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Matclane
Contributor I
October 29, 2024
Answered

Arc Ultra + Sub Gen 3 : Sub less powerful than before !?

Hi,

I just replaced my Beam (Gen 2) by a Sonos Arc Ultra, in my home theatre system.

But now, the Sub Gen 3 seems to be a lot less powerful.

Before, with the Beam, when I pushed the Sub level adjustment to +2 or +3, i was able to balst the entire room… Now, even if I choose +8 on the Sub level adjustment, I feel it but very light. I can’t have the same “bass blast effect”.

Obviously, I completely reinstalled the system in the App and reseted each element of my home theatre system when I installed the Arc Ultra (included x2 Era 100 at the back).

Does anyone knows why this is happening (maybe someone at Sonos)...?

Thanks a lot.

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    Corry P
    Corry PAnswer
    Sonos Staff
    January 6, 2025

    Hi ​@Matclane et al

    We now consider this issue to have been resolved. Please ensure your Sonos system is up-to-date, and if you still experience this issue, please get in touch with our technical support team to report as much.

    I hope this helps.

    "Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein
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    Kpz
    Contributor I
    November 1, 2024

    Yep. Just got the arc ultra and 2 subs(gen 3) and 2 era 300's all finally connected and the bass is missing. I cranked the sub level to +10 just so I could feel it. Ran trueplay and it's worse. It feels like just the ultra is playing. Even with the bass level cranked up it just sounds thin. Definitely doesn't have that thump that it did before with the original arc

      MoPac
      MoPac
      Headliner III
      November 2, 2024

       Thanks for the warning.  Was about to replace my Arc with the Ultra.

        jnelly
        jnelly
        Enthusiast I
        November 2, 2024

        Oof, I’m going to check the reddit on this, too.

        I have ArcE300pairSub3, was going to try out the ArcUlt. as it’s easily returnable at BestBuy, and if bought from Sonos.com (after returning the BB purchase) one can get a 15% off discount.

        I’m going to pass for now, lol. Sonos and software, never a consistent relationship, lol.

         

        What is the thread, discussing issues of overall sonic integrity with ArcUl. and legacy Sonos speakers? Tried r/sonos - but didn’t see any themes of Sub3s not working well with ArcUl.

        sam2024
        Contributor I
        November 3, 2024

        I am also facing the same issue. The bass from the subwoofer is very fibble!

          monkeycat
          Lyricist II
          November 3, 2024

          I’m waiting for Sonos to confirm this issue, as it’s clearly a problem. Some people say using Quick Tune helps, while others suggest resetting all the speakers. I tried Quick Tune, but I still sounds like a $150 2.1 set up.
          I need to do a factory reset on all the speakers, but that a lot of work

          buzz
          buzz
          Grand Maestro
          November 3, 2024

          Bass response in a room is very location sensitive. As a test, try moving ARC and/or SUB a few inches.

          In my college apartment I found a “peak” where bass was accentuated. I placed a chair on this peak. It was a favorite of males because bass seemed to explode from inside your body. If I moved the chair a few inches the bass was tame. There are also “nulls” were bass will be minimized. If a speaker or listener is located at a null, there might not be much bass.

            Downl1nk_1
            Trending Lyricist II
            November 3, 2024

            It does seem that the Ultra does tend to have (or produce) less bass when bonded with subs, especially after TruePlay has been used, compared to possibly an Arc with same subs. It’s not breaking or no bass, but it just seems slightly (?) less bass overall..

            anyone else having this possible bug (?), if so you should contact Sonos support and report it directly…  

            @Marco.B @Corry P any thoughts? 

            Nicstar
            Contributor I
            November 4, 2024

            Same here...I came form a playbar with sub gen2, 2x sonos one to an arc ultra, sub gen 4 with 2x era300 and i thought...Where is the bass sound!!!? Are one, two or three component broken?? Do I have to return for repair….

            ledzep1
            Headliner II
            November 4, 2024

            I have an ultra (before arc) and sub gen 3, bass seems fine but not gave it a good work out yet, though I haven't attempted Trueplay as this seems to be where people are noticing the issue once done.

            Sonos really need to issue some update on here.

            I want to trueplay my new ultra, but this potential issue is holding me back!

            Mr. T
            Mr. T
            November 4, 2024

            I have an ultra (before arc) and sub gen 3, bass seems fine but not gave it a good work out yet, though I haven't attempted Trueplay as this seems to be where people are noticing the issue once done.

            Sonos really need to issue some update on here.

            I want to trueplay my new ultra, but this potential issue is holding me back!

            Why wait? If you don’t like the sound with Trueplay, simply disable it, or reconfigure the room and the previous Trueplay setting will be removed.

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