Contributor I

Answered

Sonos Arc Ultra center channel too loud

160 replies
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I like that the dialog is very easy to hear without having to turn on any dialog adjustments. The problem is I barely hear the left and right channel audio. Background music is barely audible. I’ve tried it with both Trueplay turned on and off and there isn’t much improvement. I know the left/right channels are working because I hear music. Anyone else have this problem?

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Corry PAnswer

Sonos Staff

Hi @not_convinced & @mindthings

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

Sorry to hear that you are not both entirely happy with your new purchases. I recommend you get in touch with our technical support team who have tools at their disposal that will allow them to give you advice specific to your Sonos system and what it reports - if there is an issue with the sound mix, it will need to be documented before it can be addressed.

I hope this helps.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein

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Gavalar

Enthusiast II

Hey @Corry P has there been any progress on this please? It’s been almost 18 months and the front left and right channels are super quiet still.

I know this was ‘being looked into’ but I feel almost 18months time is plenty to look into this?

I’ve been playing Ghost of T and can barely hear the characters left and right when speaking.

I was hoping this would be picked up after Spence left and @tconrad took control as Tom has done a lot of good work so far!

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Gavalar

Enthusiast II

One year later and the issue still isn't fixed. I recently went from an Arc to an Arc Ultra and the center channel is so loud. Playing games, the background noise will be normal volume, but the characters speaking will sound like they're yelling, it's that loud. I have to turn the volume down much lower than I did with my Arc, but then the background noises are now too quiet. Watching the Super Bowl today, the announcers were so much louder than the rest of the game. I have 30 days to return and go back to my Arc, thankfully.

I really hope this is fixed soon. I have the same issues and have done for the last 18months. Sonos know about this, tech know about this, but apparently it’s difficult to fix, so they won’t fix.

it puts people of buying the Arc Ultra, which is a shame, as it’s a great product apart from that.

MoPac

Headliner III

I’ll stick with my Arc. Would not want the Arc Ultra ruining Atmos music listening.

SR45

Contributor I

I agree with MoPac above. I have the original arc and I was just about ready to purchase an arc ultra when it hits on sale. But now I will rethink this until an update has been released to correct this issue. Unfortunately, it’s been a year and still nothing. I have no hopes of Sonos getting this right.

my original arc is doing just fine with my sub GEN 4 . Spending another thousand is problematic for me since Issues still ongoing. Good luck everybody.

106rallye

Am I right in thinking this problem almost exclusively presents itself when playing games?

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Gavalar

Enthusiast II

Am I right in thinking this problem almost exclusively presents itself when playing games?

Hi,

it’s all content, not just games.

Corry P

Sonos Staff

Hi @Gavalar

At this point, the audio team has moved onto other products, so I would not expect this to be addressed - at least on the Arc Ultra product level.

However, as we have recently introduced ProTune with Amp Multi, it is distinctly possible that solutions will come in time that will allow individual users to control things at a level sufficient to address this criticism.

Please also be aware that the perceived boost given to the centre channel on Arc Ultra only exists at lower volume levels - above volume 60%, it does not exist.

I hope this helps.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein

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Gavalar

Enthusiast II

Hi @Gavalar

At this point, the audio team has moved onto other products, so I would not expect this to be addressed - at least on the Arc Ultra product level.

However, as we have recently introduced ProTune with Amp Multi, it is distinctly possible that solutions will come in time that will allow individual users to control things at a level sufficient to address this criticism.

Please also be aware that the perceived boost given to the centre channel on Arc Ultra only exists at lower volume levels - above volume 60%, it does not exist.

I hope this helps.

I really appreciate the response here. It is a shame the team have moved on without rectifying the issue. The main problem is the left and right channels being so quiet compared to the other channels and especially the centre.

It sounds like dynamic volume control is in place here, but would it not be easier to set left and right to +3dB or so.

However, the pro tune does sound like what we are looking for. Hopefully sooner rather than later as it frustrates me every time I use my arc ultra, to the point I wish I kept my OG Arc.

Corry P

Sonos Staff

Hi @Gavalar

I’m a Arc Ultra owner myself, and have been hoping for the same too!

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein

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Gavalar

Enthusiast II

Hi @Gavalar

I’m an Arc Ultra owner myself, and have been hoping for the same too!

Made me giggle! I am surprised you have not been pushing it harder your side!

Can this be escalated as it really is killing sales, especially as the company is still on relatively thin ice and I was hoping Sonos would listen to customers more now? (Not you personally, but the company in general).

Many thanks

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