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Sonos Arc - Metallic Sound

A
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Hi All.

It’s a relief that Sonos has identified the bug that’s causing the bass distortion in Sonos Arc. Thank you @Ryan S for working with the Sonos Communty to identify the problem quickly.

Having said this, I believe that Sonos still needs more work to make the Arc sound as it was advertised. Currently, multiple people on Reddit including myself are reporting the highs being too high which sort of feels “harsh”. This improve the speech clarity and brings out details in the movies, but the warmth in speech is lost because the voices sound thin and metallic (for eg. actors I know having heavy voices don’t sound heavy). I was expecting the mid-range to be a lot better considering the Arc has 8 woofers. 

I have tried TruPlaying twice without success (Turning TruPlay off produces muffled sound). Adjusting the treble also did not help much. Loudness turned on and off does not make a big difference either. May be, this is how the Arc is tuned?!

 Anyone else feels that Arc is over-emphasizing the highs with compromised mids?

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Best answer by Scott - Sonos 3 July 2020, 00:56

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1017 replies

Ken_Griffiths

Below that level it is absolutely marvelous, i am just stumped by drastic change in sound signature at higher volumes.

No Arc for me, i am talking about a recently purchased single Five for the living room. I do, however, have a full HT setup with Beam in the other room and didn’t experience something like since for years of having it.

Thank you very much for the tips!

Ah sorry I thought because of the thread title here, it was a Sonos Arc you were referring too - my bad.

I see now that you have another thread on the go with Sonos Staff, so hope you get the answers you’re looking for.🤞

Mutiny
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I would have thought that there’s perhaps a legal/moral responsibility these days to not be too far over the 85dB limit, but I’m certainly no expert in this area, but would say if the audio-output is not being ‘limited’ much below that level then the speaker is probably working as expected.

I was going to say if the limiter ‘clearly’ kicked-in earlier and noticeably below that volume-level to perhaps go back to Support and see what they may think about it.

Another thought occurred to me aswell…

Is the Arc in your case wall-mounted by any chance? If so, see this YT video…

 

Below that level it is absolutely marvelous, i am just stumped by drastic change in sound signature at higher volumes.

No Arc for me, i am talking about a recently purchased single Five for the living room. I do, however, have a full HT setup with Beam in the other room and didn’t experience something like since for years of having it.

Thank you very much for the tips!

Ken_Griffiths

I would have thought that there’s perhaps a legal/moral responsibility these days to not be too far over the 85dB limit, but I’m certainly no expert in this area, but would say if the audio-output is not being ‘limited’ much below that level then the speaker is probably working as expected.

I was going to say if the limiter ‘clearly’ kicked-in earlier and noticeably below that volume-level to perhaps go back to Support and see what they may think about it.

Another thought occurred to me aswell…

Is the Arc in your case wall-mounted by any chance? If so, see this YT video…

 

Mutiny
Badge

You should maybe call Sonos.

I did and they told there is an internal limiter to keep the speaker from damage.

I am very confused. What’s the point in powerful speaker if i can’t use its full power.

I mean it sounds very good on 70-75 volume and i would probably never go higher than that. Still this is all very strange to me.

Maybe see what the volume dB level is, using a mobile App, at the point when the limiter kicks in and then see how it compares to the attached chart (as a rough guide). If it’s not that loud, then you might want to go back to Sonos Support and see what they say.

I would put your mobile, out it’s case/cover, say 6-8 feet away out in front (and level) with the speaker to take your readings, using a variety of different audio sources to the point where you notice the limiter.

I use an Arc with an LG C9 TV and in our lounge and I would probably not go too far above 65% volume for ‘loud’ listening, but I appreciate we each hear things differently in our different environments, but hope the suggestion here assists.

Thank you Ken, i will definitely try your suggestion.

The thing is that in my full HT setup in the other room i will not go past 50 for loud movies/games etc. I do also think that it is more than enough. Even when i go to, say, 95 the sound signature does not drastically change. It’s just the same but obviously louder.

However my single Five is in the living room, bigger space. And Five is not than punchy before 50 to be honest. It is a very capable speaker though, i instantly fell in love with it on my first listening. The only purpose of it is music. But when i go above 75 i can instantly feel like the low end and midrange is gone. Only harsh, almost metallic treble is left.

Maybe i should try different room and position to troubleshoot, still i didn’t expect this to happen.

 

UPD - so, yeah, 75 in my living room is around 85 dB. I guess i just shouldn’t go above that). Interesting, i have never experienced something like this with my other speakers before.

Ken_Griffiths

You should maybe call Sonos.

I did and they told there is an internal limiter to keep the speaker from damage.

I am very confused. What’s the point in powerful speaker if i can’t use its full power.

I mean it sounds very good on 70-75 volume and i would probably never go higher than that. Still this is all very strange to me.

Maybe see what the volume dB level is, using a mobile App, at the point when the limiter kicks in and then see how it compares to the attached chart (as a rough guide). If it’s not that loud, then you might want to go back to Sonos Support and see what they say.

I would put your mobile, out it’s case/cover, say 6-8 feet away out in front (and level) with the speaker to take your readings, using a variety of different audio sources to the point where you notice the limiter.

I use an Arc with an LG C9 TV and in our lounge and I would probably not go too far above 65% volume for ‘loud’ listening, but I appreciate we each hear things differently in our different environments, but hope the suggestion here assists.

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Mutiny
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You should maybe call Sonos.

I did and they told there is an internal limiter to keep the speaker from damage.

I am very confused. What’s the point in powerful speaker if i can’t use its full power.

I mean it sounds very good on 70-75 volume and i would probably never go higher than that. Still this is all very strange to me.

R

Are you using S1 or S2? PLAYBAR is compatible with S1 and S2.

When you are playing TV, ARC will report the type of audio it is processing. What type of audio is your TV sending to ARC?

Be sure to check for silly things, such as the TV is still using its own speakers, not sending anything to ARC. Or both the TV’s speakers and ARC are active.

My bad. I was a bit short on the right info.

The setup in the living room is now a Sonos Arc, Sub Gen.1 and two Era100.
‘Old setup’ was Sonos Playbar, Sub Gen.1 and two Play 1’s.

Connected the Sonos Arc to my Samsung QE65Q90.
Set everything right to make use of eARC. Sound of the TV is off.
I’ve hit Treuplay with different devices on different spots (walking across the room and sitting a the spot in front of the tv for tuning.
Played with the EQ and different settings.
But can’t find a sweet spot or even the feeling(or a better feeling) of sound that my ‘old’ Playbar pushed around.
Voices are just in front of the TV instead of being in the conversation.
Arc is downgrading/tuning the experience of the bass of the Sub.
Music and TV experience with the Arc is just flat, thin, metallic, mono like.

Watching TV with a (T-Mobile/Odidio) TV app on Samsung sends Dolby Multichannel 2.0 PCM (over all speakers)
Watching Netflix (Standard) sound Dolby Multichannel PCM 5.1 on most series/movies 
Not played Dolby Atmos specific content, but my main problem is with the sound/experience the Arc is producing in this setup.

Also listening music is ‘just not great. (But the main reason in the living room, is using it for TV)

I moved my Sonos Play 1’s to the bedroom and installed a new Sonos Ray for the setup.
If you ask me even this setup sounds better and more warm than the setup with the Sonos Arc in my living room.

In my office room I’ve a set of Sonos One’s with a Sonos Sub Mini for listening music while I’m working.
Maybe the sub is overkill there, but also much better sounds experience.

106rallye
Userlevel 7
Badge +17

You should maybe call Sonos.

Mutiny
Badge

I kinda have the same issue but with recently purchased single Five.

On a 75+ volume sound becomes very thin and harsh as if low end is completely gone. The difference is instant and so obvious that i can physically feel it no matter where i am in the living room. TP on/off, no difference. No issues with my HT Beam 2 + Ones + Sub 3 setup though.

What’s happening?

buzz

Are you using S1 or S2? PLAYBAR is compatible with S1 and S2.

When you are playing TV, ARC will report the type of audio it is processing. What type of audio is your TV sending to ARC?

Be sure to check for silly things, such as the TV is still using its own speakers, not sending anything to ARC. Or both the TV’s speakers and ARC are active.

R

What a disappointment.

Was upgrading my Play 1 to Era 100.

Found out they don’t work with the Playbar in setup. So got myself the Arc. (And the combination of my Sub).

Installed everything and turned the TV on. The sound from the Arc compared to the Playbar is just metallic mono like. Like TV speakers.

All setup with TreuPlay and tweaked some settings, but can’t get used to the sound of the Arc. It’s just flat. Considering returning it

A

Same here. Watching movies and playing Xbox with the latest update. Hopefully they can update this issue. Probably should of got a Bose

Airgetlam

Since you’ve tried everything, probably best if you were to call Sonos Support directly to discuss it.

When you speak directly to the phone folks, they have tools at their disposal that will allow them to give you advice specific to your Sonos system and network.

 

Bruce
L

I am having the same issue with a recently purchased Arc. Dialogue sounds extremely underwhelming and tinny. Have tried all available settings. 

C
Userlevel 1
Badge +1

Hi Ken,

thanks for the quick response, no it’s not wall mounted just sitting on a low tv unit, although the tv is wall mounted so is sitting approx 1 foot below the tv.

I did try true play before and it made no difference, just tried it again but this time I did not walk around the room too much I kind of just rotated slowly in the middle of the living room as I read someone reported they cured the harshness by not moving around the room, but If you just sit on the sofa it knows you are not moving etc. so need to test some more.

no I did not check with Sonos support, I guess I can discuss with JL if I get no joy.

forgot to say it’s a complete setup, so Arc, Sub gen 3, 2 x One’s gen 2.

Before I got the arc and sub I just used the Ones for stereo music and have always been very impressed with them, so upgraded to the Era 100’s and these are even better, so I then added the Ones to the arc and sub.

Ken_Griffiths

@corky123,

One further thing - did you try ‘bonding’ the two Era-100’s to the Arc as a Home Theatre - some users seem to say that makes the entire system sound better. It ought to be worth trying those things before putting the Arc back in its box.

Ken_Griffiths

I got an arc recently I was not impressed with the high frequency, first thing I noticed out the box was how toppy and bright it was, listening to female newsreaders who are kind of whistling as they say any words with the letter “s” in it. I boxed it all up for a while and got it out again yesterday and upgraded the software so it’s now on 15.5 but still far too bright. I compared a music track between my  2 x Era 100’s and the Arc, the Era’s are not bright at all, but the Arc was much too toppy, like the treble is at maximum all the time.

I’ve turned the treble down to -3 but it’s not really improved.

I got it from John Lewis and as it’s been opened can’t really take it back very easily. Wish I got it from Sonos direct now.

  • Is the Arc wall-mounted, or not? If so, do you use the mount with the built in magnets?
  • Is the issue any better with Trueplay enabled/disabled?
  • Did you check with Sonos Support if the device was perhaps faulty?
  • What was wrong with using the manufacturers one year warranty, that’s if it is faulty?
  • John Lewis in the U.K. are unlikely to quibble if you return something within 12 weeks - I have returned a £400 food processor in the past in that kind of time period, because it would not fit beneath the Kitchen worktop and cupboards in our Kitchen.. we had to move to the next size down.
C
Userlevel 1
Badge +1

I got an arc recently I was not impressed with the high frequency, first thing I noticed out the box was how toppy and bright it was, listening to female newsreaders who are kind of whistling as they say any words with the letter “s” in it. I boxed it all up for a while and got it out again yesterday and upgraded the software so it’s now on 15.5 but still far too bright. I compared a music track between my  2 x Era 100’s and the Arc, the Era’s are not bright at all, but the Arc was much too toppy, like the treble is at maximum all the time.

I’ve turned the treble down to -3 but it’s not really improved.

I got it from John Lewis and as it’s been opened can’t really take it back very easily. Wish I got it from Sonos direct now.

Ken_Griffiths

My 135 inch screen projector screen has an Arc and I own over 30 Sonos speakers, 7 TVs, all of which have a beam. I think it is the worst speaker that Sonos has ever made. There will be no doubt at all that the beam sounds way better in just about everything you throw at it, regardless of the cost. This thread as been very helpful to me as I thought I was losing my mind. I have tried mounting it over and under the screen, as well as tuning it using the iPad but nothing works, the ARC sounds like a cheap speaker and is not well suited to dealing with voices from any source. Please Sonos, make some changes to this product or admit that you have a shaky product and let us know about it. It should be noted that I have owned it for sufficient time for it to bed in or whatever it needed to do over the past year and I have noticed no improvement in my hearing over the past year

Really? - I have the Arc and two Beams - I find the Arc sounds way better than the Beam for every type of playing audio and It most certainly outshines the Beam when playing Dolby Atmos surround sound (either compressed DD+ or uncompressed DD TrueHD) - maybe it’s your connected Projector that is at the heart of the issue here🤔?

I have Era-300’s and Sub x2 attached to the Arc - what’s not to like about that particular setup?

I

My 135 inch screen projector screen has an Arc and I own over 30 Sonos speakers, 7 TVs, all of which have a beam. I think it is the worst speaker that Sonos has ever made. There will be no doubt at all that the beam sounds way better in just about everything you throw at it, regardless of the cost. This thread as been very helpful to me as I thought I was losing my mind. I have tried mounting it over and under the screen, as well as tuning it using the iPad but nothing works, the ARC sounds like a cheap speaker and is not well suited to dealing with voices from any source. Please Sonos, make some changes to this product or admit that you have a shaky product and let us know about it. It should be noted that I have owned it for sufficient time for it to bed in or whatever it needed to do over the past year and I have noticed no improvement in my hearing over the past year

D

Guys did u notice difference in Arcs sound profile after release 15.4.? Not causing  severe discomfort  to ears now despite sound is still kind of strong and not so warm....ssshhhh sound effect is also significantly reduced..   Sonos started it's attempt in the right direction from 14.12 with clarity upgrade to Arc...Sonos pls continue ur attempts in providing warm sound....don't stop...not 100% yet.

Dickyboy
Badge

Hi All.

It’s a relief that Sonos has identified the bug that’s causing the bass distortion in Sonos Arc. Thank you @Ryan S for working with the Sonos Communty to identify the problem quickly.

Having said this, I believe that Sonos still needs more work to make the Arc sound as it was advertised. Currently, multiple people on Reddit including myself are reporting the highs being too high which sort of feels “harsh”. This improve the speech clarity and brings out details in the movies, but the warmth in speech is lost because the voices sound thin and metallic (for eg. actors I know having heavy voices don’t sound heavy). I was expecting the mid-range to be a lot better considering the Arc has 8 woofers. 

I have tried TruPlaying twice without success (Turning TruPlay off produces muffled sound). Adjusting the treble also did not help much. Loudness turned on and off does not make a big difference either. May be, this is how the Arc is tuned?!

 Anyone else feels that Arc is over-emphasizing the highs with compromised mids?

Totally agree, sound clarity is great but also quite harsh.

N

Did you compare with the Beam? Same problem?

Yep. The Beam sounded so much worse in my space that I boxed it back up and returned it within the hour.

I’ve kept the Arc. After doing more research, I made a few changes:

  1. I found that if I used my older 12” iPad (before the newer apple processors) for the Trueplay tuning I had much better results.
  2. My room is arranged with the TV on the wall and Arc directly beneath that on a shelf, with a sofa mid-way through the room facing it, then a dining table behind that, between the sofa and the far wall. When I ran the Trueplay I made sure that I didn’t walk further than than the back of the sofa, about half-way in the room. That helped a lot, especially since we generally watch TV on the sofa and not while dining.
  3. I’ve since added 2 Ikea Symfonisk picture frames to the “back” wall behind the dining table, and it has made quite a difference. Can definitely recommend if your budget accommodates it. In store I tested the frame against the lamp and bookshelf speaker, and it was by far the best sounding. The lamp was ok, but the bookshelf speaker sounded cheap and boxy – definitely one to avoid.
  4. Finally, I tweaked the EQ: Bass +1, Treble -1, Loudness ON. For Surround Audio I changed: TV Level +2, to account for the distance from the Symfonisks to the back of the sofa.

I’m pretty happy with the setup now: Arc + Sub(G3) + 2x Symfonisk Frames. There’s much less high-pitched annoyances from dialogue, deeper voices have some of their timbre back.

Unfortunately I’m still having to “ride the remote” for certain TV shows & most movies, maybe a little more than I did with my Bose system, but the improved 5.1 and 7.1 sound makes up for it.

It would be great if I could normalise the loudness a little more. Watching action movies/programmes (eg. Marvel), the volume can jump a lot in a very short space of time between quiet dialog and loud music/effects. I’m a little concerned for neighbours. Maybe Volume Limit would help in this case? I’ve reduced it a little but haven’t noticed an impact yet. Need to test it more.

K
Badge +2

Just bought the Arc + Sub3, after having a demo in RicherSounds in the UK. I thought it sounded metallic in the store but the sales guy said it was due to the height of the demo room.

After finishing setup in my 4m x 4m x 2.3m living room, with carpet and other soft furnishings, the sounds is… metallic and shrill. Movies I know well sound odd. There seems to be a clear gap in the midrange. Voices have no timbre. As and Ts sound harsh. TrueSound doesn’t help at all.

This is running 14.20.1; I was hoping I’d be running and old SW version and upgrade would fix this, but no.

It seems to be worst with 7.1TrueHD audio. And the volume is all over the place; action sounds can fill out the midrange, but they become super loud, so need to be turned down. Moments later, during conversation, I’m reaching for the remote to turn up the speaker so I can hear what they’re saying. I really don’t want to be surfing the remote with everything I watch.

Switching to 5.1 seems to help a little, but not enough to be a good “fix”. Turning off the sub doesn’t help much either.

At the weekend I’m going to grab a Beam for a comparison, but I’m 90% sure this £1600 speaker combo will be returned next week. I did my research and all the reviews said Sonos was a clear winner in the tests, but honestly my Bose SoundLink Mini seems to provide better midrange over Bluetooth than this “market leader”.

If anyone has a fix for this I’m sure the community would love to hear it. And I’d love to hear what people moved to if they’re happy after returning their Arc.

Did you compare with the Beam? Same problem?

N

Just bought the Arc + Sub3, after having a demo in RicherSounds in the UK. I thought it sounded metallic in the store but the sales guy said it was due to the height of the demo room.

After finishing setup in my 4m x 4m x 2.3m living room, with carpet and other soft furnishings, the sounds is… metallic and shrill. Movies I know well sound odd. There seems to be a clear gap in the midrange. Voices have no timbre. As and Ts sound harsh. TrueSound doesn’t help at all.

This is running 14.20.1; I was hoping I’d be running and old SW version and upgrade would fix this, but no.

It seems to be worst with 7.1TrueHD audio. And the volume is all over the place; action sounds can fill out the midrange, but they become super loud, so need to be turned down. Moments later, during conversation, I’m reaching for the remote to turn up the speaker so I can hear what they’re saying. I really don’t want to be surfing the remote with everything I watch.

Switching to 5.1 seems to help a little, but not enough to be a good “fix”. Turning off the sub doesn’t help much either.

At the weekend I’m going to grab a Beam for a comparison, but I’m 90% sure this £1600 speaker combo will be returned next week. I did my research and all the reviews said Sonos was a clear winner in the tests, but honestly my Bose SoundLink Mini seems to provide better midrange over Bluetooth than this “market leader”.

If anyone has a fix for this I’m sure the community would love to hear it. And I’d love to hear what people moved to if they’re happy after returning their Arc.

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