Hello Sonos community,
I’m struggling to find the best way to listen to music in the full setup: Arc Ultra, Era 300, Sub 4
The music sounds completely different depending on the source, that is super annoying:
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Sonos works with two audio modes. The Music Mode and the tv mode. Any signal coming from the cabled hdmi (e)ARC or optical input is playing in tv mode. So I won’t recommend using tv mode for listening to music.
Airplay might sound different, because the source signal could be influenced by EQ settings on the source device.
So I recommend using the Sonos app and its connected music services. But also there each service can sound different depending on the audio format and quality that is sent to the Sonos API.
so the recommendation would be to pair Apple Music or Spotify to the Sonos app and play from there?
I have to say music performance is underwhelming for no reason: Some or most songs sound like the Arc ultra is an empty can of pringles while watching a movie with an epic soundtrack like Dune I/II it’s the most immersive experience ever .. why is that?
It feels like Sonos is holding back the system on music playback for no reason.
also volume wise: Dolby Atmos at 25 will shake the rooms, 30 would be scary … while music is way more silent. Same with Trueplay or not
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Yes, my recommendation is to use music services via Sonos api. But regarding to Spotify you could get the same quality if using Spotifys direct control option for Sonos from within Spotify app. That might be the best option in user experience, because you have full advantage of their own app functionality.
The difference between several audio formats can differ from just a bit to extreme depending on the format and audio mix quality. Also dsp settings in tv mode are optimized for movie playback and surround formats like DD5.1 or Atmos. So music there always will sound poor compared to music mode.
So music there always will sound poor compared to music mode.
I am using Apple Music with Atmos Content via the Sonos App. So it should deliver the best it can.
I know the main purpose is not music, but a ~3000€ system should not sound like a 300€ setup when it is way more capable in other use cases.
try this if you have Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/song/wont-stand-down/1613405580 .. and the parts that should 💥 feel extremely weak or empty. You play it on any other “dumb” system .. my 12 year old 5.1 system without atmos and all fancy things just outperforms the Sonos.
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If you play Dolby Atmos music tracks directly from Apple Music service within Sonos app, they are played in music mode. But Atmos music audio quality strongly depend on the audio mixing quality. And I heared a lot of tracks that sound much better in stereo, because the Atmos mix was done without love to details.
I am using Apple Music with Atmos Content via the Sonos App. So it should deliver the best it can.
I know the main purpose is not music, but a ~3000€ system should not sound like a 300€ setup when it is way more capable in other use cases.
The rtings review suggests “stereo dynamics are amazing”, and have measured frequency responses to quantify:
https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/reviews/sonos/ultimate-immersive-set-with-arc-ultra
You say you have done Trueplay, make sure you remove from case and de fluff/dust the mic on the iPhone, and concentrate the Trueplay in your listening position.
And I heared a lot of tracks that sound much better in stereo, because the Atmos mix was done without love to details.
My mature ears have been used to listening to music in Stereo for many years, and they are often underwhelmed by some remixed ‘Atmos’ versions in Sonos Apple Music service.
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