Sonos PLAY:3 User manual

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March 2017
©2004-2017 by Sonos, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sonos PLAY:3
The PLAY:3®is the most versatile Sonos wireless speaker that lets you use any Sonos app to control and
enjoy all the music you want all over your home (see The Sonos App for more information).
• Three custom-designed drivers (two mid-range and one tweeter), each with a dedicated amplifier.
• Position vertically or horizontally—software automatically adjusts the sound to ensure best performance.
• Works seamlessly with the complete range of Sonos products.
New to Sonos?
It takes just a few steps to get Sonos up and running—simply follow the setup instructions packaged with
your PLAY:3. Once you’ve got it set up, you can add additional Sonos products any time.
Adding to an existing Sonos system?
Sonos can be easily expanded room by room. You can turn directly to Adding to an Existing Sonos System
if you are adding a PLAY:3 to an existing Sonos system.
Your Home Network
To use the Sonos app, your device must be on the same network as Sonos. If you need help, please go to
http://faq.sonos.com/searching.

Product Guide
2
Requirements
To access music services, Internet radio, and music stored on your computer or Network-Attached Storage
(NAS) device, make sure your network meets these requirements.
• High-speed DSL/cable modem, or fiber-to-the-home broadband connection for proper playback of
music services. (If your Internet service provider only offers satellite Internet access, you may experience
playback issues due to fluctuating download rates.)
• If your modem isn’t a modem/router combination and you want to take advantage of Sonos’ automatic
online updates or use a streaming music service, you’ll need to install a wireless router before setting up
Sonos.
• Connect a Sonos BOOST or speaker to your router if:
• You have a larger home where the WiFi performance isn’t reliable and you want to strengthen the
wireless performance of your Sonos system.
• Your WiFi network is already in high demand with streaming video and web surfing and you want to
create a separate wireless network exclusively for your Sonos speakers.
• Your network is 5GHz only (not switchable to 2.4GHz).
• You have configured your router to support only 802.11n and can’t change the settings to support
802.11 b/g/n.
• For best results, you should connect the computer or NAS drive that contains your personal music library
collection to your network router using an Ethernet cable.
The Sonos App
You can use the free Sonos app with any compatible device, including:
•Sonos app (Android)—Android 4.0 and higher; certain features require later versions. 
Touch t h e Play Store or Market button on your Android device to download the free Sonos app from
Google Play.
•Sonos app (iOS)—iPhone, iPad and iPod touch running iOS 8.0 or later; certain features may require
later versions.
Touch t h e App Store button on your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad to download the free Sonos app, or
download the application from iTunes®. (If you download from iTunes, you will need to sync before you
see the Sonos logo display on your device.)
•Sonos app (PC)—Windows® 7 and higher; certain features require later versions. 
Download from our website at www.sonos.com/support/downloads.
Note: Make sure your network has a high-speed Internet connection because
Sonos is designed to provide you with free, online software updates. Your Sonos
system must be registered to receive these updates so be sure to register during
the setup process. We do not share your e-mail address with other companies.
Note: Sonos communicates over a 2.4GHz home network supporting 
802.11 b/g/n wireless technology. 802.11n only network configurations are not
supported—you can either change the router settings to 802.11 b/g/n or connect a
Sonos product to your router.

Sonos PLAY:3 3
•Sonos app (Mac)—Macintosh® OS X 10.9 or later 
Download from our website at www.sonos.com/support/downloads.
PLAY:3 Front
Note: Sonos CONTROL has been discontinued, but it’s compatible with your new
Sonos product.
Note: The Sonos PLAY:3’s front grille is not removable. Tampering with the grille
may result in damage to your PLAY:3.
On/Off Sonos is designed to be always on; the system uses minimal electricity
whenever it is not playing music. To quickly stop streaming audio in all
rooms, select Pause All from Rooms. To stop streaming audio in one
room, press the Play/Pause button on the player.
Status indicator Indicates the current status. During normal operation the white light is
dimly lit. If desired, you can turn off the white light from Room Settings.
See Player Status Indicators for a complete list of status indications.

Product Guide
4
PLAY:3 Back
Play/Pause Toggles between playing and pausing the audio in this room (defaults to
restarting the same music source when pressed unless a different
source is selected).
• Press once to start or stop streaming audio
• Press twice to skip to the next track (if applicable to the selected
music source)
• Press three times to skip to the previous track (if applicable to the
selected music source)
Volume up (+) 
Volume down (-)
Press these buttons to adjust the volume up and down.
Threaded mounting hole
1/4 inch 
20-thread
The Sonos PLAY:3 has an integrated mounting hole on the back of the unit so
it can be wall-mounted if desired (mounting bracket not included.) See Wall
Mounting the PLAY:3 for more information.

Sonos PLAY:3 5
Selecting a Location
You can locate the Sonos PLAY:3 just about anywhere. Its compact size makes it easy to place the PLAY:3 on
the kitchen counter, or take it out to the patio with you. For maximum enjoyment, we have a few guidelines:
• The PLAY:3 can be positioned either horizontally or vertically to accommodate the desired space—the
EQ (audio equalization) will automatically adjust to create the best possible sound when the orientation
is changed.
• The PLAY:3 is designed to work well even when placed next to a wall or other surface. For optimum
performance, maintaining more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) clearance around the back of the unit is
recommended.
• Care should be taken if placing the Sonos PLAY:3 close to an older CRT (cathode ray tube) television. If
you notice any discoloration or distortion of your picture quality, simply move the PLAY:3 further from the
television.
• The PLAY:3 is not water-resistant. Don’t leave it outside during a rain storm or position it near water.
Ethernet port Use an Ethernet cable to connect to a router, computer, or additional network
device such as a network-attached storage (NAS) device.
LED indicators:
• Flashing Yellow (network activity)
• Green (link connection)
AC power (mains) input 
(~100-240 V, 50-60 Hz)
Use only the supplied power cord to connect to a power outlet (using a third
party power cord will void your warranty). 
Be sure to insert the power cord firmly into the back of the PLAY:3 until it
is flush with the back of the unit.

Product Guide
6
Wall Mounting the PLAY:3
The Sonos PLAY:3 has a standard 1/4”-20 threaded mounting socket. If desired, you can easily wall mount
your PLAY:3 using a suitable mounting bracket (not included). Simply choose a location that’s close to an
electrical outlet, taking care to avoid heat, steam, dripping water or hidden wiring, and follow the instructions
included with the mounting bracket.
Adding to an Existing Sonos System
Once you’ve got your Sonos music system set up, you can easily add more Sonos products any time (up to
32).
If your house has structured (built-in) network wiring, you can make a wired connection to the new Sonos
product(s). If you don’t have structured network wiring, our built-in wireless technology is ideal for you.
1. Select a location for your PLAY:3 (see Selecting a Location for optimal placement guidelines.)
2. Attach the power cord to the PLAY:3, and apply power. Be sure to push the power cord firmly into the
back of the PLAY:3 until it is flush with the back of the unit.
3. Choose one of the following options:
• Using the Sonos app on a mobile device: Select Add a Player or SUB from Settings and follow the on-
screen prompts to add this product to your Sonos system.
• Using the Sonos app on a Mac or PC: Select Add a Player or SUB from the Manage menu and follow
the prompts to add this product to your Sonos system.
Thick walls, 2.4 GHz cordless telephones, or the presence of other wireless devices can interfere with or block
the wireless network signals from Sonos. If you experience difficulty after positioning a Sonos product, try one
or more of the following resolutions—relocate the Sonos product; change the wireless channel your music
system is operating on; connect a Sonos product to your router if your setup is currently wireless.
Tune Your Room with Trueplay™
Go ahead, put your Sonos speakers wherever you want. Trueplay listens to your room and tunes your
speakers so you hear the sound you love, custom tuned to the room where you’re listening (works on mobile
devices running iOS 8 or later).
Choose Settings -> Room Settings. Pick a room and touch Trueplay Tuning to get started.
Note: Be sure the wall mount bracket you purchase will support at least 10lbs. (4.5
kgs).
Note: If you want to make a wired connection, connect a standard Ethernet cable
from your router or another Sonos product (or a live network wall plate if you have
built-in wiring) to an Ethernet switch connection on the back of the new Sonos
product.
Note: Trueplay tuning is not available if VoiceOver is enabled on your iOS device. If
you want to tune your speakers, first turn VoiceOver off on your device and then
select Settings -> Room Settings from the Sonos app.

Sonos PLAY:3 7
Creating a Stereo Pair
The stereo pair setting allows you to group two PLAY:1s, PLAY:3s or PLAY:5®s in the same room to create a
wider stereo experience. In this configuration, one unit serves as the left channel and the other serves as the
right channel. You cannot create a mixed stereo pair—the Sonos products in the stereo pair must be the
same.
If you would like to add surround speakers to a PLAYBAR configuration, see Surround Speakers instead.
Optimum placement information
• When creating a stereo pair, it is best to place the two Sonos products 8 to 10 feet away from each other.
• Your favorite listening position should be 8 to 12 feet from the paired Sonos products. Less distance will
increase bass, more distance will improve stereo imaging.
Using the Sonos app on a mobile device
1. Select Settings -> Room Settings.
2. Select a PLAY:3 to pair.
3. Select Create Stereo Pair, and follow the prompts to set up the stereo pair.
Note: The stereo pair setting is for use with PLAY:1, PLAY:3 and PLAY:5 units
only. You cannot create a mixed stereo pair—both Sonos products in the stereo
pair must be the same.

Product Guide
8
To separate a stereo pair:
1. Select Settings -> Room Settings.
2. Select the stereo pair you wish to separate (the stereo pair appears with L + R in the room name.)
3. Select Separate Stereo Pair.
Using the Sonos app on a Mac or PC
1. Choose one of the following:
• Using your PC, select Settings from the Manage menu.
• Using your Mac, select Preferences -> Room Settings from the Sonos menu.
2. Select a PLAY:3 you want to pair from the Room Settings for drop-down list.
3. Click Create Stereo Pair and follow the prompts to set up the stereo pair.
To separate a stereo pair:
1. Choose one of the following:
• Using your PC, select Settings from the Manage menu.
• Using your Mac, select Preferences -> Room Settings from the Sonos menu.
2. Select the Sonos stereo pair you wish to separate from the Room Settings for drop-down (the stereo pair
will appear with L + R in the room name).
3. On the Basic tab, click Separate Stereo Pair.
Surround Speakers
Adding Surround Speakers
You can easily pair two PLAY:1, PLAY:3 or PLAY:5 (gen2) speakers with a PLAYBAR to function as left and
right surround channels in your Sonos surround sound experience. You can either configure surround
speakers during the setup process, or follow the steps below to add them.
• Make sure the Sonos products are the same—you cannot combine a PLAY:1 and a PLAY:3 to function
as surround speakers.
• Be sure to follow these instructions to set up your surround speakers. Do not create a room group or
stereo pair as these will not achieve the left and right surround channel functionality.
Using the Sonos app on a mobile device
1. From the Settings menu, select Room Settings.
2. Select the room the PLAYBAR is located in.
3. Select Add Surrounds.
4. Follow the prompts to add first a left and then a right surround speaker.
Removing surround speakers
1. From the Settings menu, select Room Settings.
2. Select the room the surround speakers are associated with. The room name appears as Room (+LS+RS)
on the Room Settings menu.
3. Select Remove Surrounds.