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Answered

Sonos Arc Ultra Sound Issue

  • December 2, 2025
  • 34 replies
  • 1373 views
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34 replies

E
  • Eme77
  • Lyricist III
  • January 9, 2026

I have received my replacement and can confirm the distortion has gone so I’d recommend to keep getting them replaced until you receive a speaker that doesn’t have this issue. 
 

I have however noticed an imbalance in bass output with the right side of the speaker producing a more punchy and pronounced bass in comparison to the left side. I’m just trying to confirm whether this is normal behaviour or is this another issue I’m facing now which means I have to send it back for another replacement.

Great to hear the replacement unit does not have the distortion. Any chance you could share the batch number?

I am awaiting my replacement and will be checking the number as soon as it arrives.

The fact that you hear more pronounced bass at the right side could be because the “Sound Motion” speaker is located more to the right.

K
  • Keytar
  • Lyricist II
  • January 12, 2026

I can confirm my third Sonos Arc Ultra will thankfully be my last. Serial number 2504 - no issues I can find. I insisted to support to try different batches and to their credit, I went 2508->2507->2504.

As for bass imbalance, I can’t detect anything but to be honest I have bass at -5 or more, since I don’t like the way the Arc Ultra’s bass is in your face. I have a separate sub and it’s more than enough. I also have mild paranoia that intense bass could cause some further issues in the future, god knows.

    R
    • Renaud123
    • Lyricist I
    • January 13, 2026

    I am having the same issue. The right speaker sounds fuzzy and distorted when people speaking i.e. watching the news but music sounds clear. I contacted Sonos but my Arc is outside of warranty period. I was offered 30% off a new one. Not sure anyone has any advice.

    A
    • alevla
    • Contributor I
    • January 20, 2026

    I had exactly this issue from the right hand channel of an Arc Ultra too. It was specifically noticeable on the male voice and lower frequency sounds, at lower volumes. It was quite subtle but definitely present.

    Support suggested it could be the source and asked for a recording. They listened to it and authorised a replacement.

    Using sources that had triggered it to check (radio stream/local NAS) it was not present on the replacement so my conclusion is that it was a fault. I have not noticed the issue since.

    Out of interest, a specific source was the BBC's Ed Reardon's Week... Ed's voice seemed to consistently hit the issue for me - not limited to but the start of s16, ep1 for example 🤓.

     

    I have the same problem. After some weeks, the sound at certain frequencies is distorted and muffed. Went through all the steps from support and now I am waiting for a replacement. However, and based on all the users I see here with the same problem, I assume there is a design and engineering problem in the product. This speaks very bad about Sonos. I moved from a Sennheiser Ambeo Plus soundbar to Sonos as read multiple good reviews, but seems I made a big mistake...

    U
    Forum|alt.badge.img+6
    • User117655
    • Prodigy I
    • January 20, 2026

    Your profile does not say which country you are in but in the UK, electronics have a statutory warranty under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, meaning goods must be satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and last a reasonable time, usually entitling you to a repair, replacement, or refund for up to 6 years (5 in Scotland) from the retailer, though proving fault after 6 months is your job…

     

     

    R
    • Ravkhet
    • Lyricist I
    • February 4, 2026

    I've had the same exact issue and again with right side channels with fuzzy voice. I bought mine in December too, and they've just authorised a replacement, it looks like majority of us having issues have recently purchased the bar, so it seems likely a bad batch / assembly issues! 

    R
    • rksonos
    • Contributor I
    • February 4, 2026

    Thinking to upgrade ARC ULTRA but seeing issues on community forum made me to rethink.

    ARC is perfect even for years. 

    May i ask you if any one still issues even many fixes?

     

    Thank you

    E
    • Eme77
    • Lyricist III
    • February 4, 2026

    Thinking to upgrade ARC ULTRA but seeing issues on community forum made me to rethink.

    ARC is perfect even for years. 

    May i ask you if any one still issues even many fixes?

     

    Thank you

    Hi rksonos,

    it appears to be batch related as my replacements with production dates 2511 and 2512 sound pitch perfect! I had the 2511 replaced for the 2512 because it was delivered in a severly banged up box, so I lost confidence. But other than that, the sound was great. So, when you decide to upgrade your Arc just make sure to check the production date. 

      R
      • rksonos
      • Contributor I
      • February 5, 2026

      Thinking to upgrade ARC ULTRA but seeing issues on community forum made me to rethink.

      ARC is perfect even for years. 

      May i ask you if any one still issues even many fixes?

       

      Thank you

      Hi rksonos,

      it appears to be batch related as my replacements with production dates 2511 and 2512 sound pitch perfect! I had the 2511 replaced for the 2512 because it was delivered in a severly banged up box, so I lost confidence. But other than that, the sound was great. So, when you decide to upgrade your Arc just make sure to check the production date. 

      Hi eme,

      Thank you

      Beleive batches 2504, 2508 should be the dates to check

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