Looking to ditch Sonos Beam (sound bar) - any hardware and software recommendations? - eviltoast

I’ve been using a sound bar from Sonos with my TV for several years now, but in an effort to ditch the last appliances that unnecessarily require accounts and internet access, I am looking to ditch it in favor of something that is entirely contained within my own network.

What I think are my requirements:

  • No microphone
  • Ability to directly play audio from my Android (running Calyx OS), something I cannot do with the Sonos.
  • HDMI ARC-connection to TV so that it can be controlled by my remote
  • Sound must not be abysmal, but I am no audiophile. Preferably stand-alone without subwoofer
  • Maximum 90 cm in length so that it fits under my TV, preferably in black / dark grey with a clean look

So far I’ve found something like this, which I believe gives me enough flexibility with HDMI ARC, Bluetooth and 3.5mm, even though it comes with a subwoofer: https://www.tcl.com/eu/en/soundbar/p733w

In terms of software, I have long been considering something like balenaSound to replace the Sonos functionality, but I’ll soon be setting up Home Assistant to run my lights, and I see that there is a Snapcast integration that might work for me here?

Are there anyone here who have done something similar and have found setups that work well or that I should stay away from?

  • cyberwolfie@lemmy.mlOP
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    1 year ago

    Hehe, different use cases :) I typically prefer not to have things like microphones if I don’t have a use for it, particularly on devices connected to the internet like the Sonos one (afaik) is.