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twuk
Enthusiast II
October 10, 2016
Question

To sub or not to sub...

I realise at the outset that views shared here will be entirely subjective, but...

I've finally taken the leap to Sonos (from a Heos Home Cinema) and I couldn't be happier at the moment. Everything has been flawless so far... simple setup, perfect integration, amazing sound quality.

I initially went with a Playbar, two Play 1's as surround, and a Play 3 in the master. I opted NOT to go for the sub initially given the relative cost.

With both the Heos and it's predecessor (a Pioneer system) I had a separate sub. Although the bass is clearly present when playing music on the Playbar, I'm not so aware of it on TV/films. So I'm looking for views from others both with the same config (playbar/play 1's) both with and without the sub. Did it hugely impact your experience adding the sub? Or maybe you're on the other side and don't feel the sub is necessary?

For reference the listening room is a 'large' lounge (by UK standards), but the listening position is fairly close to the TV/Playbar - within a few meters.

Thanks in advance for any views. :)

Tom
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18 replies

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Paulw123
Paulw123
Virtuoso
October 11, 2016
Thanks twuk, always good to hear other peoples experiences of different audio kit. Sonos users are always asking for portable and hdmi connections etc.
I think your reply will be repeated on here quite a lot :D
Look at the workarounds with hdmi switch boxes to optical etc ,in here, for the playbar, as getting true 5.1 out of it can be a struggle as a lot of tvs do not pass thru DD5.1
twukAuthor
Enthusiast II
October 11, 2016
Thanks Paul. Fortunately I believe my TV (Samsung UE55KS9000) does support DD pass through.

In any case will find out very shortly as I ordered the Sub this morning. 😃
    ratty
    ratty
    October 11, 2016
    DD5.1 only matters for the specific LFE channel. For all other content -- stereo, DD2.0, etc -- the SUB is just as busy, since the PLAYBAR filters off the low frequencies and sends them to the SUB anyway.
    BowtomePhil
    Contributor III
    October 11, 2016
    I want a new Sub, A sub one, the current one is too big and I have nowhere to put it.
    They now have a white one but no smaller one.

    I can wait , it may be a while if ever :)

    But subs are dam cool, I have a surround system on my PC with a sub and wow
    BoredofBalham
    Prodigy II
    October 11, 2016
    The sub is a great addition that adds a great deal. I too live in flats and placed the sub on an old spiked speaker stand base to isolate it from the floor. Not only for TV, it really peps up music too. You notice it when you switch it off rather than when it is switched on - if that made sense!
    The bass on Interstellar could bounce your block of flats nto the middle of the road.

    I have bass set to what many would call low so it fills in music nicely and adds punch to films.
    Kumar
    October 12, 2016
    placed the sub on an old spiked speaker stand base to isolate it from the floor.

    You notice it when you switch it off rather than when it is switched on - if that made sense!

    I am not sure that a stand is needed to isolate it such that nothing seeps down to the apartment below - evidenced by nothing vibrating if kept on top of it and, in my case, no complaints from a Sub on the floor in vertical mode; perhaps if it is kept flat on the floor with one port facing downwards, it might be a problem downstairs. No harm done by placing it your way of course.

    As to the latter, that is the classic description of a well set up Sub - that you don't notice its presence, but feel its absence once you have felt the presence once.
    twukAuthor
    Enthusiast II
    October 12, 2016
    Brief update... the sub arrived today and I love it - no regrets whatsoever. Thanks all for the feedback, comments, and advice.
      BoredofBalham
      Prodigy II
      October 12, 2016
      placed the sub on an old spiked speaker stand base to isolate it from the floor.

      You notice it when you switch it off rather than when it is switched on - if that made sense!

      I am not sure that a stand is needed to isolate it such that nothing seeps down to the apartment below - evidenced by nothing vibrating if kept on top of it and, in my case, no complaints from a Sub on the floor in vertical mode; perhaps if it is kept flat on the floor with one port facing downwards, it might be a problem downstairs. No harm done by placing it your way of course.

      As to the latter, that is the classic description of a well set up Sub - that you don't notice its presence, but feel its absence once you have felt the presence once.

      It's tucked away in a corner so I never even considered checking is the cabinet vibrated or not. Thanks for the heads up on it doesn't really matter.
      I've always liked well integrated bass rather than it pounding away killing everything. I like the way it fills the flat up with the bass when music is on everywhere.

      As an avid music lover I come from a not too shabby hi fi set up and blown bass always annoyed me. Listening to Sonos at a friend's house and it's convenience sold it to me. And it sounds great!

      Rather like Trueplay, I find you notice when you switch it off rather than when switching it on.
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