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Sonos Arc Muddy/Bottoming out Bass

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B
Userlevel 5
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I received my arcana today from preordering in June.

I can confidently say my bass issues are gone.  I don't even understand how or why... But the bass is good now.  I'm assuming somehow the audio is handled but no idea.  Just sharing my experience and I'm glad I can stop checking this thread for updates or waiting for beta updates.

I'm sad it took a $135 product to do this on an already $800 product but it is fixed for me because of it.  I also get TrueHD/Atmos now to boot!

 

M
Userlevel 3

I received my arcana today from preordering in June.

I can confidently say my bass issues are gone.  I don't even understand how or why... But the bass is good now.  I'm assuming somehow the audio is handled but no idea.  Just sharing my experience and I'm glad I can stop checking this thread for updates or waiting for beta updates.

I'm sad it took a $135 product to do this on an already $800 product but it is fixed for me because of it.  I also get TrueHD/Atmos now to boot!

 

Arcana didn’t fix the wobbly bass, todays firmware update fixed it.

T

I received my arcana today from preordering in June.

I can confidently say my bass issues are gone.  I don't even understand how or why... But the bass is good now.  I'm assuming somehow the audio is handled but no idea.  Just sharing my experience and I'm glad I can stop checking this thread for updates or waiting for beta updates.

I'm sad it took a $135 product to do this on an already $800 product but it is fixed for me because of it.  I also get TrueHD/Atmos now to boot!

 

Arcana didn’t fix the wobbly bass, todays firmware update fixed it.

It was Edit *not* an  update today. Peter posted the video on YouTube (which I linked at the end of page 51 of this thread) today showing last week's software update to 12.0.6 along with the past 12.0.5 firmware update that fixed the bass issue.   No update came out today.

B
Userlevel 5
Badge +4

I didn't get any firmware update.  I'm part of a beta so my firmware is different since last week.

 

I unplugged my arcana and it sounded bad and plugged it in and it sounds good.  Not going to argue online but just stating my experience.  Good luck to everyone though.  Things are good for me now so no need to follow the thread anymore.

B

I received my arcana today from preordering in June.

I can confidently say my bass issues are gone.  I don't even understand how or why... But the bass is good now.  I'm assuming somehow the audio is handled but no idea.  Just sharing my experience and I'm glad I can stop checking this thread for updates or waiting for beta updates.

I'm sad it took a $135 product to do this on an already $800 product but it is fixed for me because of it.  I also get TrueHD/Atmos now to boot!

 

Sorry, but whats an Arcane?

A

In my opinion 12.0.5 firmware and 12.0.6 app fixes almost all problems with bass. What it doesn’t cover is specific heavy bass songs/movies near 50% and above volume. But it is tremendous progress :)

E
Userlevel 3
Badge +5

 

 

Sorry, but whats an Arcane?

https://www.hdfury.com/product/4k-arcana-18gbps/

B
Userlevel 3
Badge +4

I’ve not written up on this in a while. I too had some serious concerns and had my arc swapped out. Sounded thin, muddy and just a let down from the beam. I already had a sub so after a while I just left well enough alone and let the sub do it’s thing. After seeing it updated I just turned off the sub to see how it sounds. 
 

Night and day - bass is so much better. It’s a much warmer and more inviting sound.


What odd is even with the sub the last week had me reaching for the app and putting it on night mode to lessen the thump. Before I never touched it. Completely subjective as I don’t believe the update impacts the sub. But it sounds better recently. 

Beam. 2x Play:1 - 2x Play One (gen 2) - Sub - 2x Play 5 - Move
E
Userlevel 4
Badge +5

I didn't get any firmware update.  I'm part of a beta so my firmware is different since last week.

 

I unplugged my arcana and it sounded bad and plugged it in and it sounds good.  Not going to argue online but just stating my experience.  Good luck to everyone though.  Things are good for me now so no need to follow the thread anymore.

I’m in the same situation as you (same software same Arcana), but I don’t really see how the Arcana could possibly impact wireless streaming… So if you are hearing improvement in all situations, it can’t be because of the Arcana.

S
Userlevel 4
Badge +4

I didn't get any firmware update.  I'm part of a beta so my firmware is different since last week.

 

I unplugged my arcana and it sounded bad and plugged it in and it sounds good.  Not going to argue online but just stating my experience.  Good luck to everyone though.  Things are good for me now so no need to follow the thread anymore.

I’m in the same situation as you (same software same Arcana), but I don’t really see how the Arcana could possibly impact wireless streaming… So if you are hearing improvement in all situations, it can’t be because of the Arcana.

Edit for clarification.

I recently got Arcana, but that wasnt the fix for me. I did the comparison without arcana before and after the new firmware and app. The firmware alone didnt do it when i updated, BUT once I redid truplay it sounds much better now. I tested before and after using spotify airplay and there is a big improvement.

S
Userlevel 4
Badge +4

I’ve not written up on this in a while. I too had some serious concerns and had my arc swapped out. Sounded thin, muddy and just a let down from the beam. I already had a sub so after a while I just left well enough alone and let the sub do it’s thing. After seeing it updated I just turned off the sub to see how it sounds. 
 

Night and day - bass is so much better. It’s a much warmer and more inviting sound.


What odd is even with the sub the last week had me reaching for the app and putting it on night mode to lessen the thump. Before I never touched it. Completely subjective as I don’t believe the update impacts the sub. But it sounds better recently. 

Here is my recommendation, if you havent done it in a while re-do truplay. Make sure to stay in your couch to TV area dont go around the room dont go into the kitchen dont go into corners too much. Just move around where you actually listen to movies. Then if you think the sound isnt warm enough you can turn down the sub a bit and turn up the bass slider on the EQ this should increase “mid” bass coming from the ARC and surrounds. If the surrounds are too overpowering now, dial them down on the surround settings.

Also, make sure to toggle int he surround settings between full and ambient to check which one you prefer. 

T

What odd is even with the sub the last week had me reaching for the app and putting it on night mode to lessen the thump. Before I never touched it. Completely subjective as I don’t believe the update impacts the sub. But it sounds better recently. 

I feel like two things are going on here. Because I have also almost turned down the sub recently.

1: the sub is "breaking in" so it's out put is being raised at any given volume  also it's "q" is being lowered. So it should hit the deeper notes with ease.

2: the truplay is further fixed letting all the speakers play well with each other. Maybe truplay isn't pulling back the bass like it may have in the past.

It's hard to know since Sonos hasn't announced anything and also haven't put anything detailed in their update release notes. 

But I'm happy with the 5.1.2 system now. At first I was furious that it all sounded so bad.

S
Userlevel 4
Badge +4

What odd is even with the sub the last week had me reaching for the app and putting it on night mode to lessen the thump. Before I never touched it. Completely subjective as I don’t believe the update impacts the sub. But it sounds better recently. 

I feel like two things are going on here. Because I have also almost turned down the sub recently.

1: the sub is "breaking in" so it's out put is being raised at any given volume  also it's "q" is being lowered. So it should hit the deeper notes with ease.

2: the truplay is further fixed letting all the speakers play well with each other. Maybe truplay isn't pulling back the bass like it may have in the past.

It's hard to know since Sonos hasn't announced anything and also haven't put anything detailed in their update release notes. 

But I'm happy with the 5.1.2 system now. At first I was furious that it all sounded so bad.

I never thought “man this sounds awful” but I think it has been improved considerably/ And now really love the setup for music too. Before movies were great and music a bit lacking now I turned my sonos ones surrounds down for music as well and let the bar and sub do most of the work  ( my space isnt big)

L

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.

P
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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.

My advise is set volume under  50%. Above is to loud. If you wont listen loud you must buy standalone speakers and big avreciver...

L

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.

H
Userlevel 3
Badge +4

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 

L

...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.

H
Userlevel 3
Badge +4

...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.

L

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. 

H
Userlevel 3
Badge +4

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

 

L

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

H
Userlevel 3
Badge +4

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

Glad to help

B
Userlevel 3
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Are you in your teens? Your desperation to have the last word is embarrassing. 

Glad to help

 

 

A

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.

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