Sonos Arc extremely poor dialogue levels VS Music and Action

Came here to say I’m also experiencing the same faults. Had this unit since it’s release, but now I’ve been at home on holiday and watching more movies, it’s become quite apparent that there’s a serious problem with voice dialogue and yeah, I’ve tried most of the processes to improve audio.

Was watching Dogma yesterday and was just annoyed having to up and down the volume on the TV, as we’re in an apartment and have young kids which don’t need waking up!

This thread has been here for years with the same faults, yet Sonos has done diddly squat to respond, let alone fix.

Have you provided them with hard data, via a diagnostic, and called them so that they will look at it?

I, too, get frustrated, but it’s always with the audio mixer for the original source, and not Sonos, as I can duplicate the issue on non-Sonos setups. 

Why should I have to do their job for them? It's not hard to replicate. 

So many people are having the exact same issue to the point they could easily say "you might need to check that your TV or media player settings allow this or this feature to help clear up voice" 

Seeing that it's literally only the Arc having the problem, it seems pretty clear where the focus needs to be, including better customer service, regardless whether it's a forum or not. 

I really see this as a Sonos problem. Yes the bad audio levels aren’t Sonos’ fault, but with an AVR system you can easily boost the center channel to correct for bad content.

No idea if the center level is adjustable on other sound bars or not but if it is that is a selling feature for them when compared to Sonos.

Unless it’s something that they have not been able to replicate? I don’t know, I don’t work for Sonos, but if I’m going to complain about an issue, I’m going to try to be part of the effort to fix it, rather than waiting for someone else to maybe figure it out. It’s affecting me, I’m the one who should be helping figure it out, especially if, by some odd chance that it’s an issue with my personal setup. I’ve always assumed bugs get prioritized by how much data is available. That’s certainly one of the key components we looked at when I was managing a software group. A lot better chance of figuring out what the cause was, with multiple data points to look at and compare. Nothing worse than tasking a programmer to look at an anecdotal bug, with no data to support the investigation.

Just complaining isn’t my style. 

I was on the point of contacting Sonos before reading this thread, as I have been experiencing the exact same problem with my setup, being the Arc paired with the Sub Mini. Listening to music is fine, but it’s as though there is no mid-range on the Arc… Dialogue is scratchy / squeaky and on modern films, like Oppenheimer, I gave up halfway through as 50% of the dialogue is totally inaudible. I’ve tried changing the TV set up, splashing out on a very expensive HDMI cable… and continually adjusting the EQ…. I have now given up… so will be listing the Arc on E-bay  

I see this is your first post here, but before I even consider bidding on your device, how do you know it’s perhaps not a defective product, or even if your TV output is the issue? 

This worked for me. I have a Beam Gen 1, Sub Gen 1 with pair of One SLs connected to an LG NANO91 and an Arc, Sub Gen 3 with pair of Era 300’s connected to an LG C3 - both use Apple TVs as source of content.

The Beam sounded consistently deeper and more pronounced than the Arc.

I’ve tested with and without Trueplay, tweaked heaps of settings, but today tried the above while watching Top Gun Maverick and it was a huge improvement.

The Era 300’s are amazing but they were constantly drowning out the Arc. Now the sound is significantly more balanced and the Arc finally draws your attention forward.

For me at least, this doesn't sound like a ‘Sonos issue’.

I believe I have fixed the dialogue problem on my Arc. Just got my system over the weekend.

I tried a posted fix above but couldn’t because I don’t have that particular sound adjustment. So in my settings under the sound settings, I selected reset sound. I of course had to adjust the default tv speaker selection to receiver…but now I can hear and understand the dialogue! 
 

I'm going to check out more types of programming to make sure but this is great. Perhaps I won’t return my Sonos system after all.

Ken_Griffiths

2 days ago - From: “Speech enhancement of movies” thread; which, of course, Sonos closed the thread.  I guess there is too much for them to handle🤷‍♂️

I’m sory that I could not respond sooner! & I hope you find this message.

Yes, we all do hear things differently, especially depending on room size, ceiling height, acustics, Etc..

As I mentioned my wife can heare things across the state, but I cannot.

I only have the best cables that I could buy - Never skimp on things such as that.

I am truly glad that someone (your family) does not have difficult with dialogue! AND, I do not disbelieve anything that you have said!

However there are too many complaints, for too long, for our situation to be an anomoly.

Just so you know, I have reached out to Sonos, and all I get are the stock answers.

Unfortunately, your diagnostic link(s) do not work.

Regarding the Soro App being only iOS is on Sonos. In this world there is no excuse for a company to ignore Android when developing Apps!  

In addition to everything I tried, Senior sound system Techs, from Best Buy, were here no less than 4 times, to troubleshoot, and they did not have any success either.

I appreciate your sincerity across the board!

Thank you for your comments!

Regards,

S

PS: For everyone using the Arc only for TV sound, especially in a small room, and can ddistinguish dialogue in movies and TV series that is great!

SOME ADDITIONAL INFO FOR THOSE CONSIDERING THE Sonos Arc:

Unfortunatly for us, the consultant we used knew of Each and Every issue that we had/have, and he was only interested in making a commission, and lied about many things. 

In addition, I was not aware that the Sonos Arc only has 2 inputs (1 HDMI eARC, 1 Toslink).  This is not an issue for anyone not using periferal accessories, including wanting to attach a turntable.  To have to add another $500 - $600 for a Port or Amp is awful, and that was never mentioned to me.  Did they also leave out Bluetooth to force people to buy the port in order to be able to stream music from phones, and PCs?

It will cost me a considerable sum to replace, and get rid of the Arc.  I am looking into ZVOX, and have written to the company to make sure the music capability is adequate, as well as other things. I am also seriously interested in the new Bose - Smart Ultra Soundbar. 

I am not an audiophile, and my hearing is not what it used to be, but when listening to music, at least without Sonos’ satellite WiFi surround speakers, the lack of separation is, without a doubt, a tech engineering blunder by Sonos - unless they intended to get consumers to buy as many add-ons as possible.

To all who like your Sonos equipment - Keep on Enjoying!!!!

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From: Ken_Griffiths

@Stirv,

I guess we all may hear things differently and of course there’s the listening environment to consider aswell as the various audio/video sources. There could even be something wrong with your A/V products, or cables etc.

It is difficult to diagnose these things from afar. However I and all my immediate family members have 6 Sonos soundbars between us and that includes 3 Sonos Arcs and we all think that the Arc sounds great. 

If you think something isn’t right with your equipment you should really reach out to the manufacturers customer support desk. If you think it’s your Arc that’s at fault, then supply Sonos with diagnostic reports and videos and then go from there.

Personally speaking myself and family members that have Sonos Home Theatres are all happy with them - I’m sorry if you do not believe that’s the truth, but I can assure you it is.

To submit diagnostic reports and video etc. to Sonos, see the below links…

• Submit a Sonos Diagnostic Report
• Contact Sonos Customer Support

And I do sincerely hope you find the answers you’re looking for with your TV audio in your own listening environment.

P.S. - Yes the Soro App is iOS only (sorry🙏 I perhaps should have clarified that). 

S

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