When we first reviewed the Sonos Playbar we were impressed. It delivers a massive improvement on any flatscreen TV’s sound, for a start. And, of course, it’s also a streaming device: you can use it on its own or as part of a multi-room Sonos system.
We weren’t entirely happy with its bass performance, though. It didn’t manage to hit the very deepest notes. So, the company gives you the option of paying £600 for a Playbar on its own or doubling the price to add the matching Sub subwoofer. But just how much of a difference does this make?
Sonos Playbar and Sub: movie sound
On its own the Playbar creates a wide soundstage with plenty of weight, detail and a good sense of openness. It’s atmospheric rather than full of punch, though. Effects don’t come straight at you because the Playbar sends them more upwards – especially if you’ve laid it flat.
It’s less direct-sounding than some of its peers, such as the Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 2. We recommend listening to the bar in its upright position if you can, as this promotes a slightly bolder and fuller sound.
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But there’s no doubt that the Sub brings an extra dimension. Play a Blu-ray of Cowboys & Aliens and there’s impressive scale and power given to the modern-cum-Wild West score. The Sub lets the system go much deeper, even if the two components don’t gel as seamlessly as we’d like.
Sonos Playbar and Sub: connectivity
It’s a shame that the system’s wired connections are limited to a solitary optical input. And while the Playbar can decode standard Dolby Digital soundtracks (and can strip the core Dolby Digital audio from TrueHD-encoded Blu-rays) it can’t decode any flavour of DTS soundtrack: you’ll have to set up your disc player to output Linear PCM instead of bitstream.
Sonos Playbar and Sub: music
Take advantage of the Sonos’ streaming prowess and you’ll discover this combination handles music equally well. The system digs up detail in the midrange and treble, while the Sub brings weight and depth to lows.
Stream Wretch 32’s Don’t Go via Spotify and there’s great openness to the vocals, while the track’s bassline pounds away, with each hit sounding solid and precise. The Sub reach lows that one-box rivals such as the B&W Panorama 2 and Libratone Lounge can’t match.
Sonos Playbar and Sub: set-up
Set-up is dead simple using the Android or iOS app, which takes you through adding the Playbar and Sub onto your network. It also has tone controls as well as adjustments for trimming the sub levels to help integration.
If this is your first Sonos system you’ll need to connect the Playbar directly to your router, but this can be done using Powerline devices or Sonos’ own £39 Bridge if there’s a distance between them. Tucked away with the optical connection is a pair of Ethernet sockets for connecting other components, such as a smart TV, to the internet via the Sonos network.
The Playbar’s infrared sensor lets you to teach it to respond to the volume controls of your TV’s standard remote, and there’s even a repeater built-in so all your remote’s other instructions get to your TV, even if the Playbar is in front of it.
You can also mount the Playbar on the wall with the optional £35 mount (which really should be included as standard).
Sonos Playbar and Sub: verdict
If you sign up for the Playbar and Sub, you’ll need to take into account a couple of minor caveats – but as a streaming system and alternative to terrible TV sound, this Sonos system is well worth a shout.
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