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Contributor I
November 30, 2022
Answered

Sub (Gen 3) - way too quiet

Hello!

Allow me to start mentioning that I am aware of similar threads in the community (this forum and reddit) but none of the proposed solutions worked for me. :(

I have been using ARC for over a year without any issue. I recently added a Sub (gen3) and the result is somewhat disappointing: The sub is too quiet. Less than volume 10 I cannot tell the difference it makes, and even at +15 it is not impressive.

My setup:
LG OLED CX
Arc connected via HDMI 2 (earc enabled, bitstream, passthrough)
I have multiple HDMI connected via Philips sync box (for the lights) - Apple TV 4k (2022) and a PS5.
I have tried removing the sync box completely and plugging the ATV / PS5 directly to the TV with the same results.
Sub (gen3)
All the cables are certified hdmi 2.1

The Sonos App tells me I am properly getting Atmos (ATV) or Dolby 5.1 (PS5). The sound is great, it is just the bass being underwhelming

I have tried placing the sub in different locations, true play on and off dozens of times, player with EQ bass and sub volume but nothing seems to change much. It is always the similar underwhelming results.

It is worth to mention that the “success” sound when adding the SUB together with the arc it is amazing! Very loud and the wall does tremble with that one - that’s the experience I am looking for but  unable to replicate even at +15 in any of my devices.
If I tune the arc volume very high (50+ at 100%) I do feel the sub a little bit more, but sadly the arc is way to loud to be comfortable.

Any suggestion?
 

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Corry P
Corry PAnswer
Sonos Staff
December 1, 2022

Hi @sberjano & @TomUK81 

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

I am not aware of any ongoing issues with the Sub being inaudible, as @JeroenVR mentions in their reply.

Location is the first thing that should change when you have trouble hearing the Sub, but as you’ve already tried moving it, I will move on.

The fact that the Sub sounds great during it’s connection process implies that after that, either the Arc isn’t properly supplying the Sub with something to play, or the TruePlay tuning has somehow resulted in a much lower bass profile.

If you still have bass at +15, you may want to lower it before attempting a fix!

The first thing I would try is a reboot of the Arc - unplug it from power for 10 seconds or so, then plug back in and wait for a solid white light (the light may go off entirely if set to do so in the options) before testing.

If that doesn’t help, please try deactivating the TruePlay tuning profile - does the Sub then make it’s presence felt? If it does, I recommend you redo the TruePlay tuning again, perhaps with a different device, or leave it off altogether.

Finally, if things still aren’t better, I can only 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.

I hope this helps.

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

21 replies

Prominent Collaborator I
November 30, 2022

Have you tried different spots for the sub? That can make a huge difference. Also when tuning Trueplay, stay a bit further away from walls and obstacles in the 2nd stage of tuning. That also will help in my opinion, since the sub is less tuned down, avoiding spots where your iOS device can pick up “boomy” bass.

What you also can do for practice: Put the sub on the seat, where you normally sit. Leave Trueplay off. Play some music with a beat. Now walk trough the room and listen for spots, where you can hear the bass very loud. You also will discover spots, where the bass is hardly noticeable. Keep in mind you need to listen close to the floor, since you probably put it on the floor 😉

When you find a spot, where the bass is good, put the sub in that spot. Retune Trueplay, and listen. That should give you a better experience for sure. Try different spots, its a process what is pretty time consuming, but its worth it.
Never place the sub in a close space or cabinet. It needs air to breathe.

Dogdad
Headliner III
November 30, 2022

I’m trying to understand your post.. one part says  your sub is disappointing , one says it’s amazing. 

sberjanoAuthor
Contributor I
November 30, 2022

To clarify: The only ‘amazing’ part is the ‘Success’ sound when you successfully pair the sub with the Arc. That’s a 3 second audio/fx. (It feels like a small earthquake! Love it!)
For all the rest is disappointing.

Edit - More clarifications: That sound is generated by the Sonos system itself, which leads me to think that the Sub is fine. But I cannot mange to replicate the same experience with any setting when using the system via Apple TV / PS5 / etc.

Lyricist II
November 30, 2022

Hi, 

I am experiencing exactly the same issue. I have a LG OLED C1, Arc, 2 x Sonos One’s as surrounds and I have just added the Sub Gen 3. The sound from the sub is very quiet, the bass is still coming from the Arc so its as though its not being sent to the sub. I have to place my head next to the sub to know its even on. The sub shows on the app so I know its connected. I have reported this to Sonos and they have confirmed that there is a known issue with this set up and they are working on a fix but can give no timescale at this time. 

It may be worth reporting it to Sonos if you haven't already as the more reports they get, maybe they will bump it up the list to get a fix. 

 

Thanks

 

Tom

Prominent Collaborator I
December 1, 2022

Ehmmm… It has been an issue, yes, after the release of patch 14.12, it seemed like the whole world went crazy (including myself).
This issue was fixed with the release of patch 14.18. Everybody was very happy and a lot of people even claim, it’s the best sound profile ever from Sonos.

I don’t understand why tech support told you it’s a known issue. Did you provide them with a diagnostic code? And what did they say about the code?
How is your configuration setup? You use Sonosnet (1 player over ethernet, rest wireless), everything wireless over existing WiFi or do you have every device plugged in with an ethernet cable?

There might be some interference what’s causing the issue. Best thing to do is run a diagnostic within 15 minutes when you encounter the issue and get in contact with Sonos Support. They can “see” your network configuration and also confirm if there is some interference. 

Sorry to say, but telling you there is a known issue concerning the sub with arc, is just not true. That was resolved about 5 weeks ago. Maybe @Corry P can confirm this? If I’m mistaken, I apologise, but I’m pretty sure…..

 

Corry P
Corry PAnswer
Sonos Staff
December 1, 2022

Hi @sberjano & @TomUK81 

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

I am not aware of any ongoing issues with the Sub being inaudible, as @JeroenVR mentions in their reply.

Location is the first thing that should change when you have trouble hearing the Sub, but as you’ve already tried moving it, I will move on.

The fact that the Sub sounds great during it’s connection process implies that after that, either the Arc isn’t properly supplying the Sub with something to play, or the TruePlay tuning has somehow resulted in a much lower bass profile.

If you still have bass at +15, you may want to lower it before attempting a fix!

The first thing I would try is a reboot of the Arc - unplug it from power for 10 seconds or so, then plug back in and wait for a solid white light (the light may go off entirely if set to do so in the options) before testing.

If that doesn’t help, please try deactivating the TruePlay tuning profile - does the Sub then make it’s presence felt? If it does, I recommend you redo the TruePlay tuning again, perhaps with a different device, or leave it off altogether.

Finally, if things still aren’t better, I can only 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.

I hope this helps.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein
Dogdad
Headliner III
December 1, 2022

Hi @sberjano & @TomUK81 

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

I am not aware of any ongoing issues with the Sub being inaudible, as@JeroenVR mentions in their reply.

Location is the first thing that should change when you have trouble hearing the Sub, but as you’ve already tried moving it, I will move on.

The fact that the Sub sounds great during it’s connection process implies that after that, either the Arc isn’t properly supplying the Sub with something to play, or the TruePlay tuning has somehow resulted in a much lower bass profile.

If you still have bass at +15, you may want to lower it before attempting a fix!

The first thing I would try is a reboot of the Arc - unplug it from power for 10 seconds or so, then plug back in and wait for a solid white light (the light may go off entirely if set to do so in the options) before testing.

If that doesn’t help, please try deactivating the TruePlay tuning profile - does the Sub then make it’s presence felt? If it does, I recommend you redo the TruePlay tuning again, perhaps with a different device, or leave it off altogether.

Finally, if things still aren’t better, I can only 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.

I hope this helps.

Can Sonos technical support raise ones volume settings if desired if they have “tools”?

Lyricist II
December 1, 2022

Hi @JeroenVR & @Corry P,

Thanks for the responses. I was also under the impression that this issue had been fixed but there is definitely still an issue somewhere. Considering some of the reviews I've read for this Sub and the size of it, I shouldn't need to put my head next to it to hear anything at all. I've tried the latest Jurassic World film and I couldn't tell if the Sub was turned on. It was definitely on as it shows as connected in the app. 

The set up is all wirelessly connected. I have reported it to technical support and they have confirmed

“Thank you, we do have a know issue indeed reported for this exact setup (Arc + Surrounds + Sub), my colleagues are currently working to find a fix for this issue, we do have a few workarounds we may try next, just a few moments to check…. “

@Corry P - Thanks for your message. I've tried resetting all aspects of the system and with Trueplay turned on & off but it makes no difference. The latest I heard from Technical support was on Monday 28th when they said:

“There are currently no updates on the ongoing investigation. We are still trying to properly understand where this issue stems from, such that the fix we are to implement does not negatively impact anything else. I must assure you though, once more, that the matter is currently under investigation and will be fixed in a future software release.”

Technical support have not asked for any diagnostic code - I assume they would ask if they felt it was required or should I just send it anyway? 

 

Thanks for all the help - much appreciated. 

 

Tom

Corry P
Sonos Staff
December 1, 2022

Hi @Dogdad 

Can Sonos technical support raise ones volume settings if desired if they have “tools”?

No - we’d ask you to do that in the app. The tools allow us to verify that your devices are properly configured and see logs that the system produces that may indicate where the problem lies.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein
Corry P
Sonos Staff
December 1, 2022

​Hi @TomUK81 

There is a known issue which applies only when Atmos-encoded music is playing and as your sound is coming from the TV, I don’t think it is relevant. Unfortunately, the agent you spoke to did, or perhaps misunderstood the documentation on the issue - I can only apologise. I’ve put a note on the case, so the same mistake shouldn't be made again.

When you get in touch with our technical support team via chat, a diagnostic is automatically triggered and delivered (in a manner of speaking) to the agent you speak to. By all means, submit a support diagnostic while playing a movie and reply here with the number given, and I’ll take a look for you.

​

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