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andrewchiu1st
andrewchiu1st
Enthusiast II
June 15, 2020

Sonos Sub Gen 3 crackling/static sound

Hi guys,

 

I just bought the Sonos Arc and the new Sub Gen 3 and I paired them with 2 Sonos One (Gen 1) speakers for the surround setup.

Yesterday I noticed that while idling and playing, there are some tiny constant crackling/static/electric current sounds coming from the brand new Sub and I found it quite irritating. So what I did first was to make sure that the connection with the power cord is secure, which it was. Then I tried to remove the Sub from the group, factory reset it and added it back to the system. But the same issue persists.

I don’t suppose this is normal, right? Does anyone has a similar issue with the new Sub?

I’ve checked my Sonos Arc, One and Beam and none of them has this issue.

Since I just bought it from Best Buy last week, should I return it and get a new one to see if it’s something wrong with the one I’ve got? 

It’s not a cheap device and I don’t want to compromise on its quality.

 

Thank you all!

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    246 replies

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    ChetBaker
    Lyricist II
    December 7, 2021

    Hey guys, sorry for the delay in responding. I returned my Sub Gen 3 back in October, when I saw that the issue wasn’t fixed with the newer models. I’m not willing to spend 850€+ on a flawed product. Might buy the Sub Gen 4 when the issue is finally fixed. 

      Grator
      Lyricist III
      December 11, 2021

      Hi to everyone,
      I’m about to pull the trigger for a sub gen3. I’ve ordered a refurbished gen2, but I didn’t knew I came with only one year of warranty. The gen3 would be only 100 euros more. From what I‘ve read, it looks like the issue only occurs in wifi. Can someone confirm this is the case?

      Thanks.

      Radamisto
      Lyricist II
      January 5, 2022

      I have a A202 and it’s making that electric noise from the Dropbox link!

      Very annoying when watching quiet horror movies.

       

      Hello everyone,

      I have also just received a brand new A202 (in Germany) as well and was frankly shocked by the high-frequency whirring that it emits throughout the room. Granted, one can only hear it with quiet music or light conversations on TV but this certainly does not sound “right”. It also emits the aforementioned crackling when you put your head close to the sub.

       

      https://wetransfer.com/downloads/c0077398557b8372cded0840d19f028520220105171945/654b67159529db056462486a65d3fcdf20220105171945/8536ab

       

      I didn’t know about this problem before I experienced this myself and I am honestly appalled by the extent of it. This seriously diminishes my trust in Sonos as a company, even though I am very happy with the rest of my Arc surround set.

      Sonos Support was quick to dispatch a brand new replacement, but I am curious to see whether it won’t show the same issues. If it does, I’ll just return the sub for good and wait a couple of months and hope they’ll iron it out. Moreover, one could keep the sub and return it before the 100 day period ends.

        Radamisto
        Lyricist II
        January 5, 2022

        Unfortunately I still haven’t heard back from Sonos support. I reached out about 2 times earlier this year and I was told that as soon as the new model becomes available, they will reach out to process the replacement and ensure that I receive it in time.

        So I was quite surprised that other people are starting to receive the new model and no one from Sonos tried to get in touch with me. I don’t want to go through another exchange and get another unit with the same problem.

         

        No need to be sad, as it does not seem to have been fixed. ;) The customer support agent told me that only the batches A200-201 were affected and that A202 should have fixed it, but from my experience and from other reports, that doesn’t seem to be true. Again: this does not engender trust in the competence of Sonos or its engineers.

          Radamisto
          Lyricist II
          January 7, 2022

          I have a A202 and it’s making that electric noise from the Dropbox link!

          Very annoying when watching quiet horror movies.

           

          Hello everyone,

          I have also just received a brand new A202 (in Germany) as well and was frankly shocked by the high-frequency whirring that it emits throughout the room. Granted, one can only hear it with quiet music or light conversations on TV but this certainly does not sound “right”. It also emits the aforementioned crackling when you put your head close to the sub.

           

          https://wetransfer.com/downloads/c0077398557b8372cded0840d19f028520220105171945/654b67159529db056462486a65d3fcdf20220105171945/8536ab

           

          I didn’t know about this problem before I experienced this myself and I am honestly appalled by the extent of it. This seriously diminishes my trust in Sonos as a company, even though I am very happy with the rest of my Arc surround set.

          Sonos Support was quick to dispatch a brand new replacement, but I am curious to see whether it won’t show the same issues. If it does, I’ll just return the sub for good and wait a couple of months and hope they’ll iron it out. Moreover, one could keep the sub and return it before the 100 day period ends.


          Just to follow up: obviously it is very admirable to manage transport from the Netherlands to Southern Germany in a day, but that’s about it.

          The new sub is making the noise at a much quieter level and without any of the previous crackling. Now all I can hear is a quiet humming, but now it seems it is even doing it all the time as the standard “white noise” standby-noise. And I can hear it, when it is quiet in the house, in the whole room.

          I mean, I want to love the system, because it is awesome, but at 850 Euros it is a very bitter pill to swallow.

            Owls82
            Lyricist I
            January 19, 2022

            Hi,

            I have experienced the same issue with the Gen3 Sub, getting an electrical buzz/hum. 

            I have just received my replacement, and unfortunately they have sent me a ‘Certified Refurb’ and this is also the A200 build. Hence I still have the same issue. 

            When I contacted Sonos they told me replacements are issued automatically by the system and they have no bearing over which build model will be shipped. I find this hard to believe personally. 

            So chances are I’m going to get a third Sub with the same issue. 

            Has anyone managed to speak to an advisor at Sonos and specifically request the A202 build?

              Nhu
              Lyricist II
              February 2, 2022

              Hi guys,

               

              I just bought the Sonos Arc and the new Sub Gen 3 and I paired them with 2 Sonos One (Gen 1) speakers for the surround setup.

              Yesterday I noticed that while idling and playing, there are some tiny constant crackling/static/electric current sounds coming from the brand new Sub and I found it quite irritating. So what I did first was to make sure that the connection with the power cord is secure, which it was. Then I tried to remove the Sub from the group, factory reset it and added it back to the system. But the same issue persists.

              I don’t suppose this is normal, right? Does anyone has a similar issue with the new Sub?

              I’ve checked my Sonos Arc, One and Beam and none of them has this issue.

              Since I just bought it from Best Buy last week, should I return it and get a new one to see if it’s something wrong with the one I’ve got? 

              It’s not a cheap device and I don’t want to compromise on its quality.

               

              Thank you all!

              Hi i come a year later as i just bought one and i have this issue. After one year, did guys solve the problem?

                Owls82
                Lyricist I
                February 2, 2022

                I have just replacement Sub #3, and yet again another refurbished A200 build with the same issue. However, this one is a lot worse than my original. 

                I have contacted Sonos, who have stated that they are going to escalate this to the in-house technicians. 

                Not sure what the next step will be, but it’s rather frustrating going round in circles. 

                  Nhu
                  Lyricist II
                  February 2, 2022

                  I have just replacement Sub #3, and yet again another refurbished A200 build with the same issue. However, this one is a lot worse than my original. 

                  I have contacted Sonos, who have stated that they are going to escalate this to the in-house technicians. 

                  Not sure what the next step will be, but it’s rather frustrating going round in circles. 

                  Reading you guys I think I am gonna keep mine. Looks like a dead end loop. I can hear the sound only when I stuck my head to the sub. I agree for 850euros it's a huge pain in the ass..that's so **** for a brand like Sonos. Fingers crossed it's not a sign for huge issues in a few months 

                   

                  *Moderator Note: Modified in accordance with the Community Code of Conduct.*

                    ChetBaker
                    Lyricist II
                    February 11, 2022

                    I can‘t believe they still didn‘t fix this issue. I want to buy a sub for my Sonos system, but I don‘t want a flawed one again. Did the Sub 2 have the same issues?

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