Mono vs. stereo sound: What’s the difference? | Sonos

When you’re listening to music, you’re likely listening in either mono or stereo. But what’s the difference? And does it even matter?

With mono, all your audio is played through a single channel. While stereo sound preserves what’s known as the “soundstage” – mimicking the detail of listening to a live performance.

0:00 Intro
0:07 Mono sound
0:18 Stereo sound
0:57 How to Stereo Pair Using the Sonos App

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[justmasterjustred]

I love people who simplify things like this deserves to have lots of subs and views

[Arrays]

Simple, short and easy to understand. thanks.

[TheEternalOuroboros]

Why does this video not have millions of views? Simple, and entertainingly made.

[crazyconan]

Thank you for the concise explanation.

[alexh.]

Sound doesn't come from different parts of the stage at most concerts.. they're just blasting the music through huge speaker arrays anyway. Sure maybe if you go a concert at a tiny venue and each band member just has their own amp. Of it is all acoustic with no electronics.

[scj]

Monophonic sound is not "incredible" as you say. It's what I had in 1969 before I bought a stereophonic sound player. Now that WAS incredible. Over the past fifty years sound has gone backwards : mono to stereo and back to mono again. I never chose mono in 2023; it's what manufacturers like you choose for us as it suits both your manufacturing line-up, and of course your profits.

[ShaileshPatel-lecq]

What is the Monaural Mix function in Yamaha AV Receiver. It will work if only speakers set 5.1 on stereo mode. I do not understand what it means?

[luisfont]

So, basic and easy question for Sonos..when creating a surround system.. should I place the speakers (1) behind the sofa ear-level or (2) back of the sofa but high on the top corners of the roof/wall???

[andreivirtejanu]

Questions for Sonos. With two Sonos Roam speakers, if I want to listen to both at the same time, can I easily flick between stereo and mono? And if I'm using two for a larger room with more people (yoga studio), am I right in assuming the best option is placing them in opposite corners and using mono?


Finally, if I don't have wifi, will I be able to use a second phone as a hotspot to pair them both at the same time with my phone? I assume it doesn't work without wifi, which is a shame...

[Shinotheblackcat]

I don't like stereo if the vocals are on one side(example: all of the songs except one on the album with the beatles)

[mrgold]

Folks are talking about the Arc, dual Gen 3 Subs, and Era 300 as rear surround as a 7.2.4 system. Is it really a 7.1.4 since the dual subs are not on separate stereo channels?

[JoClayton-ef]

can the sonos link to bluetooth headphones?

[chicken]

mono is really good for music unless you expecting a 8d but stereo is extremely required for fps games to precise where is the enemies coming from

[Kenneth_Loves_his_pet]

This made me realize i have my headphones sideways

Right: left
Left: right

[rogersbonettmb]

It seems like new generation of people don't know too much about something as simple as this topic. Fortunately I knew how sound systems were great back in the 90s

[eraserwastaken]

i hate stereo audio because it feels like my other ear is deaf for a second and it sucks and i cant live without mono audio

[AlpinePot]

i head this with mono speakers // would not recommend.

[xrss]

lol… Don’t people know the difference between stereo and mono these days? 😂

Tell me the difference between the Sonos One and the Era 100.

[JesusIncarnationYHWH]

Why yout view is not popular, Pro-Stereo

[LilBen_]

Mono is just trash, because you can’t hear the depth of the sound. Stereo is objectively better than mono because it has more depth and detail, delivering a more immersive experience. And with surround sound and Dolby Atmos, the effect of directionality and depth is even greater. And with binaural, you hear just like real life.