which sonos equipment ?

[Westyrs]

I currently have a 5.1 setup with av amp, floor standers etc.

looking for a neater, tidier setup using sonos.

What I'm confused about it what is needed exactly.
Say for example. I remove the whole existing setup, but keep the bluray, virgin box and ps4. I appreciate I need speakers, so a playbar and maybe a couple of play 1,s for behind the sofa... But what does the equipment like the virgin box etc plug into to enable the sound to be transmitted to the speakers please ?do I need a connect or a connect amp ?

[JEA1K]

Keep what you have and just add a Sonos ZP Connect (un-amplified player) to your AV receiver.

[Westyrs]

Silly question... But add the connect amp. What does that do ?? I'm looking to get rid of the existing speakers

[VEX]

The problem with that idea is that Sonos is not set up to replace or perform anything like the proper set up you have.

Firstly it will sound worse, but cost more

But more importantly the sound bar only has one digital input with is processed to the front 3 speakers and also sent wirelessly to the rear Play:1's and the sub. Controlling or feeding your three or four sources to it is going to be convoluted and messy.

What is the main driver for the change, I might be able to come up with an alternative.

V.

Edited by VEX on Sunday 1st March 22:54

[JEA1K]

Westyrs said:

Silly question... But add the connect amp. What does that do ?? I'm looking to get rid of the existing speakers

It gives you digital audio from a source such as a PC, NAS drive or streaming service (Spotify, Napster, TuneIn etc) which you can then play through your existing set up.

As above, Sonos isn't designed for multi channel use ... its digital 2 channel audio. By creating a 5.1 set up, you're basically creating a larger and more expensive all channel stereo system with a subwoofer!

[eyebeebe]

VEX said:

The problem with that idea is that Sonos is not set up to replace or perform anything like the proper set up you have.

Firstly it will sound worse, but cost more

But more importantly the sound bar only has one digital input with is processed to the front 3 speakers and also sent wirelessly to the rear Play:1's and the sub. Controlling or feeding your three or four sources to it is going to be convoluted and messy.

What is the main driver for the change, I might be able to come up with an alternative.

V.

Edited by VEX on Sunday 1st March 22:54

As I've got a 2006 model Pioneer with only 1 HDMI input and due to its age and the licensing constraints it won't output digital out I have a 4 into 1 HDMI splitter box with a digital out plumbed into the sound bar. I just change the source on the splitter box and the right picture comes on the screen and sound out the Sonos. No different to selecting a different source if the TV had multiple HDMI inputs. Sources are cable box, Chromecast, XBOX 360 and occasionally a laptop.

[Westyrs]

Thanks for the replies and advice. It seems that the current setup is actually better but wanted to baby proof things a little...

Seems a lot of money just to add a connect to play music from a pc or phone But would be handy as have a play 1 in the kitchen so music would play in both rooms

[VEX]

My large Jamo floor standing left/right speakers have survived two rug rats, just good education and child management.

I didn't even protect the open electronics cabinet, never had a problem.

As for Sonos, all you would need would be a Connect added to the system in the lounge and a Play:1 for the kitchen. You may need an older bridge or the new boost or a wired connection to ensure a connection to the Internet.

V.