Sonos is legendary for a good reason - because they really produce these components for the discerning consumer as well as for the neophyte looking for new sonic frontiers...
It all started when I bought the LG ND8630 (the white washtub Airplay speaker). I loved the Airplay ability, the looks, and the deep sound. Now discontinued, it is a killer speaker for a killer price. Then, I happened to drop into a Bose store (big mistake), and walked out with the Gold Standard of wifi-speakers, the Bose Soundtouch 30. Wow, this has the "Bose Sound", deep with crisp highs and an OK interface (I hated the limiting 6-favorite Bose app) that worked with Airplay, Spotify Connect, and aux inputs. It is the best in a single speaker one can find, in my mind, for $500. The Bose was King of my music experience at home...but something was missing...
Comparing the Bose 30 with the Bose QC15 headphones, I noticed what most (if not all) wifi- or wireless speakers were missing - the ambience of stereo separation! Music is produced with a lot consideration about how the track will sound in a stereo environment; the typical wireless speaker mixes or blends the two channels together - by virtue of the fact that any left-right channels are only inches- to two feet apart. Sounds great but is hardly a listening "experience".
So, I noticed the Sonos Play:1 world. I had not given Sonos any consideration because i was not into the "music in every room" advertising approach. With caution, I bought a single Play:1 and liked the deep sound from a relatively small coffee-can sized speaker. Wow, then I discovered that by adding a second Play:1, I could easily make these into a left and right stereo pair, over wifi and with zero expertise, they just worked!
For only $400, I had a pair of totally wireless speakers that filled the living room with the most amazing sound. I had been missing the true ambience of songs by playing Apple Music and Spotify, Amazon, Google Play, and Pandora over a single speaker. Note that compared to the Bose Soundtouch 30, each individual Sonos Play:1 could not match its presence, but together, the Sonos Play:1 pair just killed the Bose, sad to say! Rich bass (go figure!) and crisp highs, they sound great. Every playlist on every service was a new experience.
Thanks for reading to this point. So, I thought...I went from 1-D sound (on the wireless speakers) to a much richer 2-D stereo sound with the Sonos Play:1 pair, why not expand into 3-D sound with the added Sonos Playbar? Yes, it is $699 but I had spent double that much of goofy surround systems, subwoofers, and gadgets. So, Amazon delivered the Playbar (1-Day shipping!) and I plugged it in. The iPhone Sonos app is an example of simplicity and yet flexibility (learn this lesson, Bose!) and within a minute I had a true surround system! It uses your old TV or Cable remote for volume, has an IR-repeater strip across the back, in case the Playbar blocks the TV remote, has only a power cord, an optical connect to the TV, and an ethernet cable for the connectivity to the Play:1 pair. It uses its own wifi band so it offloads any wifi traffic over this completely wireless surroundsound system. Amazing! BTW, did you know that many of the commercials have incredible 5.1 DD sound! Imagine that shock. Yes, most modern TV's do throughput 5.1 Dolby digital over the HDMI-optical pathway. Yes, Comcast and Dish do broadcast most shows and movies in 5.1. And yes, the Playbar-Play:1 combo is incredibly lifelike. You have number of variables, like the surround and ambient effects, the rear speaker adjustments, and a sound calibration with the TV volume (I left my TV speakers disconnected). The Playbar comes on with the TV and shuts off with the TV. I don't even have to think about it...easy!
But wait, there's more! Using the iPhone Sonos app (...now I found the perfect solution for an old iphone or ipad laying about...!) I played my Spotify playlists over the Sonos Playbar-Play combo. WHOA. Amazing sounds, not only left- to right but also across the room. The playbar sits in front the TV while the Play:1's sit behind the sofa. The sound is very airy, and each instrument appears in different parts of the room - eery! It's more like an expanded sound field across the room, even for the standard mp3 two-channel streaming files.
So, what have I got? A killer surround system that just works ( I decided against getting the SUB woofer from Sonos for now) in addition to a very fascinating room stereo experience. The Sonos combo knows if content is 5.1 and if so, the rear channels play the surround information, otherwise, it fills the room with the Left-Right stereo content.
What about my gripes? I thought I would hate the app as much as I had no love for the Bose app. Actually, the Sonos app has a lot to offer; each Sonos playlist can contain content from each or any of the music services you have, all rolled into one playlist. So, until Sonos supports Apple Music, I am stuck to iTunes content that I have downloaded onto my iPhone or iPad. Cmon, Apple and Sonos - fix this! I wish the Playbar would recognize more than 5.1 (I don't think DTS is supported). Before you buy the Playbar, MAKE SURE: your TV has HDMI inputs for each of your devices such as cable, PS3, PS4, etc. Make sure your TV can support 5.1 over the HDMI and then out to the Sonos on the optical SPDIF output. Make sure, you can plug the Playbar into an ethernet router in the room, so that the Sonos combo can operate on its own net. You cannot play the Playbar and both rear Play:1's only on the local wifi network, you have to use a Bridge, Connect, or the Playbar through the router. I think...
So, get these components and experience the best in 2-D and 3-D sound. I'll add more as I gain insights.
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This Item  Sonos Playbar TV Soundbar/ Wireless Streaming TV and Music Speaker. Works with Alexa | Recommendations  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $514.95 | -20% $343.00 List: $429.00 | -29% $199.00 List: $279.00 | -22% $699.00 List: $899.00 | -35% $44.99 New Price: $69.47 | $462.00 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Friday, Nov 29 | Get it as soon as Friday, Nov 29 | Get it as soon as Friday, Nov 29 | Get it Nov 29 - Dec 3 | Get it as soon as Friday, Nov 29 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sold By | CellularStream | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | AMTONE | MarketPIus |
| speaker size | — | 6 inches | 3.5 millimeters | 2 inches | 28 inches | 25.6 inches |
| power source | Corded Electric | Nearby electrical outlet | Corded Electric | AC | DC | AC adapter |
| connectivity tech | WiFi network | Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, HDMI, Auxiliary, Optical | Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Optical, RCA | Wireless |
| speaker type | Soundbar | Subwoofer | Soundbar | Soundbar | Soundbar | Soundbar |
| mounting type | Wall Mount | Floor Standing | Tabletop Mount | Wall Mount | Bar Mount | Bar Mount |
| weight | 12.12 pounds | 6350 grams | 8.05 pounds | 6250 grams | — | 6.35 pounds |
| control method | voice | application | remote | voice | remote | voice |
| model name | Sonos PLAYBAR | Sonos Sub Mini - Black | TVSOUNDSOUNDAR | Sonos Arc | Soundbar | Sonos Beam |
| surround channels | 3 | — | 0 | — | — | 5.1.2 |
| subwoofer diameter | 14 centimeters | 17.94 inches | 4.02 inches | 1 inches | 10 feet | — |
HEARING IS BELIEVING! This sound bar is terrific (please get the subwoofer too).
I have a JVC high definition TV with better than average sound. However, whenever I watch a British show, I have to use closed caption. I purchased a Samsung sound bar with wireless subwoofer. The sound is noticeably better, but I still need CC. On top of that, I am a passionate audiophile and a drummer? I was interested in having a system that projected resonant vocals, as well as the full range of instrumental sounds. I ordered the Sonos Playbar TV sound bar and the SUB wireless subwoofer. After a nobrainer install, I downloaded the Sonos app, which is intuitive, holds all my Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music songs, etc. which are easily accessed, and my TV remote volume control manages both TV and streaming audio. Hookup involves an optical-digital connection. The supplied cord is short and I replaced it with a 6 ' cord.No problems so far. The audio quality from the PLAYBAR is superb, but bass tones are greatly enhanced by the subwoofer, which is a costly, but in my opinion mandatory purchase. Using the PLAYBAR/SUB tandem, streamed music sounds "in person." I may get a couple of the Sonos play 1 speakers to arrange a surround setup. Anyone who criticizes the price of these items, might also criticize Festool for selling a miter saw for almost $1500. The saw is virtually dustless, just as the soundbar/subwoofer is virtually flawless. Value is a very personal thing. For me Sonos has satisfied my requisites for a very pleasurable listening experience. The system is highly recommended.
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Top reviews from other countries
Jorge
MI FAVORITO NUEVO JUGUETE!!!
Reviewed in Mexico on August 13, 2018Style: PLAYBAR ONLYVerified Purchase
ST
Good value for the sound quality and convenience of the Sonos system
Reviewed in Canada on July 12, 2015Style: PLAYBAR ONLYVerified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Excellent sound, great music streaming device
Reviewed in Canada on September 25, 2019Style: PLAYBAR ONLYVerified Purchase
