Many Playbar users have expressed the same opinion. The Arc isn’t really known for its music playback performance. It really shines when playing TV audio, especially in 5.1 and Dolby Atmos. If you listen to music in Dolby Atmos on the Arc, you might have a better listening experience especially if you add a pair of surround speakers.
I too noticed then reticent quality of the arc when it comes to stereo playback . I didn’t have any other previous versions of Sonos products t9 compare; just a traditional specialist stereo system . Just depends on how important 2 channel music playback is for your requirements if that is your requirement.
You haven’t mentioned if you have other sonos speakers in your room but I presume you would like to have a choice between the music formats . As Guitarsuperstar has mentioned … adding surrounds may increase your satisfaction if you are able.
I only use the Arc for sound bar duties which it does well but was hoping that “goodness” would extend to standard music replay but it doesn’t . So now with budget and space permitting … I have added a stereo pair of era 300s with a sub which works well for me for traditional music playback and spatial .
Your mileage for a solution may well be quite different but worth exploring .
Thanks for your interest guys, I just think people should know it’s not as good as playbar for music playback, because Sonos doesn’t say that in its advertisements, it would only be picked up buy someone who is converting from playbar to arc.
I currently have a pair of play 1’s in my kitchen which I’m now thinking of moving to the lounge to add as surrounds as the arc just doesn’t cut it! It’s a very expensive speaker which I thought would not be compromised, don’t get me wrong it is absolutely fantastic when using Dolby atmos, but on first impressions it seems like that is where all of the attention to detail has gone.
I’ve had many party’s at home with only the playbar and sub in a 6metre lounge and people have been amazed at how good and loud it was, even people from that party have been and bought playbars because of that! I now feel that I need to add more speakers as the arc is not up to scratch in the music play back department.
I really did not think that I would be having this problem with a Sonos product. Nothing worse than spending £699 on a speaker which doesn’t sound as good as the one you have, for music playback only obviously.
in conclusion If Dolby atmos and tv sound is most important go for the arc but if you already have an amazing sound set up with playbar and sub, do not get the arc. It feel it simply cannot bo both.
Might be a silly question but I guess you didn’t get your arc from Sonos directly ? You could return it if within the return period ..
Bit of an update
Streaming music direct from your TV through the Spotify app on a smart TV gives you far better quality sound on the arc and sub than streaming from your music service on your phone!! I don’t know if this obvious but what a difference! I will now be using my smart TV to stream music and not my phone with Sonos app. Has someone already found this out or not, because the arc now sounds amazing when streaming music from the TV Spotify app!
IMO I have found a fix that works for me!! Loving the arc now!!!
apologies for the wording, was hard to explain 
Streaming from a phone to anywhere usually implies some sort of audio (and video) compression, as bandwidth from a mobile device is assumed by most streaming companies to be limited.
I’m delighted you’ve found happiness, enjoy!
I’m new to SONOS.
Using ARC with mini sub just played same song on Apple Music thru TV app and the thru IPhone.
iPhone indicated Atmos delivery, TV app said Dolby 2.0.
The Dolby2.0 seems to use more of the speaker capability with richer sound.
I guess the ARC demands back speakers to deliver quality Atmos music.
The Dolby 2.0 version sounds great.
