Skip to main content
ggmogollon
Enthusiast II
June 10, 2020
Answered

Sonos Arc Muddy/Bottoming out Bass

Beyond thrilled to receive the new Sonos Arc. True played my room and I have loudness on as well connected to LG B8 using Tidal and Spotify. Most of the sound range is phenomenal, aside from the bass. At even half volume the woofers are extremely muddy and sound terrible. Not sure if this is because I have under two hours of use but I wasn’t expecting to have to break-in the speaker. I own set of speakers next to it in the same room (KEF LS50W) and the difference is night and day. There have also been posts on Reddit regarding this issue. It is interesting given no reviewers have mentioned this issue but more than a few recipients have. Has anyone else experienced similar issues? Turning loudness off helps but it is disappointing for such a highly anticipated product. 

    This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.
    Scott - SonosAnswer
    Sonos Product Management
    July 2, 2020

    Hello everyone. I’m a product manager at Sonos. Thank you for sharing your experiences with Arc. The development team is monitoring this community and listening to your feedback. 

    As we do with all Sonos products, we’ll continue to improve the experience for Arc through numerous software updates into the future. Last week we issued our first update (12.0.1) to fix a bug some customers were experiencing with low-frequency distortion at higher volumes. 

    If you have specific music tracks or timestamps for TV shows and movies that you want to bring to our attention, please use this form. It is helpful if you can submit a diagnostic when you’re listening to the content. Instructions for doing so can be found here.

    View in thread

    1406 replies

    Show previous replies
    lbenwell66
    Lyricist III
    October 3, 2020

    Pretty average and arguably unhelpful advice, Powel20k-ce. I didn’t expect to pay £800 for a product and then it start to incrementally under-perform upwards of 50% volume. Why create a product that has a high capacity, but lacks the performance to cope? I best start saving for the ridiculously priced Sub or a pair if 5’s in order to side-step the hugely disappointing flaw.

    Huntsman180
    Enthusiast I
    October 3, 2020

    My bass is still TERRIBLE when watching ANY film or music when the volume is set above 50%...even with all of the ‘updates’ thus far. Sonos, please help. This product has to be considered not fit for purpose. This performance complaint is when using the Arc on its own. For £800, it should be a lot more capable that it is. I CANNOT listen to any music on the volume I should be able to with this ‘premium’ product. Please advise.

    You may have un realistic expectations for a sound bar. The drivers simply aren't big enough for the bass you are expecting. Perhaps you should try in store before purchasing next so you can manage those expectations accordingly 

    lbenwell66
    Lyricist III
    October 3, 2020

    ...and the average advice continues. £800, bug ‘fixes’ straight out of the gate due to bass performance issues (that should’ve been noticed and addressed via pre-launch testing), more lyrical wax than you can shake a stick at from Sonos pre-launch, and then the product lands at your door and you can't push the volume past 50%? Behave. Don't get me wrong, up to that volume the product is very impressive, but I like my music a little louder on occasion and didn’t expect to have to fiddle with the EQ as much as I have. I’m committed to it and will be purchasing the sub in time. Very disappointed that I will have to do that, though.

    Huntsman180
    Enthusiast I
    October 3, 2020

    ...and the average advice continues. £800, bug ‘fixes’ straight out of the gate due to bass performance issues (that should’ve been noticed and addressed via pre-launch testing), more lyrical wax than you can shake a stick at from Sonos pre-launch, and then the product lands at your door and you can't push the volume past 50%? Behave. Don't get me wrong, up to that volume the product is very impressive, but I like my music a little louder on occasion and didn’t expect to have to fiddle with the EQ as much as I have. I’m committed to it and will be purchasing the sub in time. Very disappointed that I will have to do that, though.

     

    So try instore before you purchase is average advice?

     

    Moderator Note: Modified in accordance with the community guidelines.

    lbenwell66
    Lyricist III
    October 3, 2020

    Honestly, yes. Trying out a brand new, top of the range, £800 product from a globally recognised specialist company like Sonos? Shouldn’t be necessary, surely? As if you would be allowed to put it through its paces over 50% volume in-store. You didn't need to stoop to insults either, Huntsman 180. I was merely airing my disappointment on a platform that it was intended for, along with a wide wide gamut of other more favourable comments where applicable. Apologies if I’ve offended anyone other than Huntsman 180. 

    Huntsman180
    Enthusiast I
    October 3, 2020

    Honestly, yes. Trying out a brand new, top of the range, £800 product from a globally recognised specialist company like Sonos? Shouldn’t be necessary, surely? As if you would be allowed to put it through its paces over 50% volume in-store. You didn't need to stoop to insults either, Huntsman 180. I was merely airing my disappointment on a platform that it was intended for, along with a wide wide gamut of other more favourable comments where applicable. Apologies if I’ve offended anyone other than Huntsman 

    Well if your spending that kind of money on a sound bar I suggest in the future you do some research first

     

    lbenwell66
    Lyricist III
    October 3, 2020

    Are you in your teens? Your desperation to have the last word is embarrassing. 

    Huntsman180
    Enthusiast I
    October 4, 2020

    Are you in your teens? Your desperation to have the last word is embarrassing. 

    Glad to help

    Bernado
    Trending Lyricist III
    October 4, 2020

    Are you in your teens? Your desperation to have the last word is embarrassing. 

    Glad to help

     

     

    AndyTS
    Lyricist I
    October 5, 2020

    Beyond thrilled to receive the new Sonos Arc. True played my room and I have loudness on as well connected to LG B8 using Tidal and Spotify. Most of the sound range is phenomenal, aside from the bass. At even half volume the woofers are extremely muddy and sound terrible. Not sure if this is because I have under two hours of use but I wasn’t expecting to have to break-in the speaker. I own set of speakers next to it in the same room (KEF LS50W) and the difference is night and day. There have also been posts on Reddit regarding this issue. It is interesting given no reviewers have mentioned this issue but more than a few recipients have. Has anyone else experienced similar issues? Turning loudness off helps but it is disappointing for such a highly anticipated product. 

    I’ll add to the list of Arc owners with bass issues.  On 12.1 software and firmware on the speakers.  Trueplay done and loudness switch off.  Bass at +2

    I thought this was supposed to be fixed?

    I received mine this last Thursday.  Noticed strange bass issues watching The Old Guard on Netflix.  Tried some music.  Played some tracks from Carrie Underwood’s Christmas album.

    What I heard was a “stutter” sound when things like explosions or machine gun shots.  On the music, it was the same quick bass stutter sound whenever there was a kick drum hit.  I definitely would not consider Carrie Underwood music “bass heavy”.  It’s when there’s a quick bass hit.  Not really noticing it on longer bass notes.

    Instead of a quick “boom” sound you would usually hear, it’s kind of a distorted stutter.

    I really don't want to spend another 600 on a sub.  The bass on the Arc alone would be fine, if it weren’t for the stutter bass. 

    Strongly considering returning the Arc and the 2 One SLs I got with it.  I’m very concerned because they say it’s fixed and I’m still hearing it.

    Show more replies
    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement