sound quality

So what were you expecting?

Expecting sound quality!! Stress free;!!!!!!

Probably you should return the product.

It's wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy past the return period. I honestly wish that I had gone with Bose!! Bose is a much better sound stage....... 

Sonos is not for everyone and the processing Bose does with their products sounds better to many. It’s like the smiley face EQ curve.

While Sonos speakers are somewhat dedicated to specific uses, I don’t think they sound bad at all, and I prefer listening to my Five or stereo Era 100s more than my Bose speakers. Sonos sounds more pure than Bose IMO.

So if you are using an Arc Ultra with a Sub and surrounds for music, it’s not going to sound as good as a pair of Fives. They are designed for two different applications.

Put your speaker for sale/auction on well-known marketplaces; they hold their value well (suggesting that many folk disagree with your opinion). Then buy Bose. 

I am currently in the process in the process of buying a property, so my sound setup must wait!! 🫩

Enjoy your new speaker(s) when you do get them; hope your purchase goes through quickly and smoothly. 
Bye. 

If only it was that easy!!

Hello @A.K.40883,

I am sorry to hear that your experience has been less than stellar thus far. Before you resign yourself to the Bose ecosystem, I would be most grateful if you could share a few more details regarding your current setup. I would be delighted to share my own findings to see if we might improve your situation.

I have recently upgraded my own configuration, moving from a standard Sonos setup with two Era 300s and two Gen 3 Subs to the new Arc Ultra, paired with two Era 300s and a Gen 3 Sub. Like yourself, I was not entirely impressed at the outset. However, I found that the system’s true potential is only unlocked after performing a meticulous Trueplay calibration. Furthermore, fine-tuning the EQ settings, specifically the Bass and Subwoofer volume, made a world of difference.

One must also consider that the source material is paramount. When playing Dolby Atmos cinema content, the spatial depth Sonos provides is incomparable to standard stereo music. The hardware used for playback is equally vital; I personally utilise an Nvidia Shield TV Pro with high-quality HDMI cabling and a 1Gb connection to ensure the data flow is unhindered.

The difference between a "muffled" experience and a "cinematic" one often lies in these small adjustments. What specific models are you currently using, and have you had the opportunity to run the Trueplay tuning since moving things around?

I should also mention that my journey to Sonos was quite a long one. I have previously owned several Bose 5.1 systems, various soundbars with subwoofers, and even a couple of LG systems, yet I have finally settled on Sonos as my preferred choice for home theatre.

To truly get the most out of my Arc Ultra and Era 300 setup, I typically rely on Kodi or other third-party media players to ensure I am getting the highest quality bitstream.

Furthermore, I am currently in the process of adding a second Sub to my configuration. I am quite hopeful that this addition will provide that final layer of immersion and acoustic balance, enhancing both my cinematic experiences and my music listening. In my view, once the calibration is perfected and the hardware is sufficient, the soundstage Sonos provides is truly exceptional.

I seriously wish that I could have spared this much cash for my sound setup!!

@A.K.40883

You’re absolutely right … the entry price for a Sonos ecosystem is quite a hurdle! I started my own audio journey with an LG system, but once you make the jump to this level of hardware, it’s incredibly difficult to go back. The clarity and depth of the sound really do spoil your ears for anything else.

I did have a few frustrations previously with the app, but the latest upgrades have been a game-changer. Being able to stream anything via Bluetooth directly to the Arc Ultra has solved my biggest headache. It’s certainly a premium investment, but for the daily enjoyment I get from my films and music, I’ve found it’s worth every penny.

It’s unfortunate that you have issues with your speakers, as some others do. I get that you are “over Sonos” and may not want to get any suggestions to correct the issues you are facing. But, because you have made a large investment in Sonos, and you have voiced that you are not satisfied, there are a few simple things you can try while you still own the speakers to see if it would make a difference.

The question is, would you like some assistance in troubleshooting your issues?

If the answer is yes, please provide more information about your speakers and network.

If the answer is no, I will not reach out any further.

The whole reason behind my issue doesn't lie with Sonos!! It's because Sky doesn't offer the sound options required!!!!!!!

Their concept of “sound stage” is the foundation of the BOSE approach to presenting into the room. While BOSE has a large following, there is also a large group that vehemently disagrees with this approach. Neither group thinks that the other group ‘get’s it’.

With respect to music listening I observe that the BOSE group tends to be up and about while BOSE detractors tend to be sit and listen types. I don’t want to judge one group to be better than the other, but I think that it is important to understand which group you belong to and go with it.

Just a take on this thread….

Complaints about the App are on going regardless of how long or not one has used Sonos. FTR...I have no complaints about the app that would make me ditch Sonos.

Complaints about the sound quality after the return window has expired be it through Sonos or a retailer is a bit suspect IMO. Especially so if one decides that another brand is more suitable. If the OP was occupied by a property purchase; IMO they should have waited until that was concluded and then devoted the proper time to speaker brand comparisons. It’s called “prioritization”.  

Also, anyone lamenting not considering Bose; or are thinking of switching to Bose, should read the info in this link. 

That is a very interesting point, @A.K.40883. If the bottleneck is actually your Sky box rather than the speakers, it is a bit of a nightmare. Sky’s audio output settings can be notoriously finicky, often defaulting to stereo and masking what the Arc Ultra is actually capable of. It is a shame when the source kit lets down the rest of the system.

Regarding the Bose comparison, @Buzz has hit the nail on the head. Bose certainly has a signature expansive sound that fills a room brilliantly, but Sonos tends to lean towards a more precise, balanced stage. I suppose it is a bit like choosing between a high end cinema and a live concert venue. Both are excellent, but they offer completely different atmospheres.

It is always a tough one when a property move gets in the way of a proper setup, as @AjTrek1 mentioned. Hopefully, once you have a bit of time to fiddle with the Sky output settings and perhaps try a high quality Atmos stream from a different source, you will finally get to hear what you actually paid for.