Contributor I

Answered

Sonos Arc - microphone

13 replies
3845 views

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

jgatie

If you don't add a voice assistant, the mic is disabled. There's also a mic on/off button that is hardwired to an LED so even if someone hacked into the unit (highly unlikely), they can't turn the mic on without you knowing.

UKMedia

Or buy the Arc SL, the same speaker but with no mic or audio assistant.

Remember: Sometimes Red Wine helps :)

bockersjv

Local Superstar

Or buy the Arc SL, the same speaker but with no mic or audio assistant.

Exclusively from Costco IIRC

M

muharzAuthor

Contributor I

The Arc SL sounds exactly like the product I’m looking for! Unfortunately, I’m from Europe and can’t buy it :-(. I really don’t like the idea to just have to believe that the microphone is off.

UKMedia

The Arc SL sounds exactly like the product I’m looking for! Unfortunately, I’m from Europe and can’t buy it :-(. I really don’t like the idea to just have to believe that the microphone is off.

Sorry I should have checked your location.

Remember: Sometimes Red Wine helps :)

jgatie

The Arc SL sounds exactly like the product I’m looking for! Unfortunately, I’m from Europe and can’t buy it :-(. I really don’t like the idea to just have to believe that the microphone is off.

You don’t “just have to believe the microphone is off”. The LED is hardwired to microphone power, if the microphone is on, the LED is on. If the microphone is off, the LED is off. You would have to physically open the unit and cut the wire to defeat the LED.

Now if that isn’t definitive enough for you, then I wouldn’t be carrying a cell phone around, because those are proven to be spying on you, and there’s no LED for the mic. You do carry a cell phone, right?

M

muharzAuthor

Contributor I

You don’t “just have to believe the microphone is off”. The LED is hardwired to microphone power, if the microphone is on, the LED is on. If the microphone is off, the LED is off. You would have to physically open the unit and cut the wire to defeat the LED.

OK but who checks the LED all the time?

Alternatively, I could just block internet access for the soundbar in my router, right? I only want to stream music from my phone and watch movies, so the Soundbar shouldn’t need internet access.

Airgetlam

It does need its radios turned on in order to communicate with the surround speakers and the Sub, plus it needs internet access initially to be set up/activated.

Bruce

jgatie

OK but who checks the LED all the time?

Alternatively, I could just block internet access for the soundbar in my router, right? I only want to stream music from my phone and watch movies, so the Soundbar shouldn’t need internet access.

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 ask again, do you carry a cell phone?

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