When it comes to upgrading your living room with premium sound, Sonos is often the first brand that comes to mind. With its sleek designs, wireless convenience, and rich audio performance, Sonos has earned a reputation as one of the best options for home audio. But with so many models to choose from, it can feel overwhelming figuring out which Sonos setup is truly right for your living room.
The good news is, whether you’re outfitting a cozy apartment or building a full-blown home theater, there’s a Sonos solution that fits your budget, space, and listening goals. This guide breaks down the best Sonos setups for living rooms, covering everything from budget-friendly starter systems to high-end cinematic experiences.
Best Sonos Setup for Living Room: A Quick Glance
- Entry-Level: Beam (Gen 2) + 2 One SL (best for small/medium rooms)
- Mid-range: Arc + Sub Mini + 2 One/One SL (best for medium rooms/ home TVs)
- Premium: Arc + Sub 4 + 2 Era 300 (best for large rooms and home cinema setups)
- Compact: Ray + 2 One SL (best for small living rooms)
Key Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Sonos Setup
Before we jump into specific setups, it’s worth taking a moment to think about your living room and what you want from your Sonos system. Here are the essentials to keep in mind:
-
Room Size & Layout: Small apartments don’t need the same gear as a sprawling open-plan living space. Larger rooms benefit from bigger soundbars and subwoofers.
-
Budget: Sonos has options for every budget. Entry-level setups cost a fraction of a premium theater-grade system, yet still sound fantastic.
-
Audio Goals: Do you mainly watch TV and movies, or are you looking for immersive music playback? Your use case matters.
-
Wireless Convenience: All Sonos products connect wirelessly, but placement flexibility and power outlets still matter when designing your setup.
With that in mind, let’s look at the best Sonos setups for different living room needs.
Best Sonos Setup for Living Room (Entry-Level, Budget-Friendly Option)
Recommended Products: Sonos Beam (Gen 2) + 2 × Sonos One SL
If you’re just starting your Sonos journey, the Beam (Gen 2) is a fantastic choice. It’s a compact soundbar that delivers crisp dialogue, immersive Dolby Atmos, and strong bass for its size. Pairing it with two Sonos One SLs as rear speakers instantly elevates your TV and music experience into true surround sound.
-
Why It Works: Affordable, compact, and easy to set up. Ideal for small to medium living rooms.
-
Best For: People who want better-than-TV-speaker sound without breaking the bank.
-
Placement Tips: Position the Beam directly under the TV. Place the two One SLs behind your sofa or on shelves for surround effects.
Best Sonos Setup for Living Room (Mid-Range, Balanced Performance)
Recommended Products: Sonos Arc + Sub Mini + 2 × Sonos One/One SL
For those ready to step up, the Sonos Arc is the flagship soundbar. It supports Dolby Atmos and delivers theater-grade sound with exceptional clarity. Add a Sub Mini for rich, deep bass and two One SLs for immersive rear sound, and you’ll feel like you brought a cinema into your home.
-
Why It Works: Strikes the perfect balance between performance and price.
-
Best For: Movie lovers and gamers looking for cinematic sound without going all-in on premium.
-
Placement Tips: Place the Arc under your TV, Sub Mini near the entertainment console, and the Ones as rears on stands or shelves.
Best Sonos Setup for Living Room (High-End Experience)
Recommended Products: Sonos Arc + Sub 4 + 2 × Sonos Era 300
If money is no object and you want the ultimate home theater experience, this setup is unbeatable. The Arc delivers stunning Dolby Atmos, while the Sub 4 brings powerful, room-shaking bass. Add two Sonos Era 300s as rear speakers and you unlock spatial audio that feels larger than life.
-
Why It Works: Future-proof, high-end sound that competes with dedicated theater systems.
-
Best For: Audiophiles, large living rooms, and anyone who wants premium sound for both music and movies.
-
Placement Tips: Keep the Arc centered under the TV, place the Sub slightly off-center in the room, and position the Era 300s wide apart for maximum spatial audio impact.
Best Compact Setup (Small Living Rooms / Apartments)
Recommended Products: Sonos Ray + 2 × Sonos One SL
Not every living room has the space or need for a giant sound system. For apartments, condos, or smaller spaces, the Sonos Ray is a slim soundbar that still outperforms built-in TV speakers by a mile. Pair it with two Sonos One SLs for surround effects, and you’ve got an affordable, compact system that punches well above its size.
-
Why It Works: Affordable, small footprint, great sound for tight spaces.
-
Best For: Apartment dwellers, students, or casual listeners.
-
Placement Tips: Ray under the TV, Ones behind the sofa or on bookshelves.
Best Sonos Living Room Setup: Placement & Optimization Tips
Even the best Sonos setup won’t sound its best without smart placement. A few quick tips:
-
Soundbars: Always center them under or just in front of your TV. This ensures dialogue comes directly from the screen, creating a more natural and immersive viewing experience.
-
Subwoofers: Place them near the front of the room, ideally away from corners to avoid muddy bass. Positioning them slightly off-center helps distribute bass evenly, so it feels powerful without overwhelming the room.
-
Rear Speakers: Position them slightly behind and angled toward the listening area. This placement makes surround effects more convincing, giving you the sensation of being right in the middle of the action.
-
Trueplay Tuning: Use the Sonos app to run Trueplay, which automatically adjusts sound to your room’s acoustics. This fine-tuning makes a dramatic difference, balancing highs and lows so your system sounds tailored to your exact space.
Smart Integrations with Sonos
Sonos doesn’t just sound good—it also plays well with your smart home.
-
Voice Control: Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Sonos Voice.
-
Streaming Integration: Works with Spotify, Apple Music, Netflix, Disney+, and more.
-
Multi-Room Listening: Use the Sonos app to group speakers in different rooms for a whole-home audio experience.
Wrap-Up
The best Sonos setup for your living room really depends on your budget, room size, and listening goals. For a modest upgrade, start with the Beam (Gen 2) and expand over time. For mid-range performance, the Arc + Sub Mini + Ones combo is outstanding. And if you want a jaw-dropping premium experience, nothing beats the Arc + Sub 4 + Era 300s.
Whatever you choose, Sonos gives you room to grow. You can start small and expand into a full surround setup later, making it one of the most flexible audio ecosystems available today.