[Tengocity]

Currenty I have a good Yamaha Amp (previous What Hifi amp of the year), and a good Dolby 5.1 set up, with a pretty decent Mission speaker package. In our previous home it was a new build and I was able to do the wiring for the rear speakers under the carpet before it was fitted. Not the case for our new house, and I'd rather not buy a new carpet, or have the cables running across the middle of the room either.

So currently running it as a 3.1, with front left and right and middle speakers and a subwoofer. It's ok, just not quite surround sound anymore!

I have been reading that the newer sound bars running Dolby Atmos do an amazing job of projecting sound around the room, so have been mulling over whether to go down that route instead.

Interested to hear if anyone has experience of going from one to another, or other useful input?

[SkyJawa]

I went from an Onkyo 5.1.2 Atmos amp and Tannoy speakers (with onkyo atmos speakers) to the Sonos Arc, Sub and 2x One SL satellites. It is very good indeed, and imho better sound, no wires except power (and 1 hdmi).

My only comment would be, and I’ve discussed on another thread is that you really need an EARC based tv if you want to use any external sources to the ARC, or if only an ARC tv then you need an HD Fury Arcana and an hdmi switch which will add an extra couple of hundred quid. If you don’t the external sources will suffer audio lag, sky q being utterly horrendous unless sky q output is set to stereo (and that kind of defeats the object).

I still think the ARC is one of the top of the tree when it comes to atmos bars and setup, a few others now have decent atmos soundbars like denon Bose and sennheiser, though Sonos have just launched an atmos version of the Beam which is a fair bit cheaper but that is virtual atmos, it doesn’t have upward firing speakers. One final comment would be that they don’t support DTS-X but I’ve heard rumours it may be coming…..

[Colmsport]

Had the same predicament as you when we moved to our current house circa 4 years ago.

Living room has engineered oak flooring, so not easy to run cabling under. Started to look at investing in a decent sound bar, but started to get a bit pricey for a decent set up, something I couldn’t justify with an existing half decent kit (Denon 5.1 amp & Tannoy speakers).

In the end settled for some ‘D line trunking’ - available in different colours - (https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrica...8?brand=d_line). We’ve got oak skirting boards & the oak colour trunking is practically unnoticeable (we’ve got the smallest profile & it comfortably manages to contain both rear decent speaker cables). Advantage is the it is self adhesive & can unclip to run further cabling if necessary.

[un1eash]

I think separates will always trump soundbars, it comes down to convenience and installation. Soundbars are getting better and the use of wireless rear/side speakers closes the gap.
I have a 6.1 setup currently in a dedicated room but will be considering a soundbar when we move as having 6 speakers and a very large BK subwoofer isn't ideal.

[Tengocity]

I would love to stick with separates… is there any options that allow for wireless rear and side speakers?

[Techno 9000]

If you have a Yamaha amp with MusicCast built in then I beleive you could but their own brand wireless speakers (MusicCast 20) to use at the rear.

Re-reading your OP, I see you do have carpet, I'd lay small gauge wiring between the gripper and skirting then, if you can't get the carpet to fit back yourself, get a fitter to restretch the carpet. (Helps that I have one I've used for years).

[stefan4]

Can you not just get some slimline cable and cut out a small amount of plaster with a sharp Stanley blade, fill back in with chalk / filler and paint over? Even less noticeable if you trace just above the skirting board. Hell, you could practically replanted the room for the cost of a decent sound bar!

[pmgreenwood]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I would love to stick with separates… is there any options that allow for wireless rear and side speakers?

https://thehometheaterdiy.com/make-r...kers-wireless/


https://petertyson.co.uk/svs-soundpa...audio-adapter?

[winther1]

I tried a variety of expensive soundbars but eventually ended up with a proper surround setup from Elipson. No contest
This also kept my SACD collection alive



I think even a midrange 5.1 setup will beat a high-end soundbar - the deep end is not physically possible without a dedicated sub

[GOF_430d]

I have no experience of sound bars but have a 7.1 set up using a combination of 4 No B&W ceiling speakers with back boxes [neglected to use back boxes in the other rooms - oops], 3 No B&W M1s as left, right & centre plus a Mission sub all driven by a Denon surround amp [a What HiFi award winner] which can utilise the ceiling speakers for Dolby Atmos and with a Blu ray DVD the results can be earth moving.

My neighbour has a Sonos sound bar using Sonos 1's as rears and reckons that my setup is better.

[KCH1984]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

I went from an Onkyo 5.1.2 Atmos amp and Tannoy speakers (with onkyo atmos speakers) to the Sonos Arc, Sub and 2x One SL satellites. It is very good indeed, and imho better sound, no wires except power (and 1 hdmi).

My only comment would be, and I’ve discussed on another thread is that you really need an EARC based tv if you want to use any external sources to the ARC, or if only an ARC tv then you need an HD Fury Arcana and an hdmi switch which will add an extra couple of hundred quid. If you don’t the external sources will suffer audio lag, sky q being utterly horrendous unless sky q output is set to stereo (and that kind of defeats the object).

I still think the ARC is one of the top of the tree when it comes to atmos bars and setup, a few others now have decent atmos soundbars like denon Bose and sennheiser, though Sonos have just launched an atmos version of the Beam which is a fair bit cheaper but that is virtual atmos, it doesn’t have upward firing speakers. One final comment would be that they don’t support DTS-X but I’ve heard rumours it may be coming…..

Tengocity I made a very similar move to this, and for the same reasons you're talking about, and have no regrets. Sonos ARC plus Sub and now One SLs as surrounds. The surrounds do increase overall immerson for little outlay, but the Sub is probably essential when going from a dedicated setup.

You can obviously spend a lot more on a dedicated setup and get fantastic results, but the Sonos is much easier to calibrate and majors on vocal clarity which my other half prefers. For the money, it's hard to beat and is still showing well against some of the newer competitors from Bose and Sony. It also obviosuly integrates with your other Sonos kit if you have or maybe want that in the house.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by pmgreenwood

https://thehometheaterdiy.com/make-r...kers-wireless/


https://petertyson.co.uk/svs-soundpa...audio-adapter?

I had a quick look at this. The biggest issue is that whatever you send the signal to needs to be powered separately, so a subwoofer is fine, but not straightforward for standard surround speakers. It looks like I'd need to add a separate amplifier for the rear/surround speakers. I've still got my old Arcam amp in the loft, so could maybe work with that.

[sahajesh]

SkyJawa Hi, can you point me to the other thread please? I remember reading it, I'd like to go through it again and decide if Sonos is the way for me.

Cheers.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

I went from an Onkyo 5.1.2 Atmos amp and Tannoy speakers (with onkyo atmos speakers) to the Sonos Arc, Sub and 2x One SL satellites. It is very good indeed, and imho better sound, no wires except power (and 1 hdmi).

My only comment would be, and I’ve discussed on another thread is that you really need an EARC based tv if you want to use any external sources to the ARC, or if only an ARC tv then you need an HD Fury Arcana and an hdmi switch which will add an extra couple of hundred quid. If you don’t the external sources will suffer audio lag, sky q being utterly horrendous unless sky q output is set to stereo (and that kind of defeats the object).

I still think the ARC is one of the top of the tree when it comes to atmos bars and setup, a few others now have decent atmos soundbars like denon Bose and sennheiser, though Sonos have just launched an atmos version of the Beam which is a fair bit cheaper but that is virtual atmos, it doesn’t have upward firing speakers. One final comment would be that they don’t support DTS-X but I’ve heard rumours it may be coming…..

Originally Posted by KCH1984

Tengocity I made a very similar move to this, and for the same reasons you're talking about, and have no regrets. Sonos ARC plus Sub and now One SLs as surrounds. The surrounds do increase overall immerson for little outlay, but the Sub is probably essential when going from a dedicated setup.

You can obviously spend a lot more on a dedicated setup and get fantastic results, but the Sonos is much easier to calibrate and majors on vocal clarity which my other half prefers. For the money, it's hard to beat and is still showing well against some of the newer competitors from Bose and Sony. It also obviosuly integrates with your other Sonos kit if you have or maybe want that in the house.

Thanks chaps, I'll need to try and get up to speed with these things, as don't understand the technology that well. I used to be a Hi-Fi geek (20 years ago), and with Home cinema was always pretty happy with a straightforward Dolby 5.1 set up, only paying attention to the latest kit when I felt it was time for an upgrade, every 6 or 7 years.

The whole EARC/ARC thing is completely new to me, and I doubt our TV supports that as it's over 5 years old now. It could do with an upgrade too, but just have more pressing things to spend money on right now around the new house.

I may labour on (first world problems!) with my current 3.1 system, and research a larger upgrade overhaul a little further down the line.

[Steve_M_Sport]

I used to have a dedicated 5.1 surround sound set up with a Denon amp, separate sub woofer and satellite speakers. I wanted a neater solution without the wires and without compromising on sound.

I bought a new Panasonic 65" TV from John Lewis which had built in blade upward firing speakers and hooked up the sub woofer - the sound is amazing and extremely loud without distortion. The best thing is it looks very neat and there are no wires to hide around the room.

https://www.johnlewis.com/panasonic-...black/p5066426

This is an alternative solution for you.

[Nibbles]

SkyJawa and KCH1984 what shape are the rooms your soundbars are in and where are they in those rooms? I've been pondering going with a soundbar but in the house we're moving to, the TV will be in the corner of a large rectangular room and I've been wondering if it'll be an issue for getting decent surround sound.

[Quantox]

Hi Tengocity,
All that I've read suggests that a mid-range 5.1 set up is significantly better than a high end sound bar.
Not having enough room for a sound bar due to an oddball corner installation of a LG 55CX OLED I've just bought a Focal Sib Evo 5.1.2 separates set up with upward firing Atmos speakers in the top of the front L & R's. (Denon AVR)

Not had a chance to install yet but I'm using a low profile, flat cable from fisual.co.uk that's only 2.5 mm thin and will easily go beneath the carpet.

I'd go for the searates and run the flat profile cable under the carpet edge as Techno 9000 has already suggested.

Cheers

Colin

[Pentland]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Currenty I have a good Yamaha Amp (previous What Hifi amp of the year), and a good Dolby 5.1 set up, with a pretty decent Mission speaker package. In our previous home it was a new build and I was able to do the wiring for the rear speakers under the carpet before it was fitted. Not the case for our new house, and I'd rather not buy a new carpet, or have the cables running across the middle of the room either.

I put the rear /side cabling in mini trunking attached to the bottom edge of the skirting board. There is little exposed skirting in our lounge so it’s quite discreet. Certainly no more obtrusive than the edging you might use for a laminate floor to skirting join.

[SkyJawa]

Originally Posted by sahajesh

SkyJawa Hi, can you point me to the other thread please? I remember reading it, I'd like to go through it again and decide if Sonos is the way for me.

Cheers.

Yep, here you go:

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...ight=sonos+arc

Originally Posted by Nibbles

SkyJawa and KCH1984 what shape are the rooms your soundbars are in and where are they in those rooms? I've been pondering going with a soundbar but in the house we're moving to, the TV will be in the corner of a large rectangular room and I've been wondering if it'll be an issue for getting decent surround sound.

My room is essentially a rectangle albeit one side opened out to a conservatory, the TV is in the middle of one of the smaller end walls. The Sonos ARC (and I guess the Beam too) have an automated tuning setup using the App on your phone called Trueplay where you walk around the room with your phone and it tunes the system to your room type, a similar way that AV Amps do it with a Mic.

[Tengocity]

I will have a look at some wiring around the sides of the room, but it's complicated by having to run around our fireplace and a stone wall, as you can see here. I may see if I can lift it easily to the front along the floor, but the colour of the stone may mean that if I routed it along where it joins the roof then it probably wouldn't be easily seen, depending on the colour.
Then I have the collocation of some French doors between where I'd out the two rears.

The other side of the lounge is large and open, and the run would be 3 to 4 times longer than past the fireplace, and would cross 2 double doors, so is a non starter.

[SkyJawa]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

The whole EARC/ARC thing is completely new to me, and I doubt our TV supports that as it's over 5 years old now. It could do with an upgrade too, but just have more pressing things to spend money on right now around the new house.

EARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) came around in 2019, so you will most certainly only have ARC (Audio Return Channel) on your TV. (and Sonos calling their soundbar ARC also doesn't help with confusion!)

ARC (Audio Return Channel) will work fine if you only use the TV and its built in Apps. But if you want to plug other devices into the TV's other HDMI ports and pass that sound down to the ARC this is where you will get delay issues, I had it on Xbox Series X where for example in Call of Duty the gunshot is heard a second or so after the event, and in the case of Sky Q as mentioned before the delay makes it unwatchable and you can only fix it by having sky set to Stereo output only.

This was the exact reason HD Fury invented the Arcana EARC adapter so you plug all your external devices into an HDMI switch, that goes into the Arcana and then the output of the Arcana goes to both the TV HDMI and Sonos Arc HDMI. Arcana then splits the EARC audio out to the Sonos ARC and picture to the TV, but the sound from TV apps will still work to the soundbar as well.

https://hdfury.com/product/4k-arcana-18gbps/

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

EARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) came around in 2019, so you will most certainly only have ARC (Audio Return Channel) on your TV. (and Sonos calling their soundbar ARC also doesn't help with confusion!)

ARC (Audio Return Channel) will work fine if you only use the TV and its built in Apps. But if you want to plug other devices into the TV's other HDMI ports and pass that sound down to the ARC this is where you will get delay issues, I had it on Xbox Series X where for example in Call of Duty the gunshot is heard a second or so after the event, and in the case of Sky Q as mentioned before the delay makes it unwatchable and you can only fix it by having sky set to Stereo output only.

This was the exact reason HD Fury invented the Arcana EARC adapter so you plug all your external devices into an HDMI switch, that goes into the Arcana and then the output of the Arcana goes to both the TV HDMI and Sonos Arc HDMI. Arcana then splits the EARC audio out to the Sonos ARC and picture to the TV, but the sound from TV apps will still work to the soundbar as well.

https://hdfury.com/product/4k-arcana-18gbps/

I may not need to worry about this as I only run one HDMI to the TV, as every source is routed via the Yamaha AV Amplifier - Sky, Amazon Fire box, Bluray. That drives the rears and centre speaker, and a line level output goes to a Audiolab CD Player/pre-amp and Power amp, which drives the front left and right speakers. It's a little complex, but it allows me to retain a top notch music hi-fi system, as CDs and Amazon music don't go via the AV Amp, if just listening to music.