Sonos Arc sounding tinny and metallic after Trueplay and also multiple EQ, surround and Sub configs?

Hi All,

Just a thought for all that have new systems.  One thing to remember is that you need to allow time for speakers to bed in so you need to play them at a decent volume for a while (exactly how long am not sure, but days rather than hours) it is quite common knowledge among audiophiles, that speakers need to be broken in before they adopt their true sound.  And then do Trueplay again after.  I find the sound varies between sources.  But am happy with the sound for movies especially playing atmos or digital plus, and thats without a sub, but i do have 2 sonos one sl ’s attached to my Arc.

Planning on the sub in the not too distant future…

Also as someone has said on another part of this forum, they used an old ipad 2 air for truplay and it sounded better than his iphone.  I have used both to be honest and not sure of any difference but maybe worth a try.

I used a break in disc on mine, it didn’t make a difference, in fact I think the highs got worse. The volume always seemed to be different with music (had to turn it way up) vs movies (had to turn it way down) to get the same level of sound. 
There seemed to be a very fine sweet spot for music where everything was acceptable, but depending on your mood it was either too loud or not loud enough. And yes, sitting still and running true play does improve things.  

I ended up returning mine because the place I bought it from has a rather short return period. Perhaps I expected too much out of the system. It was pretty solid for movies though A few hundred each less for the ARC and Sub and I would have kept them for video use only. Perhaps Sonos can improve/tweak some things and I’ll give it another try. 

Well, another thing I have found, which is interesting.. I made a stand for my Arc so I good find the correct placement/distance on my cabinet away from our wall the tv is on.  Also to keep the Arc off the surface of the cabinet.   The sound was ok and very acceptable to me although a bit harsh sometimes depending on source.  Now the interesting thing is, I have now made 2 blocks from acrylic about 60mm thick by about 80mm square. I have stuck 4 small 2mm soft pads on each corner  of the block as feet and 2 strips of 3mm gel tape on the top.  I have then placed the Arc on top centered under each hole at the back of the Arc where a mount bolt goes in.  I immediately noticed a difference in the sound being more mellow.  Now this may be nothing but my brain, but I do feel the distance off a hard surface and being sat on gel pads helps with the sound isolation from a hard cabinet surface.  I have also attached  HDFury Arcana to it for Atmos from my Firestick.  Dont think it is that as my tv plays back thru it via HdmiArc. 

Hi @GaryGorilla I finally got round to doing Trueplay again but just sitting in one location only, not moving. I did this for the lounge and also our girls TV room. Have to say, job done!!! Considerably better, tininess gone in the treble, bass is excellent its a completely different excellent system now, thanks for the advice :-) 

I also have not had to tweak any settings at all. They are all on 0. I only turn down the surrounds at night because of the girls upstairs

Hi @Mr_Rossi 

Did you move aroumd waving phone or ipad like it tells you to or just sat in one spot thro each stage?

Hi @Hoenm 

Nope I stayed in one position only throughout the whole process. Sit in the chair / area where you would normally sit, ours is a sofa so sat in the middle, so would be between me and my wife. Hold the phone up to your ear/eye height that you would be inline with the TV, and go through the process

My surrounds are significantly better also. They are based on being 3m from the TV in the Sonos app

Hi @Mr_Rossi 

Thanks... I did same for first part and moved around for 2nd part... my surrounda also say 3m away although they are not.  I have not really found my arc to be too tinny . But am keen to get a sub soon.. does the sub make a difference,  presuming you have one. 

Rgds

Hi, yeah my surrounds say 3m on the app but they are not. Ah right good call on staying still for first part and moving second. I might give that a go too, but am very happy with the set up now

Definitely get a sub, they are brilliant and really ups the system and works amazingly well with Arc and surrounds. The bass fills the room, very impressive bit of kit. S2 app now allows you to have two subs in a room!! …. don’t know how I am going to approach the wife about that one and adding an extra sub… ummmm

Hi @Hoenm please see above message, I forgot to tag you in it, all the best Ross

Excellent, glad it worked for you :)