Avid Contributor I

Answered

Strange Volume Effect with Echo Dot and Sonos

Forum|Forum|9 years ago
October 7, 2017
26 replies
4951 views

I have an Echo Dot connected to a Connect via analog in...and the Connect connected from analog out to my speakers via a Sonance amplifier. I'm finding that, since starting the Sonos skill, when I talk to Alexa, her volume out of my Sonos/speaker setup is at such a low volume that it is barely audible. This lasts for about 10-15 seconds, and then volume goes up to normal. I have the volume control on the Dot set a maximum and the Sonos volume set at a normal listening level. Before setting up the Sonos skill, the volume was always fine...right where I set it. Interestingly, if I immediately invoke "Alexa" after she starts speaking (like if I ask for the weather), when I can barely hear her, and tell her to turn up the volume, her output immediately goes to the normal audible volume. Also, once the Sonos music starts, volume is normal, based on my volume setting in the Sonos app. However, if I again invoke "Alexa", her volume is low again.

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Best answer by jgatie

That is because of the "ducking" feature which lowers the Sonos volume so Alexa can hear. I'm sure Sonos never figured people would continue to use the line-in function after the Alexa implementation was in place (and why would they?).

jgatieAnswer

That is because of the "ducking" feature which lowers the Sonos volume so Alexa can hear. I'm sure Sonos never figured people would continue to use the line-in function after the Alexa implementation was in place (and why would they?).

M

majiskoot

Lyricist I

Interesting, I have observed a similar challenge - we used the echo dot not just for music but other short responses that are now lost! As the echo to play a radio station and all is fine, Ask echo to spell and the volume is reduced for too long to gain the response! It would be nice if this was better adjusted. Any idea how to create a long enough gap to be able to hear the response!

jgatie

No, this is a feature of the Sonos skill. Disable the skill if you wish to utilize the line-in instead.

L

lkatenAuthor

Avid Contributor I

The reason to continue to use the line in is because my Sonos is feeding all of my upstairs ceiling speakers. It's quite nice to be able to hear Alexa throughout my upstairs when I'm talking to her...not just from the little bitty speaker on the Dot. Additionally, It is Alexa that I can't hear...not Sonos. It is also occurring before playing any Sonos music...and without playing any Sonos music. So, jgatie, you are saying that if I disconnect the Dot from my line-in on my Sonos, my volume problem will be solved...is that correct? So, then the only other major change to my system would be that I would be hearing Alexa from the Dot speaker...is that right? So, then the "ducking" would actually now be taking place...so Sonos would be muted when I invoke the "Alexa" command...right?

K

kbaggott

Lyricist I

Same here. Echo plugged in to sonos 5. Volume for music fine. Say "Echo, what is the weather for today?" Volume so low it's barely audible.

R

Rob Lawson

Contributor II

N:a

R

Rob Lawson

Contributor II

Hi I’m having the same issue as well.. I’ve call Amazon and did some trouble shooting with them with hopes of getting the volume louder via my sonos play 5.. but they couldn’t really help.

I’ve check the Audio in-line on my sonos app that didn’t work. I’m for certain both volumes are at 100 percent which I never do for the Sonos and I still can make out what the amazon Alexa is saying.
I think there is a bug that Sonos needs to fix.. I’m alittle upset cause I just traded in my echo for the Dot, only to find out I can’t hear what she is saying cause her volume via the speaker is very low..

jgatie

Hi I’m having the same issue as well.. I’ve call Amazon and did some trouble shooting with them with hopes of getting the volume louder via my sonos play 5.. but they couldn’t really help.

I’ve check the Audio in-line on my sonos app that didn’t work. I’m for certain both volumes are at 100 percent which I never do for the Sonos and I still can make out what the amazon Alexa is saying.
I think there is a bug that Sonos needs to fix.. I’m alittle upset cause I just traded in my echo for the Dot, only to find out I can’t hear what she is saying cause her volume via the speaker is very low..

It is not a bug. it was designed that way. It is known as "ducking" and it allows the Echo device to be able to hear over the music playing on Sonos. You are seeing a problem because I'm not certain Sonos foresaw the number of people who would keep their Dots connected via the line-in, for it is a bit redundant. However, since this is a beta release. perhaps they will make the ducking optional, or (more unlikely, but you never know) they will play all the Alexa audio wirelessly over the Sonos, eliminating the need for the line-in connection. Whatever they do, it is not a bug, it works as designed. But your input will be noted.

jgatie

The reason to continue to use the line in is because my Sonos is feeding all of my upstairs ceiling speakers. It's quite nice to be able to hear Alexa throughout my upstairs when I'm talking to her...not just from the little bitty speaker on the Dot. Additionally, It is Alexa that I can't hear...not Sonos. It is also occurring before playing any Sonos music...and without playing any Sonos music. So, jgatie, you are saying that if I disconnect the Dot from my line-in on my Sonos, my volume problem will be solved...is that correct? So, then the only other major change to my system would be that I would be hearing Alexa from the Dot speaker...is that right? So, then the "ducking" would actually now be taking place...so Sonos would be muted when I invoke the "Alexa" command...right?

Yes. Though at this time, all Sonos speakers will duck. Not the optimum, because who needs the living room muting when you are talking to the bedroom Dot? But as said above, it is a beta, and new features like assigning a Dot to a single room could happen any day.

C

Carsten_1

Lyricist I

That is because of the "ducking" feature which lowers the Sonos volume so Alexa can hear. I'm sure Sonos never figured people would continue to use the line-in function after the Alexa implementation was in place (and why would they?).

One reason why people (including me) continue to use the line-in function, is to have a working solution for working with streaming sources that are not yet supported by the Alexa/Sonos integration (in my case - the primary reason is Spotify)

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