Renowned Enthusiast I

Spotify volume decreased?

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
May 10, 2025
82 replies
5159 views

Hello everyone,

Lately, I've noticed the volume level seems lower when integrating Sonos and Spotify. I've tested this on several Era 100s, Fives, and Sonos Ones, and I find myself needing to increase the volume significantly compared to last week. Do you know if there have been any recent changes to the Spotify integration volume? This occurs whether using Spotify Connect and the Sonos app. Do you have the same feeling?

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Pinned Reply By Mike H

Hey hey folks! Someone on Reddit called this out as well, so I did some digging to investigate what has changed. The short answer is that the volumes is perceived lower due to volume normalization.

Now for the longer answer:

Spotify gives us a volume normalization gain value to apply to each track. Earlier this year, we began applying this gain value whenever users use Spotify Connect. This change was needed because it helps with cases like loud advertisements that play between tracks, which can be very apparent and annoying, especially for free users. They might have experienced a jarringly loud ad when all they wanted was to listen to some chill, relaxing music.

Most of the gain values provided by Spotify are negative, which means they lower the volume. That’s why many users perceive this decrease in volume as a drop in quality, which isn’t the case.

Show previous replies

Corry P

Sonos Staff

Hi @savadgan

I’d be wary of comparing TV audio with streamed audio - there is no reason to expect two such different sources to be at the same gain level on the input.

Having said that, 50-60 does sound quite high if 20-30 is fine for TV.

Please follow the steps I gave in my previous post, thanks.

And please also compare some more streamed sources - do radio stations play at a higher perceived volume than Spotify and Apple Music, for example?

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein

R

Rhonny

Prodigy III

I am facing the same issue, its not only limited to Spotify it is also for Apple music. Volume needs to set at 50-60 for music streaming but for TV 20-30 is enough. I have arc ultra + sub.

Are you playing via the Sonos app or via Airplay and Spotify Connect? If the latter then ensure your device volume is turned up enough before adjusting the Sonos speaker volume.

R

RTX6400

Lyricist III

Completed diagnostics and sent you a PM with #

S

savadgan

Lyricist II

Thanks for the reply.

I’ve followed the steps mentioned in the previous post, but unfortunately, the issue still persists. The low volume problem happens across all streaming platforms — including Sonos Radio.

I also tried adjusting the volume settings as suggested by Rhonny, but that didn’t make any noticeable difference.

Corry P

Sonos Staff

Hi @savadgan

To be clear, the instructions I gave were not an attempt to fix this issue for you, but instructions for you to follow that will give us more data about the issue through customer-submitted diagnostics from the Sonos systems affected. You have not submitted any diagnositcs that I can see.

The low volume problem happens across all streaming platforms — including Sonos Radio.

As you are reporting that this issue is more wide-spread (affecting more services) than the other users here, it is even more important that we get diagnostic from your system. Please follow all the instructions in my above, highlighted post to give us what we need to investigate this issue. Thank you.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein

S

savadgan

Lyricist II

Hi @savadgan

To be clear, the instructions I gave were not an attempt to fix this issue for you, but instructions for you to follow that will give us more data about the issue through customer-submitted diagnostics from the Sonos systems affected. You have not submitted any diagnositcs that I can see.

The low volume problem happens across all streaming platforms — including Sonos Radio.

As you are reporting that this issue is more wide-spread (affecting more services) than the other users here, it is even more important that we get diagnostic from your system. Please follow all the instructions in my above, highlighted post to give us what we need to investigate this issue. Thank you.

I have done the steps which includes submitting diagnosis report now. I used Spotify app to play music via wifi and room name is "Sonos Living room"

Thanks in advance

Corry P

Sonos Staff

Hi @savadgan

Got them! Thank you!

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein

J

Jamroz

Lyricist II

I too am having this issue as I believe many others as indicated in the thread below:
https://www.reddit.com/r/sonos/comments/1knubrv/spotify_connect_vs_sonos_app_there_is_a/

This began occurring several weeks ago. BLUF: when playing music from Spotify Connect to Sonos speaker(s), the volume is significantly lower, appears muffled, and overall lesser quality. However, when playing identical songs directly from Sonos from the same Spotify playlist, the volume is what it should be; clear, louder and better quality.

Sonos and/or Spotify should really invest some effort into resolving this. It shouldn’t be on the customer to deal with diagnostics and scower the internet for solutions. Consumers are paying big money for speakers and streaming services and they should be delivering on top notch audio quality. It’s a PIA dealing with support these days and having to come onto a forum is such a buzz kill.

Airgetlam

What does BLUF: mean?

Bruce

N

NJTrojan

Lyricist I

I have the same issue. Started a couple-few weeks ago after an automatic system update. I spent a couple hours on the phone with support but no luck Definitely an issue with the Spotify interface also Amazon music. Only Sonos music works Big disappointment as it’s not just the volume issue but a significant sound quality degradation as well. I’ve better sound from my car radio now

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