The power of the Beam is enhanced by adding a subwoofer as it helps create an immersive home theater experience.
There are hundreds of different subwoofers available, and their prices range from under one hundred dollars to thousands. So, if you already have a subwoofer, you might be wondering if your current setup will work with the Sonos Beam.
The short answer is yes. There are three ways you can get your existing subwoofer to connect with the Sonos Beam:
- ● Any subwoofer with RCA input (red and white ports) works since it will connect directly to the optical audio output on the rear of your television set and then send out bass sounds through speaker cables (RCA cables) which hook up the back of your TV and the inputs on your powered speaker (sub).
- ● Any wired sub that’s compatible with Wi-Fi, AirPlay®
How To Add A Subwoofer To Your Sonos System
Adding a subwoofer to your Sonos Beam is easy! As long as you meet the system requirements, follow these apps, and you’ll be up and running in no time:
- Open the Sonos app on your phone or tablet.
- Tap the “More” icon at the bottom right of the app.
- Select “Settings.”
- Scroll down to “Room Settings” and tap it.
- Select the room where your Sonos Beam is located. If there are multiple speakers in that room, select them all. For example, if you have three Play:3s in one room with your Sonos Beam, ensure they’re all selected when you tap into this menu.
- Select “Add a Subwoofer” from this menu to connect a subwoofer to your system for maximum bass capabilities!
Sonos Beam with Third-Party Subwoofers
The Sub and Beam are well-suited to one another, but if you find that you need more bass than the Beam can supply on its own, it’s simple to add a third-party subwoofer to your system. To do this, follow these steps:
- Before setting up your subwoofer, please make sure you have downloaded the Sonos app on your mobile device. You can download it via Google Play or the App Store.
- Now open the app on your iOS or Android device. From the More tab, tap Settings > Room Settings > Room Name > Add Another Product to choose your new speakers. Tap SUB to continue. Tap Next. Read the instructions and tap Agree To Continue. Set up your Sub on a hard, flat surface close to an outlet and away from other devices that might cause interference, such as microwaves and baby monitors. When prompted in the app, follow the instructions to plug in your Sub and press the button on top until you hear a chime. On your mobile device’s Bluetooth settings page, press Connect to the Sub directly via Bluetooth. Once connected over Bluetooth, you’ll see a Use The WiFi Network message in the app. Choose a network from those listed, enter your credentials and tap Done to complete setup.
- Once you’ve set up your connection between Sonos Beam and third-party subwoofer(s), simply access Settings > Room Settings > Room Name within the Sonos app for further adjustments such as volume control or other bass/treble adjustments if necessary.
Some examples of Subwoofers with RCA input/output For Connectivity with Sonos Beam
- Active Subwoofers: These subwoofers are the most common type in this hobby. They’re self-powered by a dedicated amplifier and speaker, much like what you probably have connected to your TV or stereo system.
- Passive Subwoofers: These subs employ low wattage amplifiers and drivers that can be run off of an existing speaker system rather than driving them directly. The main driver may be small, but it is caused by a more extensive passive crossover network that brings the full sound to it.
- Ported Subwoofers: Like ported enclosures, ported subwoofers utilize sealed box designs with ports in the front or back of the box that allow air to pass through. The main driver may be small, but it is driven by a more extensive passive crossover network that brings the full sound to it; when those ports are on top of the sub’s cabinet, they act as horn-loaded woofers for even more bass response (more on how this works later).
- Bandpass Subwoofer: A bandpass enclosure is quite different from one with bandpass horns in its design—one has more bass extension and a higher frequency range with more depth and quality than the other. For example, a ported woofer tends to produce deeper lows and brighter highs at higher frequencies than a horn-loaded woofer. With the proper placement of two horns placed in opposite directions within each port for each side of the enclosure, bands around 200Hz can be opened up for increased bass extension over other subwoofer designs.
Sonos Beam Connectivity Difficulties With Third-Party Apps
You may find that your Sonos Beam does not work with HDMI/ARC connections. This can be baffling—sometimes it just works, and sometimes it doesn’t. So why does this happen?
The Sonos Beam will pair with your TV via Bluetooth, but the connection won’t always work. Sometimes you’ll find that the sound is coming from your TV instead of the Sonos Beam even though you’ve adjusted the settings to play sound through the speaker.
To avoid this potential hiccup, pair your Beam directly with any devices (Blu-ray players, game consoles) using an optical digital audio cable or a 3.5mm audio input cable instead of through HDMI/ARC connectivity.
In truth, it does not matter what subwoofer you get for your Sonos Beam. It will work perfectly well with whatever subwoofer you choose. The differences between different models are all about power and design. If you want a better-looking speaker, the Sonos has a modern look to fit your living room.