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Thread: Sonos questions

  1. #1
    Master
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    Sonos questions

    So I have owned a Sonos Beam for the last 9 months and loved it. The one thing I have questioned is whether to invest in two Sonos 1’s to get a surround experience ( appx £370) Just last week Sonos have announced the Beam2 apparently it has synthetic surround sound eg all computer generated. Dolby Atmos as well, whatever that is.

    So do I sell my £400 Beam , and invest in a new £ 450 version 2 , or in Apple speak am I just climbing the slippery pole.?

  2. #2
    Personally, I would buy 2 secondhand Sonos 1s now. (Simulated surround sound can never be better than actual surround sound).

    Then in a year’s time, I would buy a secondhand Beam 2 (and sell the Beam 1, to offset the price).

  3. #3
    Master
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    Good observation, so Im off to research Ebay for pre owned Sonos 1’s

  4. #4
    I’ve just done the same. Seems that you can get them for £50 - £60. Win.

  5. #5
    Master Pitch3110's Avatar
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    I have a Beam and two 1's and its a great little set up.

    I do though at times feel it needs a bit more depth hence my WTB for a sub

    Pitch

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bravo73 View Post
    I’ve just done the same. Seems that you can get them for £50 - £60. Win.
    Really?
    Perhaps you mean the older Play One rather than the newish One?


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  7. #7
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    IKEA do SONOS speakers that can be used

  8. #8
    I’ve got two ikea symphonisk as surrounds and they work great.

    I think I read the Dolby atmos will be coming the the original beam soon

  9. #9
    Craftsman japester's Avatar
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    Have a look on YouTube for smart home sounds discussion of the beam two as this very question is addressed!


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  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by wjkerfoot View Post
    Perhaps you mean the older Play One rather than the newish One?
    You’re right. I’d forgotten about the Sonos V1/2 issues. The older speakers will still work as surrounds but might not be fully compatible with a newer Sonos household.

    Still, personally, I’d be going secondhand. Or, as suggested, even a couple of IKEA Sonos speakers for £80 each.

  11. #11
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bravo73 View Post
    You’re right. I’d forgotten about the Sonos V1/2 issues. The older speakers will still work as surrounds but might not be fully compatible with a newer Sonos household.

    Still, personally, I’d be going secondhand. Or, as suggested, even a couple of IKEA Sonos speakers for £80 each.
    I thought the only difference with the second generation play 1’s was the addition of Alexa / Google. I was hoping as wireless rears both versions would do the job.

    Steve

  12. #12
    I’m presuming that you’re using v2 of the Sonos app? Just make sure that whichever satellite speakers you get are compatible with v2, not just v1.

    Actually, it might not matter if the Beam is your only Sonos speaker.

  13. #13
    The original Play 1s are still supported by V2 of the app. I have 6 of them.

  14. #14
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bravo73 View Post
    I’m presuming that you’re using v2 of the Sonos app? Just make sure that whichever satellite speakers you get are compatible with v2, not just v1.

    Actually, it might not matter if the Beam is your only Sonos speaker.
    Yes the app says S2 , its certainly upto date as I tried to update earlier today and it advised I had the latest version:)

  15. #15
    I have a Playbar and 2 Sonos 1’s as surrounds.
    It’s an ok set up ( I came from a full 5.1 with an Arcam Avr, but needed to down size). It’s amazing playing music through the 3 speakers, but for me the ‘cinema’ effect just isn’t deep enough

    I agree with an earlier post that a Sub might make the difference

    Also agree that second hand is the economical way to find out if you like the effect

    Hope this helps
    John


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  16. #16
    Craftsman japester's Avatar
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    I’m on an arc a pair of play:1’s and a sub and I find it great setup.


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  17. #17
    Master
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    Just looked at the “ sold listings “ for Sonos 1’s and the sold prices look closer to £100/£110 so £50/60 was a bargain. I will keep an eye out. Second hand definitely looks the best option though.

  18. #18
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    I have a Sonos Playbase with two Sonos Ones and to me the setup sounds excellent with films etc as the Playbase has a small sub included.

    Sometimes I just pair the two Sonos Ones for music (Deezer through Sonos app) and again it sounds great.

    In other words, I’d definitely suggest to invest.


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  19. #19
    Master
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    Playbar, Sub and 2x Second Hand Play 1’s. Very happy. Probably wouldn’t pass a true audiophile test but I enjoy it.

  20. #20
    Master
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    Cheers for all the input folks. I have put a wtb up and set up some searches on the bay.
    Steve

  21. #21
    Master
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    Yup same here, I came from an Arcam AVR and now have playbase, surrounds and sub.
    Worth it for the wifey points alone - my aging ears barely notice the difference in fidelity any more.

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  22. #22
    Master
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    Playbase, 2x Ones and a Sub here... all good.
    Issue is it only copes with Dolby Digital, no other formats.
    Last edited by langtoft lad; 18th October 2021 at 17:59.

  23. #23
    Craftsman japester's Avatar
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    DTS support coming soon!


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  24. #24
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by japester View Post
    DTS support coming soon!


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    Is that on the Beam? I wrongly thought it had DTS codecs embedded

  25. #25
    Two Ikea Symphonisk, Sub and Soundbar here, SWMBO delighted with the lack of 'all that big, ugly hifi' from before.

    R
    Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.

  26. #26
    Craftsman japester's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by higham5 View Post
    Is that on the Beam? I wrongly thought it had DTS codecs embedded
    https://en.community.sonos.com/home-...g-soon-6861455


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  27. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by japester View Post
    Thank you

  28. #28
    I got a Beam 2 on it's release day, it replaced a Playbar, and I'm very impressed. I bought it for fairly tame TV use so I won't be pushing it to it's limits, but it was immediately clear that the centre dialogue is much clearer, and it has great height, width, and separation to the sound. For example, background and surround effects are nicely placed with good height and don't ever make the main dialogue unclear.

    I also wanted Airplay 2 support, integrated with the various HomePod Mini's I have around the house, and it sounds superb for that.

    The Playbar had better bass at higher volumes, and could get louder overall, but for day-to-day TV and music use the Beam 2 is brilliant. I definitely consider it an upgrade, based on my use.

    I've read comments from owners of the original Beam and the Arc saying similar things, but it doesn't seem worth taking a financial hit to move from either, you'd be better of buying a Sub or two rear surrounds.

  29. #29
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by japester View Post
    DTS support coming soon!
    How is this possible?
    In the case of my Playbase, the only audio connection is optical
    and AFAIK, an optical cable cannot throughput enough data to allow DTS

    Be great if it happens, but I'm sceptical it can, and for a discontinued product.

  30. #30
    Craftsman japester's Avatar
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    I wouldn’t expect that would do anything to a discontinued product. My arc certainly has the bw over hdmi as should the beam. I’m sure as it gets nearer release there will be more details over what is and isn’t supported.


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  31. #31
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    I've got an old Sonos Amp and a couple of Mission floor standing speakers but I'm looking to save space and eliminate the speaker cable. Would a Sonos 5 be able to replace a pair of floor standing Mission m33i?

  32. #32
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Maris View Post
    I've got an old Sonos Amp and a couple of Mission floor standing speakers but I'm looking to save space and eliminate the speaker cable. Would a Sonos 5 be able to replace a pair of floor standing Mission m33i?
    Not really if you are used to a good sound stage from a pair of speakers. It will go loud and low, but you will always know it’s all from a single speaker.

    If you don’t have a listening position etc and it’s just music, then it will be fine as a replacement and much neater solution.

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