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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.

Actually next week it has been 2 months ago, when they ruined our systems with 14.12. 3 weeks ago they came with 14.14. Now -3 weeks later- the updated to 14.15, and it’s only the controller, not the speakers, they are still on 14.14.

So… It should make sense the next patch will be 14.16 and will be released next week, including the fixed sound profile.

We can complain as long as we want, but the fact is, Sonos really doesn't care about us complaining. They don’t communicate about it or inform us. The only thing they communicate is the launch of the sub-mini, and now they expect us to get exited about it.
Probably that Tham sub-mini is the reason why they don't let us revert back to 14.10, because when they do that, the sub-mini would be useless (just like the big sub is now). So they prioritise selling the sub-mini in the pre-order, instead of fixing their s***

The last mail I got from Sonos, they promised me that this bug was their priority #1, so they lied to me about that. This sub-mini was their top priority. I really regret spending so much money on this company and will never ever again recommend any of their product to someone else. They better make sure the next week release of version 14.16 will include a fix. It's disappointing how they treat their costumers.

 

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


So i posted this on the sub mini post….

 »So I’m guessing the 14.12 update that broke our systems was because the mini sub can’t handle the sound signature of 14.10 ?. Two months and still no fix, no reply on their forum chat but yet they have the time to push new products and reply to questions on the sub mini. What an insult to your old customers. Won’t be investing in sonos anymore. They changed my sound signature and what i purchased it for without giving any choice and no fix.  »

What an insult from this company, weeks of complaints on this thread without any reply from them, no reply to emails either but yet they are busy replying to sub mini posts and now removing any comments that could affect sales.

Anyone thinking about the sub mini…read through this thread from old sonos users and make your decision. 
I certainly won’t be buying any more since they can trash a perfectly good working system and sound signature in a simple update. To say im angry about wasting thousands is an understatement !!!


 

 

 


It's disappointing how they treat their costumers.

There is word for this: hubris, something that has led to the downfall of bigger and better companies than Sonos in the past.


I have to make a decision on a home theatre system before the end of the month (renovations being done in the mean time).   The software fiasco is holding me back on the Sonos system.  I hope that it gets resolved before then.

The 14.15 update as many of said is for the app to incorporate new hardware (sub mini).  They usually release one software update every month for both the app and the hardware.  My hope is that 14.16 fixes this issue.  As Peter Pee has suggested - they tend to release software and hardware on Tuesdays - and this was certainly the case for the hardware again.  So I hope 14.15 doesn’t mean we would need to wait until October for the fix.  I still have fingers crossed for the 20th or maybe the 27th of this month.

I am no software engineer but I struggle to see what is so difficult to fix - surely its just a question of altering the EQ settings of the sub when coupled with an ARC soundbar.  They had the secret sauce for this in 14.10 so surely it cannot be that hard - it simply altering the crossover frequency of the sub.  I tried chatting with a SONOS sales rep in HK on line and he/she insisted there is no issue and that you just have to increase the sub volume - but based on comments here and from Sonos’s own announcement after the 14.12 release this is clearly not correct.  I also don’t understand whether it affects “some” or “all” of those who have an ARC + Sub set up.  


@Gubes it affects some, not all. You can minimize the issue by turning trueplay off and manually adjust sub. 


I've done that and:

a) The sub has lost all low frequencies if you set it so the higher frequencies (100 Hz or so) sound ok.

b) The centre channel sounds boxy.

 


The silence of sonos means only one thing to me - maybe they are not willing to fix our subs. I’m now 100% sure that the problem is related to the sub mini and was made on purpose. Yesterday some youtube channels already had subs mini for unboxing or promoting, so the firmware 14.12 was including sub mini. With 14.15 they just unlocked the app to be able to add it. 
So they can keep silence, delete posts or ignore us, but they should not forget that our money are now in their pockets. We paid for quality product that will bring joy, no to spend my time in this forum or to be sound engeneer every evening. 

EDIT: I live in Europe and it's hard for me to seek legal liability, but surely someone in the states will, sooner or later.

 


Or they are actually working on it, who knows…. 
But now I’m thinking about it, if you pair the sub mini to the arc, it will never be powerful enough to fill a large room with bass. Also if the sound profile on the arc is the way it is now, you will have the same issue with the sub-mini. 
 

I’m still hoping for the fix…. I’m not buying anything from Sonos until it’s fixed. 


Perhaps we should start venting our frustration on https://www.facebook.com/sonos which probably gets more visibility than this forum. No doubt they could simply remove those posts but we could keep reposting :-) 


Perhaps we should start venting our frustration on https://www.facebook.com/sonos which probably gets more visibility than this forum. No doubt they could simply remove those posts but we could keep reposting :-) 

Their facebook is already full of negative comments. 🤣🤣🤣


Working on facebook! 😄


So i posted this on the sub mini post….

 »So I’m guessing the 14.12 update that broke our systems was because the mini sub can’t handle the sound signature of 14.10 ?. Two months and still no fix, no reply on their forum chat but yet they have the time to push new products and reply to questions on the sub mini. What an insult to your old customers. Won’t be investing in sonos anymore. They changed my sound signature and what i purchased it for without giving any choice and no fix.  »

What an insult from this company, weeks of complaints on this thread without any reply from them, no reply to emails either but yet they are busy replying to sub mini posts and now removing any comments that could affect sales.

Anyone thinking about the sub mini…read through this thread from old sonos users and make your decision. 
I certainly won’t be buying any more since they can trash a perfectly good working system and sound signature in a simple update. To say im angry about wasting thousands is an understatement !!!


 

 

 

And……..surprise surprise , moderators have removed my comment from the sub mini post. They don’t have the time or decency to reply to all of our questions and comments, but they have time to remove comments so as to keep the image looking clean and improve advertising. They also reply to questions concerning the new product.

I think speaking out on social media is the only way to try and get answers. Unfortunately i’m loosing hope. Surely they would have at least given us a date for the fix if they intended fixing the subs.

 


Working on facebook! 😄

Kör hårt ;)


 

I think speaking out on social media is the only way to try and get answers. Unfortunately i’m loosing hope. Surely they would have at least given us a date for the fix if they intended fixing the subs.

 

 

Sonos never gives dates, about anything.  They stated in the first post of this thread that the Sub problems are being worked on and will be addressed in a future release. 


 

I think speaking out on social media is the only way to try and get answers. Unfortunately i’m loosing hope. Surely they would have at least given us a date for the fix if they intended fixing the subs.

 

 

Sonos never gives dates, about anything.  They stated in the first post of this thread that the Sub problems are being worked on and will be addressed in a future release. 

It Will be ready for Top Gun 3 in another 40 years ;)


It Will be ready for Top Gun 3 in another 40 years ;)

 

That joke was lame the first time I read it.


It Will be ready for Top Gun 3 in another 40 years ;)

 

That joke was lame the first time I read it.

Sorry for trying to be funny in this world of Sonos chaos 


Sorry for trying to be funny in this world of Sonos chaos 

 

I apologize.  I’m a bit cranky today.


Sorry for trying to be funny in this world of Sonos chaos 

 

I apologize.  I’m a bit cranky today.

No problem 


I’ve been seriously pissed about this whole debacle with my sound system. I use true play when only using the ark. Then I turn it off whenever I’m using my surrounds with the two subs. It’s frustrating to keep switching like this. I agree with everyone’s venting and frustration. But I am confident that Sonos has too much to lose by not fixing the problem so I expect it to be fixed soon. 


So i posted this on the sub mini post….

 »So I’m guessing the 14.12 update that broke our systems was because the mini sub can’t handle the sound signature of 14.10 ?. Two months and still no fix, no reply on their forum chat but yet they have the time to push new products and reply to questions on the sub mini. What an insult to your old customers. Won’t be investing in sonos anymore. They changed my sound signature and what i purchased it for without giving any choice and no fix.  »

What an insult from this company, weeks of complaints on this thread without any reply from them, no reply to emails either but yet they are busy replying to sub mini posts and now removing any comments that could affect sales.

Anyone thinking about the sub mini…read through this thread from old sonos users and make your decision. 
I certainly won’t be buying any more since they can trash a perfectly good working system and sound signature in a simple update. To say im angry about wasting thousands is an understatement !!!


 

 

 

And……..surprise surprise , moderators have removed my comment from the sub mini post. They don’t have the time or decency to reply to all of our questions and comments, but they have time to remove comments so as to keep the image looking clean and improve advertising. They also reply to questions concerning the new product.

I think speaking out on social media is the only way to try and get answers. Unfortunately i’m loosing hope. Surely they would have at least given us a date for the fix if they intended fixing the subs.

 

This…


Hi all,

 

We read all of your comments here on the Community and completely understand how frustrating this issue must be for those affected.

Please rest assured that our teams are continuing to work on this issue but we have no further updates on a timescale for a fix right now.

We are continuing to pass on feedback from this and other threads to our development teams so your voices are being heard.

As soon as we have something to share we’ll update you all on this thread.

 

Cheers,

James L.


Hi all,

 

We read all of your comments here on the Community and completely understand how frustrating this issue must be for those affected.

Please rest assured that our teams are continuing to work on this issue but we have no further updates on a timescale for a fix right now.

We are continuing to pass on feedback from this and other threads to our development teams so your voices are being heard.

As soon as we have something to share we’ll update you all on this thread.

 

Cheers,

James L.

 

Well, that wasnt to hard was it James? 😉

You *really* need to work on your communication. We are your present and hopefully future customers.


Hi all,

 

We read all of your comments here on the Community and completely understand how frustrating this issue must be for those affected.

Please rest assured that our teams are continuing to work on this issue but we have no further updates on a timescale for a fix right now.

We are continuing to pass on feedback from this and other threads to our development teams so your voices are being heard.

As soon as we have something to share we’ll update you all on this thread.

 

Cheers,

James L.

 

The “but we have no further updates on a timescale for a fix right now” part worries me. It sounds like the fix could be some time away.


Hi all,

 

We read all of your comments here on the Community and completely understand how frustrating this issue must be for those affected.

Please rest assured that our teams are continuing to work on this issue but we have no further updates on a timescale for a fix right now.

We are continuing to pass on feedback from this and other threads to our development teams so your voices are being heard.

As soon as we have something to share we’ll update you all on this thread.

 

Cheers,

James L.

Thank you James for your reply. However 2 months with broken systems, no idea for when it will work properly again, no possibility of a refund when we (the consumer) didn’t break the product is a shocking attitude from your company.

Clearly the solution is not your development teams priority, as the last two updates since 14.12 have been for the new sonos sub. Thats been published in your release notes.

The trueplay function was one of your selling points for your hardware and we no longer have it (well technically yes but it doesn't work). For many of us trueplay ON or OFF, the system is broken. Sonos are not being transparent with its customers as either the testing was not done before the software release or you knew and released it anyway (perhaps in favor of your new sonos mini sub?).

The mini sub may boost your sales back up but unfortunately your present customers are turning their backs on your products. Obliviously you must know this if you check out the posts and complaints all over the social media sites.

I am not a software developer but how hard can it be to roll back to a previous software/firmware?

We can do it with phones, computers etc so it must be possible.

I’m pretty sure this is to do with the release of your mini sub, strange coincidence that our system sound like garbage now just before the release of a new product in the same category of sound.

Perhaps the new sound signature is to suit the sub mini as it can’t handle the 14.10 one?

As you can well see in this thread i am really annoyed and angry with this situation. It has been going on for far too long and with no fix…..TWO MONTHS !!!

I would like to be contacted by sonos to refund all of my sonos equipment, outside of guarantees and the 100 day limit. You sold me a product with trueplay and a sound signature and have changed it without giving any choice. I no longer have the product i originally purchased.