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Forum Discussion
SONOS Compatability with Orbi
Is Orbi compatable with the SONOS mesh network? I have an extensive SONOS system throughout my house (7000 sq ft). It works flawlessly and I have wondered why a mesh network for a LAN application ha...
Thanks everyone for the replies.
I was experiencing these issues with the Orbi speed when I had the non-bridge plugged in. In the house there was a "bridge unit" and then each speaker had its own white receiver box? Am I understanding this right? They had multiple Connect amp receivers, that is what I plugged the Orbi router portion into and expereinced the signal drops and speed issues even when it was left plugged in. I am unsure if this is the "Sonosnet setup". I also experience the speed drops when I wired in the wireless bridge to the orbi router portion.
Disclaimer, this sonos setup was supposedly setup by a professional awhile ago, but there are so many connect amps, that I am confused what they are all for.
Anyways, I can clearly replicate the problem by hooking up the sonos to the Orbi router portion. Then when I remove the sonos amp portion, and restart Orbi, the speed goes back up and the satelite does not get a amber "fair connection" light.
The Orbi firmware is up to date, and I never wired more than 1 Sonos unit into the Router portion of Orbi.
So my problem really can only be 3 things from what I am hearing from you guys.
- The Sonos Firmware is not update (didn't even think to check that)
- The Channels are interfereing and I need to set Orbi to 11 and Sonos to 1
- I have a defective Orbi unit, which I just feel is highly unliekly as it works flawlessly without Sonos involved.
Or maybe I need to purchase one of the new "Boost Units" and set it up that way? I don't understand how the bridge is different from it though.
I am not limited to any specific sort of "Wireless only" setup, I could find a way to wire any sonos piece to ethernet because the house is wired with network drops.
First, make sure your Orbi Router and Satellites are all on the same current firmware. Early Orbi's refused to update the satellites automatically. You had to do it manually.
Second, make sure all Sonos devices are up to date.
Third - I want to clear up your understanding of the different Sonos pieces:
Play:1/Play: 3/Play:5/Subwoofer/Other Speaker - These are all speakers, they are configured to either use the sonos network (which they will if *any* Sonos product is wired via ethernet to any Orbi) Or you can configure all of them to use Orbi network directly. As many of us have said, we prefer to wire a single Sonos device and have it be the source of SonosNet on channel 11. All speakers re-broadcast sonosnet if that is what you are using.
Connect/Connect:AMP - These join sonosnet but do not have speakers built-in. The connect is designed to link to a home theater reciever (usually via optical or digital coax). The Connect:AMP can connect to raw speaker wires as it has an amp built-in. Both act like speakers in that they will join a Sonosnet if available, or can be configured to join Orbi Wifi. Same as speakers, it will re-broadcast Sonosnet.
Bridge/Boost - These are effectively Sonosnet repeaters. They take the Sonosnet signal and re-broadcast it (or create it, if they are the wired sonos device). If you are using a Wifi only setup, these are useless. If any speaker can be wired via ethernet, it will serve the purpose of one of these and create your sonosnet. The only real reason to use one is if you want to use Sonosnet (and we think you do) and none of the speakers are within range of an Orbi. In that case, plug one in at the orbi and let all other speakers link to that Sonosnet. Boost is just a newer version of the bridge, better antennas. Only necessary if you are having Sonosnet range issues. You likely don't need these at all if you can wire any other Sonos device.
The issue is that Orbi speed drops when Sonos is connected? I would suggest that multiple Sonos products are wired and a network loop is being created. Make sure only one is wired and all sonos devices are configured for the same speaker collection. If you are using Sonosnet, I would re-configure the Sonos units to not know the Orbi network or password password (In thi iOS App Settings -> Advanced Settings -> Wireless Setup (if it is already asking for you to type something push done and then push the reset button which will remove wireless info from Sonos). Then there is no chance they are hopping back and forth. Also make sure the wired Sonos device always has power.
--Derrek
I can confirm that I manaully updated both the Satelite and the Orbi Router to the latest firmware. But I have no idea if Sonos is using the latest Firmware and will have to check on that.
Yeah I am not sure why there are so many white amps (5 in total I beleive) so I will have to see if they are running to a speaker system or just not really doing anything at all. I was wiring one of these amps into the Orbi Router portion which would work for a little bit but then Orbi would go a bit haywire.
So What I will do is just:
- Ensure Sonos is on the latest firmware
- Wire in the Sonos Bridge (Not the Connect Amp) directly into the Orbi Router
- Remove the possible Wifi Creds from the Sonos system
- Ensure no other Sonos device is wired into a network drop on the wall or something
- Set Sonosnet to Channel 11 (Where can I do this?)
- Restart Orbi
Is there anything I should do to reset the Sonos system or individual devices to ensure it is using the "Boost" configuration and not the standard?
Also, does the bridge have any relevance if its ethernet is not plugged into anything? (This is how I found it) Does it like wirelessly boost the Sonosnet signal? I think a lot of my confusion stems from Sonos making their devices communicate directly with eachother as of an update or something like you said.
Best,
Jonathan
You can use Controller app on your Windows machine. In Controller app, select Manage and then Settings to check the channel. Under Manage you can see lots of options e.g add new bridge/boost etc.
Dynamiteboy wrote:does the bridge have any relevance if its ethernet is not plugged into anything? (This is how I found it) Does it like wirelessly boost the Sonosnet signal? I think a lot of my confusion stems from Sonos making their devices communicate directly with eachother as of an update or something like you said.
As I wrote above, when plugged into AC power only, the bridge expands the Sonos mesh network for better coverage. It does not boost the signal, it provides another node in the mesh network. Mesh means node A and C can communicate by talking through node B in the middle. Like stepping stones.