My Review: My audio journey has spanned almost every configuration imaginable: basic 5.1 wired sets, LG soundbars, Sony AV receivers with Bose systems, and eventually the standard Sonos 5.1. I recently took the ultimate leap, upgrading via Sevenoaks to the full Sonos flagship setup: the Arc Ultra, two Era 300s, and a Sub Gen 3.
Moving from a standard 5.1 to this 9.1.4 system has been a revelation. Here is my honest take:
The Positives (+)
The Gold Standard of Sound: Sonos is undoubtedly the king of the sound world. It offers a deep, premium quality bass paired with a crispness that is a joy for anyone who listens with "attentive ears." Once you go Sonos, you can’t live without it.
Simplest Setup Ever: This was the easiest system I’ve ever used. Connect the Arc Ultra first, then add the other pieces one by one—the whole system bonds flawlessly. No tech-headache required.
True Dolby Atmos: To truly enjoy Atmos, you need this specific kit. The Era 300s and Arc Ultra work together to create a massive 3D soundstage, especially once you run the Trueplay tuning.
Practical Features: Settings like Speech Enhancement and Night Mode make the system very user-friendly for real-world living.
Premium Value: It’s pricey, but the build quality, brand trust, and extended warranty (like the 6-year one from Sevenoaks) make it a great long-term investment.
The Negatives (-)
The "ARC" Glitch: Random sound drops are a known issue. I often have to switch my TV audio to internal speakers and back to the Arc to "wake it up." For this price, it should be seamless.
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
Bluetooth & Connectivity: Even with Bluetooth hardware, you can’t easily just "cast" a song from your phone to the whole system. Adding a personal music library is a hurdle that isn't suitable for non-tech-savvy users.
Atmos Content Gap: True Dolby Atmos content is still hard to find, and when you do find it, it’s often hidden behind the most expensive subscription tiers or labeled with "fake" Atmos tags.
Final Verdict: I love this system day and night. I’m currently running a single Sub Gen 3 and plan to add a Sub 4 in the future. If you want the best sound and easiest physical setup on the planet, buy Sonos … just be prepared to live in their ecosystem on their terms.
I am here to share my experience and open to share suggestions with you guys
**Big WOW Factor** The Gold Standard with a Few Handcuffs
Welcome to the community. Glad to hear you are enjoying your Sonos. I’d like to address the points you feel are negative with a bit of explanation. BTW...I’m a user like yourself meaning I’m not a Moderator nor a member of Sonos Tech Support. My comments are based upon my real-world experience. That said any rebuttal you may have to my comments is welcomed.
On another note...if you are experiencing a specific problem/issue please start a new post. Don’t reference it in this thread. By doing so it will be seen by more community members and not get overlooked in this one. 🙂
The "ARC" Glitch: Random sound drops are a known issue. I often have to switch my TV audio to internal speakers and back to the Arc to "wake it up." For this price, it should be seamless.
IF you are experiencing sound drops you should run a diagnostic within 10 minutes of the next occurrence, make note of the reference ID (do not post it in the community) and then call Sonos Tech support to discuss it. The above is a last resort assuming you are positive there is no fault with cable connections and/or your TV sound settings or needed updates.
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
How is it a prison compared to any other company that offers a wireless home speaker system with an app and access to streaming services? The services you are offered are licensed to Sonos via agreement with the source provider such as Spotify, AppleMusic and others. All subscription services offer different levels depending upon what the user is willing to pay for. Sonos merely allows access to whatever services/tier they have purchased.
Bluetooth & Connectivity: Even with Bluetooth hardware, you can’t easily just "cast" a song from your phone to the whole system. Adding a personal music library is a hurdle that isn't suitable for non-tech-savvy users.
What issues are you having with Bluetooth as there may be something we (or Sonos Tech Support) can assist with.
Granted that adding a Music Library can be a hurdle for non-tech savvy people. However, here again the community and Sonos Tech Support have been successful in helping many.
Atmos Content Gap: True Dolby Atmos content is still hard to find, and when you do find it, it’s often hidden behind the most expensive subscription tiers or labeled with "fake" Atmos tags.
I don’t see how this is a negative for Sonos as they are not the content creator. Furthermore, the content creator (streaming source) sets the subscription price.
With regard to
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
This has always been the case, even before SONOS. A tape player, for example, can only play tapes. A tuner can only play radio stations located within a small, local geographic area. SONOS can play many, many dozens of online services, Internet Radio, and local devices, such as turntables, tape decks, and tuners. Actually, SONOS provides a no cost developer kit that any online service can use to incorporate their content into the SONOS ecosystem. There is no cost to the SONOS system owner or the content provider to enable a service, however, the service will usually charge a use fee, possibly as embedded advertisements, necessary to support their operating costs. Competing hardware, such as a traditional A/V receiver, might offer access to half a dozen or so, online services, and (possibly) Internet Radio.
With respect to the included, no extra cost SONOS controller that you may not like, there are inexpensive 3rd party controller Apps that can be used for daily operation.
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
Atmos Content Gap: True Dolby Atmos content is still hard to find, and when you do find it, it’s often hidden behind the most expensive subscription tiers or labeled with "fake" Atmos tags.
Regarding your concerns above….click this link. You’ll find a plethora of services and learn which ones offer CD quality, Hi-Res and Dolby Atmos. 😊
In the universe of Albums and Videos, relatively little has been recorded in Atmos. Online services cannot make something Atmos that never was. We went through a similar transition from mono to stereo records.
Welcome to the community. Glad to hear you are enjoying your Sonos. I’d like to address the points you feel are negative with a bit of explanation. BTW...I’m a user like yourself meaning I’m not a Moderator nor a member of Sonos Tech Support. My comments are based upon my real-world experience. That said any rebuttal you may have to my comments is welcomed.
On another note...if you are experiencing a specific problem/issue please start a new post. Don’t reference it in this thread. By doing so it will be seen by more community members and not get overlooked in this one. 🙂
The "ARC" Glitch: Random sound drops are a known issue. I often have to switch my TV audio to internal speakers and back to the Arc to "wake it up." For this price, it should be seamless.
IF you are experiencing sound drops you should run a diagnostic within 10 minutes of the next occurrence, make note of the reference ID (do not post it in the community) and then call Sonos Tech support to discuss it. The above is a last resort assuming you are positive there is no fault with cable connections and/or your TV sound settings or needed updates.
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
How is it a prison compared to any other company that offers a wireless home speaker system with an app and access to streaming services? The services you are offered are licensed to Sonos via agreement with the source provider such as Spotify, AppleMusic and others. All subscription services offer different levels depending upon what the user is willing to pay for. Sonos merely allows access to whatever services/tier they have purchased.
Bluetooth & Connectivity: Even with Bluetooth hardware, you can’t easily just "cast" a song from your phone to the whole system. Adding a personal music library is a hurdle that isn't suitable for non-tech-savvy users.
What issues are you having with Bluetooth as there may be something we (or Sonos Tech Support) can assist with.
Granted that adding a Music Library can be a hurdle for non-tech savvy people. However, here again the community and Sonos Tech Support have been successful in helping many.
Atmos Content Gap: True Dolby Atmos content is still hard to find, and when you do find it, it’s often hidden behind the most expensive subscription tiers or labeled with "fake" Atmos tags.
I don’t see how this is a negative for Sonos as they are not the content creator. Furthermore, the content creator (streaming source) sets the subscription price.
Thanks for the reply. To clarify, I am well aware of how diagnostics work, but a premium system shouldn't require the user to act as a part-time technician to "pinpoint" recurring audio drops that are clearly documented across the community.
Regarding the "prison" comment: it is about the lack of freedom. I work from home (once a week) and want to play my own files directly from my device without being forced through a specific Sonos library index or a subscription-based middleman.
As for Bluetooth on the Arc Ultra, it is frustratingly restricted. It doesn't simply function as a standard open receiver for any music player on my phone … it feels like another "locked" door. You mentioned you aren't tech support, yet you're defending these hurdles as if they’re logical. Why should adding a personal music library be an "overly complicated hurdle" in 2026? It should be a piece of cake.
I love the hardware, but Sonos is taking away user freedom by complicating simple processes. I’m happy with it as a TV system, but for personal music, the "smart" features are actually making it less enjoyable.
With regard to
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
This has always been the case, even before SONOS. A tape player, for example, can only play tapes. A tuner can only play radio stations located within a small, local geographic area. SONOS can play many, many dozens of online services, Internet Radio, and local devices, such as turntables, tape decks, and tuners. Actually, SONOS provides a no cost developer kit that any online service can use to incorporate their content into the SONOS ecosystem. There is no cost to the SONOS system owner or the content provider to enable a service, however, the service will usually charge a use fee, possibly as embedded advertisements, necessary to support their operating costs. Competing hardware, such as a traditional A/V receiver, might offer access to half a dozen or so, online services, and (possibly) Internet Radio.
With respect to the included, no extra cost SONOS controller that you may not like, there are inexpensive 3rd party controller Apps that can be used for daily operation.
You’ve effectively confirmed my point. Your suggestion that a user should seek out 'inexpensive 3rd party apps' just to regain basic daily functionality is the very definition of a failed ecosystem.
Why should a customer who has spent thousands on flagship hardware be forced to leave the official Sonos environment and rely on 3rd party developers? If those external apps can offer a better, more open experience for a 'layman,' there is no logical reason why Sonos … with all its resources … cannot do the same.
By keeping the system this locked down and the local library process so unnecessarily 'hurdled,' Sonos is essentially pushing its most loyal users to look elsewhere. We shouldn't have to 'fiddle' with a premium system just to play our own music. We want to enjoy the sound, not spend our evening acting as unpaid tech support for our own living rooms.
With regard to
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
This has always been the case, even before SONOS. A tape player, for example, can only play tapes. A tuner can only play radio stations located within a small, local geographic area. SONOS can play many, many dozens of online services, Internet Radio, and local devices, such as turntables, tape decks, and tuners. Actually, SONOS provides a no cost developer kit that any online service can use to incorporate their content into the SONOS ecosystem. There is no cost to the SONOS system owner or the content provider to enable a service, however, the service will usually charge a use fee, possibly as embedded advertisements, necessary to support their operating costs. Competing hardware, such as a traditional A/V receiver, might offer access to half a dozen or so, online services, and (possibly) Internet Radio.
With respect to the included, no extra cost SONOS controller that you may not like, there are inexpensive 3rd party controller Apps that can be used for daily operation.
You’ve effectively confirmed my point. Your suggestion that a user should seek out 'inexpensive 3rd party apps' just to regain basic daily functionality is the very definition of a failed ecosystem.
Why should a customer who has spent thousands on flagship hardware be forced to leave the official Sonos environment and rely on 3rd party developers? If those external apps can offer a better, more open experience for a 'layman,' there is no logical reason why Sonos … with all its resources … cannot do the same.
By keeping the system this locked down and the local library process so unnecessarily 'hurdled,' Sonos is essentially pushing its most loyal users to look elsewhere. We shouldn't have to 'fiddle' with a premium system just to play our own music. We want to enjoy the sound, not spend our evening acting as unpaid tech support for our own living rooms.
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
Atmos Content Gap: True Dolby Atmos content is still hard to find, and when you do find it, it’s often hidden behind the most expensive subscription tiers or labeled with "fake" Atmos tags.
Regarding your concerns above….click this link. You’ll find a plethora of services and learn which ones offer CD quality, Hi-Res and Dolby Atmos. 😊
I appreciate the link and the explanation. I actually managed to get my local files working via Plex, but unfortunately, my external drive crashed shortly after, so I am back to square one for now.
I am not sure if Plex can allow me Dolby Atmos music
With regard to
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
This has always been the case, even before SONOS. A tape player, for example, can only play tapes. A tuner can only play radio stations located within a small, local geographic area. SONOS can play many, many dozens of online services, Internet Radio, and local devices, such as turntables, tape decks, and tuners. Actually, SONOS provides a no cost developer kit that any online service can use to incorporate their content into the SONOS ecosystem. There is no cost to the SONOS system owner or the content provider to enable a service, however, the service will usually charge a use fee, possibly as embedded advertisements, necessary to support their operating costs. Competing hardware, such as a traditional A/V receiver, might offer access to half a dozen or so, online services, and (possibly) Internet Radio.
With respect to the included, no extra cost SONOS controller that you may not like, there are inexpensive 3rd party controller Apps that can be used for daily operation.
You’ve effectively confirmed my point. Your suggestion that a user should seek out 'inexpensive 3rd party apps' just to regain basic daily functionality is the very definition of a failed ecosystem.
Why should a customer who has spent thousands on flagship hardware be forced to leave the official Sonos environment and rely on 3rd party developers? If those external apps can offer a better, more open experience for a 'layman,' there is no logical reason why Sonos … with all its resources … cannot do the same.
By keeping the system this locked down and the local library process so unnecessarily 'hurdled,' Sonos is essentially pushing its most loyal users to look elsewhere. We shouldn't have to 'fiddle' with a premium system just to play our own music. We want to enjoy the sound, not spend our evening acting as unpaid tech support for our own living rooms.
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
Atmos Content Gap: True Dolby Atmos content is still hard to find, and when you do find it, it’s often hidden behind the most expensive subscription tiers or labeled with "fake" Atmos tags.
Regarding your concerns above….click this link. You’ll find a plethora of services and learn which ones offer CD quality, Hi-Res and Dolby Atmos. 😊
I appreciate the link and the explanation. I actually managed to get my local files working via Plex, but unfortunately, my external drive crashed shortly after, so I am back to square one for now.
I am not sure if Plex can allow me Dolby Atmos music
In the universe of Albums and Videos, relatively little has been recorded in Atmos. Online services cannot make something Atmos that never was. We went through a similar transition from mono to stereo records.
That is a very fair comparison. We definitely are in that 'Mono to Stereo' transition phase again.
I was actually wondering if there are any specific forums where people share their experiences with this 'Spherical' music? I've found that when a track is mixed correctly for a 9.1 setup, it’s incredible, but it’s hard to find those gems among the 'fake' Atmos labels.
If anyone knows of a community that specifically reviews and recommends high-quality spatial mixes, I’d love to hear about it
+18This may not apply in your case, but I like Dolby Atmos with classical orchestral music. At least in my setup you don’t hear the rear speakers. What happens though is the room gets much larger. Other genres can do Atmos well, but if the steering throws sounds into the surrounds where it’s obvious where it’s coming from then to me it’s not something I want to hear.
I’m not aware of a site where the focus is on Spacial Audio reviews. From my experience with classical orchestral in Spacial most of the time it is exactly as described in the first paragraph.
I'd love to find some of my old Quad organ music redone as Atmos. Some of them had multiple organs located in different areas of the cathedral and the sound coming from all directions, not just ambience from the rear was truly amazing.
https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=CDLX7368
This list gives me hope we may see more re-released in Atmos format, not remixed to add height or shuffle things around.
https://www.surrounddiscography.com/quaddisc/quadpall.htm
+18Stanley_4:
I hope so as well. I keep a close eye on what’s coming out in Atmos. Seems as time moves on a higher percentage of new releases are in Atmos. How they are mastered I have no idea. I just listen to see if the music moves me. A good example is the orchestral releases on DG with the BSO / Andris Nelsons. Maybe not always the best interpretation of a piece, but the sound is mostly very powerful and the BSO is an awesome orchestra. There are other very good releases from other labels as well.
I think Atmos will do better than SACD did.
+18As I see it you where not advised to “seek out 'inexpensive 3rd party apps' just to regain basic daily functionality”, just pointed towards them because you seem to dislike the OEM app so much. You are not forced to do anything, but given a choice.
The environments in which Sonos devices have to function are wildly different. While problems may look the same, they can also have very different causes. So if you see al lot of people do playing about hick ups in music, this does not have to mean Sonos does not do anything to solve this. Sonos might have solved one problem and another one arises - or it is not a Sonos problem at all, but something caused by the user’s environment.
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