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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nikid

Enthusiast II

Off the back of this 'reaction', then no doubt we will now see an influx of used Sonos equipment for sale, people attempting to rid in disgust the system they bought and once loved which is simply no longer. This award winning sound has been ruined by a select few people moaning about dialogue and a team of quite frankly idiots who could not simply embed this 'improvement' into the dialogue / speech enhancement feature.

If this next update does not revert the sound and volume level back to how it all was in 14.10 at least, then I will be one of people who wants to say goodbye to the whole lot. I just can not stand how it sounds right now. They say all good things must come to an end, sadly for me you've not even made it 6 months before you've tarnished my once solid and trusted impression of your brand. A 3 minute software update to suit your moaning 3% and then ruin the vast remaining majority of your community.

It is simply not acceptable; the volume, the sound profile and certainly not your behaviour.

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Outburst

Enthusiast II

The dissatisfied tend to speak louder but as someone who’s happy with the update here is my voice.

I have also no issues here and I’m really baffled when I read that some folks have to adjust the treble to -8. I’m still having everything on 0 (default) and it sounds fine, yes there is a volume difference, but that’s more or less it. Nothing I would have to set treble to -8 for.

jgatie

Well I know if I were an engineer (which I am), the first thing I'd do after being called a "team of idiots" would be to bend over backwards to fix that person's problem (Not!).

Please people, you can be upset without being insulting. We are adults, we don't need to be abusive to get our point across.

jgatie

The dissatisfied tend to speak louder but as someone who’s happy with the update here is my voice.

I have also no issues here and I’m really baffled when I read that some folks have to adjust the treble to -8. I’m still having everything on 0 (default) and it sounds fine, yes there is a volume difference, but that’s more or less it. Nothing I would have to set treble to -8 for.

The Sonos rep did say the Trueplay Sub problem is only some users with certain hardware combinations.

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D12389

Lyricist I

Sounds good, don't change

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Gman317

Contributor I

Sounds terrible to me. I have a big room and

since update the volume has to be on 100, When normally 75 at the most.. Need a fix soon!

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nikid

Enthusiast II

Well I know if I were an engineer (which I am), the first thing I'd do after being called a "team of idiots" would be to bend over backwards to fix that person's problem (Not!).

Please people, you can be upset without being insulting. We are adults, we don't need to be abusive to get our point across.

Apologies if my wording offended you. But in my eyes, the company would be idiots if they did not sort this. The amount of money that not just myself but lots of other people have invested in these products, then for a team of (whatever you call them) to come along and ruin it, is just unacceptable. You don't have to side with us but at least have an understanding if it was your hard earned cash gone to ruins. That's how passionate I am and I share this exact same frustration with the other vast majority on here.

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Ian Sives

Enthusiast I

@nikid ….. i agree with your statements 100% I think if i put my true feelings about sonos on here it would be way worse than the word ‘idiots’.

jgatie

You can be passionate with being abusive. You have no idea what the decision process was for this change, calling people idiots just because they tried to fix a long standing complaint about dialog clarity is neither warranted or productive And as far as others siding with you or not, I suggest the more abusive the rant, the less support you will get. I'm 100% behind people unsatisfied with these changes, right up until they start heaping abuse on people who can't fight back.

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nikid

Enthusiast II

Well I know if I were an engineer (which I am), the first thing I'd do after being called a "team of idiots" would be to bend over backwards to fix that person's problem (Not!).

Please people, you can be upset without being insulting. We are adults, we don't need to be abusive to get our point across.

Now I've got my apology out of the way, here's what I really think. You would absolutely be bending over backwards and fixing it, because it's not just mine and others problem but yours too. My purchase made your company profit and paid you. People forget these fundamentals. Your brand and reputation would be on the line and ultimately you too in line at the job centre. Here's hoping you do work for Sonos, take heed and do the right thing.

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Changes to volume mapping and impact on Sub output

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