Hello, I want to install a Sonos 5.1 system in our new build using a Sonos Amp (already available), an existing subwoofer, two Sonos One speakers (available) for the front, and two Sonos One as ceiling speakers (rear) above the couch (freestanding in the room). However, I’m not very happy with the look of having two network outlets, two power sockets, and the two ceiling mounts in the concrete ceiling.
So now I am considering installing the passive Sonos Architectural ceiling speakers. The concrete ceiling is 20 cm (8 inches) thick plus plaster. I don’t think it will be possible to cut a hole 13 cm (5 inches) deep and 21 cm (8 inches) wide into the ceiling to fully recess the speaker. Are there any mounting frames available that would allow the speakers to stick out a bit? Or any other ideas on how this could be done? Or different speakers?
Kind regards,
Ben
So now I am considering installing the passive Sonos Architectural ceiling speakers. The concrete ceiling is 20 cm (8 inches) thick plus plaster. I don’t think it will be possible to cut a hole 13 cm (5 inches) deep and 21 cm (8 inches) wide into the ceiling to fully recess the speaker. Are there any mounting frames available that would allow the speakers to stick out a bit? Or any other ideas on how this could be done? Or different speakers?
Kind regards,
Ben
@imsi123
One remark beforehand: Please abbreviate children’s room as children’s room, otherwise it might create strange associations...
Stand your ground against your wife—this can’t be right, ruining the nice home theater like that.
Alright. So at first, I also thought that with Sonos you could integrate any components into the home theater setup basically anywhere. After a critical question from @nordanney, I went back through the manuals and FAQs. It actually doesn’t work that way. You can only use the Play 1 to Play 5 speakers or the AMP as surround speakers in a home theater system. But the front channels (including center) have to be handled by the Arc, Beam, or Playbase and Playbar (now outdated). Otherwise, you don’t have a proper 5.1 home theater in the sense of discrete channels, but rather a 4.0 multichannel stereo. That means in your example, the Play 1 speakers in front play a stereo signal, the same goes for the rear, and the subwoofer just plays the bass parts of the stereo signal.
If you really want to enjoy true 5.1, meaning each channel in a movie gets its discrete audio feed, your Sonos front setup must include an Arc, Beam, or Playbase (-bar), which handles the left, center, and right channels, and then you can connect two Play 1 speakers as rear surrounds plus the subwoofer to play the LFE (Low Frequency Effects) channel.
I don’t understand the issue with the lack of resonance space in the concrete ceiling. When you place speakers on stands or wall mounts, the only resonance space is the speaker cabinet itself. That’s actually how every good speaker is designed. Acoustically, you don’t want any additional uncalibrated resonance chamber that the speaker couples with. In that sense, a drywall enclosure without additional insulation and decoupling can be even harmful! That’s clearly a case of bad advice.
If I were you, I’d even consider just installing the Arc, which is supposed to provide virtual surround sound. It will save you a lot of hassle for only a slight improvement in sound enjoyment.
Best regards
Tolentino
One remark beforehand: Please abbreviate children’s room as children’s room, otherwise it might create strange associations...
Stand your ground against your wife—this can’t be right, ruining the nice home theater like that.
Alright. So at first, I also thought that with Sonos you could integrate any components into the home theater setup basically anywhere. After a critical question from @nordanney, I went back through the manuals and FAQs. It actually doesn’t work that way. You can only use the Play 1 to Play 5 speakers or the AMP as surround speakers in a home theater system. But the front channels (including center) have to be handled by the Arc, Beam, or Playbase and Playbar (now outdated). Otherwise, you don’t have a proper 5.1 home theater in the sense of discrete channels, but rather a 4.0 multichannel stereo. That means in your example, the Play 1 speakers in front play a stereo signal, the same goes for the rear, and the subwoofer just plays the bass parts of the stereo signal.
If you really want to enjoy true 5.1, meaning each channel in a movie gets its discrete audio feed, your Sonos front setup must include an Arc, Beam, or Playbase (-bar), which handles the left, center, and right channels, and then you can connect two Play 1 speakers as rear surrounds plus the subwoofer to play the LFE (Low Frequency Effects) channel.
I don’t understand the issue with the lack of resonance space in the concrete ceiling. When you place speakers on stands or wall mounts, the only resonance space is the speaker cabinet itself. That’s actually how every good speaker is designed. Acoustically, you don’t want any additional uncalibrated resonance chamber that the speaker couples with. In that sense, a drywall enclosure without additional insulation and decoupling can be even harmful! That’s clearly a case of bad advice.
If I were you, I’d even consider just installing the Arc, which is supposed to provide virtual surround sound. It will save you a lot of hassle for only a slight improvement in sound enjoyment.
Best regards
Tolentino
When I purchased the AMP, I already assumed it could reproduce 5.1 (simulated center). According to the test/text/image above, I understand that this is possible, and that a 4.1 setup does not just output 4-channel stereo.
So, a new ARC+AMP for the rear speakers is certainly unjustifiable in terms of price.
Best regards, Ben
So, a new ARC+AMP for the rear speakers is certainly unjustifiable in terms of price.
Best regards, Ben
Oh, be careful with external links, they are not appreciated here.
Hmm, yes, then it probably works. However, it remains that you don’t need a Play 1 in front with the AMP.
And you won’t have a center channel. So, you only get optimal home theater sound in one listening position. You don’t need ARC + AMP. You can connect the Play 1 directly to the ARC and sell the AMP...
Hmm, yes, then it probably works. However, it remains that you don’t need a Play 1 in front with the AMP.
And you won’t have a center channel. So, you only get optimal home theater sound in one listening position. You don’t need ARC + AMP. You can connect the Play 1 directly to the ARC and sell the AMP...
@imsi123
Investing now is difficult, but
either run 4mm² (11 AWG) speaker cables into the corners (we did this during the rough-in phase)
or
install sockets in the four corners for wireless solutions,
the rest can be added later and you remain open to all future systems,
Nida
Investing now is difficult, but
either run 4mm² (11 AWG) speaker cables into the corners (we did this during the rough-in phase)
or
install sockets in the four corners for wireless solutions,
the rest can be added later and you remain open to all future systems,
Nida
After reading the review from the link, passive speakers sound better. The Nuline series is already very high quality. By installing the cables, you keep all options open. Maybe you could borrow two speakers from the colleague of your sister’s brother-in-law and test them in your living room. My wife just said, cool… we want to have them.
@Nida35a The original poster had a "real" 5.1 system, which apparently wasn't very convincing. @imsi123 what was the old 5.1 that has now been disposed of? Maybe it simply wasn’t "good" enough yet? Or it was a "mature" system, and the experience that the sound with the planned Play 1 speakers won’t be as good still needs to come? In that case, definitely keep your options open for the future by either installing speaker cables now, as recommended by @Nida35a, or at least laying empty conduits. It’s no more effort than running power outlets and cables there, but gives you more flexibility...
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