The world of home audio has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with the rise of smart speakers and soundbars becoming an integral part of our entertainment systems. Sonos, a pioneer in the field of wireless home audio, has been at the forefront of this revolution. But can Sonos be used as a soundbar, or is it better suited for its traditional role as a multi-room speaker system? In this article, we’ll delve into the possibilities and explore whether Sonos can indeed be used as a soundbar.
What is a Soundbar, Anyway?
Before we dive into the world of Sonos, it’s essential to understand what a soundbar is and what it’s designed to do. A soundbar is a type of speaker system specifically designed to enhance the audio experience of your TV, projector, or gaming console. Traditionally, soundbars are long, slim speakers that sit below or in front of your screen, providing a more immersive audio experience than the built-in speakers of your TV.
Soundbars are typically compact, easy to set up, and offer a range of features such as wireless connectivity, voice control, and compatibility with various audio formats. They’re designed to provide a hassle-free audio solution for homeowners who want to upgrade their TV’s audio without breaking the bank or dedicating an entire room to a home theater system.
How Does Sonos Fit into the Picture?
Sonos, on the other hand, is a wireless speaker system that allows users to stream music and audio content to multiple rooms in their home. Sonos speakers are known for their high-quality sound, sleek design, and seamless integration with various music services and voice assistants.
So, can Sonos be used as a soundbar? The short answer is yes, but it’s not a straightforward process. Sonos doesn’t offer a traditional soundbar in the classical sense, but it does provide a few options that can be used to enhance your TV’s audio experience.
Sonos Soundbar Alternatives
Sonos offers two main products that can be used as soundbar alternatives: the Sonos Playbar and the Sonos Beam.
Sonos Playbar
The Sonos Playbar is a compact, wireless speaker system designed to provide an immersive audio experience for your TV. It’s a single unit that’s roughly the size of a traditional soundbar, but with a few key differences. The Playbar is a three-channel speaker system (left, center, and right) that can be mounted on a wall or placed on a TV stand.
The Playbar offers several features that make it an excellent soundbar alternative, including:
- Wireless connectivity: The Playbar can connect to your TV using an optical audio cable, and it also features built-in Wi-Fi for streaming music and audio content.
- Multi-room audio: The Playbar can be paired with other Sonos speakers to create a multi-room audio system, allowing you to stream music and audio content to different rooms in your home.
- High-quality sound: The Playbar is known for its crisp, detailed sound, making it an excellent choice for TV shows, movies, and music.
Sonos Beam
The Sonos Beam is a compact, smart soundbar that’s designed to provide an immersive audio experience for smaller rooms. It’s a more affordable option than the Playbar and is designed to be used as a single unit.
The Beam offers several features that make it an excellent soundbar alternative, including:
- Compact design: The Beam is a compact soundbar that’s roughly the size of a small TV speaker, making it an excellent choice for smaller rooms or apartments.
- Smart speaker capabilities: The Beam comes with built-in Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control your TV and other smart devices with voice commands.
- Affordable price: The Beam is significantly cheaper than the Playbar, making it an excellent entry-point for those who want to upgrade their TV’s audio without breaking the bank.
How to Use Sonos as a Soundbar
Now that we’ve explored the Sonos soundbar alternatives, let’s dive into how to use them as a soundbar.
Setting up the Sonos Playbar
To set up the Sonos Playbar as a soundbar, follow these steps:
- Connect the Playbar to your TV using an optical audio cable.
- Connect the Playbar to your Wi-Fi network using the Sonos app.
- Pair the Playbar with other Sonos speakers (if desired) to create a multi-room audio system.
- Use the Sonos app to adjust the audio settings and pair the Playbar with your TV.
Setting up the Sonos Beam
To set up the Sonos Beam as a soundbar, follow these steps:
- Connect the Beam to your TV using an HDMI ARC connection (or optical audio cable if your TV doesn’t support HDMI ARC).
- Connect the Beam to your Wi-Fi network using the Sonos app.
- Pair the Beam with other Sonos speakers (if desired) to create a multi-room audio system.
- Use the Sonos app to adjust the audio settings and pair the Beam with your TV.
Pros and Cons of Using Sonos as a Soundbar
Now that we’ve explored how to use Sonos as a soundbar, let’s weigh the pros and cons of this setup.
Pros:
- High-quality sound: Sonos speakers are known for their excellent sound quality, making them an excellent choice for TV shows, movies, and music.
- Wireless connectivity: Sonos speakers offer wireless connectivity, making it easy to connect them to your TV and other devices.
- Multi-room audio: Sonos speakers can be paired with other Sonos speakers to create a multi-room audio system, allowing you to stream music and audio content to different rooms in your home.
- Compact design: The Beam is a compact soundbar that’s designed to fit into smaller spaces, making it an excellent choice for apartments or small rooms.
Cons:
- Higher cost: Sonos speakers are generally more expensive than traditional soundbars, which can be a drawback for those on a budget.
- Complex setup: Setting up a Sonos soundbar can be more complex than traditional soundbars, which may require additional technical expertise.
- Limited compatibility: Sonos speakers may not be compatible with all TVs or devices, which can limit their use as a soundbar.
Conclusion
Can Sonos be used as a soundbar? The answer is a resounding yes, but it’s not a traditional soundbar experience. Sonos offers two excellent soundbar alternatives, the Playbar and the Beam, which can provide an immersive audio experience for your TV. While there are pros and cons to using Sonos as a soundbar, the benefits of high-quality sound, wireless connectivity, and multi-room audio make it an excellent choice for those who want to upgrade their TV’s audio.
If you’re in the market for a new soundbar, we recommend exploring the Sonos Playbar and Beam in more detail. Whether you’re looking for a compact, affordable option or a more comprehensive soundbar experience, Sonos has something to offer.
Can Sonos speakers be used as a soundbar for my TV?
Yes, Sonos speakers can be used as a soundbar for your TV. Sonos offers a range of speakers that can connect to your TV and provide high-quality sound. The Sonos Beam, Sonos Playbar, and Sonos Playbase are the most popular options for TV sound. These speakers are specifically designed to work seamlessly with most TVs and provide a cinematic sound experience.
To connect your Sonos speaker to your TV, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps. First, make sure your TV has an HDMI-ARC (Audio Return Channel) port. Then, connect your Sonos speaker to the HDMI-ARC port using an HDMI cable. Finally, follow the on-screen instructions to set up the speaker. You’ll be enjoying rich, immersive sound in no time.
Do I need a special Sonos soundbar or can I use any Sonos speaker?
While any Sonos speaker can be used to enhance your TV-watching experience, not all Sonos speakers are created equal when it comes to soundbars. The Sonos Beam, Sonos Playbar, and Sonos Playbase are specifically designed to be used as soundbars and offer the best performance. These speakers are optimized for TV audio and provide features like dialogue enhancement and night mode.
That being said, if you already have a Sonos speaker, such as the Sonos One or Sonos Five, you can still use it to enhance your TV sound. Simply connect the speaker to your TV using an optical audio cable or HDMI-ARC, and you’ll be able to enjoy better sound. However, keep in mind that these speakers may not offer the same level of performance as a dedicated soundbar like the Sonos Beam or Sonos Playbar.
Can I connect multiple Sonos speakers to create a surround sound system?
Yes, you can connect multiple Sonos speakers to create a surround sound system. Sonos offers a feature called “Home Theater” that allows you to pair a Sonos soundbar with additional Sonos speakers to create a 5.1 surround sound system. This setup can provide a truly immersive audio experience, with speakers providing dedicated left and right rear channels and a dedicated subwoofer.
To set up a surround sound system with Sonos, you’ll need a Sonos soundbar (such as the Sonos Beam or Sonos Playbar) and at least two additional Sonos speakers (such as the Sonos Ones or Sonos Fives). You’ll also need a Sonos Sub, which provides the low-end frequency response. Once you have all the necessary components, follow the on-screen instructions to set up the system and enjoy a cinematic audio experience.
Can I use a Sonos soundbar with a non-Sonos subwoofer?
While Sonos recommends using a Sonos Sub with their soundbars, it is technically possible to use a non-Sonos subwoofer with a Sonos soundbar. However, the results may vary, and you may not get the same level of performance and integration as you would with a Sonos Sub. Sonos subs are optimized to work seamlessly with Sonos soundbars, providing a tight, cohesive sound.
If you do decide to use a non-Sonos subwoofer, you’ll need to connect it to the soundbar using an RCA or LFE cable. You may also need to adjust the subwoofer’s settings to optimize its performance. Keep in mind that you may not be able to access certain features, such as the Sonos Trueplay tuning system, which is designed to work with Sonos subs.
Can I use a Sonos soundbar with a projector or other non-TV devices?
While Sonos soundbars are optimized for TV use, you can use them with other devices, such as projectors, gaming consoles, and streaming devices. Any device with an HDMI-ARC or optical audio output can be connected to a Sonos soundbar. This makes it easy to enhance the audio experience for a wide range of devices.
To connect a non-TV device to a Sonos soundbar, simply connect the device to the soundbar using an HDMI cable or optical audio cable, depending on the device’s output. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to set up the soundbar and adjust the audio settings to your liking.
Is it worth using a Sonos soundbar for music playback?
While Sonos soundbars are optimized for TV audio, they can also be used for music playback. In fact, Sonos soundbars are designed to provide high-quality music playback, with clear, detailed sound and deep bass. Additionally, Sonos offers a range of music services and features, such as Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, that make it easy to stream music to your soundbar.
Whether or not it’s worth using a Sonos soundbar for music playback depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a high-quality music speaker, a dedicated Sonos speaker, such as the Sonos One or Sonos Five, may be a better option. However, if you already have a Sonos soundbar, it can be a great way to enjoy music in addition to TV audio.