Where To Place Sonos Sub (And Does It Matter?)

So you got a Sonos Sub.

Or you are thinking about getting one.

Congratulations!

I recently got the new 3rd generation Sonos Sub myself.

And it is amazing! I love it!

But one you unpack it (and realize how big and heavy it is), you’re faced with the big question.

Where do you put it? Can you put it anywhere or is there an ideal location for the best possible sound?

Keep reading to learn where to place your Sonos Sub and if the location makes a difference. I’ll also tell you where I put mine and what the rest of my 5.1 surround sound setup looks like.

 

Where To Place Sonos Sub

The wireless connectivity of the Sonos Gen 3 Sub means that you can place it anywhere. The design also maximizes flexibility.

You can place it vertically and horizontally, and pretty much wherever you want. You can hide it under the sofa, if you wish.

However, since it is quite an attractive model, I prefer to put mine on display for everyone to see. The performance remains excellent, no matter where you place it.

If you’re reading this, you probably already own at least some Sonos components and are aware of what the Sub is. But just in case you are not, I’ll briefly explain.

 

What Is The Sonos Sub

The Sonos Sub Gen 3 is a subwoofer designed to accompany Sonos speakers and round out their sound on the bottom end (the lower frequencies, i.e. bass).

The Sub Gen3 is by far the best subwoofer Sonos has ever released (or at least that I have tried so far). And that makes it among the best on the market, since Sonos has set the quality standard in the wireless multi-room speaker market.

 

How To Set Up The Sub

For installation, you need to download the Sonos S2 app and pair it with another speaker that also works with the app.

I created a Sonos 5.1 surround system for my living room by buying the Sonos Arc, Sub, and two Sonos Fives.

The placement of my speakers is as follows: the Arc is right below the TV, and the Sub is below the Arc. This already provides a great sound.

In addition, I’ve put my two Sonos Fives in the two corners on the opposite side of the room. This way, the sound travels all around the living room perfectly and the Sub provides great bass to accompany it all.

Naturally, you can place the Sub wherever you want, but I prefer it right in front. That way, the bass will go straight to my heart, especially if it’s the one and only John Deacon playing in the background.

Unfortunately, the Sonos Sub Gen 3 is not compatible with the older S1 speakers, so you’ll have to pair it with at least Gen 2 stuff, if not Gen 3 (which I’ve done).

It’s a WiFi subwoofer, so you just need to plug it into the power input and tell the app which speaker you want to pair it with.

Speaking of power input, that is usually a main factor in determining where you place the Sub. It needs to be somewhere near a power outlet, or a power strip or extension cord.

Of course, extension cords are not all that aesthetically pleasing, especially next to these beautiful Sonos speakers. I know it’s nitpicking, but that’s a big reason I keep my Sub near the TV. I don’t want more cords running through my living room.

 

Controlling The Sonos Sub

You can optimize and customize the sound wirelessly with the Sonos App. It’s quite easy. As easy as typing your favorite Queen song into the YouTube search bar.

Once you complete the installation process, you can adjust the volume. Plus, if you pair it with a Sonos soundbar, you also get Night Mode which reduces the impact of loud sounds (especially convenient when watching Michael Bay movies before sleep).

Another positive aspect of the Sonos Sub is that if you add it to a Sonos system, the app recognizes the perfect range to set the crossover point and does so automatically.

The crossover is the frequency at which the bass passes to the subwoofer, while the mid/high tones go to the rest of the speakers. If you do it correctly, you will enjoy immersive audio and a perfect mix.

That’s another reason you can place the Sub anywhere in the room (or any other speaker, for that matter). But when it comes to the soundbar, it is best to place it right in front of you. As mentioned, I prefer the Sub there too.

 

Why Get A Sub

Speaking of Michael Bay and Queen, I believe the main reason why people want a Sub is that they want to enjoy good music bass and explosions (eventually CS:Go and CoD gunfire). But even playing podcasts on Sonos is better with the sub.

If you want to create a wireless Sonos home cinema, I recommend starting with one of the new soundbars with Dolby Atmos support: The Sonos Arc or the Sonos Beam (my current and ex soundbar, respectively).

The Sub is ideal for movie playback, because it reproduces and emphasizes realistic bass effects, such as explosions, engine noises, etc. The movie experience is greatly enhanced when you add this subwoofer.

I love mine and feel it was worth every penny.

If you want to add a pair of stereo speakers for the side channels you can opt for the Sonos One or the Sonos One SL.

The only difference between these is that the latter do not have integrated microphones to enable you to control them by voice.

The sound quality of both is excellent. If you want more power, you can opt for the Sonos Five. I upgraded my Sonos system to add two Fives recently, and the difference is noticeable over the Ones.

I also added a Sonos Boost, since I had some issues with my WiFi signal not reaching all areas of my home. Specifically, the speakers kept stopping in my backyard and my bathroom.

 

Sonos Sub Design

Another important factor when picking a spot for your Sub is its design. Sonos Sub Gen 3 speakers have a sleek finish and are available in black or white (in case you want to match them with furniture).

They measure 15.3 x 15.8 x 6.2 inches (389 × 402 × 158 mm) and weigh approximately 26.4 pounds (16.5 kg). That’s not small and can limit your options for placement a bit

For example, it probably won’t work well on a desk, which is why it’s best to place it on the ground.

Be that as it may, the cabinet is slim and you can hide it anywhere with ease. Not that there is any reason to hide this beauty!

The Sonos Sub uses two oval drivers and the design ensures that the cabinet never suffers from unwanted vibration, even when using a very high volume level That’s why the sound is perfect all the time.

Each subwoofer driver is powered by an individual amplifier and is designed to optimize the performance of this model.

As I’ve mentioned, the Gen 3 Sub recognizes which other Sonos products you pair it with and adjusts the sound profile to give you the best sound experience.

This model takes care of the low frequencies so the other speakers can focus on the mids and highs. The result is detailed and rich audio.

It achieves a frequency response down to 25 Hz, the lowest frequency a human ear can hear. The bass sounds great, well-defined, and packs a punch in the mix.

 

Where To Put Sonos Sub: Final Thoughts

All in all, if you have a wireless HiFi system for watching movies or listening to music, the Sonos Sub is the perfect addition.

It is arguably my favorite Sonos component, apart from the Arc. The sound quality is greatly improved with this subwoofer, because  it not only takes care of the bass effects but it also improves the performance of other speakers.

Place it below the soundbar and somewhere on the floor where the vibrations will reach you unobstructed.

That said, you can put is just about anywhere you like and it will sound great! I’m even thinking about getting a second sub for my office, so that I can listen to music from my computer on Sonos, and play games of course, with booming bass, without having to move my one Sub from the liling room.