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Microphone sensitivity for the “Alexa” wake word is low

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262 replies

R
Userlevel 1
mjgunn, you made some good points. However, how can the sensitivity change without a software update? Since the original mandatory update that was done when I installed the Ones a couple weeks ago, there has been no firmware update pushed out to me. Do you know whether firmware updates are done automatically without my involvement or knowledge?

Regardless of the truth in what you pointed out about tweaking over time, I still have to decide whether to trust things will improve, or return the Sonos Ones within the refund window and buy some additional Echo products. Aside from the cost difference, the Echo listens well and sounds okay; the Sonos sounds awesome but doesn't seem to listen very well. Not sure what I'll decide, but that's the dilemma I and perhaps others face.
W
Any news here, this is in my opinion a big issue, a smart speaker that cannot hear you 😃
R
Userlevel 1
It occurred to me that Amazon should be concerned, too. Just picture all of us One owners angrily shouting "Alexa!" repeatedly in frustration. Not the image Amazon would want. I know Amazon can't be responsible for the third party devices that integrate with the Echo-sphere, but someone at Amazon should look at the negativity this flaw has brought to "Alexa! Alexa! ALEXA!!!!"
R
Userlevel 1
An official statement from SONOS to at least acknowledge the issue would be most welcome to all of us ONE owners. An email to registered owners would suffice. Sonos? Sonos? SONOS?!!!!!!! Are you listening???
R
Userlevel 1
Thank you, jgatie. I assume Ryan is from Sonos. If indeed this is a software issue, I would encourage Sonos to update our software before they start seeing a lot of units returned, as forewarned by this discussion thread. My countdown clock is ticking. It's a race between the software fix and the very generous return timeframe. Whichever comes first rules the day.
D
8.2.3 thanks Ryan, what a difference, Alexa can hear me without shouting and from the other side of the room! Now works as expected.
K
What Radio Paradise like skill is missing? It plays fine on my Dot wired to a Connect Amp even just now.
chicks
What Radio Paradise like skill is missing? It plays fine on my Dot wired to a Connect Amp even just now.

It works via TuneIn, but there’s a RP Alexa skill, which can be set to stream FLAC, which doesn’t work at all on the One. Won’t do FLAC on the Dot, but will on original Echo.

“Alexa, open Radio Paradise”
Welcome to Radio Paradise! Then silence, on the One.
S
Ok so bought the Sonos One to replace our Echo Gen 2, we used alexa on it for about half a day and reverted back to Echo device. I’ve installed the update tonight but it’s too late to test, will enable Alexa on the one again tomorrow and report back.
K
The Apple unit won't do as well as a 1/One pair. The physics/brain response of/to separated speakers for the stereo imaging illusion is not easily defeated.

What will be interesting to see is how two Apple boxes in one room sound together; Apple claims that each responds to the presence of the other and shapes its sound for overall better performance of the two together without saying that they stereo pair. Time will tell how that compares to a Sonos pair, though at the USD 700 price for the Apple pair, only the 5 pair will be more expensive.
D
Bought the one for Christmas and it is still having the same problems with slow response when it does hear me, which is far less that the dot and echo I already have.
J
Yes, the sensitivity while audio is playing is poor. I have Dot 40 feet away from Sonos One and I can be standing 3 feet from the Sonos One and the Dot that is 40 feet away will respond to me. My Sonos One is in the kitchen and I like to use it as a timer. However, I find that I have to get right next to it in order for it to hear me and not the Dot from the other room.
R
Yes, something has changed. Not to the better. I now have to shout at Alexa when music is playing. Ive first noticed this a couple of days ago.
J
Badge
100% something has changed. After the update was very good, now have to shout again. Not good!
K
I noticed the sensitivity getting worse in the last few days and was able to fix it by turning the mic off and on again on the device. Worked for both of my Ones.
J
Badge
It’s only when music is playing for me, when there’s no music it seems fine. It was ok after the update, but then stopped hearing me when music was playing a week or 10 days ago
Master T
Userlevel 6
Badge +9
Something has definitely changed. I've been away for a few days, so I can't put my finger on exactly when, but I caught myself yelling at the One(s) today on several occasions. Surprised, I came here looking for ideas. I'll try the ideas suggested above tomorrow when I have a chance.
K
I have Dot 40 feet away from Sonos One and I can be standing 3 feet from the Sonos One and the Dot that is 40 feet away will respond to me. My Sonos One is in the kitchen and I like to use it as a timer. However, I find that I have to get right next to it in order for it to hear me and not the Dot from the other room.
This will be a problem for many for a long time, I suspect. Even the Dot suffers from this if not adequately separated from the speaker being used for it. When separation is provided, it does very well and for the same reason, much better than what the Echo, that must always lack this separation, does.
J
Badge
I have Dot 40 feet away from Sonos One and I can be standing 3 feet from the Sonos One and the Dot that is 40 feet away will respond to me. My Sonos One is in the kitchen and I like to use it as a timer. However, I find that I have to get right next to it in order for it to hear me and not the Dot from the other room.
This will be a problem for many for a long time, I suspect. Even the Dot suffers from this if not adequately separated from the speaker being used for it. When separation is provided, it does very well and for the same reason, much better than what the Echo, that must always lack this separation, does.

The point is, it was great after the update, now recently when music is playing its stopped hearing me..
J
Badge
Turning the mic off and on again seems to work..!
K
I was surprised it made such a difference, the Ones had become almost unusable. Hopefully going forward this will not be necessary.
J
Badge
I was surprised it made such a difference, the Ones had become almost unusable. Hopefully going forward this will not be necessary.

Agreed, they are back to be being very responsive even at reasonable volume.

Sonos support team- pls look into this, stopping and restarting the mic fixes the issue, but before I did this it had deteriorated severely.

Thx
Master T
Userlevel 6
Badge +9
Weird. That actually seemed to make a difference.
Ryan S
Userlevel 7
Badge +26
Sonos support team- pls look into this, stopping and restarting the mic fixes the issue, but before I did this it had deteriorated severely.

The team's already on it.

Weird. That actually seemed to make a difference.

We've had a few more reports of this coming up, and the solution for them all has been turning the mic off and back on. If anyone else is having trouble, please do that and let us know how it goes. Also, if it comes up again.
Mark good posts by pressing the like button, and select the best answer on questions you've asked to help others find solutions.
D
I absolutely love the build quality and sound on my Sonos One but I’ve got the same issue with the mic sensitivity too low.
Even when playing music at volume level 2 I have to shout Alexa 3 or 4 times before it hears me from the next room. Also I’ve noticed Alexa on this device is rubbish at Spotify requests. I have a Google Home in another room and if I ask that for a song on Spotify it says sure playing on Spotify where the Alexa will say I’m unable to find that song on Spotify and I have type the name of the song in the Spotify app. I have also noticed the Google Home is far better at answering follow up questions. Will probably return the One while still in return period and try again in a few months.
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