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MikeE67
Chromatic Producer I
February 13, 2022
Answered

Surround speaker query

Hi.

I have a Sonus Arc soundbar and Sonus Sub (Gen 3) and I was wondering if buying SL surround speakers would be worth it?

In general, I find that most TV channels seem to be broadcast in stereo in either Dolby Digital 2.0 or Stereo PCM.

What actually happens to the sound from a stereo broadcast regarding the surround speakers?

Does the sound just get directed to the surround speakers anyway (even though it's not Dolby Digital 5.1) or are the surround speakers disabled and only in use with DD 5.1 sources?

I would imagine that when playing music the surrounds are just used as additional speakers?

I am new to the concept of surround sound so I would appreciate some advice!

Cheers 🍻 

 

 

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ratty
rattyAnswer
February 13, 2022

If the source signal is 2-channel then the surrounds are sent a synthesised ambient sound derived therefrom. They wouldn’t normally be totally silent unless the content is, say, a news channel.

In the case of music (not TV) you have the option of the surrounds producing ambient sound or reproducing the full stereo signal. 

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19 replies

ratty
rattyAnswer
February 13, 2022

If the source signal is 2-channel then the surrounds are sent a synthesised ambient sound derived therefrom. They wouldn’t normally be totally silent unless the content is, say, a news channel.

In the case of music (not TV) you have the option of the surrounds producing ambient sound or reproducing the full stereo signal. 

    MikeE67Author
    Chromatic Producer I
    February 13, 2022

    Thank you. I will go ahead with the purchase of my new speakers.

    I suspect that Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks usually come from DVD or blu ray players.

    MikeE67Author
    Chromatic Producer I
    February 13, 2022

    Also I can (sort of) hear the advantages of Dolby Atmos when playing songs on Amazon Music Unlimited or watching UHD movies on Sky Q so I can only assume that Dolby Atmos will sound even better with surround speakers?

    I have also gone ahead and ordered a pair of SL speaker stands to complete my home theatre system.

    GuitarSuperstar
    Lead Maestro
    February 13, 2022

    @MikeE67 5.1 audio is commonly used on DVDs, Blu-rays, and all of the major streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, and Apple TV+.

    Adding surround speakers will make a pretty dramatic difference when listening to 5.1 and Dolby Atmos audio. It will give you a much more immersive home theater and music listening experience. You will not regret adding them to your setup.

    "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
      MikeE67Author
      Chromatic Producer I
      February 13, 2022

      GuitarSuperstar- thanks.

      I am a member of Which? and I read that the SL surround speakers are a bit of a hassle to set up on the app.

      I found it a breeze to set up my Arc and Sub so was a bit disappointed to hear this but I will persevere!

      Airgetlam
      Airgetlam
      February 13, 2022

      Sonos surround speaker are no more difficult to set up than any other speaker. 

      Bruce
        GuitarSuperstar
        Lead Maestro
        February 13, 2022

        GuitarSuperstar- thanks.

        I am a member of Which? and I read that the SL surround speakers are a bit of a hassle to set up on the app.

        I found it a breeze to set up my Arc and Sub so was a bit disappointed to hear this but I will persevere!

        Adding surrounds to the Arc is a simple process. Just follow these instructions:

        https://support.sonos.com/s/article/2927?language=en_US

        "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
        MikeE67Author
        Chromatic Producer I
        February 13, 2022

        Thanks to you both for your feedback!

         

        I guess I have nothing to worry about then.

         

        I was going by this:

         

         

         

        jgatie
        jgatie
        February 13, 2022

        I set up an Arc, Sub and two SL surrounds back in December.  It was 1/2 hour from unboxing to fully set up, and that included drilling for and mounting two shelves.  Adding the surrounds took 30 seconds, tops.

          MikeE67Author
          Chromatic Producer I
          February 16, 2022

          @MikeE67 5.1 audio is commonly used on DVDs, Blu-rays, and all of the major streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, and Apple TV+.

          Adding surround speakers will make a pretty dramatic difference when listening to 5.1 and Dolby Atmos audio. It will give you a much more immersive home theater and music listening experience. You will not regret adding them to your setup.

          I have had a few days to assess my surround speakers and I have to agree with you that I don't regret adding them to my system!

           

          Just to clarify that I now have a Dolby Digital 5.1 system with the 3 channels on the Arc (left, right and centre) and the 2 surround speakers making 5 and the Sub is the bass i.e. the 5.1 ?

           

           

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