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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arcosin

Enthusiast II

People saying in the Sonos group on FB that 14.14 sound like 14.10 but my system still sucks like 14.12

Did trueplay 3 times with both iPhone/iPad

Sounds better with trueplay off but still doesnt sound good :/

It definitely doesn’t sound like 14.10

Sound is not as nearly as punchy and the sub is completely dead unless you raise the volume way too much.

C

CycleSix

Trending Lyricist I

I was just on a support call with Sonos, and I’ve been told that this 14.14 update was for some other things, and doesn’t inlude fix for Arc+Sub 😮

Flare

Prominent Collaborator I

I was just on a support call with Sonos, and I’ve been told that this 14.14 update was for some other things, and doesn’t inlude fix for Arc+Sub 😮

That’s really unfortunate and frustrating

L

LBJ2

Lyricist III

I was just on a support call with Sonos, and I’ve been told that this 14.14 update was for some other things, and doesn’t inlude fix for Arc+Sub 😮

That’s really unfortunate and frustrating

Good post. My thought is when Sonos do roll out something that directly addresses the issues, we will see a thread or post similar to this very thread marked “STICKY F.A.Q.14.XX or 15.XX UPDATE”

J

JeroenVR

Prominent Collaborator I

Maybe they are not planning to fix the issue and hoping all this will blow over at some day 😂

A

arcosin

Enthusiast II

Everyone should spread the word and warn their friends who want to buy a new soundbar that they must avoid Sonos at all cost. You’ll spare them years of endless suffering and one of the worst customer services in history.

P

Pavel Puchko

Lyricist II

I bought my sonos two weeks ago, I bought it based on good reviews on the Internet, I don’t know how it sounded at 14.10, but the sound at 14.12 wasn’t particularly impressive, I listened to the samsung hw-q900a in the store and was impressed by it, but I thought the sonos would sound better, it turned out that this is not the case, possibly due to the fact that I have not yet bought a subwoofer. I even think that the speakers on my tv LG G2 sound better and loudly than the sonos arc

R

Rich76

I bought my sonos two weeks ago, I bought it based on good reviews on the Internet, I don’t know how it sounded at 14.10, but the sound at 14.12 wasn’t particularly impressive, I listened to the samsung hw-q900a in the store and was impressed by it, but I thought the sonos would sound better, it turned out that this is not the case, possibly due to the fact that I have not yet bought a subwoofer. I even think that the speakers on my tv LG G2 sound better and loudly than the sonos arc

You’re lucky you can send yours back. I’m stuck with mine 😢

P

PG80

Producer I

I am a new Sonos customer. I’ve been using the Sonos Arc/Sub Gen 3/One SL system for a couple of months now. I’m coming from a series of traditional home cinema setups the last one a Yamaha receiver, B&W speakers combination. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a soundbar system but I was really impressed. The system is in a small home cinema room with acoustic treatment, dimensions (3.8mx4.5m, height 2.6m). The sound was crisp, detailed, immersive with good bass. But since 14.12, i will not say completely ruined but performance is definitely worse. Sound is muddier, sub not as present, surround sometimes overwhelm. There was no issue with dialogue before and I can’t tell if it improved to be honest. I felt sound signature with 14.10 was special but not anymore.

Sonos Arc | Sub (Gen 3) | Era 300 || One SL