Sub gen 2 vs gen 3

The gen 3 sub has improved hardware, but no additional functionality.    If your current sub isn’t performing well doing wireless issues or something of that nature, getting the gen 3 sub might help.  Other than that, there’s no real reason to upgrade your sub, IMO.  If there are new features introduced later on that interest you, you can just upgrade at that time.

To add to the above, it has improved hardware, but all hardware related to sound quality is unchanged - so no difference in that aspect.

I am facing the same question. The Gen 2’s are now going for $599. Is the Gen 3 worth the extra $100? Can’t say that I like the fact that Sonos has taken away the ability play music on an iOS device on older products either directly or through Air Play 2. I worry that if I buy the Gen 2 I will be “on the clock” for losing future functionality

I wouldn’t be worried. Effectively, there’s no difference between gen 1 and gen 2, and neither are on the “legacy” list. Due, I suspect, to the nature of the fact that the SUB is essentially a slave to another device. For all practical purposes, it appears to take on the features of the speaker it’s bonded to. 

It’s possible that in the future, there might be some software change that impacts this, but right now, it’s not worth the money at least to me to upgrade mine.

I currently have a beam that I will be pairing the sub with. I am not looking to buy rear channels right now as this set up is purely for tv and music from the Beam. I do not intend to buy rear channels at this time. Any thoughts as to whether adding the sub only will make a significant change in tv and music sound?

Yes, it will. 

I’ve got the beam, sub and 2 ones as rear and its absolutely great!

Now i’m trying to sell my beam so i can buy the Arc instead. Was considering selling the sub for gen 3 sub but now i’ll pass that.

Does Sonos still offer a trade in program?

There is a trade-up program, for ‘legacy’ devices. The Sub -- regardless of generation -- is not ‘legacy’.

Yes... A huge difference. I have the Beam and Sub plus two One's (Sonos really needs to change how they name models) and can contest there so much a difference that sometimes I have to put my system in night mode. I happen to like my neighbors.

Your experience will differ depending on your media.  If watch a lot of news and talk shows the sub will not shine here of course but sci-fi and action, it's amazing.  I've had mine for just a little over a year and I was skeptical if this little thing (compared to traditional subwoofers) could put out. I was pleasantly surprised.

As for music, the same holds true.. if you listen to music with bass, you'll be happy. The more bass your music has the more the Sub shows off. I had to actually turn the "Loud" option off in the EQ settings to keep the sub lower at low volumes.

As others, right now I see no need in going for a Gen 3 sub.