Ultimate Sonos Home Theatre Setup Guide
Published 2025-12-24
A Sonos home theatre can be anything from “TV sounds a bit better” to proper, room-filling cinema. The difference is not price. It is design decisions.
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Step 1: choose the right Sonos soundbar
Your soundbar is the anchor. Get this wrong and everything downstream is compromised.
Sonos Ray, only for very small rooms
- Best for bedrooms, secondary TVs, very small rooms.
- No HDMI ARC/eARC, no Dolby Atmos, narrower soundstage.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2), sensible default
- Small to medium rooms and flats.
- Virtualised Atmos, strong dialogue clarity, compact footprint.
- Scales well with Sub Mini and surrounds.
Sonos Arc, large rooms, real Atmos
- Medium to large rooms, open-plan spaces.
- Needs HDMI eARC for full Atmos.
- Placement matters: avoid cabinets.
| Soundbar | Best for | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Ray | Very small rooms, secondary TVs | No HDMI ARC/eARC, no Atmos |
| Beam (Gen 2) | Small to medium rooms | Virtualised Atmos only |
| Arc | Medium to large rooms, Atmos focus | Needs space and eARC to shine |
Quick rule: small room = Beam, medium room = Beam or Arc, large room = Arc.
Step 2: do you need a Sub?
A Sub is not just about boom. It improves clarity by removing bass strain from the soundbar.
If you are staging upgrades, start with the soundbar, then add a Sub, then surrounds.
| Sub option | Best for | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Sub Mini | Beam setups, flats, neighbour-aware homes | Controlled bass, easy placement |
| Sub (Gen 3/4) | Arc systems, large rooms, detached homes | Massive impact, can be overkill in small rooms |
| Dual Subs | Large rooms, bass consistency across seats | Not louder, just smoother and more even |
Step 3: surrounds, immersion without excess
Surrounds do not need to be huge. They need correct placement and a clear rear image.
- One / One SL are excellent rears.
- Symfonisk bookshelf is a strong budget option.
- Surrounds must be a matched pair.
Where surrounds should go
- Slightly behind and to the side.
- Around ear height when seated.
- Not hidden in cabinets.
Step 4: placement that actually improves sound
Soundbar placement
- Center it with the TV.
- Keep it unobstructed.
- Wall-mount Arc if possible for better Atmos dispersion.
Sub placement
- Near the front wall, not jammed into a corner.
- Move it 30–60 cm if bass feels boomy.
- Re-run Trueplay after moving.
Step 5: Trueplay is mandatory
- Balances dialogue and bass.
- Aligns surrounds and improves Atmos perception.
- Run it after all speakers are added and grouped.
For the full process, see the Trueplay tuning guide.
Step 6: ensuring Dolby Atmos is actually working
Most people think they have Atmos and do not. You need Arc or Beam Gen 2, a TV with eARC, and correct settings.
TV settings checklist
- HDMI audio: Bitstream or Passthrough.
- Dolby Atmos: Enabled.
- eARC: Enabled.
- Disable audio post-processing.
In the Sonos app, look for the Dolby Atmos badge during playback.
Arc vs Amp + passive speakers (honest comparison)
Arc
- Simpler, fewer cables.
- Excellent Atmos with the right room.
- Easier resale.
Amp + passive speakers
- Real left/right speakers.
- Can integrate in-ceiling surrounds.
- More complex and expensive overall.
If you already own passive speakers, Amp makes sense. Otherwise, Arc is simpler and more than good enough.
Common questions
Do I need a Sub for my soundbar?
Yes if you care about immersion and clarity. Sub Mini for most homes; full Sub for large rooms.
Can I add surrounds later?
Yes. Start with soundbar, then Sub, then surrounds.
Will this annoy neighbours?
Use Night Mode, control bass, and prefer Sub Mini in shared-wall homes.
Three Sonos home theatre setups that always work
Flat / small lounge
Beam Gen 2 + Sub Mini + 2x One SL surrounds.
Medium living room
Arc + Sub Mini or Sub + 2x One or Symfonisk surrounds.
Large open-plan space
Arc + Sub + optional second Sub + 2x surrounds.
Sonos rewards matching the system to the room. Get the soundbar right, add bass intelligently, place surrounds properly, and tune it well. Do that and it delivers cinema without guesswork.
Ready for a plan you can trust?
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Plan your Sonos system with confidence
Use the Sonos Properly planner to build a system that fits your rooms and the way you listen.
- A tailored system plan that fits your rooms and listening style.
- A value-led alternative that respects budget without cutting corners.
- An Ultimate option for maximum impact and future flexibility.
