Enthusiast II

Answered

Sonos Arc Muddy/Bottoming out Bass

1406 replies
193222 views

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.

S

Scott - SonosAnswer

Sonos Product Management

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.

Show previous replies

R

Roy Hobbs

Lyricist III

Curious, how many people that are now happy with the low end of the Arc have One’s connected for a 5.1 setup?

The Arc and a pair of One’s is NOT 5.1

adding a sub makes it 5.1 doesn’t it?

Yes but all that was mentioned was the Arc and One’s

M

Masterpopper

Lyricist III

Could someone actually post a video of the issue? I got mine yesterday and doesn’t seem to be having this issue but I am not too sure. Also what is the hardware version for those with the issue, you can find that in the app under System/About My System? Thank you in advance.

Did you watch this? It sounds good 90% of the time, but when loud movie scenes or songs hit certain frequencies it sounds like garbage.

S

Sash A

Lyricist III

Could someone actually post a video of the issue? I got mine yesterday and doesn’t seem to be having this issue but I am not too sure. Also what is the hardware version for those with the issue, you can find that in the app under System/About My System? Thank you in advance.

Did you watch this? It sounds good 90% of the time, but when loud movie scenes or songs hit certain frequencies it sounds like garbage.

Yes I have watched it. I also did a 40hz test on Youtube and it didn’t seem to have the static/crackling sound that he has in the video. I am skeptical though, that’s why I wanted someone to post a video of their unit while having this issue and the hardware version.

A

ashwin

Lyricist III

Although the new update did fix the bass issue and I was happy for that short period of time assumed all is well, then the more I listen to Arc the more I am realizing something is certainly off. The bass issue certainly gone but now the bass comes out like it is pressed against something so that it won't blow off. It is missing that well-rounded richness it used to have albeit distortions before the update. The more I listen to Arc the more I am appreciating my beam. Sure beam doesn't have that big soundstage, Atmos capabilities like its big brother Arc but it just sounds so good and warm for its size.

Made my mind, packed the Arc ready to go back to store today.

M

Masterpopper

Lyricist III

Could someone actually post a video of the issue? I got mine yesterday and doesn’t seem to be having this issue but I am not too sure. Also what is the hardware version for those with the issue, you can find that in the app under System/About My System? Thank you in advance.

Did you watch this? It sounds good 90% of the time, but when loud movie scenes or songs hit certain frequencies it sounds like garbage.

Yes I have watched it. I also did a 40hz test on Youtube and it didn’t seem to have the static/crackling sound that he has in the video. I am skeptical though, that’s why I wanted someone to post a video of their unit while having this issue and the hardware version.

Listen to A Milli by Lil Wayne or In My Head by Ariana Grande.. It is present in a lot of music

S

Sash A

Lyricist III

Could someone actually post a video of the issue? I got mine yesterday and doesn’t seem to be having this issue but I am not too sure. Also what is the hardware version for those with the issue, you can find that in the app under System/About My System? Thank you in advance.

Did you watch this? It sounds good 90% of the time, but when loud movie scenes or songs hit certain frequencies it sounds like garbage.

Yes I have watched it. I also did a 40hz test on Youtube and it didn’t seem to have the static/crackling sound that he has in the video. I am skeptical though, that’s why I wanted someone to post a video of their unit while having this issue and the hardware version.

Listen to A Milli by Lil Wayne or In My Head by Ariana Grande.. It is present in a lot of music

A Milli sounded like those huge Subs people put in the trunks of their car, In My Head had some kind of of a pop but at volume over 50%. Actually 40hz test did have some wobble but also at over 50% and popping/static at above 70%. I have 45 day return window through Sonos. If this isn’t ironed out it’s going back. Sucks I sold the Beam already but what sucks even more is Sonos is loosing credibility. For an AUDIO company to have AUDIO issues is terrible, they have years of experience. This seems like a rush to market to boost sales to show their shareholders. How can this not be tested is beyond me. Apple should really acquire them.

F

FrankNL

Lyricist III

You mean “You’re holding it wrong” Apple? I mean I really like Apple but even they screw up sometimes. Like any other company.

S

Sash A

Lyricist III

You mean “You’re holding it wrong” Apple? I mean I really like Apple but even they screw up sometimes. Like any other company.

No clue what you mean by “You’re holding it wrong” Apple, I am assuming something they did, but there has been talks of them acquiring Sonos and would be the right move for both companies.

melvimbe

No clue what you mean by “You’re holding it wrong” Apple, I am assuming something they did, but there has been talks of them acquiring Sonos and would be the right move for both companies.

Noe of the rumors are originating from Sonos or Apple, so not a lot of reason to put much stock in it. And not the first time such rumors have floated.

Danny

S

Sash A

Lyricist III

No clue what you mean by “You’re holding it wrong” Apple, I am assuming something they did, but there has been talks of them acquiring Sonos and would be the right move for both companies.

Noe of the rumors are originating from Sonos or Apple, so not a lot of reason to put much stock in it. And not the first time such rumors have floated.

Sure these are rumors but still would be the right move for both. https://www.whathifi.com/us/news/sonos-to-layoff-12-of-workforce-amid-apple-buyout-rumour

Show more replies

Sign up

Login to the community