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Voice Control

  • January 3, 2025
  • 9 replies
  • 86 views
M

Hello Sonos Community

I contacted Sonos again this morning to see whether the problem with voice control is now working. It is not.

My issue is that I have an LTE Router via 3 Network.  My SONOS 1 (GEN 2) worked perfectly with Alexa for 2 years until the new Sonos software was launched last year.

I tried everything with SONOS support back in the summer, even managing to get to 2nd level but all to no avail.

Can anyone in the community shed any light on this problem please.  We used voice control all the time, it’s a pain to have to use your phone.  SONOS are supposed to working on a solution but 78 months on, no news.

I wouldn’t mind using Sonos Voice Control - anything, but i believe it’s the same issue.

I would love to hear any views or maybe even a workaround!

Thanks :-)

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9 replies

N
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  • nik9669a
  • Senior Virtuoso
  • January 3, 2025

Sonos’ SVC doesn’t use the cloud, AIUI, so I’d give that a try. 

M
  • Master Class
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • January 3, 2025

Hi Nik

Thanks for replying and so quickly.

sorry but I am not technically minded.  I think you are saying to try Alexa, no, SONOS Voice Control via the Cloud.  is that correct?  Unfortunately I don’t know what  AIUI stands for. 

Mike

Airgetlam
  • Airgetlam
  • January 3, 2025

As I understand it.

;) 

Bruce
Airgetlam
  • Airgetlam
  • January 3, 2025

To be more clear, Alexa commands are routed to a cloud server to be processed, and then the command to the Sonos sent back down for actuation. 

SVC (Sonos Voice Control) commands are never sent to a ‘cloud’ server, only executed locally. 

Incidentally, this likely makes it harder to add features to this SVC system, as your speakers would need to be updated, and not some ‘more easily done’ cloud server. 

Bruce
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  • nik9669a
  • Senior Virtuoso
  • January 3, 2025

If the router/ internet is the problem when you’re using Alexa, I wondered whether the Sonos Voice Control, keeping things local, might be a solution for you? 

M
  • Master Class
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • January 4, 2025

Thanks for the input and the logical thoughts.  I should say that we didn’t necessarily want a mobile type router however where we live is so far away from the closest telephone exchange we only get 1.5mg connection whereby using a 4G router we now get between 40 and 60.

Keeping the wi-fi local with SVC does sound logical however even SVC has to ultimately wi-fi out of the property to connect to whichever music service one chooses.  i think that’s correct.

i am told that Sonos are looking to address the issue but I’m not convinced.  I might have to purchase an alternative brand of smart speaker which is LTE friendly.  Someone said Bluetooth should work.but i don't know.  it’s frustrating my Sonos 1 worked fine for 2 years but stopped when the software update was launched.

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  • nik9669a
  • Senior Virtuoso
  • January 4, 2025

I’m getting very confused now. Originally you couldn’t get a cloud-based voice service to work, and we suggested a solution which you seem to have dismissed without trying it - on the grounds that your internet connection won’t support the music stream you want to voice control. 


Question 1: why not at least try SVC?

Question 2: If you start your music stream via the app, does it work?

M
  • Master Class
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • January 4, 2025

Question 1: why not at least try SVC?

After your suggestion i telephoned SONOS Support.  They said it still would not work for the reason I gave in my last reply.  Over the months June, July, August and September I tried many different ways including SVC and nothing worked.  I gave up because the time invested was extraordinarily high as well as incredibly frustrating.

Question 2: If you start your music stream via the app, does it work?

I can only select a track or use BBC Sounds for example via my mobile phone.  Voice control does not work.

I appreciate your help and advice and nothing would please me more than to be able to use voice control. in any event I wouldn’t know how to try using SVC myself, I have to be guided by Tech Support.

I suppose my aim in contacting COMMUNITY was to land on a user that had experienced the very same issue and either given up or had amazingly found a solution.

N
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  • nik9669a
  • Senior Virtuoso
  • January 4, 2025

Question 1: why not at least try SVC?

After your suggestion i telephoned SONOS Support.  They said it still would not work for the reason I gave in my last reply.  Over the months June, July, August and September I tried many different ways including SVC and nothing worked.  I gave up because the time invested was extraordinarily high as well as incredibly frustrating.

Question 2: If you start your music stream via the app, does it work?

I can only select a track or use BBC Sounds for example via my mobile phone.  Voice control does not work.

I appreciate your help and advice and nothing would please me more than to be able to use voice control. in any event I wouldn’t know how to try using SVC myself, I have to be guided by Tech Support.

I suppose my aim in contacting COMMUNITY was to land on a user that had experienced the very same issue and either given up or had amazingly found a solution.

 


I give up: 
Again you contradict yourself. First you say “I tried… SVC” and then you say “I wouldn’t know how to try using SVC”. 
You say you can stream from BBC sounds from the app, and you also say your internet bandwidth won’t support services. 
Good luck getting things sorted, but (as they say): “I’m out”! 

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