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?

  • LordXenu@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    No need to put homelab in quotes, it’s whatever is your lab. We all have different setups that grow and shrink as we learn.

    Let me show you a smaller option than a full rack amp. I used this exact setup before except using an AirPort Express instead of the pi.

    I would do the Pi (your plan) -> this -> bookshelf speakers like these.