Sonos Sub or Rears First? Choosing the Best Upgrade for Your Home Cinema
You’ve nailed the first step, getting yourself a Sonos soundbar. But if you’ve had it for a while, you’ll know the upgrade itch is real. So, what comes next? Do you double down on bass with a subwoofer, or open things up with a pair of rear speakers for true surround sound?
Both upgrades can transform your setup, but in very different ways. Your choice depends on your space, how you listen, and the kind of experience you want to create.
Whether you’re chasing deep, cinematic rumbles or the feeling of being right in the middle of the action, this guide will help you decide which upgrade will make the biggest impact for you.
| 🗣️ SHS Quick Take: Pick Rears First, Unless You're a Bass Lover |
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| If you want the most noticeable upgrade straight away, rears usually win. The moment you hear sound moving around you instead of just in front, it’s hard to go back. That said, if you’re a bass-obsessed movie lover or music fan, a subwoofer will take things from impressive to physical. It adds that deep, low-end you don’t just hear, you feel. In that case, starting with a subwoofer might be the smarter move for your setup. Below, we’ll look at how each Sonos soundbar stacks up, help you figure out which upgrade makes the biggest difference for you, and point you toward a few of our top picks. |
Why Rear Speakers Often Make the Biggest Impact
If you’re the kind of listener who lives for that in-the-action feeling, rears are probably the best place to start.
Adding a pair of Sonos surround speakers instantly opens up your soundstage, dialogue stays front and centre while effects and ambience move around the room naturally. It’s the kind of upgrade that makes your soundbar feel like a proper home cinema system.
You’ll have a few options here. The Sonos Era 100s are the most compact option, perfect for most living rooms, while the Sonos Era 300s take things up a notch with upward-firing drivers that add height to your Dolby Atmos effects.
If you’ve got a larger room or want a more hi-fi-style experience, you can also opt for a pair of Sonos Fives which offer a full, room-filling sound that’s great for both music and movies.
| Speaker | Best For | Key Feature | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonos Era 100 (pair) | Most spaces | Balanced surround sound with versatile placement | Shop Era 100 |
| Sonos Era 300 (pair) | Full Dolby Atmos setups & Large rooms | Up-firing drivers for 3D sound | Shop Era 300 |
| Sonos Five (pair) | Large rooms / music lovers | Wide soundstage and more power | Shop Five |
If you’d prefer a more discreet setup, you can even create your surround channels using in-ceiling or in-wall speakers powered by a Sonos Amp. It’s a tidy way to build a true surround system without visible speakers, perfect for minimal, design-led spaces.
Read More: Adding Sonos Surround Speakers: Our Top 3 Tips
Why Add a Sonos Sub First
If you’re the type who turns the volume up during every action scene or lives for bass-heavy playlists, a Sonos Subwoofer might be your best first step. Adding a sub doesn’t just bring the deep low-end, it changes the way your entire system performs.
By taking care of those low frequencies, the sub lets your soundbar focus on the midrange and dialogue, so everything sounds cleaner, more dynamic, and better balanced. We’ve broken down exactly how that works in our YouTube Shorts video, for those interested.
A Sonos Sub also gives you flexibility. Models like the Sonos Sub 4 or Sub (Gen 3) can be tucked under furniture, placed in a corner, or even added to with a second one for a truly room-filling setup.
| Product | Best For | Key Feature | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonos Sub Mini | Smaller rooms / Sonos Beam or Ray setups | Compact design with punchy, controlled bass | Shop Sub Mini |
| Sonos Sub (Gen 4) | Larger rooms / Arc and Arc Ultra setups | Deep, room-shaking bass, flexible placement, and can pair two together | Shop Sonos Sub 4 |
If you’d like a deeper dive into how Sonos’ subwoofers compare, including which one is the right fit for your setup check out our full guide: Sonos Sub Mini vs Sub (Gen 4): Which Sonos Subwoofer Is Right for Me?
Soundbar-by-Soundbar Breakdown
Okay, so you know what each upgrade brings to the table, but it’s worth remembering that every Sonos soundbar has its own strengths.
Whether you’ve got a Ray, Beam (Gen 2), or Arc Ultra, the best upgrade path isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Here’s how we’d approach it based on what you’ve already got at home.
| Soundbar | Best First Upgrade | Why It Works: | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonos Ray | Sub Mini | The Ray’s compact design means it benefits most from extra low-end support. The Sub Mini adds warmth, depth and helps vocals sound fuller. | Shop Sonos Ray |
| Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | Sub Mini or Era 100 (pair) | From testing, the Beam & Sub Mini combo is perfectly balanced for most rooms and one of our favourites. That said, if you're more focused on immersion, we'd recommend going for rears first. | Shop Sonos Beam (Gen 2) |
| Sonos Arc Ultra | Era 300 (pair) | The Arc Ultra’s new SoundMotion woofer handles bass beautifully, so rears give you the biggest leap in realism and soundstage. | Shop Sonos Arc Ultra |
Remember, while the above table below focuses on the first upgrade we’d recommend, for a lot of people, the ultimate goal is to build a complete system with both a subwoofer and rear speakers. That’s where Sonos truly shines.
With higher-end soundbars like the Arc Ultra or Sonos Beam, a combination of both really brings out its full potential, delivering both the depth and realism you’d expect from a dedicated home cinema setup.
Read More: Sonos Arc Ultra vs Beam (Gen 2) vs Ray: Best Sonos Soundbar?
Sonos Sub or Rears First: Budget, Space & Lifestyle Factors To Consider
By now, you’ve probably got a good sense of which upgrade feels right for you, but a few real-world factors can make the decision even clearer...
1. Budget
When it comes to cost, rear speakers are usually the more affordable starting point. A pair of Era 100s comes in at £398, making them one of the best-value upgrades in the Sonos range.
While the Sub Mini isn’t dramatically more expensive, it’s a more specialised upgrade that's ideal for smaller or medium-sized rooms where space is tight. It brings extra low end weight but doesn’t offer the same versatility as the Era 100s, which will make a noticeable improvement across almost any setup.
- Sonos Era 100 (Pair) - RRP: £398
- Sonos Era 300 (Pair) - RRP: £898
- Sonos Sub Mini - RRP: £429
- Sonos Sub 4 - RRP: £799
If you’re pairing with a premium soundbar like the Arc Ultra, the difference is even clearer. You’ll get a far bigger step up in immersion from the Era 100s than from the Sub Mini, unless you’re ready to move up to the Sub 4 for a more substantial bass impact.
Ultimately, the right upgrade will depend on a few combined factors: your room size, budget, and what kind of experience you’re chasing. Keep reading as we explore those next.
2. Space
Space is another big factor to keep in mind when deciding which upgrade makes the most sense. Have you got room to fit a sub in your lounge? Would a Sub Mini sit neatly beside the TV stand, or could a Sub (Gen 4) tuck under the sofa or in a corner instead?
Are you planning to wall mount your rears for the best height, or will you need to make room for a pair of standsbehind your sofa? Do you have one main seating area, or is your room more open, making rear placement a little trickier? Asking these questions early makes the decision process much easier.
It’s also worth thinking about what you can’t control. If you’ve got neighbours close by, deep bass might not be their favourite thing. Or maybe you’re in a rental property where wall mounting isn’t an option. In that case, rears on stands could be a great workaround.
For most people, sound performance will always be the priority, but real-world practicality often makes the decision for you.
3. Lifestyle & Listening Habits
How you use your system day to day will often decide which upgrade makes the most sense.
If you mostly watch films or TV in the evenings, rear speakers will make the biggest impact. They pull you into the action without you needing to turn the volume up, which is ideal if you live with others or want to keep the peace with your neighbours.
If you love music, throw on playlists, or want that deep, physical rumble during action scenes, then a subwoofer might be the better first step. The added bass brings a sense of energy and excitement that can completely change how your system feels.
If your setup does a bit of everything (movies, sport, gaming and music) you’ll eventually want both. Together, a sub and rears create a complete soundstage that delivers the best of both worlds.
Real World Scenarios: Which Setup Sounds Like You?
Still not sure which way to go? Here are a few common setups we see and what tends to work best for each.
- Small apartment or flat
- A Beam (Gen 2) with a Sub Mini adds extra depth and energy without taking up too much space or upsetting the neighbours. It’s compact, balanced, and a great step toward full home cinema sound.
- Family living room
- An Arc Ultra paired with Era 300 rears brings a huge jump in immersion, especially for movie nights and sports. You’ll hear detail and movement around you that just isn’t possible with the soundbar alone.
- Dedicated media room:
- If you’ve got the space and the budget, go for both. A Sub (Gen 4) and Era 300s with the Arc Ultra unlock the full Dolby Atmos experience thunderous, detailed, and properly cinematic.
Not sure which setup fits your home best? Chat with our Tech Guides, they’ll help you work out the right upgrade path for your space, budget, and listening style.
Our Verdict
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and that’s the beauty of Sonos. Whether you start with rears or a sub, both upgrades unlock a new level of performance that’ll make you fall in love with your setup all over again.
If you’re aiming for the most immersive home cinema feel, rears usually give you that instant jump in realism. Alternatively, if you want movie soundtracks to hit harder, a sub will add the depth and warmth that brings everything to life.
Whichever path you take, you’re already on your way to a system that’s designed to grow with you, from a single soundbar into a complete home cinema.
Need a hand choosing the right setup? Speak with our experts for personal advice, or take a look at our Sonos Home Cinema Bundles to explore ready-made setups tailored to every room and budget.
Other Useful Content
Blog: Sonos Home Cinema: Complete Setup Guide
Video: Sonos Buying Guide: What To Buy?
Blog: Sonos Era 300 vs Sonos Five: Which Premium Speaker is Best?
Blog: Sonos Arc Ultra vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2) & Sub Mini: Which Setup is Right for You?
For more information about Ceiling Speakers or any other Sonos products, get in touch and one of our Tech Guides would be happy to help!
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