Sonos Connect Amp and Speaker Volume
I’ve read other reviews where the Sonos amp and a pair of outdoor speakers is blowing their neighbors away, I don’t feel like mine are getting that loud. Do I need better speakers or is it the amp?? I bought the amp open box excellent condition from Best Buy, I just want to make sure something isn’t wrong with it before my 15 day return window is up.
Any feedback would be appreciated!
With slider halfway the volume is about where I like to listen. Then there is a lot left on the slider control to go louder in a very controlled way.
The last bit is the not usually appreciated benefit of how the volume control on the Connect Amp has been architected, as opposed to that on most modern amps, where the max undistorted sound levels are delivered at about 50-60% of the volume control position. Effectively, the usable motion of their volume control slider is halved by doing this; and this is done to give a false sense of the power by having the amp go loud very early in the volume control movement.
As compared to any other amp with the same power delivery spec, at 100% of the volume control level, the Connect Amp will deliver the same sound levels as the other amp will, all other things like speaker/speaker placement being the same. But the other amp may do this at just 60% of it’s volume control max position, and do nothing more with further advancing the volume control except perhaps add distortion. On the other hand, at 100% the Connect Amp does not add any distortion to the sound being delivered.
But the outcome of this, to those that are used to the “more powerful” amps, is misleading them into thinking that there is something wrong with the Connect Amp up to its 50% volume slider mark. In a very few cases there may be something defective as the cause for this, but this is a rare event.
The solution is to not be shy in running the Connect Amp at any level above 50%; as long at it is kept in a ventilated place, and there are no speaker impedance drops to below 4 ohms on a sustained basis, the Connect Amp will run without engaging its protection circuitry.
Sorry, I don't have answers for you. I don't work for Sonos, nor do I have access to their engineering group in order to get the data you seek.
To my knowledge, based on the number of posts I've read here in this forum over the last several years, I wouldn't take the assumption that it is a common issue.
But then again, it doesn't impact me personally, so perhaps my perspective is skewed. At the end of the day, I'll continue to suggest direct contact with Sonos. Community forums are rarely an ideal way to get the true answers that you seem to need directly from Sonos.
Have you attempted to contact Sonos Support directly to discuss it? I’d certainly do that before returning it. Less effort than uninstalling, and you may get an answer to your issue
I usually suggest the phone folks, they have more tools available because they're on the phone with you, but they are only available Monday through Friday during business hours. Both the Twitter and Facebook support folks are available 24/7.
Hi there,
The option doesn't show up if the CONNECT:AMP doesn't detect a line-in connection. Please double-check the line-in cable to make sure it's fully inserted on both the CONNECT:AMP and the source device. Also, make sure the source is playing audio when you're looking in the app for the line-in setting.
If that doesn't work, please leave the source playing and submit a diagnostic report form the Sonos app. Reply with the confirmation number and I'll check it out for you.
This poor topic is so confusing with multiple folks posting different problems I can't keep it straight who has what problem and what they have tried. Even Jeff is confused at this point, one of the early posters had a keypad, others don't. Some are trying to use the line-in and others aren't.
Are you using a keypad controller? Is this a line-in or streaming problem?
If it is grouped and streaming is the Connect Amp grouped with the Beam or is it setup as the rear channels? If it is grouped have you expanded the volume controls and adjusted just the Connect Amp control?
If it is a line-in issue have you tried adjusting the line-in sensitivity?
"zones" and still have the problem. The volume has to be set at above 50% in order to be heard and really cannot ever be loud. I have tried different music services with no difference in volume.
Hopefully Sonos will see your diagnostic number in this topic and get back to you. If they miss it you could start a new topic and submit another one or try Twitter for a direct response 24x7 or the phone lines (likely a bit busy) on Monday.
Please try removing the speaker cables and reconnecting them, making sure that they are fully connected and not touching the other cables. If the volume is still very low at that point it would be best to have our phone team take a look at this live. You can find our phone number and hours here.
Thanks for trying that. I can't see anything specific in the diagnostic report which would explain the low volume. At this point it would be best to work with our phone team, you can find their contact information here.
I went to a different store that sells high end audio equipment. The guy was very familiar with the Sonos Connect Amp and suggested the volume at 50% before you hear sound issue was normal for that amp. He suggested it was the way Sonos digitizes the amp. The Sonance speakers sounded loud enough after I passed the 50% volume threshold. Won’t be able to install them outdoors until construction is finished. My question is, if this is a common issue why doesn’t SONOS just come out and say it’s within normal operating limits?
Btw, I was indoors using 10ft of 14 gauge wire.
Maybe this can be attributed to indoor vs outdoor, but I find the volume control on the new amp exactly how I would like it to be (for indoors in a fairly small room). I am using low sensitivity (83dB) 8 ohm speakers, and still I can easily hear the music with the slider very low, less than about 5%. With slider halfway the volume is about where I like to listen. Then there is a lot left on the slider control to go louder in a very controlled way.
I’m having the same issue with the low sound output while at 50% or less. Did anyone figure out the fix for this issue? I paid good money for the sonance mag 4.1 system. First time using a Sonos product and it’s been a bad experience. I’m thinking about returning it.
How long are your speaker wires and what size are they?
Have you tried different music sources to see if the volume levels are different.
Enter your username or e-mail address. We'll send you an e-mail with instructions to reset your password.