Apple SIRI voice assistant with Sonos sound system + Samsung TV + (eventual new Apple TV 4K)

Question

Level 1

4 points

Apple SIRI voice assistant with Sonos sound system + Samsung TV + (eventual new Apple TV 4K)

Dear community,

I have an issue and need some advise, please.

Description:

--> In my Living room I have a Samsung TV (model: QE85QN900ATXXC) connected via HDMI eARC to a Sonos Arc SoundBar. On top of it I also have 2x Sonos Era 300 + 1x Sonos SUB. Therefore, the speakers built into the TV are disabled, and all the sound comes out of this Sonos setup. Here, the Voice assistant I use is Alexa, which in my opinion and compared to Siri is ages behind in terms of reliability and accuracy when giving commands. Most of the times I have to repeat the word "Alexa" up to 5 times for it to recognise me, and then hope for it to understand what I said. Not to mention the times it gets auto-activated randomly when the systems listens to some TV program mentioning a word similar to "Alexa".... it's just horrible! (Sound Quality-wise is excellent though....)

--> In my Office, I have an old Apple HomePod (1st gen), and I only use it to play music while working with my computer. Here, The voice assitant is Siri and it excels everytime I give it a command. It's very precise and reliable, and I do not have to repeat it any time, as it happens with sonos/Alexa. Also the volume control via voice is more accurate and there's no massive gaps between levels.

In both spaces, I use Apple Music (I have Sonos connected to my Apple Music service)

Now, my wish:

I would like the setup I have in my living room to use Siri as voice assistant, without getting rid of my Sonos Sound System.

As I already have iphone, ipad, apple watch... I wonder if this would be possible by just adding a new 3rd Gen Apple TV 4K to my living room, and perhaps a mini homepod to use as a voice command receiver? (instead of only being able to use it via the Siri button in the Apple TV remote control?)

Furthermore, how the connection would work?, considering I have 4 HDMI connections but only 1 is eArc?

1)Would I need to connect the Apple TV to the eArc and move the Sonos sounbard to the optical audio output?

2) Would all the sound coming out from whichever content be using the Sonos setup?

3) Would the mini HomePod be of any use to be able to use Siri Voice commands?

4) wound my current Samsung remote be totally replaced by the Apple TV Remote to switch ON/OFF the TV?

I hope I managed to explain myself. Apologies if not, I'm not very smart with these kind of things!

Thanks you so much in advance for your assistance and help.

David

Apple TV 4K, tvOS 15

Posted on Nov 15, 2023 3:52 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

rkaufmann87

Level 10

144,360 points

Nov 15, 2023 11:32 AM in response to David-TD

David,

To learn how to integrate your Sonos system with an Apple TV please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oX1lUCZ3Os. This will explain the connection needed. In short you will use the eArc connection and not the optical. Also refer to Use HDMI ARC or eARC with your Apple TV 4K - Apple Support
Yes, all the sound will come out of the Sonos speakers.
The HomePod does integrate with Siri however it should not be used with your Sonos system. If you need help getting your HomePod to work with Siri refer to Control audio with Siri on HomePod - Apple Support or just call AppleCare and they can give you the specifics. To find that phone number for your area, click AppleCare Contact Info.
I use my AppleTV remote to control my TV which has an eARC connection, and a Sonos Beam to control the system include turning it on/off, selecting the Apple TV apps, volume, etc. I rarely if ever use Siri to control the Apple TV. One thing I have learned though is Siri will not control the volume on the Sonos speakers, you have to use the remotes volume control or use Alexa. When I use Alexa I simply say, "Alexa, (wait a moment for Alexa to acknowledge it hears you) set volume to 3" or whatever volume level I want.

Reply

Answer 2

David-TD Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 16, 2023 4:52 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks for your answer.

However, isn't there any way to use Siri with an Apple TV connected to a Samsung TV using a SONOS sound system setup?

Alexa will be years ahead for many, but I prioritize reliability and precision.

Siri always responds at my 1st attempt and understands perfectly what I say.
Alexa needs most of the time 3 or 4 attempts, and fingers crossed it understands what I say!!!

Would the inclusion of a HomePod Mini serve as a trick to bridge my Siri commands to be listened via the Homepod, and performing the action via the Sonos?

(i.e.: Hey Siri, Play the best of U2 = Then my homepodmini would listen perfectly at my command, and U2 would start playing from My SONOS sound system.)

Can this be done somehow? Perhaps using SHORTCUTS App?

Reply

Apple SIRI voice assistant with Sonos sound system + Samsung TV + (eventual new Apple TV 4K)

Similar questions