Sonos Play 1 Mid-Woofer speaker Replacement

Written By: Gregory Klein
  • Comments: 51
Sonos Play 1 Mid-Woofer speaker Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

15

Time Required

25 - 30 minutes

Introduction

The mid-woofer ensures the faithful reproduction of mid-range frequencies crucial for accurate playback of vocals and instruments, while also delivering a deep, rich bass. If it seizes to function the audio out put of the device will be greatly inhibited. This guide gives a step by step procedure on how to dismantle and replace the mid-woofer speaker.

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    • Remove the rubber footing from the bottom of the device. Pry it up from one end using one of the plastic opening tools.

    • Once you pry open one end, use precision tweezers to remove rubber footing.

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    • Using a metal spudger, pry open a corner of the adhesive tape.

    • Use precision tweezers to remove the adhesive tape.

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    • Remove the four 10 mm Torx security #10 screws that hold the base together.

    • Remove the base by lifting it vertically away from the bulk of the device.

    The metal lip doesn’t hold down the metal screen. It’s just a connection/conductor between the inside of the metal screen and the shell against which the motherboard is screwed.

    P-308 -

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    • Remove the 10 mm Torx security #10 screw that holds down the exterior screen.

    • Using precision tweezers, remove the metal bracket.

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    • Remove the exterior screen by lifting it away from the bulk of the device.

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    • Remove the four 9 mm Torx Security #9 head screws. There are two on each side.

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    • Using a plastic opening tool, pry open the top cap containing the power and volume button.

    • Vertically remove the top cap.

    • Be sure to not jerk the top cap when removing , as to not damage the cable linking the switchboard to the motherboard.

    Easily done- fortunately mine didn't snap…

    Oliver Moor -

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    • Using a plastic opening tool, pry open the circuit flap.

    • Once flap is loosened, use your hand to remove the circuit wire.

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    • Using a plastic opening tool, remove the grey tape from both sides of the device.

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    • Remove the six 9 mm Torx #9 screws.

    • Using a plastic opening tool, detach the rear housing cover from the housing.

    • Try not to jerk the rear housing cover, as its wires are still connected to delicate electronics.

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    • Using tweezers, grip the connector fixed to the motherboard's audio cable.

    • While pulling on the connector, detach the cable by pressing the connectors release.

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    • Using your fingers, grip the connector fixed to the motherboards power cable and detach it.

    • You will now be able to remove the rear housing cover.

    you forgot about the WiFi antennas

    Madison Mehlhose -

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    • Remove the two 9mm Torx #9 screws fastening the power cable to the housing.

    • Remove the power cable.

    Please add info how and where to connect the wifi antennas on motherboard again

    Jan -

    This is very helpful but I managed to remove the speaker easily without removing the power cable to the motherboard, the power cable to the housing or doing anything to the WiFi connectors.

    andrew.goldsworthy -

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    • Using a metal spudger, press the release located in the center of the connector .

    • While pressing the release pull on the connector detaching it from the speaker.

    • Do this for both connections.

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    • Using the Torx T20 bit remove the four 13 mm screws fastening the speaker to the housing.

    • Remove the speaker by lifting it up towards the top of the housing and out at an angle.

    how do you replace the screw with the magnet nearby???

    Ernst Wallinga -

    Does anyone know where to get a replacement speaker?

    Bryan Martinez -

    On the front seal of the speaker driver there is some ID, and there are some lots of pre-owned drivers by that id on AliExpress. They are super expensive though, so it may be easier to get an old full size power speaker from Technics or other and upscale your SONOS by wiring it to the large speaker (there are two channels: one for low/mid frequencies and another for high freq).

    Vadim Karp -

    Hallo zusammen,

    wo gibt’s nen Ersatzwoofer? Ich finde nix.

    Adrian -

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

Gregory Klein

Member since: 27/08/15

671 Reputation

42 comments

Step 12 omits the connection to the Wi-Fi board. It's attached behind the hand in the picture and removing two T7 screws lets it slide out.

Maurice Leacock -

Where can i buy a new mid-woofer speaker?

Krister Skaathun -

Hi you have notice for midWoofer? asmaccocell@gmail.com

asmacco -

Nice guide. But without a matching replacement speaker, or at least specifications, it is useless. Even worse: without opening my Play:1 would be accepted at Sonos support :(

Bebblebrox99 -

true true ))

totally pointless

whats the specs to replace the subwoofer

))

montpc74 -

Where can I purchase the mid/sub speaker

Ron Warren -

Same i need one where can i get one

Mark Morris -

Where can I buy the replacement for the speaker ????

Alvaro Rivas Rodriguez -

Where can i get mid speaker from mine has blown thanks

Mark Morris -

same here, my went bad and Sonos want 119 to send a replacement. Bose a year ago send me a replacement unit of wave system that went back a month after warranty expired

i'm thinking to convert this to a Sonos ConnectAmp due to mid subwoofer failure.

Lester mn -

At least the exact mesurements of the Speaker would be interesting. Since Sonos doesn't repair there are no original spare parts. So it would be necessary to get a mid-woofer or a broadband Speaker from another Company. I find the mesurement Information to buy a Speaker very incomprehensible, so it would be interesting to know about how to get the correct size. I think that if you would buy a good one with relatively high specifications in that category it should be ok. If i find one wich will work, i will let you all know here in the comments.

Marc -

I just repaired one that had a 1"-2" tear in the foam surround.

I just brushed some speaker repair stuff (in the link below) and let it dry over night and it is fixed.

I have another Play1 with another bad woofer and the failure is different. On that one, when i push the cone down i can hear what sounds like metal on metal. It also has a tear in the foam surround but when it was glued back the metal sound is still there. Pretty sure that woofer must be replaced or re-coned? Anyone had one of these successfully re-coned?

https://www.amazon.com/MG-Chemicals-Spea...

Stephen Bacica -

hi where can i buy the replacement speaker :)

Nicola Calisse -

The metal basket on some of these units which have been dropped deforms, distorts the voice coil alignment and, as far as I can tell, can’t be repaired. I am still looking for a good replacement fit.

Jim Warren -

I had a Play 1 with a deformed basket (thanks for the tip Jim!) and was able to pry it somewhat back into shape, at least enough so that it now plays normally. Once I knew what to look for, it was obvious that the basket was a bit crushed on one side. I was able to pry it up by inserting the tip of a needlenose plier into one of the slots under the section that was deformed and using that to lever it back into shape - not for the faint of heart but it worked. Sorry I didn’t take any pictures.

Sid Huang -

A Long Story Short -> the Play:1 fell from the sideboard and sounded ugly - the speaker seamed broken, but... it was a deformed basket. thanks to the great instruction for disassembly ! Did some force to the basket so that it looked straight again (was deformed when it hit the groud due to the real heavy weight of the magnet) and TADAAAAA - sounds like new again :-)

Um es kurz zu machen: Play1 ist vom Sideboard gefallen und klang danach Mist - als wäre der Lautsprecher gerissen oder knallt wo gegen. Dank der super Anleitung hier auseinander genommen und siehe da: der Käfig des Lautsprechers war verbogen. durch das Gewicht des Magneten bei Aufprall verzogen. Mit etwas Gewalt mittels Schraubenzieher wieder grade gebogen, zusammengesetzt - klingt genau wie vorher :-)

Frank -

Ive successfully removed the subwoofer and just added another old speaker to the system. In this way the old speaker plays the base and the sonos plays the trebble. It actually works quite well. It doesnt look good but its a way to fixit if you can find a good location for it. I got my sonos play 1 from a friend who dropped it on the ground so for me its just a free speaker.

Brian Baltzer -

For all you guys looking for replacement woofer i have found this

go to ebay com and type in Ultra-high performance original 3.5-inch 4Ohm 60W woofer speaker for SONOS .

I am going to order one a let you know how it worked out.

martin stloukal -

I can confirm that it is the very same driver with all the trademarks. Original replacement part. Recommended

martin stloukal -

Martin, can you let me know which eBay seller and listing you purchased your speaker from? Thanks in advance!

Blundstone -

Is the sound the same???

Oscar Imbert -

will this speaker work for the sonos one?

Oscar Imbert -

Video guide of replacing the Sonos one speakers with P139 Rockford Fosgate 3.5” speakers

https://youtu.be/dF52MwkwRH4

Caysea Blum -

I apologize. They’re the P132 from Rockford.

Caysea Blum -

I just installed the replacement bought from ebay in a Sonos One and it sounds perfect! Instead of paying the 160 euros that sonos asked for a new (most probably refurbished) speaker I got mine for 35 dollars and two weeks of wait… Thanks for the links and tutorial!!!

Camille Stephan-Otto Attolini -

Hi,

When you say just installed the replacement speaker do you mean:-

the P132 Rockford or

the speaker purchased by Martin Stloukal off eBay?

Regards

Danny

Danny Georgeson -

The 230 volts is stepped down to a low-level DC voltage to power the WiFi and circuit board(s).

Can anyone tell me this DC voltage as I need to ffit these units into yachts and RV’s where there is no mains supply and don’t want to use inverters.

Best regards David S Wheatley [S/Y “Surabaya Girl” - Portsmouth UK]

David -

Switched-Mode power supplies furnish initial voltages higher than the 12 or 24 Volts you use on your boat, no, don’t think you can hook straight up after the rectifier, sorry.

Jim Kovacs -

Still looking for a source to buy original midspeaker in Europe cheap. So far cheapest I could find is 49 EUR + Shipping.

Can anyone support on how to reconnect the wifi antenna? I was not cautious enough ripped it off. Where do I need to connect the cables to?

Jan -

Are the woofers 4 or 8 ohm?

Guy Fisher -

Hi guys, I believe this works as a suitable replacement speaker, 3.5-inch 4Ohm 50W

https://www.aliexpress.com/i/32892232865...

superfastfox -

Where can i buy the spare parts for Sonos?

jonbjorgvin91 -

I bought this one and it arrived today. It seems like it was sent to Luxemburg first and then to me…so no taxes and customs to be paid…

Pictures

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ScMVuKimwYB5HK...

Link on Aliexpress

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/400031926...

Jan -

GREAT instructions for disassembly ! One just came in to my shop, got wet, won’t turn on, will take it from here. Thanks…

Jim Kovacs -

Wo kann ich den Ersatzlautsprecher kaufen?

phil -

Great guide but interestingly after doing a woofer replacement following it, while it sounds okay at low to moderate volumes, I’m now hearing some vibration when it drops to low frequencies and medium to high volumes.

It seems as if there is a loss of pressure because I’ve started feeling air escaping from the Ethernet port.

Any experience or suggestions on how to fix this? Appreciate any advice.

Thanks in advance,

Frank Hobart -

und woher bekomme ich nun einen Ersatzlautsprecher???

eric.steiner -

Hier ist der Ersatz erhältlich : https://de.aliexpress.com/item/100500173...

eric.steiner -

You can get the original Sonos Play:1, One midwoofer in Europe to at isonatec, ships faster then AliExpress:

https://www.isonatec.com/de/product-page...

Mr. P -

I tried a 3.5" speaker just like the Rockfor suggested above, it is way too small and the housing has a large airgap between it and the speaker. It acoustically wont work. The correct size is 4".

Stephen Bacica -

Where can i buy a new mid-woofer speaker?

Jody Stallings -

Hallo zusammen,

gibt es aktuell den Woofer irgendwo zu kaufen?

Vielen Dank.

Adrian -