Arc has only 5 audio channels according to Sonos?

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
June 22, 2020
5 replies
1657 views

In the webpage https://www.sonos.com/support/en-us/sonos-user-guide/index.html#t=sonos-user-guide%2Farc%2Farc.htm , it states that:

Arc’s advanced processing creates five phased-array channels that deliver sound to your ears from all directions.

What are those five channels? Where do the height channels fit in there?

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Best answer by Ryan S

Hi @ekwok, I remember seeing this in another thread too. Those five channels are the front right, front left, center, rear right, and rear left. Those are the phased-array channels designed to bounce sound around the room. The height channels aren’t listed on that bullet point because they’re not phased in the same manner. The Arc on its own is considered to simulate 5.0.2 audio, when you add a Sub, it hits 5.1.2. And if you add surround speakers, it’s still considered 5.1.2. The side firing speakers that were being used for the rear simulation, will adjust to help out the rest of the audio instead, not add additional channels.

I see how it can be unclear, and will mention it to the team. If you’re wondering “how many channels of audio does the Arc produce” than the answer is “7”.

F

Felion

Lyricist II

They would fit in at 5.1. 2

E

ekwokAuthor

Prominent Collaborator I

They would fit in at 5.1. 2

Arc itself is 5.0.2, then there should be 7 channels, shouldn’t it?

But in the user guide, it states “Arc’s advanced processing creates five phased-array channels”. That is what I am wondering about.

Ryan SAnswer

Retired Sonos Staff

Hi @ekwok, I remember seeing this in another thread too. Those five channels are the front right, front left, center, rear right, and rear left. Those are the phased-array channels designed to bounce sound around the room. The height channels aren’t listed on that bullet point because they’re not phased in the same manner. The Arc on its own is considered to simulate 5.0.2 audio, when you add a Sub, it hits 5.1.2. And if you add surround speakers, it’s still considered 5.1.2. The side firing speakers that were being used for the rear simulation, will adjust to help out the rest of the audio instead, not add additional channels.

I see how it can be unclear, and will mention it to the team. If you’re wondering “how many channels of audio does the Arc produce” than the answer is “7”.

Mark good posts by pressing the like button, and select the best answer on questions you've asked to help others find solutions.

E

ekwokAuthor

Prominent Collaborator I

Ryan S,

Great!! That is the answer I was looking for exactly!

You explained it very clear. There is a reviewer who insists that the up firing speakers simulate the Rear left and right channels.

Cheers

Ryan S

Retired Sonos Staff

If that Arc isn’t getting Atmos content, the up-firing speakers help a little with the surrounds, but I believe they mostly would be helping with the bass in that situation.

Mark good posts by pressing the like button, and select the best answer on questions you've asked to help others find solutions.

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