Sonos offers all kinds of smart speaker options, including surround sound systems. One of the best parts is the Sonos Sub. This device offers a booming low-end and sleek design, and you can even use two of them simultaneously!
You can connect two Sonos Subs to any Sonos soundbar (Playbar, Playbase, Beam, Arc), stereo pair of Sonos smart speakers, Sonos Amp, Sonos Connect:Amp, or Sonos Connect. You can easily add the second sub to your system inside of the Sonos App.
Sonos is known for its ease of use. So is connecting two subs as easy as connecting other Sonos products? Can you connect in different Sonos speaker configurations without having issues? To find out the answers to these questions and more, read on!
👉 Related Reading: Sonos Playbar vs Beam vs Playbase: Which Sonos Soundbar Is Best?
How Does Using 2 Sonos Subs Together Work?
Why would you need more than one subwoofer? In many cases, especially in smaller rooms, one sub is just enough. For larger rooms, well, it can be a game-changer. You see, when you play sound from any speaker, the sound waves create natural dips and peaks not only in the sound but across different areas of the room.
When you add a second subwoofer, it means you are allowing both signals to play together. This helps even out those dips and peaks, giving the room a better quality low-end sound. Additionally, it allows for more people to enjoy the warm and rich notes from the sub in any location in a room.
For larger home theatre setups, a second sub is fairly commonplace. Sonos products, historically, has not offered this feature. With the release of the third generation of their Sono Sub (on Amazon), Sonos added the feature, much to audiophiles and home theatre nerds' excitement.
Having two subs only adds to the overall high-quality Sonos experience and is recommended for large rooms and for people who just want the extra boom.
In theory, the sub connects just like any other Sonos speaker. Moving through the setup in the app, you can easily add the second sub without too much hassle. No need for hard wiring or mixing up speaker terminals, just easy installation. Just what Sonos is known for!
Case 1: Using 2 Sonos Subs with a Soundbar and a Sonos Amp
Connecting two subwoofers to a Sonos Amp (on Amazon) or a Sonos soundbar is quite easy. All you’ll need to do is connect the Sub to the network via the Sonos app. Part of what makes everything so seamless is Sonos’ dedication to making everything wireless. Since the sub is wireless, you don’t need to worry about running wires.
It also means you won’t need to limit yourself to one sub, so long as you already have a Sonos Amp and speakers setup. Connecting is as easy as following the onscreen instructions for setup through the Sonos app. All you need to do is make sure you are placing the new sub in the right room and everything should connect without any issues.
You will need to make sure at least one of the subs is of generation 3 or higher (3 is the latest as of writing this article). The enhanced processing power of the third generation allows you to connect two subs without overloading the system’s bandwidth. Additionally, you’ll need the updated Sonos app, as well.
Case 2: Using 2 Sonos Subs with a Stereo Pair of Sonos Ones or Sonos Fives
While you might think that having all these speakers set up already can complicate things, you’d be wrong. Since the subs don’t require wires, all you need is the Sonos app to get things working. No matter how many speakers you have on your Sonos system, you should be able to connect two subs without any issues.
Does a Second Sonos SUB Make a Difference?
Adding a second sub can add extra warmth, clarity, and dimension to the low-end of any audio signal. With two subs, the peaks and dips created by a single sub are even. This means that more listeners can experience the peak of sound at any area in the room.
If you are an audiophile or just a big fan of the Sonos sound, adding the extra sub will make a difference. It might seem like overkill to the average user, but in reality, there are some scientific reasons why having a second sub can do wonders for your home theatre.
It’s all about how the sub forms the sound in waves and what happens when you add more waves, i.e., the second sub, to the equation.
Where is the Best Place to Put 2 Sonos Subs?
Sonos recommends that you place your sub against a wall in an unobstructed area. If you can, do so on a smooth floor. This will give the speaker the best chance to produce a clean and clear low-end. Carpet can damper the quality and overall loudness of the sub and you should avoid placement on carpet or rugs if you can.
Here are a couple of other tips straight from the manufacturer:
- Leave one acoustic hole unobstructed
- If possible, place your sub flush against a wall.
- Don’t put anything on top of the sub
- Leave at least 1” of clearance above sub
But that’s just one sub. What about two? Well, if you are using two subs, there is something you need to consider when it comes to placement. The low-end frequencies that the sub produces don’t ricochet off the walls like higher frequencies. This means that generally speaking, placement isn’t the biggest factor when it comes to sound quality.
As long as you have two subs in the room, and they aren't obstructed, you should get the kind of room-filling sound that two subs are known for. Most home theatre experts will recommend either a paired placement at the front or diagonal placement across a room.
The idea is to fill the room with sound. As long as you accomplish this task, where you put the subs won’t matter as much. Some people like the subs upfront as it adds direction to the low end. Others prefer a more surround sound experience, so they have one sub in the front and one in the back. There is a lot of preference when it comes to placement.
One of the best parts about using Sonos subs is that you can play around with placement. Since they are wireless, you can easily move them from one end of the room to the other to test things out. Once you find what you like, they are ready to go and set up — no additional installation needed.
