How to Set Up a Sonos Beam Soundbar

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

The Sonos Beam soundbar is specially made to compliment your Smart TV. The Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are built right in so you can play music, check news, set alarms, get your questions answered, and more, completely hands free. With the Sonos Beam you can go from the box to listening in no time with just two cables and automatic remote detection. 

Tools You'll Need:

  • A paperclip
  • iPhone charging cable
  • Access to a computer with iTunes installed
  • Any other non-consumable tools needed
  • Comment out tools section if no tools are necessary

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Supplies You'll Need:

  • Zip ties
  • Any other consumable supplies
  • Comment out supplies section if no supplies are necessary

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Before You Begin:

  • You must have access to a computer with iTunes installed.
  • You must have that thing for the other thing so you can do the thing.

You must have this thing before you whatever.

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Sonos Beam

2. Physical Placement of the Beam Soundbar

Set your soundbar in an open area, centered with your television. The connector panel should be facing toward your television or the wall.

Placement of a Sonos Beam

Do not place the Beam vertically on its side.
Both ends of the Beam should be at least 1 foot from a wall or other obstruction.

3. Connecting the Cabling

Now that you've placed the soundbar, you can connect it.

  1. Disconnect existing home theater or surround sound equipment from your TV.
  2. Connect any external devices, like a cable box or DVD player, directly to your TV.
  3. Insert the power cord firmly into Beam’s AC power port until it is fully connected. Don’t twist or bend the cable.
The beam power cable and port
  1. Fully insert the HDMI cable into Beam’s HDMI port. Push the power cord firmly into the Beam until it is flush with the surface.
HDMI cable and ports
  1. Connect the HDMI cable to your TV using the HDMI ARC port. HDMI ARC is a special port that looks like a standard HDMI port. Although they look the same, if you connect to a standard HDMI port, you won’t hear sound. If you don't have an HDMI ARC port there is an adapter supplied with the Beam.
HDMI connecting
  1. >

4. Connect to the Sonos App

Install the Sonos Controller App

iOS Devices

  1. Open the App Store.
Apple App Store Icon
  1. Type in "Sonos Controller" in the search bar.
  2. Find Sonos Controller in the search results and tap on GET.
Selecting the sonos app
  1. Tap on Install to start download.
install button

Android Devices

  1. Open Play Store.
Google Play store icon
  1. Search for "Sonos Controller for Android" and tap on the app.
Sonos in the search bar
  1. Tap Install to start downloading the app.
The sonos app selection
  1. Once installed, tap Open.
The app has been installed

Connect to the Sonos App

  1. Open the Sonos app.
Sonos Icon
  1. Select Set up a new Sonos system.
Setting up a new sonos system
  1. Sign into your existing Sonos account, or select Create account to create a new one.
Select Create Account
  1. Select Continue to proceed with the setup process.
Selecting continue
  1. Select Standard setup for your Beam to continue.
selecting standard setup
  1. Select Next to proceed with Standard setup.
Selecting Next
  1. Your Beam should already be powered on. Ensure that it is, and select Next to proceed.
Selecting next
  1. You should eventually see a green flashing light on your Beam. Once you do, select Continue to proceed.
Waiting for the flashing green light
  1. The Sonos Controller app will begin searching for your Beam.
Powering up
  1. The Sonos Controller app should have determined you are attempting to setup a Beam.
  2. The Sonos Controller app will then begin configuring your Beam.
Configuring device
  1. The Beamis now ready to begin its network setup process. Select Next for instructions on how to proceed.
Selecting next
  1. You will be asked to connect your mobile device to a temporary network called SONOS in order to proceed with the setup process.
Wireless set up
  1. Open your Wi-Fi settings, and select the Sonos network.
  2. Select Settings.
Android Settings icon
iOS Settings icon
  1.  
  2. Select WiFi.
Selecting wifi
  1. Select Sonos from the list.
Selecting sonos
  1. Return to the Sonos app.
Sonos icon
  1. The Beam is now connected to your home network.

5. Disable the Default Television Speaker

Disable the Internal Speaker on a TV (Samsung Example) The following is an example of how to disable your speakers using a Samsung television. Unless you're using a Samsung TV, these steps may be different but the general process is the same.

  1. Navigate to your Smart Television's Settings.
Gear
  1. Select the Sound setting.
Sound settings
  1. Select Sound Output. By default, the TV Speaker will be selected.
Selecting sound output
  1. Select the speaker you want to use. This may be listed as the output selection on the back of your tv, the connection type, or the actual speaker.
Selecting your speakers
  1. When done, select Close.
Closing the menu

If You Can't Find the Setting to Turn off the Speaker

Most older televisions don't let you completely turn off the television speakers. If you can't find the setting or ability to turn off the internal speakers you can adjust the volume so they don't interfere with the external ones.

  1. Using the correct remote or input, turn the volume on your television all the way down.
Image of a television remote control's mute and volume buttons

6. Make Sure the Beam Works

Now that your Beam is all hooked up and your television has it selected instead of its usual speakers, let's test it. Go ahead and turn on your television, select an input such as the cable box, and make sure you have sound.

You can also use the Sonos Controller App to test some music. The following is a demonstration of how to play and control your music using the Sonos Controller app no matter which Sonos speakers you have in your home.

  1. Begin by selecting the speaker you wish to play music on. You'll need to select the Beam if you have more than one speaker. Tap on the room (speaker) name at the top of the screen then select the speaker you wish to play music from using the drop down menu.
The Sonos Controller app with rooms selected

  1. Using the Sonos Controller app on a computer, just click on the speaker you wish to control from the ROOMS column.
Speaker selection in Sonos Controller for computers
  1. To find what you want to play, you can select an available source to browse through them, or use the search feature.
Sonos Controller App showing music selections and search feature

  1. Using the Sonos Controller app on a computer, simply select a source from the source browser on the right side of the screen, or use the search feature.
Source selection, browsing or searching in Sonos Controller for computers
  1. Once you've found what you want to listen to, tap on its name and select Play Now from the drop down menu. If you like what you're listening to, you can also select Add to Sonos Favorites from the drop down menu for future listening.
Options for how to play a track in Sonos Controller for mobile devices

  1. Using the Sonos Controller app on a computer, multiple songs can be selected by placing a check in the box next to their name. Click the downward-facing arrow to open the menu for all the songs you've selected.
Track selection and dropdown symbol placement in Sonos Controller for computers