs discussed would remain the same.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

P

philsterAuthor

Contributor I

Thanks AJTrek1!

I was worried when LHC said I wouldn't be able to use the wifi mode when I run the CAT5 cables to the playbar. So the Sonos Subwoofer will be configured wireless to "bond" to playbar & 2 in-ceiling speakers that will be connected to the Sonos Connect Amp.

Thanks again for the help.

AjTrek1

Thanks AJTrek1!

I was worried when LHC said I wouldn't be able to use the wifi mode when I run the CAT5 cables to the playbar. So the Sonos Subwoofer will be configured wireless to "bond" to playbar & 2 in-ceiling speakers that will be connected to the Sonos Connect Amp.

Whoa...philster!

You are correct regarding the Sonos Sub bonding. However, I wasn't suggesting that by introducing a Sonos Boost (or Boost mode) to your setup that you would be able to use Wifi. Boost has a dual meaning for Sonos:

1. Boost mode is established anytime a Sonos speaker (excluding the Sonos Sub) is connected to a network via Ethernet cable
2. Boost mode is established when a PHYSICAL Sonos Boost is integrated as a component. Click the link to learn more about the Sonos Boost:

http://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/boost.html?_ga=1.75676693.1617335766.1473897203

For your configuration the Boost mode is required either by direct connection via ethernet cable to a Sonos speaker or a PHYSICAL Sonos Boost. Click the link for more information relevant to your setup:

https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2248/kw/Connect%20amp%20setup

FYI, the Boost mode will always produce a stronger and more stable signal vs home WiFi. I hope this clears up any misconceptions caused by my previous post 🆒

Cheers!

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

P

philsterAuthor

Contributor I

Thanks Ajtrek1 - I will check out the boost.

I was just speaking with Sonos technical support. they are saying that I don't need to have a CAT5 connection to the network or Sonos Connect Amp - just setup the playbar wirelessly; the subwoofer is connected wirelessly; 2 in-ceiling speakers connect to the sonos connect amp.

- create a zone 1 in the app, which connects the playbar, subwoofer and 2 in-ceiling speakers
- playbar is connected to the TV via optical cable
- create a zone 2 in the app, for only the 2 in-ceiling speakers so when I just want to play music through them and not the playbar/subwoofer.

Stuart_WAnswer

World-Class Superstar

https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2248?_ga=1.118346889.1296342829.1464799860

Arc + Sub (Gen 1) + 2 x Play 1/ Stereo Play 3s/ Era 100 Stereo in Kitchen, One Stereo in Bedroom, Play 1 stereo pair in Study, Play 1in Bathroom, Sonos Move 2

AjTrek1

Did you explain to Sonos Tech Support that you intend to use the in ceiling speakers as surrounds?

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

T

The LHC

Thanks Ajtrek1 - I will check out the boost.

I was just speaking with Sonos technical support. they are saying that I don't need to have a CAT5 connection to the network or Sonos Connect Amp - just setup the playbar wirelessly; the subwoofer is connected wirelessly; 2 in-ceiling speakers connect to the sonos connect amp.

- create a zone 1 in the app, which connects the playbar, subwoofer and 2 in-ceiling speakers
- playbar is connected to the TV via optical cable
- create a zone 2 in the app, for only the 2 in-ceiling speakers so when I just want to play music through them and not the playbar/subwoofer.

So do you want the in ceiling speakers to be surround sound speakers for the Playbar or not?

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