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Contributor I
June 5, 2025
Answered

Sonos sub gen 2 not pairing with arc and era300

Hi there

 

Just got 2 ERA 300 to play my surrounds with the Arc

 

But got a problem when trying to sync pair the Sub Gen 2: it seems i can only pair the sub or the era 300 but not both. The sub is detected but when i try to add to either the arc or the room system, it saying added after a waiting time (2 or 3min), it doesnt show connected or paired (not assigned)

Even doing factory reset with Era or Sub, same issue.

People told me it might be the sonos app 2 that having hard time with android phone or it could be something else.

 

Need help

 

Thanks

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MQCDocAnswer
Contributor I
June 5, 2025

Seems sensible. I have no access to an Android device to test either way. But now I’m somewhat curious as to how to figure out which gen Sub I have. To my recollection, there’s a slight difference, but not a significant one, since they both bond to the same ‘parent’ devices. My supposition would be there’s a slight change in electronics, due to older, previously used chips no longer being easily available. But there just isn’t a ton of processing being done there. 

Found the issue

It was the cellphone (s23)

Ive tried on tablet and worked 1st try

 

15 replies

Airgetlam
June 5, 2025

That’s odd. I just added a pair of Sonos Era 300s to my Arc, which I think is bonded to a Gen 2 sub, and had no difficulties, although I am/was using an iOS client. Have you tried calling Sonos Support directly to discuss it?

When you speak directly to the phone folks, they have tools at their disposal that will allow them to give you advice specific to your network and Sonos system.

 

Bruce
Airgetlam
June 5, 2025

How can you see which gen sub it is? I just looked, it tells me the Serial number, but there is no mention of a generation. Does that mean it is gen 1?

Bruce
MQCDocAuthor
Contributor I
June 5, 2025

I bought it from a friend and he bought it at the same time of his Arc directly from Sonos. He told me it was a gen 2

MQCDocAuthor
Contributor I
June 5, 2025

That’s odd. I just added a pair of Sonos Era 300s to my Arc, which I think is bonded to a Gen 2 sub, and had no difficulties, although I am/was using an iOS client. Have you tried calling Sonos Support directly to discuss it?

When you speak directly to the phone folks, they have tools at their disposal that will allow them to give you advice specific to your network and Sonos system.

 

I will try on my friend IOS instead of my Android next week. If this work then its the app that need some fix or else i will contact the support

Airgetlam
June 5, 2025

Seems sensible. I have no access to an Android device to test either way. But now I’m somewhat curious as to how to figure out which gen Sub I have. To my recollection, there’s a slight difference, but not a significant one, since they both bond to the same ‘parent’ devices. My supposition would be there’s a slight change in electronics, due to older, previously used chips no longer being easily available. But there just isn’t a ton of processing being done there. 

Bruce
MQCDocAuthorAnswer
Contributor I
June 5, 2025

Seems sensible. I have no access to an Android device to test either way. But now I’m somewhat curious as to how to figure out which gen Sub I have. To my recollection, there’s a slight difference, but not a significant one, since they both bond to the same ‘parent’ devices. My supposition would be there’s a slight change in electronics, due to older, previously used chips no longer being easily available. But there just isn’t a ton of processing being done there. 

Found the issue

It was the cellphone (s23)

Ive tried on tablet and worked 1st try

 

Mr. T
June 5, 2025

Seems sensible. I have no access to an Android device to test either way. But now I’m somewhat curious as to how to figure out which gen Sub I have. To my recollection, there’s a slight difference, but not a significant one, since they both bond to the same ‘parent’ devices. My supposition would be there’s a slight change in electronics, due to older, previously used chips no longer being easily available. But there just isn’t a ton of processing being done there. 

It’s generally considered that Sonos released the Black gen 2 Sub around July 2016. At the time they stated “We've made some minor changes to SUB. The cosmetic changes include blacked-out trim and a smaller logo. SUB’s sound and hardware components remain the same”.

However, I have Subs from 2014 and 2015 with silver trim that report as being gen 2 when viewing your System at Sonos.com

MQCDocAuthor
Contributor I
June 6, 2025

Seems sensible. I have no access to an Android device to test either way. But now I’m somewhat curious as to how to figure out which gen Sub I have. To my recollection, there’s a slight difference, but not a significant one, since they both bond to the same ‘parent’ devices. My supposition would be there’s a slight change in electronics, due to older, previously used chips no longer being easily available. But there just isn’t a ton of processing being done there. 

It’s generally considered that Sonos released the Black gen 2 Sub in July 2016. At the time they stated “We've made some minor changes to SUB. The cosmetic changes include blacked-out trim and a smaller logo. SUB’s sound and hardware components remain the same”.

However, I have Subs from 2014 and 2015 with silver trim that report as being gen 2 when viewing your System at Sonos.com

My sub is in white with the logo and the trim too

Mr. T
June 6, 2025

My sub is in white with the logo and the trim too

The White Sub was first released in October 2016 and started at the 2nd generation!

MQCDocAuthor
Contributor I
June 6, 2025

My sub is in white with the logo and the trim too

The White Sub was first released in October 2016 and started at the 2nd generation!

Thanks