*** Official SONOS Thread ***

If your home wireless isn't up to scratch there are two possible solutions provided by Sonos.

1) Plug in one of the units via Ethernet. From that one device it will start a dedicated Sonos Mesh network which means it won't use your home wireless at all.

2) If you don't have a place where you can put a device and connect it to WiFi (or don't want to sacrifice the position of one of the speakers so you can) pick up a Sonos Boost. This plugs directly into your network and its sole purpose is to create the dedicated Sonos Mesh Network to replace your home WiFi without plugging in a speaker.
 
dannyjo22 said:
Hmmm I bought my Mrs a pair of these for xmas. I think I have to return them. We have just gone on infinity and the wireless drops on devices on the Homehub 5 loads of times. So it's really not going to be worth us having these until I can find a fix like every other HH5 user :(
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IIRC I had this issue on the HH5 and to fix it you just gave the 2.4ghz and 5ghz bands different SSIDs and then connect the Sonos to the 2.4ghz band. Not had any dropouts in ages by doing this.
 
I have the same problem with my Bose Soundtouch 30 with the wireless dropping a lot and I was considering going to Sonos, however it sounds like it could be a common problem?

Bose spent an hour logged into my home network and couldn't find anything wrong yet it cuts out all the time. My last option is to pick up an aftermarket router and use the SuperhubAc as a modem only.
 
Sonos is very solid if you're not using a Home Hub 5, they don't get along at all unless you split the two frequency bands, then they're fine.

The Sonos is even more robust if you use Sonos net instead of wifi.
 
Hi guys, just after some advice and general info.

I posted a thread about looking into wireless surround sound systems, i know there's not much out there and the general consensus of wired being better. But in looking i came across the Sonos Soundbar, now it looks very nice and the idea of being able to add a sub and rear speakers seems great.

I'm currently running a Panansoinc all-in-one system, would the Soundbar "sound" any better than this? I know it would be minus the sub at first so would miss the low end stuff. Does it support things like Dolby Digital etc?

Also would i be able to add other speakers in other rooms to this setup?

This is literally the first thing i've seen about Sonos stuff so any info would be great.
 
Proc said:
Hi guys, just after some advice and general info.

I posted a thread about looking into wireless surround sound systems, i know there's not much out there and the general consensus of wired being better. But in looking i came across the Sonos Soundbar, now it looks very nice and the idea of being able to add a sub and rear speakers seems great.

I'm currently running a Panansoinc all-in-one system, would the Soundbar "sound" any better than this? I know it would be minus the sub at first so would miss the low end stuff. Does it support things like Dolby Digital etc?

Also would i be able to add other speakers in other rooms to this setup?

This is literally the first thing i've seen about Sonos stuff so any info would be great.
Click to expand...

The soundbar is great, is your current set-up seperate speakers?

Yes - you can add other speakers with the soundbar. You can also share the TV sound with other rooms which is useful when you want to listen to the football in the bath :)
 
Basher said:
The soundbar is great, is your current set-up seperate speakers?

Yes - you can add other speakers with the soundbar. You can also share the TV sound with other rooms which is useful when you want to listen to the football in the bath :)
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No my current set up is an all-in-one job, so would just be running the soundbar on its own at first.

Lol football in the bath sounds like a good idea. Not sure the other half would approve. ;)
 
Proc said:
No my current set up is an all-in-one job, so would just be running the soundbar on its own at first.

Lol football in the bath sounds like a good idea. Not sure the other half would approve. ;)
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Hi, have the Sonos Playbar soundbar hooked up to my TV. I've got a fairly large open plan lounge/kitchen and anything above 50-60% volume the sound is deafening and great quality. Even at full volume the sound is top notch.

I use the Playbar as a network switch as well. Combined with the Sonos Bridge (the bridge is connected via ethernet to my router and the soundbar via wifi to the Bridge), it can output two ethernet ports to any device, so use it to give internet to my TV and main desktop. I can max my connection (1.2-1.4MBytes/s) and also have very low ping when gaming, no difference to being hard wired to the router).

One thing to notice is that it connects via optical to your TV, so if your TV cannot pass 5.1 through, it won't utilize the soundbar fully. It still transforms stereo to faux 5.1, but it is not the same.

I've got an optical switch so that the soundbar is also connected to the Sky Box which can do 5.1, but for using the TV itself (i.e. BBC iPlayer or through the PC) I switch it and can only have stereo sound which is then output to faux 5.1.

So check whether your TV can pass 5.1 via optical.
 
Hi M1k3H, thats some useful info. I'm not sure on the placement of my tv to where my router will be yet, so i take it the soundbar doesn't have wifi built in? I would need the bridge to do this otherwise i'd have to run a length of cat5.

And yep my tv does 5.1 via optical so thats ok.
 
RoyMi6 said:
If your home wireless isn't up to scratch there are two possible solutions provided by Sonos.

1) Plug in one of the units via Ethernet. From that one device it will start a dedicated Sonos Mesh network which means it won't use your home wireless at all.

2) If you don't have a place where you can put a device and connect it to WiFi (or don't want to sacrifice the position of one of the speakers so you can) pick up a Sonos Boost. This plugs directly into your network and its sole purpose is to create the dedicated Sonos Mesh Network to replace your home WiFi without plugging in a speaker.
Click to expand...

Thanks I could always get the boost if it comes to it then. :)

Minstadave said:
IIRC I had this issue on the HH5 and to fix it you just gave the 2.4ghz and 5ghz bands different SSIDs and then connect the Sonos to the 2.4ghz band. Not had any dropouts in ages by doing this.
Click to expand...

Didn't work for me. I have also tried turning off 5gz still disconnects constantly, except my 360. I have no idea why that seems to be exempt!

Basher said:
The soundbar is great, is your current set-up seperate speakers?
Click to expand...

I went into Richer sounds with the intention of buying a soundbar for my TV, to be fair to them they did a great job of showing me why it doesn't sound all that great. It was so flat sounding compared to every other soundbar they showed me. Obviously the only plus putting it in the sonos system but after hearing one I'd rather use a different sound bar and not link it so easily.
 
dannyjo22 said:
I went into Richer sounds with the intention of buying a soundbar for my TV, to be fair to them they did a great job of showing me why it doesn't sound all that great. It was so flat sounding compared to every other soundbar they showed me. Obviously the only plus putting it in the sonos system but after hearing one I'd rather use a different sound bar and not link it so easily.
Click to expand...

Weirdly I thought exactly the same when I first purchased it. I was really disappointed. Then I mounted it to the wall and it totally transformed how it sounded.
 
Hmm might have to pop into somewhere and have a listen, i've read reviews that say putting the bar on its "back" makes a difference in the sound it produces. So wall mounting it my have a similar effect.
 
Proc said:
Hmm might have to pop into somewhere and have a listen, i've read reviews that say putting the bar on its "back" makes a difference in the sound it produces. So wall mounting it my have a similar effect.
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I was amazed at the difference it made. I was really annoyed at first having spent so much on the thing then as soon as I heard it against the wall it was totally different.

Much more depth to the sound.
 
It was wall mounted in a room the same size as my living room. I thought it was ok until I heard others. I would suggest not listening to others when you go to the store :D. It put me off. The new play 5 and rest of the set up was superb though.
 
Proc said:
Hi M1k3H, thats some useful info. I'm not sure on the placement of my tv to where my router will be yet, so i take it the soundbar doesn't have wifi built in? I would need the bridge to do this otherwise i'd have to run a length of cat5.

And yep my tv does 5.1 via optical so thats ok.
Click to expand...

No it still has wireless built in so will be able to connect to your router via wifi, however doing that does not allow you to use the output ethernet ports.

It's not very clear either. When I bought it I thought it would, but when I connected something to the ethernet ports, it wouldn't pick up internet, just LAN. After a lot of online searching I found out that to use the output feature, you need a Bridge, which is only £35 I think, so not expensive.

Listen to people above saying about the flatness, I would disagree, however I have never had a proper system, so to me it seems okay, although I might give it a go at turning it round to see how it sounds.
 
Love my Sonos setup and constantly get compliments on it when we have people round and always comes in handy for parties and such like.

Our downstairs is fairly open plan so we've got a Play:3 on the dresser unit in the dining room side and then our Play:5 in one of the chimney breast alcoves in the lounge side. This is perfect for us as I bang the Play:3 on most of the time if i'm in the kitchen but then if im chilling on the couch playing on the Xbox the Play:5 gets fired up.

We've got a Play:1 in our bedroom too which packs a decent punch. I think I want another couple of Play:1's for upstairs and my collection will be complete. One for the bathroom for when we get a new bathroom fitted and one for the spare bedroom as the Mrs usually gets ready in that room as opposed to the master bedroom and we end up turning the Play:1 up pretty loud from the master bedroom so she can hear it - what would make sense would be to just move the speaker but thats too much like hard work!!!

Everything works splendidly with my server too and the only thing im missing is a Spotify/Deezer account - anyone know which are generally the better ones to go for these days?
 
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Sooo....much...rumble!

It actually gives me shivers sometimes when I'm watching well produced TV shows or movies.

At first I was slightly underwhelmed by it, but then I learned it was probably just a lot more subtle and less over the top then my old experience using a sub (a Logitech Z5500 hooked up to my PC for gaming)

Then I figured out how to tweak it and now adjust the levels depending on if I'm listening to TV or just audio, and found some great TV shows, movies and music that utilised the base frequencies well and it's amazing.

My Sonos journey started with getting a second hand soundbar for my TV, which was a fantastic step up from the built in speakers, I was even quite happy with moderate base at first, compared to the tinny flat screen speakers.

Then I saved up and forked out for 2 x Play 1s when my local hi-fi shop had them at 10% off, so I could place one either side of the sofa for surround sound.

Great upgrade, makes a big difference to TV viewing and helps you to appreciate the background audio more.

After that I said screw it, and bought another Play 1 for the kitchen, which is nice as it means I can keep the volume at a reasonable level in the lounge and kitchen instead of blasting the lounge to hear it in the kitchen.

Finally a few months later I pulled the trigger on the Sub. I still think it's ridiculous how much it cost, but treated myself for my birthday, so glad I got it.

I'll tell you the feature that led me to get the Playbar to begin with - is the Quiet mode where it will stop the volume from peaking too loud if it fluctuates a lot. I wanted this so I didn't disturb my housemates when watching TV. There's also Voice Enhancement now too, those combined mean I'm much more comfortable watching TV late at night without worrying about disturbing my housemates.

When they're away however, with the sub I can now make the entire house shake. I'd be wary of buying one it I was in a flat or semi-detatched. Even in a detatched house, it sometimes makes me think "Bloody hell, I hope the neighbors can't hear this", but it makes TV and Movies so much immersive, it's so good :)

With regards to sub positioning, initially I was worried about where to put it, as my lounge area is pretty tiny, in the end I put it on the other side of the room under a side console where it was a bit more open, instead of trying to jam it into a small space next to the sofa or TV, and the sound travels great.



I do wish there was a way for me to connect my desktop to it over the network though. At the moment I've got some £15 logitech speakers on my desk in the same room, which seems a bit silly.

The windows app is good for controlling streaming music direct to the system, you just can't pipe in music from the computer the app is running on, which is a bit frustrating.

I also wish there some some kind of continuity feature or Apple Podcast app integration, so when I arrive home listening to a podcast, I could hand it off to the Sonos system and have it pick up where I'm playing. Not sure if there's a way to do that.
 
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