Sonos turns its portable speakers into surround rear speakers

The company is rolling out version 27 of its operating system, allowing Sonos Play or Move 2 speakers to be used as temporary rear speakers for surround sound with a soundbar.

Until now, a Sonos surround system has required dedicated rear speakers such as the Era or One.

Now, the audio company is giving users more flexibility.

- "Pair two Sonos Plays or Move 2s with a compatible soundbar. When the credits roll, take them to the patio, the kitchen, or wherever. Bring them back behind the sofa and they know what to do," said Sonos.


How 'Portable Surrounds' works
The feature is launched under the 'Sonos Fabric' umbrella and is known specifically as 'Portable Surrounds' in Sonos 27, the latest version of the operating system. The rollout has already started, so look for an update to the Sonos app, which will also update your speakers.

Version 27 only works with Sonos S2 products. To get started with Portable Surrounds, you need an Arc, Arc Ultra, Beam (Gen 2) or the new Beam Ultra soundbar. It does not work with the Playbar, Playbase, Arc SL, Beam (Gen 1) or Ray – a microphone is required.

 Also read: Apple tests four-HomePod surround system for Apple TV 4K

For now, you can use two Sonos Play (the portable model) or two Move 2s. They act as the left and right rear speakers. It does not work with earlier models, and you cannot mix different speaker models.


Up to 9.1.4, according to Sonos
The surround configuration depends on which soundbar you pair them with. On paper, adding rear speakers does not expand the number of surround channels, as Sonos claims that its soundbars already virtualize rear channels, but physical rear speakers obviously provide better sound positioning.

In other words, you can create up to 9.1.4 channels with the Arc Ultra soundbar, although the four virtual height channels are mostly marketing. There are no upward-firing drivers in the Sonos Play or Move 2, so they serve solely as the left and right rear speakers.

 Also read: TCL takes on Samsung with new 'Audio by B&O' soundbars, up to 11.1.4 Atmos

After initial setup, it takes around 8 seconds from placing the speakers behind the couch for them to be automatically detected as rear speakers. The system operates over Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth.