Sonos Arc - microphone

13 replies
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Hi,

I’m currently searching for a home theater system and the sonos approach really seems the thing I want. I’m very concerned about the microphone. I really don’t want any microphone listening to me all the time and I really don’t trust a microphone that’s on all the time. Is there a way to disable the microphone or even break it physically? This is really the only thing that’s preventing me from buying an Arc soundbar.

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G

GuitarSuperstarAnswer

Lead Maestro

The microphone can be turned off on the Arc.

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi

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M

muharzAuthor

Contributor I

If you don’t add a voice assistant (you have to manually add one), the microphone is disabled and cannot be turned on. No need to check the LED.

=> I’ve sworn myself never to put any permanent listening device in my room. The reason is very simple: I don’t know sonos and I don’t trust them.

I ask again, do you carry a cell phone?

I don’t trust sonos or any other device like alexa for that matter. It’s that simple. I see no need to add another company besides my phone manufacturer to get unconditional trust from me while potentially bugging my home. I’d feel much better if I knew that it’s physically just not possible to listen to my private conversations in that room. A microphone switch can be turned on remotely. Sonos in the past didn’t want their users to return defective playbars, instead they just sent a new one and “remotely bricked the old device”. Dude, WTF. If they can do that, they for sure can activate the mic! I don’t feel safe with a potential listening device in my living room.

jgatie

I don’t trust sonos or any other device like alexa for that matter. It’s that simple. I see no need to add another company besides my phone manufacturer to get unconditional trust from me while potentially bugging my home. I’d feel much better if I knew that it’s physically just not possible to listen to my private conversations in that room. A microphone switch can be turned on remotely. Sonos in the past didn’t want their users to return defective playbars, instead they just sent a new one and “remotely bricked the old device”. Dude, WTF. If they can do that, they for sure can activate the mic! I don’t feel safe with a potential listening device in my living room.

Yet, you constantly carry around a device which has been proven to be recording you, often against your permission, and can't be turned off. Call me baffled.

M

muharzAuthor

Contributor I

I don’t trust sonos or any other device like alexa for that matter. It’s that simple. I see no need to add another company besides my phone manufacturer to get unconditional trust from me while potentially bugging my home. I’d feel much better if I knew that it’s physically just not possible to listen to my private conversations in that room. A microphone switch can be turned on remotely. Sonos in the past didn’t want their users to return defective playbars, instead they just sent a new one and “remotely bricked the old device”. Dude, WTF. If they can do that, they for sure can activate the mic! I don’t feel safe with a potential listening device in my living room.

Yet, you constantly carry around a device which has been proven to be recording you, often against your permission, and can't be turned off. Call me baffled.

I don’t think you understand my concern.

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