lippavisual Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 A little off topic, I know, but banging my head against the wall here and Sonos support has been zero help, along with their forum. We were never really big Sonos installers, so looking for some guidance from others who may be more experienced. I have a commercial customer that requested 6 Sonos Connects for their project. I have 6 zones with amplification and speakers already installed. In each zone, I also have a stereo audio input plate from RDL that then connects to each Connect Line-In for each zone respectively. I've set each Line-In settings to volume 10 and also to autoplay. My problem is that any device whether phone, tablet, laptop, etc. plugged into these plates produces extremely low volume. Each user device has volume maxed and I've maxed the volume on Sonos, yet the audio is barely perceptible. Support says there is no problem and it should work fine. Google has come up with many of these reports, but the usual Sonos lover/tech comes in on their forums and says its not a Sonos problem, must be a bad cable or setup is wrong, etc. I've even tried plugging my phone directly into a connect and experience the same low level volume. Anyone have any ideas that I can try?? I tried adding in an in-line booster, but to get the levels desired, signal gets too hot going into the Connect and now distortion/clipping occurs. driving me nuts and I need to get this last bit of the project wrapped up so i can get paid. Much appreciated!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernSmarthome Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Have you tried to play wirelessly from your phone to the sonos unit? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernSmarthome Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Also in the past I’ve used a clean box to boost the signal from a sonos to a outdoor audio project. It worked very wellSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lippavisual Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 They don't want to use wireless, hence the audio input plate. I've also tried something similar to the Cleanbox, but didn't help. The company won't allow employees devices to use the work wifi, nor is there a guest wifi, etc. Edit: Thanks for posting, didn't mean to sound blunt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lippavisual Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 Also, streaming sources from Sonos, like Pandora, exhibit no problems and audio volume is perfect. That rules out my gain settings and such from the amplification equipment. It is a 70V setup. The Connect output runs to a RDL Unbalanced audio to Balanced audio converter, then goes directly to a multi-channel Crown amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernSmarthome Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Can you try running the signal straight to the amp? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernSmarthome Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Any chance you have an audio matrix in the project? Or at least one to test with?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lippavisual Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 2 minutes ago, SouthernSmarthome said: Can you try running the signal straight to the amp? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk my phone straight to amp works fine. Sonos streaming music straight to amp works fine. Sonos line-in= extremely low volume level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernSmarthome Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Unfortunately i think you have figured out that the issue is the sonos. Is there a control system in place that a basic audio matrix could be added and controlled Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lippavisual Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 2 minutes ago, SouthernSmarthome said: Any chance you have an audio matrix in the project? Or at least one to test with? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Not sure what you're going after here? An audio matrix would do nothing for me. Normally, I would use a DSP to modify/amplify audio signals. But the problem is A. customer won't pay for it. B. I'm not offering it for free C. customer says "works fine at home, you did something wrong" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lippavisual Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 It's unfortunate because I supplied everything and need a solution. I believe it is a Sonos problem, but without support agreeing to that and customer thinks they know it all, kind of in a pickle here. If I add a DSP to "fix" the problem on my dime, my profitability basically plummets when there wasn't really much there to begin with. Bid projects in the commercial world suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernSmarthome Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Not sure what you're going after here? An audio matrix would do nothing for me. Normally, I would use a DSP to modify/amplify audio signals. But the problem is A. customer won't pay for it. B. I'm not offering it for free C. customer says "works fine at home, you did something wrong"A basic matrix would allow you to bypass the sonos. But i understand your situation. It sucks. Did you design or did the client? I think you know where I’m heading with that question. To be honest I’ve plugged my phone and cable boxes into the line in many times without issue so i agree it’s a head scratcher. I’m assuming you’ve tested all of the sonos units line in. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lippavisual Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 I get what you're saying now. Unfortunately, it was my fault for believing the client that it (line-in) works good and designing based on that. No audio matrices involved. For such a simple audio design, this is turning into a PITA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lippavisual Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 and yes, all connects exhibit the same problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernSmarthome Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Dumb question. If you can’t use the WiFi how is anyone going to control the system?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lippavisual Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 volume is set for certain zones and also they use the desktop app from pc. Goal for the input plates was to use the device volume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msgreenf Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 And why use Sonos if no network layer? Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lippavisual Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 They use hardwired or wireless desktop pc's for control. Those devices are allowed on the network. Employee personal devices are not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonic30101 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lippavisual Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 And I didn't specify Sonos, customer did. I would have just done the audio input plates and called it a day. TBH, this whole project is a shit show, but from stuff that is out of my control and includes a long story that doesn't need to be online. An example, we were supposed to install a 3x3 videowall on a moving wall mount that is flush to the wall when in home position and pivots 90 degrees to a glass conference room. Mounting structure was provided by others (fabricators). Initial meeting, I stressed there can be zero movement of the wall, ie: flexing. The thing they installed is laughable and I told them we are not installing anything on it unless I get a sign-off relieving us from any responsibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lippavisual Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 Line -In volume has been set to 10, have tried compressed/uncompressed, etc. Plugging directly into the audio plates and the other end of that wire directly into amp= no problems. Definitely a Sonos problem for sure. They are all up to date as well. I may just bite the bullet and get a DSP in there to resolve/test. Not even sure if that's going to make a difference or not. Got a feeling to get the levels required, signal would be too hot again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernSmarthome Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 What about testing a source like a dvd or cable box? No variable out. Just fixed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lippavisual Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 Haven't tried that yet. Didn't have anything with me nor do they have a cable box or similar onsite. Will have to try it out when I get back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lippavisual Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 Thanks for hanging in there though. Always good to hear other suggestions when you think you've exhausted all options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegreatheed Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 2 hours ago, lippavisual said: Not sure what you're going after here? An audio matrix would do nothing for me. Normally, I would use a DSP to modify/amplify audio signals. But the problem is A. customer won't pay for it. B. I'm not offering it for free C. customer says "works fine at home, you did something wrong" Show the customer signal from phone -> amp is fine. Then show them phone -> Sonos. Their crap design is (should be) their problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.