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Sonos Arc - Metallic Sound

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A
Userlevel 2
Badge +2

Just got Bose 500 soundbar with the sub 500 for the same price as Arc. There’s no competition whatsoever. Music is miles better, fuller dialogues and sub-bass is awesome, thanks to the sub (compact sub that doesn’t overpower apartment and annoys neighbors). Movies and music both shine. Those who live in apartments and don’t want a Sonos sub, and having sound quality issues could consider this option. ONLY if you don’t care about Atmos. 

I looked at the Bose 700 with sub before I bought the Arc. Had my dealer set them up side by side and played the same content on both for comparison. Sound being what it is, highly subjective, to the individual I can share that to my ears the Arc was the hands down choice on all front. Soundstage being much wider than the Bose. Then add the fact the Bose is not a smart bar made the decision even easier for me. 
At the end of the day I’m happy that you’ve found a solution that works for you, your room and your ears. You’re personal satisfaction is all that matters. Enjoy!!!

L
Userlevel 5
Badge +11

Just got Bose 500 soundbar with the sub 500 for the same price as Arc. There’s no competition whatsoever. Music is miles better, fuller dialogues and sub-bass is awesome, thanks to the sub (compact sub that doesn’t overpower apartment and annoys neighbors). Movies and music both shine. Those who live in apartments and don’t want a Sonos sub, and having sound quality issues could consider this option. ONLY if you don’t care about Atmos. 


I sold my 500 over the weekend and replaced it with an Arc. Compared to the Bose, the Arc has a massive soundstage, which was a sore point that always used to bug me with the 500. Everything was tightly localised to under my TV. The bass response comparing bars alone is night and day with the Arc. Everyone has different taste preferences, so good to hear you are enjoying your setup.

In regards to the metallic sound, I had read this thread extensively before purchasing the Arc. Day one I had exactly what has been described above. Harsh treble, thin midrange and weak bass. I Trueplayed the bar using my 3 year old iPhone X. Admittedly, it has the usual ‘pocket fluff’ buildup in the mic.

The next morning I re-ran Trueplay with a 2018 iPad Pro (3rd gen 12.9”). The difference is remarkable. No harsh sibilance and midrange is full again. Previously, I was running -7 treble and noticed all of the ‘metallic sound’ comments. Now, the bar is at 0 Treble and -3 Bass sounding wonderful. 

There is definitely something odd going on with device specific Trueplay. Mic ports tend to fill with dust which would invariably lower treble response measurements. 

 

 

I also run trueplay with an iPhone SE original at first and then thought I would try my iPad pro 11” (1st generation) both true plays seemed the same to my ears. I don’t actually notice this harshness, I have listened to some content and voices have sounded bright, but I put that down to the content as most content I listen to is fine.

I run treble a -3, just because in general the soundbar sounds slightly brighter than my previous soundbar.

K
Userlevel 2
Badge +1

Just got Bose 500 soundbar with the sub 500 for the same price as Arc. There’s no competition whatsoever. Music is miles better, fuller dialogues and sub-bass is awesome, thanks to the sub (compact sub that doesn’t overpower apartment and annoys neighbors). Movies and music both shine. Those who live in apartments and don’t want a Sonos sub, and having sound quality issues could consider this option. ONLY if you don’t care about Atmos. 


I sold my 500 over the weekend and replaced it with an Arc. Compared to the Bose, the Arc has a massive soundstage, which was a sore point that always used to bug me with the 500. Everything was tightly localised to under my TV. The bass response comparing bars alone is night and day with the Arc. Everyone has different taste preferences, so good to hear you are enjoying your setup.

In regards to the metallic sound, I had read this thread extensively before purchasing the Arc. Day one I had exactly what has been described above. Harsh treble, thin midrange and weak bass. I Trueplayed the bar using my 3 year old iPhone X. Admittedly, it has the usual ‘pocket fluff’ buildup in the mic.

The next morning I re-ran Trueplay with a 2018 iPad Pro (3rd gen 12.9”). The difference is remarkable. No harsh sibilance and midrange is full again. Previously, I was running -7 treble and noticed all of the ‘metallic sound’ comments. Now, the bar is at 0 Treble and -3 Bass sounding wonderful. 

There is definitely something odd going on with device specific Trueplay. Mic ports tend to fill with dust which would invariably lower treble response measurements. 

 

C
Badge +1

@Krishma M @Scott - Sonos 

Was the latest update this week meant to fix metallic sound issues?

According to Sonos, there are no issues. Lol

Based on what, exactly? That contradicts their input in this thread. 

J
Userlevel 4
Badge +1

@Krishma M @Scott - Sonos 

Was the latest update this week meant to fix metallic sound issues?

According to Sonos, there are no issues. Lol

D
Userlevel 1
Badge +2

@Krishma M @Scott - Sonos 

Was the latest update this week meant to fix metallic sound issues?

A
Userlevel 6
Badge +6

Just got Bose 500 soundbar with the sub 500 for the same price as Arc. There’s no competition whatsoever. Music is miles better, fuller dialogues and sub-bass is awesome, thanks to the sub (compact sub that doesn’t overpower apartment and annoys neighbors). Movies and music both shine. Those who live in apartments and don’t want a Sonos sub, and having sound quality issues could consider this option. ONLY if you don’t care about Atmos. 

B
Userlevel 1
Badge +2


Hi all

Haven’t got my Arc yet as it’s on backorder. 
But I have been keenly following this and other threads with interest. 
Thought I’d share these videos by Peter Pee on YouTube. They may already be posted on here. 
He measures the frequency response of the Arc using different devices to show the effects. 
The video also discusses the issues people are experiencing with metallic sound, due to boosted treble after a truplay. 
Appreciate this will be very subjective to the individual listener and their surroundings. 
But thought it may help to show why they think it’s happening, and some of the things that can be tried to improve it. 
Im certainly not suggesting there is no underlying issue or potential faulty units in circulation. 
This is just something I’ll be using as a guide on setup, that may help someone out now.  🙂

Ultimately, if I experience similar listening discomfort after attempting to resolve through settings or Truplay device. It’ll be going back before the returns window expires.   😂

Good Luck
 


 

 

Yeah I watched all of his videos yesterday. 
 

it also depends of the individual phone too! 
 

I tuned mine with an iPhone XS and mine is perfect now. I think it has more to do with the position in the room which you tune than the phone model. 

D
Userlevel 1
Badge +2

Without trueplay engaged there is definitely no metallic sound in mine, it sounds muffled if anything without a correct trueplay tuning. 
 

after my first day of tuning I had a very trebly sharp sounding system. Very unpleasant. 
 

if you only have the “metallic” sound after tuning and if the arc sounds more muted and muffled without trueplay then I say it’s a trueplay issue. 
 

If your arc is all metallic before any tuning I’d say it may be a faulty unit perhaps. 

Its metallic before and after trueplay, have had a replacement arc and its the same. So annoying, im keeping hold of it only in the hope sonos sort it. I know what you mean about muffled sound before trueplay and can slightly tell the difference after trueplay but its hard to distinguish as the metallic sound is so vibrant & takes over any other frequencies.

H


Hi all

Haven’t got my Arc yet as it’s on backorder. 
But I have been keenly following this and other threads with interest. 
Thought I’d share these videos by Peter Pee on YouTube. They may already be posted on here. 
He measures the frequency response of the Arc using different devices to show the effects. 
The video also discusses the issues people are experiencing with metallic sound, due to boosted treble after a truplay. 
Appreciate this will be very subjective to the individual listener and their surroundings. 
But thought it may help to show why they think it’s happening, and some of the things that can be tried to improve it. 
Im certainly not suggesting there is no underlying issue or potential faulty units in circulation. 
This is just something I’ll be using as a guide on setup, that may help someone out now.  🙂

Ultimately, if I experience similar listening discomfort after attempting to resolve through settings or Truplay device. It’ll be going back before the returns window expires.   😂

Good Luck
 


 

 

B
Userlevel 1
Badge +2

Without trueplay engaged there is definitely no metallic sound in mine, it sounds muffled if anything without a correct trueplay tuning. 
 

after my first day of tuning I had a very trebly sharp sounding system. Very unpleasant. 
 

if you only have the “metallic” sound after tuning and if the arc sounds more muted and muffled without trueplay then I say it’s a trueplay issue. 
 

If your arc is all metallic before any tuning I’d say it may be a faulty unit perhaps. 

D
Userlevel 1
Badge +2

Ok I fixed it! So I trueplay tuned again but this time I did not move around the room. I just sat in my tv viewing spot and moved the phone around. And perfection!

 

and this was with an iPhone XS

To clarify, what issue has it fixed for you?

Doing trueplay from the couch only

I think they were asking - what issue did you previously have, which has now been fixed by redoing trueplay from the couch? 

Poor frequency response (no bass, tinny highs, no punch)

poor special separation. 
 

Bad sub and surrounds mix

I have just tried this trueplay in seating position and this is by no way a fix for the metallic sound from the voices we are all having, in fact it did nothing. I’m glad it did something for you, but that does for sure not fix this issue at all.

I think it proves though it’s clearly a trueplay tuning issue. It’s the way the frequencies are interacting in the room and how the information is being received and processes. 

Not sure i agree with this as trueplay is an added feature not a repair for bad sound. We shouldnt be having these such big issues with trueplay enabled or not.

Completely disagree. Every single sound system needs to be tuned for the space it’s in. No sound system will sound great without being correctly eq’d. And that’s what trueplay is. EQ. The EQ field in the Sonos app is not a room equalising feature, it is there to colour the sound to your liking. If you like more bass or treble than what trueplay sees as ideal then you can colour to your liking. 

I get that, but i have had multiple lower end soundbars before which obviously dont have the metallic sound and sounded a lot better than the arc. Maybe your issue is different to mine but the issue i am having is not a trueplay issue, it a fault with either software or hardware. Trueplay will most definetly better the sound to your surroundings but i have never heard a soundbar with tinny sound like this regards to room calibration or not. Something is missing from the sounbar itself, its like one of the speakers are not working.

B
Userlevel 1
Badge +2

Ok I fixed it! So I trueplay tuned again but this time I did not move around the room. I just sat in my tv viewing spot and moved the phone around. And perfection!

 

and this was with an iPhone XS

To clarify, what issue has it fixed for you?

Doing trueplay from the couch only

I think they were asking - what issue did you previously have, which has now been fixed by redoing trueplay from the couch? 

Poor frequency response (no bass, tinny highs, no punch)

poor special separation. 
 

Bad sub and surrounds mix

I have just tried this trueplay in seating position and this is by no way a fix for the metallic sound from the voices we are all having, in fact it did nothing. I’m glad it did something for you, but that does for sure not fix this issue at all.

I think it proves though it’s clearly a trueplay tuning issue. It’s the way the frequencies are interacting in the room and how the information is being received and processes. 

Not sure i agree with this as trueplay is an added feature not a repair for bad sound. We shouldnt be having these such big issues with trueplay enabled or not.

Completely disagree. Every single sound system needs to be tuned for the space it’s in. No sound system will sound great without being correctly eq’d. And that’s what trueplay is. EQ. The EQ field in the Sonos app is not a room equalising feature, it is there to colour the sound to your liking. If you like more bass or treble than what trueplay sees as ideal then you can colour to your liking. 

D
Userlevel 1
Badge +2

Ok I fixed it! So I trueplay tuned again but this time I did not move around the room. I just sat in my tv viewing spot and moved the phone around. And perfection!

 

and this was with an iPhone XS

To clarify, what issue has it fixed for you?

Doing trueplay from the couch only

I think they were asking - what issue did you previously have, which has now been fixed by redoing trueplay from the couch? 

Poor frequency response (no bass, tinny highs, no punch)

poor special separation. 
 

Bad sub and surrounds mix

I have just tried this trueplay in seating position and this is by no way a fix for the metallic sound from the voices we are all having, in fact it did nothing. I’m glad it did something for you, but that does for sure not fix this issue at all.

I think it proves though it’s clearly a trueplay tuning issue. It’s the way the frequencies are interacting in the room and how the information is being received and processes. 

Not sure i agree with this as trueplay is an added feature not a repair for bad sound. We shouldnt be having these such big issues with trueplay enabled or not.

B
Userlevel 1
Badge +2

Ok I fixed it! So I trueplay tuned again but this time I did not move around the room. I just sat in my tv viewing spot and moved the phone around. And perfection!

 

and this was with an iPhone XS

To clarify, what issue has it fixed for you?

Doing trueplay from the couch only

I think they were asking - what issue did you previously have, which has now been fixed by redoing trueplay from the couch? 

Poor frequency response (no bass, tinny highs, no punch)

poor special separation. 
 

Bad sub and surrounds mix

I have just tried this trueplay in seating position and this is by no way a fix for the metallic sound from the voices we are all having, in fact it did nothing. I’m glad it did something for you, but that does for sure not fix this issue at all.

I think it proves though it’s clearly a trueplay tuning issue. It’s the way the frequencies are interacting in the room and how the information is being received and processes. 

D
Userlevel 1
Badge +2

Ok I fixed it! So I trueplay tuned again but this time I did not move around the room. I just sat in my tv viewing spot and moved the phone around. And perfection!

 

and this was with an iPhone XS

To clarify, what issue has it fixed for you?

Doing trueplay from the couch only

I think they were asking - what issue did you previously have, which has now been fixed by redoing trueplay from the couch? 

Poor frequency response (no bass, tinny highs, no punch)

poor special separation. 
 

Bad sub and surrounds mix

I have just tried this trueplay in seating position and this is by no way a fix for the metallic sound from the voices we are all having, in fact it did nothing. I’m glad it did something for you, but that does for sure not fix this issue at all.

B
Userlevel 1
Badge +2

Ok I fixed it! So I trueplay tuned again but this time I did not move around the room. I just sat in my tv viewing spot and moved the phone around. And perfection!

 

and this was with an iPhone XS

To clarify, what issue has it fixed for you?

Doing trueplay from the couch only

I think they were asking - what issue did you previously have, which has now been fixed by redoing trueplay from the couch? 

Poor frequency response (no bass, tinny highs, no punch)

poor special separation. 
 

Bad sub and surrounds mix

C
Badge +1

Ok I fixed it! So I trueplay tuned again but this time I did not move around the room. I just sat in my tv viewing spot and moved the phone around. And perfection!

 

and this was with an iPhone XS

To clarify, what issue has it fixed for you?

Doing trueplay from the couch only

I think they were asking - what issue did you previously have, which has now been fixed by redoing trueplay from the couch? 

B
Userlevel 1
Badge +2

Ok I fixed it! So I trueplay tuned again but this time I did not move around the room. I just sat in my tv viewing spot and moved the phone around. And perfection!

 

and this was with an iPhone XS

To clarify, what issue has it fixed for you?

Doing trueplay from the couch only

D
Userlevel 1
Badge +2

Ok I fixed it! So I trueplay tuned again but this time I did not move around the room. I just sat in my tv viewing spot and moved the phone around. And perfection!

 

and this was with an iPhone XS

To clarify, what issue has it fixed for you?

C
Badge +1

Just watched avengers endgame when everyone comes through the worm holes and attacks thanos and oh my lord. Glorious. Amazing special separation, exceptional clarity and perfect amount of subs and surrounds. No need to adjust

Hah, I watched that after I retuned mine too! Glad you’ve got it set up to your satisfaction now! 

B
Userlevel 1
Badge +2

Just watched avengers endgame when everyone comes through the worm holes and attacks thanos in Atmos and oh my lord. Glorious. Amazing special separation, exceptional clarity and perfect amount of subs and surrounds. No need to adjust

C
Userlevel 6
Badge +11

Ok I fixed it! So I trueplay tuned again but this time I did not move around the room. I just sat in my tv viewing spot and moved the phone around. And perfection!

I also found this to be the best way for Trueplay, only move the phone where your ears are likely to be, ie along the sofa

https://en.community.sonos.com/home-theater-228993/optimum-trueplay-6842990

 

 

B
Userlevel 1
Badge +2

Ok I fixed it! So I trueplay tuned again but this time I did not move around the room. I just sat in my tv viewing spot and moved the phone around. And perfection!

 

and this was with an iPhone XS

J

In my opinion the music should sound exactly the same if it’s played via air play or through the Apple TV being encoded to DD5.1 because it’s still the same 2.0 source material. There may be a slight degradation in bitrate but not frequency response. If the Apple TV can take the 2.0 source and divide it up correctly then there is no reason why the arc can’t do The exact same thing. 
 

I see where you’re coming from but that isn’t how it works per se; it differs per source device, but broadly speaking if a source device (e.g. Apple TV) is set to output Dolby Digital in 5.1, if it is playing a stereo signal it’ll still output it in 5.1 - it’ll either fill the FL and FR channels and leave the other 3 channels empty or upmix the stereo input to the configured output codec (DD 5.1 in this case) - which would impact bass frequencies below a certain cut-off as the LFE channel for example. 

 

This is not the same thing as outputting stereo natively. If you think about it - if you had a full 5.1 setup with 5 speakers and a sub - how would you expect it to output stereo fed via a DD5.1? Dual-stereo? FL/FR only with no sub? FL/FR+Sub? Centre speaker?

 

Some Home Theater devices actually then do their own post-processing (or have various options) where they can take a stereo signal and upmix it to 5.1 (or other configs) but that’s another story. 

 

As I say - the only “true” comparison between an Apple TV and AirPlay would be to have them matched as closesly as possible (as with any other test - eliminate variables) - which in this case would mean simply setting the Apple TV to output digital stereo for the duration of the testing. 

I just try it, the same song shallow of bradley cooper with lady gaga don´t sound the same.

If you play from apple tv with the app music of apple rears don´t play the voices until mid single with the ambient sound and the sound have better quality that with airplay with the iphone, is like it was a movie and sound like DD5.1.

If you airplay the same song from music app in the iphone to the sonos arc all the speakers sounds together from the beginnig of the sound, less quality but more enjoyable like inmersive sound to hear all the voices sourroning you. 

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