Answered

Microphone sensitivity for the “Alexa” wake word is low

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
October 24, 2017
261 replies
37503 views

I still have to use either, but here is the Stuff magazine take on this, from their review:
"Finally, Alexa seems to be less responsive on the Sonos One, at least compared to the Echo, meaning you have to speak a little bit louder for it to hear you. Considering my Echo will sometimes pick up an unintended ‘Alexa’ reference while I’m chatting in another room, this probably isn’t as significant a shortcoming as it sounds.
Read more at https://www.stuff.tv/sonos/one/review#RDh9IciKOQwAQ2K0.99

But something that is a concern that Sonos ought to look at, if what you say is more applicable.

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 Ryan S

Sonos version 8.2.3 is now available for the Sonos One (other Sonos devices will stay on 8.2.2). This update improves Alexa responsiveness for Sonos One users in US, UK, Germany, and Austria.

You should find that Alexa is getting better at listening, with a decrease in the times Alexa speaks up when not called. Alexa on Sonos One is now more likely to carry out your desired action when requested; especially when it’s noisy, when the speaker is further away, or when speaking quietly.

Update within your Sonos app by going to More > Settings > Online Updates.

We’re continuing to work with Amazon and the Alexa team to improve Sonos One voice control. You can expect to see more developments as we go. Let us know what you think of the changes. We’d love to hear from you.

Show previous replies

K

kenop

Contributor III

Picked up three SONOS ONE tonight and wanted to replace my house full of Sonos Play 1's and Echo dot's sitting on top -- but yes the mic sensitivity is TERRIBLE, with no music playing i still have to shout at it or be 3 feet away. Product says it has 6 mics and intelligent voice detection - did they forget to turn this on!? I'm going to have to return these and keep echo dot's on top if it isn't fixed quickly!

M

mzod

Lyricist I

Add me to the list that thinks the mic is not nearly sensitive enough and looking forward to software update (maybe user controlled sensitivity? ) When I first go an Echo and Dot I used to bark the wake word loudly until my wife pointed out what I was doing and how annoying it was. Spent some time training myself to talk more naturally to Alexa - which her mic picks up wonderfully (except when playing music). Now I'm back to barking loudly even when a few feet away. I had read that Sonos would have better noise cancellation logic that would make it BETTER at hearing me when music is playing - but I can't tell because I have to be so loud even when there is no music playing.

C

Colin_AM

Lyricist I

My one seems to be going off at the slightest thing ?! It is close to the TV though so could that be a problem, it went off when someone said “makes a ...” on the Tv earlier. Would love it to be a sensitivity setting if it’s software based.

I have the same issue. Anything with an “x” triggers Alexa when the TV is one but doesn’t trigger when I try and replicate it with my voice. Seems something about the TV triggers Alexa. What I want to do is change the command name like what the echos do. I can’t find an option for the Sonos Ones. In the update, it will be handy to have that option.

S

Surfer

Trending Lyricist I

Im happy with the sensitivity on my 2 ones, Echo is overly sensitive in my opinion, but you cant please all people all the time

G

gunkadoodah

Lyricist III

No one would; I bet this is a request to only rule out reasons by doing this on a temporary basis.

You’re right, and pardon my frustration here. I replaced the Echo with the One in the exact same position. I think there’s a fine line between being a patient early adopter and expecting a paid-for product to do what it says it should. I certainly did not pay $200 per speaker to be their product quality tester. That said, Sonos does have great support and hopefully this gets fixed soon.

K

KumarAuthor

I certainly did not pay $200 per speaker to be their product quality tester. That said, Sonos does have great support and hopefully this gets fixed soon.

Note that the Alexa skills part of Sonos One has been officially labelled as a beta by Sonos. Expecting rapid improvement to the experience would therefore not be out of order, but some patience may be called for.

A

Anthony L

Lyricist I

Agree with all, I find myself shouting at the One (even when there is no music playing) - something that I've never had to do with Echo's or Dots, and it often doesn't pick up Alexa. Hopefully the updates fix this bug

Ryan S

Retired Sonos Staff

Thanks for sharing everyone. The team is constantly working with gathered data around the microphones as we tune the Sonos One and Alexa to improve the microphone’s ability to pick out just the right sounds. This’ll get better over time as Alexa and the Sonos One learns.

Mark good posts by pressing the like button, and select the best answer on questions you've asked to help others find solutions.

R

retboell

Lyricist I

So, I'm switching back to my Echo Dot for now. Beta or not, I use a lot of smart home features and it's simply getting too annoying. Hope that nice looking Sonos One won't be collecting dust for too long.

D

dasym

Prominent Collaborator II

Thanks for sharing everyone. The team is constantly working with gathered data around the microphones as we tune the Sonos One and Alexa to improve the microphone’s ability to pick out just the right sounds. This’ll get better over time as Alexa and the Sonos One learns.

So, are we talking days, months, years? Will the improvement be before the 100 days return window expires? I'm close to sending 3 Sonos Ones back now.

Show more replies

Sign up

Login to the community