Airplay 2: Existing Sonos One speakers not showing up
I have upgraded my Sonos to the latest version which includes Airplay 2. In the settings page of the Sonos app it tells me I do not have any compatible Airplay speakers. I have 3 Sonos One speakers, 2 grouped together. Why are these not showing up?
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Hello Guys,
I’m new Sonos user I bought 2 Sonos One SL and I have the following issues:
While I’m able to use the two speaker on my iPhone Sonos app I cannot connect them to my macbook Sonos app.
Looking for an already existing system the app does not show up any device, then the app ask to push the rear butto with the infinite symbol and also in this case it does not show up none of the two speakers.
Moreover I cannot connect the two speakers on iPhone HomeKit app and to use them with the iPhone (and Mac of course) AirPlay.
In few words the only way I can use the speakers is only with the iPhone Sonos app that makes them a big waste of money for the time being.
Thank you for the attention.
Antonio
Yep exactly in the middle of a SUPPORT page. When I buy a new product I don't go to the Support pages first. Most of the material people read before a purchase is on how to enable non Airplay speakers by connecting a Sonos One or other Airplay 2 enabled speaker. The pages even have a pic of the Playbar.
Anyway, my point was that Sonos most certainly makes it crystal clear.
In a Sonos 5.1 setup, the device connected to your TV determines its Airplay 2 compatibility. Due to the way the 5.1 speakers communicate, it wouldn't work well for the rear speakers to handle Airplay streaming for the front channel. If your 5.1 setup has a PLAYBASE or a BEAM for its front channel, you can use the speakers as a target for Airplay 2. If you are using a PLAYBAR, you can't target the speakers for Airplay 2 even if you have Sonos Ones for your rear speakers.
As with all Sonos speakers, you can group the 5.1 speakers with a Sonos One, PLAY:5 gen. 2, PLAYBASE or Beam, and target the group for Airplay 2 streaming.
TLDR: Can I have a Setup connected to my TV (Playbar, Sub, 2xPlay:1 as rears) and add an additional Sonos One, to be able to access the whole Setup via Airplay2?
Now the disappointing Background Story:
My Problem: I was super disappointed when Sonos decided not to upgrade their Playbar and offer a newer version that also supports Airplay2 and instead just said to me: buy a beam or a playbase (both sound so much worse than the Playbar, but everybody can judge here on his own ofc).
The offered solution: no Problem, put it in a Group with e.g. a Sonos One and you're all set and airplay will work... I hesitated for long time because its 200 Bucks extra just to get your Setup working with Airplay. My setup was: Playbar, Sub, 2xPlay:1, so no reason for an additional Sonos One at all, but yeah...
So I went for the "cheapest" solution and replaced one of the Play:1 with a Sonos One to have a happy live again. But here it comes: it told me: hey buddy you can't have your rear speakers mixed! You need either 2xPlay:1 or 2xSonos One, nothing in between. Well that was an unpleasant surprise! I do not at all understand why in the world? But yeah...
Next thing is: Got a second Sonos One more or less out of frustration, which really triggered me... just to find out that, if I use them as rear speakers it still does not work. I mean COME ON?! Can you imagine the desparation after reconfiguring and playing around for hours as well as spending over 400 bucks on additional hardware that didn't even solve the problem with the otherwise more than pleasant Sonos experience? Sorry for dumping all my frustration here, but I hope this will help other people to not make the same mistake that I made...
So coming back to my original question: can I still somehow have my setup working with my TV as before, plus bring it into airplay? I couldn't figure out how to do it though. Now I'm running with the 2 Sonos One as rears and running out of time for today after this research...
Same scenario here: Bought one Play One to replace a Play:1 and get AirPlay, but that doesn’t work. Got a second Play One to replace the second surround Play:1 but AirPlay won’t work because they are surround.
I don’t need an additional speaker - I just want AirPlay. After reading this forum, this is not possible. I’ll be returning both Play One. Very unhappy with Sonos.
Wish Apple came up with a surround set up rather than expensive stand alone speakers.
In a Sonos 5.1 setup, the device connected to your TV determines its Airplay 2 compatibility. Due to the way the 5.1 speakers communicate, it wouldn't work well for the rear speakers to handle Airplay streaming for the front channel. If your 5.1 setup has a PLAYBASE or a BEAM for its front channel, you can use the speakers as a target for Airplay 2. If you are using a PLAYBAR, you can't target the speakers for Airplay 2 even if you have Sonos Ones for your rear speakers.
As with all Sonos speakers, you can group the 5.1 speakers with a Sonos One, PLAY:5 gen. 2, PLAYBASE or Beam, and target the group for Airplay 2 streaming.
Hey guys, sorry but I am not sure if I get this right.
TLDR: Can I have a Setup connected to my TV (Playbar, Sub, 2xPlay:1 as rears) and add an additional Sonos One, to be able to access the whole Setup via Airplay2?
Now the disappointing Background Story:
My Problem: I was super disappointed when Sonos decided not to upgrade their Playbar and offer a newer version that also supports Airplay2 and instead just said to me: buy a beam or a playbase (both sound so much worse than the Playbar, but everybody can judge here on his own ofc).
The offered solution: no Problem, put it in a Group with e.g. a Sonos One and you're all set and airplay will work... I hesitated for long time because its 200 Bucks extra just to get your Setup working with Airplay. My setup was: Playbar, Sub, 2xPlay:1, so no reason for an additional Sonos One at all, but yeah...
So I went for the "cheapest" solution and replaced one of the Play:1 with a Sonos One to have a happy live again. But here it comes: it told me: hey buddy you can't have your rear speakers mixed! You need either 2xPlay:1 or 2xSonos One, nothing in between. Well that was an unpleasant surprise! I do not at all understand why in the world? But yeah...
Next thing is: Got a second Sonos One more or less out of frustration, which really triggered me... just to find out that, if I use them as rear speakers it still does not work. I mean COME ON?! Can you imagine the desparation after reconfiguring and playing around for hours as well as spending over 400 bucks on additional hardware that didn't even solve the problem with the otherwise more than pleasant Sonos experience? Sorry for dumping all my frustration here, but I hope this will help other people to not make the same mistake that I made...
So coming back to my original question: can I still somehow have my setup working with my TV as before, plus bring it into airplay? I couldn't figure out how to do it though. Now I'm running with the 2 Sonos One as rears and running out of time for today after this research...
Yea, I'm not the CEO of Sonos, so I don't have much control over pricing. But I don't recall that the pricing was that different between my iPhone X or my iPhone 8, either. As any company does, they charge what the market will bear, not what the appropriate price should be based on feature differences. If I were a shareholder, that's certainly what I would want.
But I do hear you. Unfortunately, despite my hanging around these forums for years, Sonos hasn't implemented many of my suggestions 🙂
But I do hear you. Unfortunately, despite my hanging around these forums for years, Sonos hasn't implemented many of my suggestions 🙂
There ya go, thx Bruce. I didn’t know one was 5 years older.
I get it, but don’t like the analogy. If the Playbase was discounted to $399 that’d make more sense to me. Your post is kinda like saying “of course your iPhone 8 doesn’t have Face ID, you need a iPhone X or newer. How can you expect Apple to add these features to a 3 year old phone, get a new one.” Except, Apple prices all those phones differently as they have different features. Playbase and the old Playbar are both $699 msrp.
Either way, it’s fine for me as I’ll just use the Sonos app when needed. 99% of the time the Sonos use is all TV anyway, streaming music is just an add on for me.
I get it, but don’t like the analogy. If the Playbase was discounted to $399 that’d make more sense to me. Your post is kinda like saying “of course your iPhone 8 doesn’t have Face ID, you need a iPhone X or newer. How can you expect Apple to add these features to a 3 year old phone, get a new one.” Except, Apple prices all those phones differently as they have different features. Playbase and the old Playbar are both $699 msrp.
Either way, it’s fine for me as I’ll just use the Sonos app when needed. 99% of the time the Sonos use is all TV anyway, streaming music is just an add on for me.
The PLAYBAR was designed what, 5 years before the PLAYBASE came out? It makes sense to me that the electronic components in them might be different. I'd be more hesitant about that position if they came out a year apart, but that's just not the case.
Yes, it is mildly frustrating, but I too purchased a specific speaker to receive AirPlay 2, so that I could group it with the other rooms that didn't have a "newer" Sonos device in them. I get the fact that older tech just doesn't have the horsepower to run newer software. My original iPhone won't run iOS 12. Why would I expect any different from Sonos?
Yes, it is mildly frustrating, but I too purchased a specific speaker to receive AirPlay 2, so that I could group it with the other rooms that didn't have a "newer" Sonos device in them. I get the fact that older tech just doesn't have the horsepower to run newer software. My original iPhone won't run iOS 12. Why would I expect any different from Sonos?
So I’m a little late to the gripe fest, but add me to the list of users doing a double take after finding out their new Playbar doesn’t support AirPlay 2. I get the older speakers not being supported, but it’s just ridiculous to support the Playbase and not the Playbar.
Not a dealbreaker for me though, my garage/bedroom/living room all play great music wirelessly via Sonos app fine enough. It’s a little clunky compared to the Apple Music native solution but whatever.
Not a dealbreaker for me though, my garage/bedroom/living room all play great music wirelessly via Sonos app fine enough. It’s a little clunky compared to the Apple Music native solution but whatever.
Yea, sorry about that. Sonos' strange naming makes it difficult for many of us who attempt to support here on the forums, since the speakers are somewhat different, and the names so similar.
Umm great. Useful stuff
Actually (and to be pedantic, sorry), you have a PLAY:1, and not a Sonos One. There is no Sonos 1.
This thread led me to recognize that I, too, have play:1, and not Sonos 1.
As I said, the marketing material is misleading and no it isn't crystal clear from that point. At the end of the day it's their loss, the speakers are going back.
As I inferred, anyone looking at marketing material expecting to learn what a product doesn't do is going to be very disappointed.
K 2,
I must admit the Airplay topic was also quite very widely spoken about here in the community too, when the Sonos One, the PlayBase and Play:5’s (gen 2), each became Airplay-2 compatible. This was before the Beam was released and added to the Airplay capability.
A few people were more 'miffed' though, that the PlayBar was not capable of Airplaying, but it was certainly clear that Sonos Ones were not able to Airplay when bonded as 'slaves' in a HT setup. I mean they can’t even be seen as a 'separate' room for Airplay purposes, as they form part of the main PlayBar Room, so it was always fairly obvious to me.
However it makes sense to buy a couple of Play:1’s and swap-out the Sonos Ones and use them elsewhere in the home. That’s what I would prefer to do, if I was in your situation.
I currently have a Beam, 3 x Sonos Ones, 2 Play 5’s and 8 x Play:1’s ... and no regrets here! ...I’m now hoping for a next generation PlayBar.
I found it better to 'add' more speakers, rather than 'take-away'.?
I must admit the Airplay topic was also quite very widely spoken about here in the community too, when the Sonos One, the PlayBase and Play:5’s (gen 2), each became Airplay-2 compatible. This was before the Beam was released and added to the Airplay capability.
A few people were more 'miffed' though, that the PlayBar was not capable of Airplaying, but it was certainly clear that Sonos Ones were not able to Airplay when bonded as 'slaves' in a HT setup. I mean they can’t even be seen as a 'separate' room for Airplay purposes, as they form part of the main PlayBar Room, so it was always fairly obvious to me.
However it makes sense to buy a couple of Play:1’s and swap-out the Sonos Ones and use them elsewhere in the home. That’s what I would prefer to do, if I was in your situation.
I currently have a Beam, 3 x Sonos Ones, 2 Play 5’s and 8 x Play:1’s ... and no regrets here! ...I’m now hoping for a next generation PlayBar.
I found it better to 'add' more speakers, rather than 'take-away'.?
Yep exactly in the middle of a SUPPORT page. When I buy a new product I don't go to the Support pages first. Most of the material people read before a purchase is on how to enable non Airplay speakers by connecting a Sonos One or other Airplay 2 enabled speaker. The pages even have a pic of the Playbar.
You should be checking the support page for the functionality you are purchasing, because there isn't a company in the world who prominently lists up front what their product doesn't do.
Anyway, my point was that Sonos most certainly makes it crystal clear.
As I said, the marketing material is misleading and no it isn't crystal clear from that point. At the end of the day it's their loss, the speakers are going back.
Yep exactly in the middle of a SUPPORT page. When I buy a new product I don't go to the Support pages first. Most of the material people read before a purchase is on how to enable non Airplay speakers by connecting a Sonos One or other Airplay 2 enabled speaker. The pages even have a pic of the Playbar.
You should be checking the support page for the functionality you are purchasing, because there isn't a company in the world who prominently lists up front what their product doesn't do.
Anyway, my point was that Sonos most certainly makes it crystal clear.
You mean like here, in the main support page for Airplay 2:
https://support.sonos.com/s/article/1230?language=en_US
The following Sonos speakers are compatible with AirPlay 2:
Beam
Sonos One
Playbase
Play:5 (second generation)
If one or more of the above speakers are not listed, make sure they are powered on and connected to your Sonos system. Sonos One and Play:5 speakers that are setup as surrounds will not be available for use with Airplay.
Yep exactly in the middle of a SUPPORT page. When I buy a new product I don't go to the Support pages first. Most of the material people read before a purchase is on how to enable non Airplay speakers by connecting a Sonos One or other Airplay 2 enabled speaker. The pages even have a pic of the Playbar.
These two speakers are going back to the store.
If it was me, I would return just return the one Sonos One and buy two Play:1’s instead and use those for surrounds, but keep the Sonos One elsewhere, so that I could Airplay to that speaker and group it with the PlayBar Room ... it just gives that extra option, whilst keeping a 5.0/5.1 HT setup for the TV.
You mean like here, in the main support page for Airplay 2:
https://support.sonos.com/s/article/1230?language=en_US
The following Sonos speakers are compatible with AirPlay 2:
Beam
Sonos One
Playbase
Play:5 (second generation)
If one or more of the above speakers are not listed, make sure they are powered on and connected to your Sonos system. Sonos One and Play:5 speakers that are setup as surrounds will not be available for use with Airplay.
Same problem here. It's extremely misleading. I went out bought 2 Sonos Ones and linked them to my Playbar as a surround setup expecting this to enable Airplay on the Playbar. Major frustration when no Airplay speakers appeared. Sonos need to make this crystal clear. Most people adding a Sonos One to a Playbar will be doing it as a surround set-up.
These two speakers are going back to the store.
These two speakers are going back to the store.
Hi ken
Thanks for taking the time to respond. What you’re saying makes sense, but it’s surprising and disappointing, as usually Sonos stuff “just works”, which is part of the appeal.
I’ll most likely stick these in another room and reassess before the 100 day return policy us up.
Thanks
James
Thanks for taking the time to respond. What you’re saying makes sense, but it’s surprising and disappointing, as usually Sonos stuff “just works”, which is part of the appeal.
I’ll most likely stick these in another room and reassess before the 100 day return policy us up.
Thanks
James
James D,
Sonos never answer the sort of questions you're asking. They do not usually disclose future development changes until they are released or ready for release. I doubt therefore you will get the answers you are perhaps hoping for.
I personally do not think the Sonos Ones will work as AirPlay (Master) Controllers when they are 'bonded' as surround (slaves) to a PlayBar because it’s the Playbar 'Room' that is seen in the iOS AirPlay list and Sonos have stated the PlayBar hardware is not upto the task, but that’s just my opinion. The speakers would maybe need to unbond/re-bond perhaps for that to happen. I just see it as problematic. Imagine watching a film in Surround sound in the Lounge and another person in the house then trying to take one of the surround speakers for AirPlaying audio in another room... I wouldn’t want that feature to be available in my household.
I don’t think the older Play:1 will be 'paired' either with the much newer Sonos One hardware, they may have a slightly similar appearance but their architecture and hardware are entirely different inside and I suspect that pairing the devices might even lead to one, or the other, suffering some damage. I have seen users using third-party software to pair mis-matched sonos speakers and personally speaking, I think it probably not only would void any warranty but it may shorten the life of their devices.
So my view would be to maybe use the Sonos Ones (stereo paired or standalone) as an AirPlay (Master) controller(s) for your household, located perhaps in a Dining Room, or bedroom etc. Or if not, then return one or both under any purchase agreement you have.
I really don’t see the point in returning both Sonos Ones, as you will then lose the option to 'group' with your PlayBar room to play the vast amount of iOS Apps that have the AirPlay feature, like Netflix, YouTube, Podcasts etc. You would just be 'cutting off your nose to spite your face' in that situation.
Sonos never answer the sort of questions you're asking. They do not usually disclose future development changes until they are released or ready for release. I doubt therefore you will get the answers you are perhaps hoping for.
I personally do not think the Sonos Ones will work as AirPlay (Master) Controllers when they are 'bonded' as surround (slaves) to a PlayBar because it’s the Playbar 'Room' that is seen in the iOS AirPlay list and Sonos have stated the PlayBar hardware is not upto the task, but that’s just my opinion. The speakers would maybe need to unbond/re-bond perhaps for that to happen. I just see it as problematic. Imagine watching a film in Surround sound in the Lounge and another person in the house then trying to take one of the surround speakers for AirPlaying audio in another room... I wouldn’t want that feature to be available in my household.
I don’t think the older Play:1 will be 'paired' either with the much newer Sonos One hardware, they may have a slightly similar appearance but their architecture and hardware are entirely different inside and I suspect that pairing the devices might even lead to one, or the other, suffering some damage. I have seen users using third-party software to pair mis-matched sonos speakers and personally speaking, I think it probably not only would void any warranty but it may shorten the life of their devices.
So my view would be to maybe use the Sonos Ones (stereo paired or standalone) as an AirPlay (Master) controller(s) for your household, located perhaps in a Dining Room, or bedroom etc. Or if not, then return one or both under any purchase agreement you have.
I really don’t see the point in returning both Sonos Ones, as you will then lose the option to 'group' with your PlayBar room to play the vast amount of iOS Apps that have the AirPlay feature, like Netflix, YouTube, Podcasts etc. You would just be 'cutting off your nose to spite your face' in that situation.
I’ve recently updated my existing system (playbar, sub, 2x play:1s in surround) with 2 play ones. The idea was to swap out one of the play:1s for a one, then taking the other play one and pairing it with the removed play:1 in another room, thereby getting 2 rooms, both with AirPlay 2.
First disappointment was that I couldn’t mix a play:1 with a one as surrounds. Second disappointment was as above, using the ones as surrounds didn’t add AirPlay 2. That is rubbish!
I think these new speakers will be going back unless a Sonos person can give some insight into the software roadmap? Will either of these things be possible in the future?
First disappointment was that I couldn’t mix a play:1 with a one as surrounds. Second disappointment was as above, using the ones as surrounds didn’t add AirPlay 2. That is rubbish!
I think these new speakers will be going back unless a Sonos person can give some insight into the software roadmap? Will either of these things be possible in the future?
Thanks for the quick response. Just like to know everything's working as it is intended - cheers.
Hi ChrisWalsh,
In a Sonos 5.1 setup, the device connected to your TV determines its Airplay 2 compatibility. Due to the way the 5.1 speakers communicate, it wouldn't work well for the rear speakers to handle Airplay streaming for the front channel. If your 5.1 setup has a PLAYBASE or a BEAM for its front channel, you can use the speakers as a target for Airplay 2. If you are using a PLAYBAR, you can't target the speakers for Airplay 2 even if you have Sonos Ones for your rear speakers.
As with all Sonos speakers, you can group the 5.1 speakers with a Sonos One, PLAY:5 gen. 2, PLAYBASE or Beam, and target the group for Airplay 2 streaming.
Jeff S - While disappointed with the answer, it saved me time tinkering and researching. Thank you.
I have a Playbar , 2 x Sonos One (working as 5.1 in lounge with playbar) and a 2nd gen play 5. I have updated the sonos app on my iPad but can only see the play 5 for use with Airplay 2. Am I missing something please?
When bonded with the Playbar as surrounds, the Playbar is the master unit and thus Airplay 2 is not supported on the surrounds.
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