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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R

rsint

Enthusiast I

It's weird but I could swear that the sound signature of my setup changed sometime yesterday. All the low end I was missing seems to have returned, this can't just be my ears growing accustomed to the new signature because the mids still seems boosted.

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craigski

Local Superstar

I’m wondering. 14.12 updated the DSP, affected the sound profile and required a new Trueplay. Maybe a new Trueplay format/design? Could this 14.12 DSP update be the enabler for a later update that will allow more configurable EQ/Trueplay settings to adjust to different tastes? Lets see.

It's weird but I could swear that the sound signature of my setup changed sometime yesterday. All the low end I was missing seems to have returned, this can't just be my ears growing accustomed to the new signature because the mids still seems boosted.

Sounds like you stole your low end from someone else then? 😀

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melvimbe

I'm glad that we can have a bit of humour now after the last few evenings worth of comments.

Yes, and as I have said in the past, this is just a domestic use speaker after all, not a Google self driving car. Or the 737 Max. I have no idea how software engineers protect themselves against their actions there, but I never once heard EULA in that context😂 They would be hounded out of the court of public opinion if they offered that defence, and I am sure that even the discredited Boeing CEO did not go down that road in the hearings.

Right, because people where claiming that EULAs would apply to self driving cars and airplanes.

Sonos is trivial in comparison, so they/their fans can get away with such claims in this market. Though I really cannot see Sonos CEO Spence use that defence - he knows better, I think, that he needs to see the bigger picture.

Right, because people were claiming that Sonos was just going to just throw up their hands and do nothing about the issue.

Your claim was that customers could go get a refund, outside of the return policy window because of the changes the 14.12 update. But since you can’t defend that statement, you’ve resorted to throwing up straw men for you to knock down.

Which leads me to: some of you with the time to send him a civil email on your disappointment, should do so. He has replied directly to me a couple of times, and came across as a well spoken and reasonable person. Unlike..🤔

A much better idea than trying to get a refund.

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Danny

K

kojak35

Lyricist III

SONOS you could fix these issues very simply. Provide an update to revert sound profile back to pre 14.12, give us a center volume control, just like you gave us for the hight channel. Problem solved. Listen to your users we have been asking for this option for years. There is no need to lock everyone into a new sound profile.

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PunkyFloofster

Lyricist I

The shrill tinniness that accompanied women’s voices of a certain pitch now seems to extend to some men’s voices, too, since the 14.12 update. It’s almost unlistenable at times, producing a reflex reaction not unlike fingernails on a chalkboard.

Do you do any testing of the Arc independent of the subwoofer to check for such issues? I’d love to have the Arc + Subwoofer combo, but unfortunately I live in a NYC apartment and it would not be at all fair to my neighbors. Perhaps if the rumored mini-sub ever appears it will be apartment friendly? Whatever the case, I’ve had the Arc for about 6 months now and I’m full of regret. At times it sounds wonderful, but then somebody appears on screen whose voice falls in the range of pitch that the Arc renders with extreme tinniness and the experience is shattered. At times, I turn the Arc off to use the LG TV’s built-in speakers, which at least don't produce a tinny sound that goes straight up my spine.

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stevegee

Lyricist III

I live in a NYC apartment and have the arc as well as the Sub. When I purchased the sub 6 months ago it was a fantastic addition that brought a fullness to the sound without overpowering the base or the neighbors.

Now the Sub is just a big white box sitting on my floor that does absolutely nothing. Sonos needs to fire their engineers or whomever was responsible for putting out this POS update.

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nikid

Enthusiast II

Finished early and just given my ears some TLC. Ungrouped my 1SL's from the Arc, Stereo Paired them and added Sub. I'm pleased to say that Sub is still there in all its original glory, performing like it should and how it did pre-14.12, no volume issues either in this setup. The 1SL's got slightly louder when I toggled the Sub on, like everything used to before. An all round volume 25 was just as it was before too. A joy to listen to again.

I selected the Arc to play alongside the new stereo and sub setup, couldn't hear it, was so quiet and it added nothing to the party. Such a shame

So it's absolutely Arc and Sub related issues, for me at least.

I'll also backtrack my previous comment about thinking the 1SL's sounded different and quieter, certainly with Sub added they get a little gain.

Meh, just want a fix for the main stage. Come on

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Dogdad

Headliner III

Finished early and just given my ears some TLC. Ungrouped my 1SL's from the Arc, Stereo Paired them and added Sub. I'm pleased to say that Sub is still there in all its original glory, performing like it should and how it did pre-14.12, no volume issues either in this setup. The 1SL's got slightly louder when I toggled the Sub on, like everything used to before. An all round volume 25 was just as it was before too. A joy to listen to again.

I selected the Arc to play alongside the new stereo and sub setup, couldn't hear it, was so quiet and it added nothing to the party. Such a shame

So it's absolutely Arc and Sub related issues, for me at least.

I'll also backtrack my previous comment about thinking the 1SL's sounded different and quieter, certainly with Sub added they get a little gain.

Meh, just want a fix for the main stage. Come on

First paragraph was exciting and hopeful, a nail biter and teaser…afterwards, the let down that it really didn’t solve the issue. 😂

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SvnCrvn

Lyricist III

I came to this forum looking for help and only saw this version 14.12 issue now; Unfortunately I trusted the multiple youtube video reviews where it was mentioned that the Sonos Arc + Sub + One’s sound quality is an experience to behold. I started off by just getting 1x One and it was amazing. This finally pushed me over the edge and I ordered the Arc a Sub and another One SL to complete my dream setup. My packages arrived 2 days ago, I plug everything in - giddy to be blown away by the amazing sound. It was one of the biggest let downs in my life.. $2000 later I have a system that sounds like a tinny mess - no bass, and intelligible speech unless you really boost the volume. My $50 JBL soundbar sounds 100x better than this. I really do hope that this is a software thing and it can win back my confidence.

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G

GuitarSuperstar

Lead Maestro

I came to this forum looking for help and only saw this version 14.12 issue now; Unfortunately I trusted the multiple youtube video reviews where it was mentioned that the Sonos Arc + Sub + One’s sound quality is an experience to behold. I started off by just getting 1x One and it was amazing. This finally pushed me over the edge and I ordered the Arc a Sub and another One SL to complete my dream setup. My packages arrived, I plug everything in - giddy to be blown away by the amazing sound. It was one of the biggest let downs in my life.. $2000 later I have a system that sounds like a tinny mess - no bass, and intelligible speech unless you really boost the volume. My $50 JBL soundbar sounds 100x better than this. I really do hope that this is a software thing and it can win back my confidence.

Are you testing your system with 5.1 or Dolby Atmos audio? The audio format will be displayed on the Now Playing screen in the Sonos app.

Also, disable Trueplay tuning until the Trueplay/Sub issue is fixed.

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"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi

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Changes to volume mapping and impact on Sub output

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