Trending Lyricist I

Answered

ARC (when playing TV via ARC) goes quiet for ~15 seconds after Alexa command.

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
December 10, 2022
30 replies
908 views

My setup: ARC + 2 x oneSL (surround.) My ARC is defined as a Speaker in Alexa. It is not in the same group as the Echo.

When watching TV, if I say ‘Alexa turn on lights’ - it does - and provides audio feedback via Echo speaker. BUT, then the sound coming from ARC goes and stays very low for ~15 seconds before returning to normal. If I say ‘Alexa stop’ during this period, the volume pops right back up. This seems to happen if the music is coming from the Echo as well (though, in this case, saying ‘echo stop’ actually stops the music too.)

My Echo is located behind my head, close to me, and it is the one that answers - not the Sonos speaker, when I talk to it. Alexa audio playback happens, as desired, on the Sonos.

Thanks for any and all assistance in fixing this uniquely annoying issue.

This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

Best answer by yossie

I removed the Alexa voice assistant from my ARC altogether (shows no voice assistant.)

I deleted the Sonos Device and Speaker from my Echo . I left the Sonos skill installed.

On my echo I added a “speaker” - re-discovered the ARC, and verified that the ARC is now a speaker in my Echo Group.

I validated the follow-up is disabled on the Echo.

I reset (unplugged) both devices.

I still get the ~15 second “ducking” on my ARC after my Echo answers a question:

me: echo, play radio station
echo: playing radio station on sonos
sonos: starts playing
me: echo what time is it
echo: it is XX:XX
sonos: volume drops very low ~15 seconds before returning to normal

Followup: Once I removed the Sonos from the Echo Group, but left it as the default speaker, things appear to work right now.

Corry P

Sonos Staff

Hi @yossie

Thanks for your post!

I think you might have Alexa’s Follow-Up mode enabled in that room, as it sounds like the arc is continuing to volume “duck” after a command so it can listen for further instruction.

In the Alexa app, go to More » Settings » Communication » Alexa Devices » [room name of Arc] » [your Arc] » Follow-Up Mode » disable to prevent this behaviour.

I hope this helps.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein

Y

yossieAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

I wish that were true. I checked and followup mode is OFF.

Corry P

Sonos Staff

Hi @yossie

Having two Alexa devices in one room isn’t ideal - if you temporarily power-off the Echo (or disable the microphone) does the Arc cease ducking sooner, after following the command?

If this doesn’t make a difference, is the Arc enclosed at all, eg. in a cabinet open at the front but with a surface above the Arc? Aside from the detrimental effect this would have on the Arc’s Atmos height channels, it may increase the microphones ability to pick up TV audio, making Alexa have to “think” about whether there’s a command or not.

If that doesn’t apply either, I recommend uninstalling Alexa from the Arc and adding it back on again. Both can be done from Settings » Services and Voice » Alexa in the Sonos app.

I hope this helps.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein

Y

yossieAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

Maybe a better thing for me to do is explain what I am trying to do. I am using my ARC as an output only device for Alexa and for my TV. I don’t want the ARC listening (and generally keep the microphone disabled.) Please explain how to do this. I do want the Alexa handling all listening tasks and feedback for commands should be on the Alexa, no ARC. ARC should only be used to playback sound.

J

John B

So the wake word on the Echo is “Echo”?

Y

yossieAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

My Alexa wake word is “echo”.

J

John B

Maybe a better thing for me to do is explain what I am trying to do. I am using my ARC as an output only device for Alexa and for my TV. I don’t want the ARC listening (and generally keep the microphone disabled.) Please explain how to do this. I do want the Alexa handling all listening tasks and feedback for commands should be on the Alexa, no ARC. ARC should only be used to playback sound.

I assume when you say ‘I want the Alexa handling…. “ you mean the Echo.

J

John B

My Alexa wake word is “echo”.

No, your wake word on the Arc is “Alexa” and your wake word on your Echo is “Echo”.

J

John B

I am not entirely sure this would work, but could you:

Uninstall Alexa voice control from the Arc
In the Alexa app, group your echo (as the Alexa device), the Arc (as speaker) and your lights

I would expect the Arc to duck as you give the command “Echo, turn on lights”. But that is what I would want.

Y

yossieAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

I know, but I don't want the ARC listening at all. I want to use my Alexa (wake word Echo) for all listening purposes. I want the ARC to be a speaker only.

Show more replies

Sign up

Login to the community