There is no single Sonos surround preset that works best in every room. Tune the system for your space if Trueplay is available, set the TV and music surround levels independently, choose Ambient or Full for music, and match Surround Distance to your listening position. If TV surrounds sound unusually quiet, check the audio format reaching Sonos before raising the level.
Where to find Sonos surround settings
In the current Sonos app, select the room containing the home theater speaker and surrounds, then open Sound > Surround Audio. In the S1 Controller, go to Settings > System > [product room] > Sound > Surround Audio.
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The page includes a Surrounds toggle, separate TV Level and Music Level controls, Music Playback, Surround Distance, and Reset. Sonos describes what each control changes but does not publish a universal slider value; adjust levels for your room and preference.
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Settings for movies and TV
Set TV Level to taste
TV Level changes the surround speakers’ volume during TV playback. After confirming the system receives the intended audio format, raise or lower this control to suit how prominent you want rear effects to be.
#1 Best Overall
- The information below is per-pack only
- Powered by a 47% faster processor, the next-gen dual-tweeter acoustic architecture produces detailed stereo separation while a 25% larger midwoofer deepens the bass.¹
- Place this speaker anywhere and everywhere you want to listen. The compact design fits beautifully on your bookshelf, kitchen counter, desk, or nightstand.
- Stream from all your favorite services over WiFi. Pair a Bluetooth device with the press of a button. Connect a turntable or other audio source using an auxiliary cable and the Sonos Line-In Adapter.²
- Go from unboxing to unbelievable sound in just a few minutes. Simply plug in the power cable, connect your phone or tablet to WiFi, and open the Sonos app.
Use Height Level only on supported models
On supported Atmos-capable products, Height Level changes the level of the height channels. Sonos recommends simulated overhead sound when there is less than 4 inches of space above the soundbar; the cited support guidance says this option is supported on Beam Ultra. Availability depends on the model. See Sonos guidance on adjusting height audio.
Settings for music
Choose Ambient or Full
| Music Playback mode | What it does | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Ambient | The default mode; surrounds play subtle, lower-volume sound with a limited frequency range. | You want the rear speakers to add gentle fill rather than compete with the home theater speaker. |
| Full | Surrounds play full-range sound at the same volume as the home theater speaker. | You want music to sound more evenly distributed around the room. |
Music Playback does not affect TV audio or Dolby Atmos music, as Sonos explains in its surround audio settings guide. Use Music Level to adjust surround-speaker volume for music; it is independent of TV Level.
Rank #2
- Dual angled tweeters and a powerful midwoofer deliver rich, balanced stereo sound with deep bass.
- The perfect start or addition to your system, Era 100 SL makes Sonos sound more accessible.
- Stream over WiFi, pair via Bluetooth, or connect a turntable and more with line in.
- Go from unboxing to incredible sound in minutes with a quick plug-in and the Sonos app
- Trueplay fine-tunes Era 100 SL for the unique acoustics of the room.
Spatial audio music also depends on the products and services involved. Sonos supports spatial audio on selected products and services, and grouping a spatial-audio-capable product with an unsupported Sonos product switches the group to stereo. Details are in Sonos’s Dolby Atmos music support information.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesSet Surround Distance and tune the room
Match the listening position
Surround Distance tells Sonos how far the surround speakers are from the main listening position. Choose the app option that most closely matches where you usually sit. Sonos says this adjustment changes overall surround volume for both TV and music; its guidance does not prescribe a single distance setting for everyone.
Rank #3
- Featuring six optimally positioned drivers all around the front, sides, and top to support Dolby Atmos Music, the breakthrough acoustic design projects sound from wall to wall and floor to ceiling, immersing you in every dimension of the song.
- No matter where you are or what you play, the listening experience is nothing short of extraordinary. Custom waveguides disperse sound right, left, forward, and above, creating a sensationally spacious stereo soundstage you can enjoy all around the room.
- Stream from all your favorite services over WiFi. Pair a Bluetooth device with the press of a button. Connect a turntable or other audio source using an auxiliary cable and the Sonos Line-In Adapter.
- Experience mind-bending multichannel surround sound when you pair two speakers with Sonos Arc or Beam (Gen 2). Supercharged by Dolby Atmos, the lateral and overhead channels in each product create an all-encompassing soundstage to envelop you in the story.
- Enjoy free music, original content, and thousands of live stations on Sonos Radio. Play music with hands-free ease and unmatched privacy using Sonos Voice Control. Plus, access new features and services with regular software updates.
Use Trueplay when available
Trueplay measures how sound reflects from walls, furnishings, and other surfaces, then fine-tunes the speaker for the room. Sonos advises minimizing noise and covering as much of the room as possible during advanced tuning. Do not adjust volume while tuning, and tune again after moving a speaker or changing the system configuration.
Options vary by product and device. Sonos’s current support page lists quick tuning for Arc Ultra, Beam Ultra, Era 100, Era 100 Pro, and Era 300 on iOS and Android; advanced tuning is iOS-only. Portable products used as home theater surrounds use Auto Trueplay. Check Sonos’s Trueplay compatibility and tuning instructions for your model.
Rank #4
- Dual angled tweeters and a powerful midwoofer deliver rich, balanced stereo sound with deep bass.
- The perfect start or addition to your system, Era 100 SL makes Sonos sound more accessible.
- Stream over WiFi, pair via Bluetooth, or connect a turntable and more with line in.
- Go from unboxing to incredible sound in minutes with a quick plug-in and the Sonos app
- Trueplay fine-tunes Era 100 SL for the unique acoustics of the room.
Why TV surround speakers can sound quiet
Before turning up TV Level, check the audio format shown in the Sonos app. If Sonos is receiving stereo or PCM, it is getting two-channel audio, which may contain little or no discrete surround information. Increasing the surround level cannot turn that two-channel signal into a discrete surround mix.
- Check the format in the Sonos app. If it reports stereo or PCM, investigate the TV and source-device audio output settings.
- Confirm the source can send surround sound. The TV, connected device, content, and Sonos product all affect the format that reaches the system.
- Verify the connection and format requirements. Sonos home theater products support Dolby Digital 5.0/5.1 and DTS Digital Surround, subject to product and app limitations. Some products support HDMI ARC for CEC or supported voice control; optical is an option on some products but has limitations. Consult Sonos’s supported home theater audio formats.
- Adjust TV Level after the signal is right. Once Sonos receives the format you intend, use TV Level to set surround prominence to taste.
What to check for Dolby Atmos
Atmos depends on the Sonos model, television connection, source device, streaming service, and specific content. Sonos’s guidance requires HDMI ARC or eARC for Atmos: Dolby Digital Plus Atmos can use HDMI ARC, while lossless Dolby TrueHD Atmos requires HDMI eARC. The Sonos app indicates when the system is receiving Atmos. Check the supported setup details in Sonos’s Dolby Atmos home theater guide.
Best Value
- Powered by a 47% faster processor, the next-gen dual-tweeter acoustic architecture produces detailed stereo separation while a 25% larger midwoofer deepens the bass.¹
- Place this speaker anywhere and everywhere you want to listen. The compact design fits beautifully on your bookshelf, kitchen counter, desk, or nightstand.
- Stream from all your favorite services over WiFi. Pair a Bluetooth device with the press of a button. Connect a turntable or other audio source using an auxiliary cable and the Sonos Line-In Adapter.²
- Go from unboxing to unbelievable sound in just a few minutes. Simply plug in the power cable, connect your phone or tablet to WiFi, and open the Sonos app.
- With a tap in the Sonos app, Trueplay tuning technology analyzes the unique acoustics of your space and optimizes the speaker’s EQ. So all your content sounds just the way it should.
Check surround-speaker placement and compatibility
Sonos recommends compatible surround models, both speakers oriented the same way, and placement behind and to the left and right of the usual listening position. Compatibility depends on the main home theater product: Sonos notes, for example, that two Sonos Ones can pair as surrounds, while a One and Play:1 cannot. Era 300 is among the products Sonos documents for Atmos home theater surround use. Confirm the exact combination against Sonos’s surround compatibility guidance before choosing a pair, and use its placement recommendations to position them.
When to reset surround settings
Use Reset on the Surround Audio page if you want to return those controls to their defaults and begin setup again. It is a way to clear your surround adjustments, not a fix for a two-channel TV signal or unsupported Atmos connection.
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