Retired Community Manager

14.12 Update

Changes to volume mapping and impact on Sub output

Thank you for your feedback regarding the recent 14.12 software update with Enhanced Clarity for Arc.

In this update, we made a change to Arc’s audio profile to improve dialogue clarity and the overall sound experience. This change is based on feedback from our listeners in the field and brings Arc in line with our other Home Theater products, resulting in a more accurate representation of the sound as intended by the content creator.

The updated tuning adjusts the spectral balance of Arc+Sub to achieve a more accurate representation of the sound and an improved sound experience. While the Arc+Sub output capability remains the same, the mapping of volume across the 0-100% range has been adjusted with this release which means low and mid volume levels are relatively lower compared to the previous tuning so you may need to adjust the volume slider to achieve your pre-update volume level. The maximum volume and bass output are unchanged. We acknowledge that this change was not made more clear in the release notes and in the future we’ll be sure to make sure we communicate these rare changes more effectively.

Please note, we have identified an issue for some users of Arc, Beam and Ray whose configuration includes a Sub (with or without surrounds), who may find their Sub output is lower than desired after performing a new Trueplay tuning.

Users with Beam or Ray bonded with Sub can increase the Sub level for a more powerful low-end response, however this won’t have the same impact for Arc users. Customers using Arc bonded with a Sub (and/or surrounds) who find their Sub output is lower than desired following performing a new Trueplay tuning, should temporarily disable Trueplay on Arc until this is addressed by an upcoming software update.

Trueplay tunings for Home Theater configurations without a bonded Sub are unaffected, including standalone soundbars and those bonded with surrounds only.

If you would like any assistance adjusting the sound of your Home Theater setup, the community is here to help. You can also contact Sonos support.

Moderation edit:

With the 14.18 software update, the above mentioned issues have been addressed, and the Enhanced Clarity for Arc adjustments are retained. There was a clear preference within our community for the previous volume settings, and these have been restored. This will be apparent immediately after updating to 14.18. The Trueplay issue has been fixed. Customers who experienced a lower Sub level after performing Trueplay after updating to 14.12 will need to update their systems and then perform a new Trueplay tuning in order to address these improvements in their system. Customers will hear a more powerful low end response, meaning any Sub level adjustments made after 14.12 should no longer be required.

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melvimbe

Why would Sonos bother with a EULA if they do not intend to use it as an argument? What a silly comment, of course Sonos will use the EULA as an argument, there's no other reason to have a EULA.

This is actually the silly comment. No CEO in his right mind will allow his engineers to use EULA to defend the company/engineer failures if the sound profile of a speaker is changed the way it seems to have changed in this case of the Arc.

Never mind what Sonos fans trot out in dogmatic defence of such a change, it costs them nothing to do this.

It’s not as though your proclaimed ‘Sonos fans’ just started throwing out EULA, it was a response to talk of getting refunds already. It’s not so much a defense of Sonos as it as reality check that you don’t have a legal right to a refund because of the EULA we all signed. And you’re unlikely to get Sonos, or any other company, to grant you a refund (which they don’t have to do) until they’ve given up on trying to address the issue...if they even agree to it then. Since Sonos posted they have issues to fix, they clearly aren’t done.

But sure, everyone should just keep quite about the EULA so that those thinking about a refund can waste their time calling up Sonos.

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Danny

jgatie

It’s not as though your proclaimed ‘Sonos fans’ just started throwing out EULA, it was a response to talk of getting refunds already. It’s not so much a defense of Sonos as it as reality check that you don’t have a legal right to a refund because of the EULA we all signed. And you’re unlikely to get Sonos, or any other company, to grant you a refund (which they don’t have to do) until they’ve given up on trying to address the issue...if they even agree to it then. Since Sonos posted they have issues to fix, they clearly aren’t done.

But sure, everyone should just keep quite about the EULA so that those thinking about a refund can waste their time calling up Sonos.

What he said^. Nobody mentioned a EULA until customers being owed a refund was mentioned.

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F

Follygon

Lyricist I

One more voice confirming that bass is broken with this threads configuration (Arc + Sub). We’ve an Arc, 2 subs and 2 ones, 36sqm rectangular room with decent acoustics.

14.12 seems to have completely broken Trueplay, specifically the sub output is just non existent in the super lows and treble seems fully cranked. It is pretty unpleasant to listen to in general with Trueplay on.

Luckily we can turn it off but I feel for folk that were relying on Trueplay to balance out their listening space.

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K

Kumar

It’s not so much a defense of Sonos as it as reality check that you don’t have a legal right to a refund because of the EULA we all signed.

What specific part of the EULA covers a change in the way the product sounds after an update, from how it sounded when I bought it? From what I have found there, EULA applies to

The software, as embedded in the Product for the purpose of operating the Products, documentations, interfaces, content, fonts and any data that came with Your Product (“Original Product Software”), as may be updated or replaced by feature enhancements, software updates or system restore software provided by Sonos (“Product Software Updates”) whether in read only memory, on any other media or in any other form (the Original Product Software and Product Software Updates are collectively referred to as the “Product Software” or “Software”) are licensed, not sold, to You by Sonos, Inc. for use only under the terms of this Agreement.

Bold bit by me for clarity.

Where does this cover changes to the sound profile of the speaker after it was purchased?

Is this change in how the speaker sounds covered elsewhere in the EULA?

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jgatie

What specific part of the EULA covers a change in the way the product sounds after an update, from how it sounded when I bought it? From what I have found there, EULA applies to

The software, as embedded in the Product for the purpose of operating the Products, documentations, interfaces, content, fonts and any data that came with Your Product (“Original Product Software”), as may be updated or replaced by feature enhancements, software updates or system restore software provided by Sonos (“Product Software Updates”) whether in read only memory, on any other media or in any other form (the Original Product Software and Product Software Updates are collectively referred to as the “Product Software” or “Software”) are licensed, not sold, to You by Sonos, Inc. for use only under the terms of this Agreement.

Bold bit by me for clarity.

Where does this cover changes to the sound profile of the speaker after it was purchased?

Is this change in how the speaker sounds covered elsewhere in the EULA?

Yes, it is. Section 10.b. deals with no warranty "THAT THE FUNCTIONS, FEATURES, OR SERVICES PERFORMED OR PROVIDED BY, INCLUDING THIRD PARTY FEATURES AND SERVICES, CONTAINED IN THE PRODUCT SOFTWARE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS;".

Game. Set. Match.

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K

Kumar

Yes, it is. Section 10.b. deals with no warranty "THAT THE FUNCTIONS, FEATURES, OR SERVICES PERFORMED OR PROVIDED BY, INCLUDING THIRD PARTY FEATURES AND SERVICES, CONTAINED IN THE PRODUCT SOFTWARE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS;".

Game. Set. Match.

I don’t see it there; and it needs a referee to call a match, not the server. But why am I not surprised?😂

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K

Kumar

If I see it anywhere, I see it in 5c:

Automatic Software Updates. We may, from time to time, develop patches, bug fixes, updates, upgrades, and other modifications to improve the performance of the Product(s) and/or Services.

The question then is, in this case, has the Arc sound been improved from what it was earlier?

That isn’t something I can speak to.

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K

Kumar

On the EULA subject: it has been a long time since I read one, but the Sonos EULA is quite an easy read as EULAs go.

The EULA makes a clear legal distinction between the Product and Product Software where the latter is as posted earlier - The software, as embedded in the Product for the purpose of operating the Products - and a good lawyer will make this out to mean all the software that the user interfaces with via the app etc, in order to operate the speaker/s.

There is even a case therefore to say that 5c, while referring to improving the performance of the Product, is placed under the paragraph “Automatic Software updates” , thereby restricting those changes to those that improve the user interface for operating the product.

Tennis anyone?😁

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I

IMSmitty

Lyricist III

While I'm glad Sonos has atleast responded to and acknowledged this issue (albeit not in it's entirety), I still think that this response is an oversimplification of the issue. Simply "turning up the sub audio" does not replicate the output that we had pre 14.12 (even with turning your sub audio and system's overall volume all the way up. Which is also obnoxious and not a sufficient solution for the record). Pre 14.12 I could have my system play at a moderate overall volume, with the sub punching. I cannot replicate the sound profile that I enjoyed pre 14.12 update, no matter how much I revise the settings. I'll add that with the sub audio all the way up (& overall volume extremely high), there appears to be more of a boost to mid bass than to the low end. While the new "sound profile" isn't completely terrible it definitely is different and the old profile can't be replicated by turning up the sub audio. So, as a substantially invested Sonos customer, I do not find this response to be comprehensive or completely accurate. Please give us our Subs back. Perhaps, allow a sound profile option. Just a thought. Thanks!

Are you using the Sub with the Beam or the Ray?

Home theater group- Arc, Sub Gen 3, and One Sl's

If you are using the Arc, Sonos doesn’t recommend turning up the Sub audio. They recommend temporarily disabling Trueplay on the Arc until the issue is addressed with an upcoming software update.

I already had disabled trueplay and my initial comment factors in all suggested resolutions on this matter. As far as turning up the sub audio, when you're sub output is drastically decreased, that is simply the next logical step lol. Not to mention, Sonos did advise to turn up the sub audio via a support case email.

The OP does not state that they will address the issue in it's entirety and makes the false presumption that turning trueplay off will solve the issue for ALL Arc-Sub users.

NEWS FLASH - TURNING TRUEPLAY OFF DOESN'T SOLVE THE SUB OUTPUT ISSUE FOR ALL ARC/SUB USERS. Turning trueplay off (for many of us) does not replicate the sound profile that existed pre 14.12 update (as stated in my initial comment).

Get this right Sonos. You can do it. Cheers!

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I

Ian Sives

Enthusiast I

@IMSmitty

I can confirm that the sub output issue is the same with trueplay off. The sonos statement saying its fine with trueplay off is false. It sounds terrible and nothing like the pre 14.12 sound signature.

Sonos please fix this !!

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Changes to volume mapping and impact on Sub output

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