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.
The microphone can be turned off on the Arc.
Read more here:
https://support.sonos.com/s/article/3250?language=en_US
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.
Or buy the Arc SL, the same speaker but with no mic or audio assistant.
Or buy the Arc SL, the same speaker but with no mic or audio assistant.
Exclusively from Costco IIRC
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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 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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