How to Set Up Your IKEA SYMFONISK Bookshelf Speaker

What You'll Need

• IKEA SYMFONISK Bookshelf Speaker (with Sonos)
• Sonos app (iOS or Android)
• Wi-Fi network

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Download the Sonos app if you do not have it yet. Create a Sonos account or sign in to your existing one.
2. Plug in the SYMFONISK speaker and wait for the LED indicator to flash green. This means it is ready for setup.
3. Add the speaker in the Sonos app:
   • Tap "Add" and select "IKEA SYMFONISK"
   • Follow the setup wizard, which will guide you through Wi-Fi connection
4. Connect to your Wi-Fi network. If this is your first Sonos speaker, enter your network credentials. If you already have a Sonos system, the SYMFONISK joins automatically.
5. Assign the speaker to a room.
6. Run Trueplay tuning if you have an iOS device. Walk around the room with your phone while the speaker plays test tones to calibrate the sound for your space.

Placement and Sound Tips

The SYMFONISK Bookshelf Speaker has a unique flat design that can stand upright like a traditional speaker or lay on its side and double as a literal bookshelf. When placed horizontally, you can set a few small items on top of it. Keep the weight light though, and make sure you are not blocking the speaker grille.

When standing upright, it fits neatly on a shelf or desk. The sound fires forward, so aim it toward your listening area. Try to avoid burying it deep in a shelf surrounded by books on all sides, since that can muffle the mid and high frequencies. Pulling it to the edge of a shelf helps it breathe.

Running Trueplay makes a noticeable improvement with this speaker. Because many people place it in bookshelves where reflections from nearby surfaces can muddy the sound, Trueplay compensates and cleans things up.

Multi-Room and Surround Setup

The SYMFONISK runs full Sonos software, which means it does everything a Sonos One or One SL can do when it comes to multi-room audio. Group it with any other Sonos speaker in the app to play the same music in multiple rooms. It supports AirPlay 2, so you can also stream from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

One of the most popular uses for these speakers is as affordable surround speakers for a Sonos soundbar. Buy two SYMFONISK Bookshelf Speakers, add them as surround speakers in the Sonos app under your soundbar room settings, and place them slightly behind and to the sides of your couch. For the price, this is one of the cheapest ways to get real surround sound in a Sonos home theater setup.

You can also create a stereo pair with two SYMFONISK speakers for better music listening in a single room. Both need to be the same model to pair.

Troubleshooting

• Speaker not found during setup: Make sure the LED is flashing green. If not, unplug the speaker, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Also check that your phone's Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are both turned on.
• Sound is muffled when used as a shelf: Do not pile heavy items on top when it is laying flat. Keep the speaker grille unobstructed. Even a few books stacked directly over the grille area can cut the treble significantly.
• Audio drops in multi-room groups: Wi-Fi congestion is usually the culprit. Plug one Sonos speaker into your router via Ethernet to create a dedicated network backbone. The SYMFONISK does not have an Ethernet port, but if another Sonos speaker in your system does, that helps the whole network.
• Trueplay not available: Full Trueplay calibration requires an iOS device. Android users get basic auto-tuning but not the full walk-around room calibration.
• Factory reset: Unplug the speaker. Press and hold the Play/Pause button while plugging the power back in. Hold until the LED flashes amber and white, then release.