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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Belvedere98

Lyricist I

I was really happy with my Arc, One's and sub. Never asked for a different sound character and I must say the experience is quite underwhelming at the moment. Please fix this as soon as possible!

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arsenalfc

Lyricist II

I think the new update is great, please do not change it. How something sounds can be subjective even more so to the majority of users on here who don't have the equipment to test. The quantitative data shows that this is a better sound profile, so now it comes down to ones preference. If this better sound profile isn't your preference work on changing your settings of simply buy a product that is geared towards your preference.

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MaximiliaanJ

Lyricist III

I think the new update is great, please do not change it. How something sounds can be subjective even more so to the majority of users on here who don't have the equipment to test. The quantitative data shows that this is a better sound profile, so now it comes down to ones preference. If this better sound profile isn't your preference work on changing your settings of simply buy a product that is geared towards your preference.

Yes, a non responsive 850€ sub refusing to cover low bass and overadjusting mid bass is better. ****

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

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Ken_Griffiths

According to the data presented by Peter Pee in his YT video here, very little changed in relation to the Sonos Sub (bonded to the Arc) in the 14.12 update…

https://youtu.be/q3fSRZbff24

I would perhaps have thought with Trueplay left disabled temporarily (for those few who are affected) it would be a good solution, for now at least. That’s as long as anyone doesn’t also mind sliding up their volume control to compensate for the volume level change that was seen.

I thought Peter Pee’s video (and his previous one on the same update with a standalone-Arc) was very constructive and informative.

They both completely reflect my own experience with the 14.12 update, which was a mostly a change to the volume curve, a definite improved-clarity to the center-channel dialogue and no loss of Bass.

The data Peter presents really speaks for itself, but I do of course accept that a few people have encountered a different experience, but I guess you’re never going to please all the people, all the time.

In any event, Sonos have acknowledged an issue with the ‘bonded’ Sub, post-update, and the indications are it’s related to Trueplay and that Sonos engineers are working on a fix for those experiencing that identified issue.

Enjoy the video… as you will see Peter does have a bit of a rant at Sonos too and makes his own suggestions in both of his videos on the 14.12 update, but I think it’s the unbiased independent data that he presents that is the important thing to perhaps note.

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FPSJ

Enthusiast II

I think the new update is great, please do not change it. How something sounds can be subjective even more so to the majority of users on here who don't have the equipment to test. The quantitative data shows that this is a better sound profile, so now it comes down to ones preference. If this better sound profile isn't your preference work on changing your settings of simply buy a product that is geared towards your preference.

So you like bad sound? Even Sonos says there is something wrong with 14.12 and are hopefully working on it… cant understand why it’s taking such a long time though.

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Dogdad

Headliner III

I think the new update is great, please do not change it. How something sounds can be subjective even more so to the majority of users on here who don't have the equipment to test. The quantitative data shows that this is a better sound profile, so now it comes down to ones preference. If this better sound profile isn't your preference work on changing your settings of simply buy a product that is geared towards your preference.

So you like bad sound? Even Sonos says there is something wrong with 14.12 and are hopefully working on it… cant understand why it’s taking such a long time though.

14.12 DID NOT affect everyone ….SONOS even says that

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Dhina1

Lyricist III

This update is incredible. The Arc sounds way better. I can hear dialogue in movies clearly. Sub (had to change level from 0 to +2) still hits but doesn't require me to turn the volume down. We don't change the volume up and down every five minutes any more.

Music sounds way better. The rears are delivering great ambience at default values, and the Arc sounds a lot more wide than before.

We can now listen to podcasts on the Arc. Previously the voices in podcasts were drowning under the low levels, but now it's crystal clear.

I felt the same..Best update in Sonos history...all bass and treble bleeding is controlled and volume is normalized and no need to adjust volume much between commercials and dialogue and actions....there are still issues like trueplay and sub power etc..even it seems Sonos is working on them for next update..Glad Sonos could able to recognize Arc's major flaw in DSP programming..without this clarity related upgrade 14.12 Sonos can not go forward with Arc's fine tuning further Product should have been released with atleast with this perfection...Sonos released Arc with major flaw i.e metallic sound which caused discomfort to ears.

New update 14.12 s a great first step as further bug fixes will truly can fix real bugs with Arc system.

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blunderdome

Enthusiast I

Man, it’s been almost a month since SONOS neutered my system with this update. Trueplay off is not a long term solution. Where the hell is the fix?

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sebas1509

Enthusiast II

Hey Sonos, just in case you aren't getting the message and think that it's only a minority of users unhappy with the 14.12 update. Here is a real live survey from a Sonos Users Social Media group. To date (out of 229 votes) 77 (33%) people say 14.12 made the sound worst, 79 (34%) people say it made no difference, and 45 (19%, THE MINORITY) people say it sounds better.

Almost the majority of people in this data set think 14.12 made it sound worst. If you combine those unaffected with the disgruntled, that's 67% of this data set either see no difference or are unhappy with inferior sound. This data set suggests a truly unsuccessful update. The numbers don't lie!

The. People. Have. Spoken.

Also, I'll add for context: Thinking the 14.12 update made the sound worst "is not" the popular opinion to have in this referenced social media group where this poll was taken.

Well I wouldn’t take any of this information until they fix the issues with the sub and bass. People will say that it’s worse if the bass is gone.

I have the arc and surrounds and I’d say it sounds better especially on tv and movies . Which is the main functionality of a soundbar.

i have to test music more. But how I turned off dialogue improvement and it is still so clear. I had people over and people commented on how well they could hear all details and voices.

Very happy with my arc.

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notacapulet

Enthusiast I

Any updates on what Sonos is fixing and by when? Are they going to fix the arc’s sound as well as the neutered bass? We are disappointed with our new sound night-after-night.

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Changes to volume mapping and impact on Sub output

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