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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Kumar

Well using two Play:1’s almost side by side, one on S1 and the other on S2 with Trueplay disabled and flat EQ, I struggle to hear any differences to shout Home about

I would be very surprised to find any difference, but one does not know all about other moving parts in other places. But going back to S1 seems to be at least one solution for those that are Arc owners and seem to be severely affected.

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K

Kumar

Based on past changes made by Sonos, I can’t help feeling that if the new sound signature had been the old, and the old the new, there would be just as many complaints on this forum.

That is why unless there has been a gross issue in the SQ - in which case removing it should not be controversial by definition - it may be best to let sleeping dogs lie, and make any tweaks in the next version of the hardware via changes that bypass the upgrade process.

People that are visited by a change in the SQ can be justifiably upset on being forced to swallow medicine they do not think they need.

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BlazerJia

Lyricist III

Hi, thanks for your reply. Now I roll my Sonos one back to s1 at 11.5 version. I feel now I get a richer sound and it is better than s2 14.12 both with/without Trueplay.

I also tried to update to s2 14.10 from s1, but I got blocked by Sonos server. Therefore, I might stay in s1 for a while, wait their update and try again….At least now I can hear something ‘normal’.

Well using two Play:1’s almost side by side, one on S1 and the other on S2 with Trueplay disabled and flat EQ, I struggle to hear any differences to shout Home about .. see screenshot attached. which shows my brief test here…

I had to switch between the two as the streaming music service (Amazon) would only let me stream A and then B and not both at the same time, despite using the S1/S2 Apps. Anyhow, all I can say is there must be something wrong if your are hearing a significant difference on that (now) old speaker when it runs on the old S1 system.

Hi, it seems Amazon music only gives HD stream support for s2. You can see that in your s1 picture there is no HD sign. That means you have worse source sound quality in s1. If possible I think it’s better to control this variable such as play the same local flac and compare.

I do find the high vocal in s1 is richer and not as sharp as that in s2 14.12 with trueplay. Also the clarity improves a lot in s1 comparing to s2 without trueplay.

Maybe my ears get ill XD

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Ken_Griffiths

Well using two Play:1’s almost side by side, one on S1 and the other on S2 with Trueplay disabled and flat EQ, I struggle to hear any differences to shout Home about

I would be very surprised to find any difference, but one does not know all about other moving parts in other places. But going back to S1 seems to be at least one solution for those that are Arc owners and seem to be severely affected.

The Arc obviously will not run on S1. In my own, albeit ‘rough and ready’ brief tests here Kumar, I don’t think this recent update is affecting ‘other’ S1/S2 compatible speakers in the line-up in any significant noticeable way (assuming all are playing 16/44 or lesser quality audio etc).

These recent changes are mostly related to the Arcs reduction in volume and the clarity of the center channel speech/dialogue with one or two users being affected with perceived reduced Sub issues caused through the retuning process.

I think everything else is untouched - it just seems odd that people are coming out the woodwork with issues with Play:1’s and the such like, saying they sound better on S1 - well all I can say to that is in my own tests here, I’m not noticing the difference claimed by @BlazerJia - take from that what you will.

I’m not attempting to defend Sonos here with these recent changes by the way, I’m just speaking as I find. I accept the Arc volume-curve has been changed and the speech dialogue improved, but personally, I would have liked to have seen elements of customisation added to the Arc room settings to help cater for the greater majority, as I accept we all may hear things differently and have different environments/preferences.

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K

Kumar

The Arc obviously will not run on S1. In my own, albeit ‘rough and ready’ brief tests here Kumar, I don’t think this recent update is affecting ‘other’ S1/S2 compatible speakers in the line-up in any significant noticeable way (assuming all are playing 16/44 or lesser quality audio etc.

Ahh, so that shoots down that “solution” for the Arc owners afflicted, and I tend to discount any claims for changes in the sonic signature of units like play 1/One when not bonded to an Arc. Sonos made no reference to such in its release notes either.

It may be that Trueplay does different things to a play 1 in S2 compared to S1, though even that is something I doubt. But I have no way to test for that.

I also do not use Arc and the like, so I have no skin in the game and should desist from commenting!

PS: and of course there are at least three comments I have read that are thrilled with new Arc sound!

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melvimbe

Really not happy that I’ve spent so much money and now the product I have is not the product I bought. I presume the return window will remain well and truly closed for those who really don’t like they way the system sounds now 🙁

You will soon have the fervent Sonos fans chiming in here, telling you that when you opened the box you implicitly signed the end user license agreement granting Sonos the permission to change the sound profile as and when they feel like doing so.

If these “Sonos fans” are going to chime, why do you feel the need to jump in and speak on their behalf? Wouldn’t it be better to let them speak for themselves, rather than trying to preface the statements you think are coming in a negative context.

I do recall saying something similar to this regarding the EUL for the Sonos app and it’s functionality, perhaps in terms of device firmware features added/removed, but with an entirely different context. I am certain I never stated this in terms of the sound profile. I don’t recall Sonos ever changing the sound profile previously, other than tweaks to issues that occur under certain conditions, that I don’t recall anyone had any issues with . Obviously, firmware is involved here, so perhaps there is some grey area, but I mostly think there is solid ground to stand on in regards to wanting the sound profile of the speakers you purchased to remain the same as they were when you purchased them.

I honestly haven’t had a serious listen to the Arc since the update and can’t say I’ve noticed any real difference. I don’t really pay attention to the volume level numbers, so that change doesn’t bother me.

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Danny

J

John B

I cannot agree with the suggestion that the sound signature of a device should never be changed from how it was when purchased. This rules out any attempt at improvement for existing customers There have been several posts on this forum saying that dialogue wasn’t clear on Sonos soundbars (although I have never thought that). If nothing is done then the cry goes up that “Sonos doesn’t listen to its users”.

Sonos was trying to address this issue. I make no judgement on whether the outcome this time has been good or bad (or a bit of both), I just think ruling out any change is, in the long run, detrimental.

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IMSmitty

Lyricist III

While I'm glad Sonos has atleast responded to and acknowledged this issue (albeit not in it's entirety), I still think that this response is an oversimplification of the issue. Simply "turning up the sub audio" does not replicate the output that we had pre 14.12 (even with turning your sub audio and system's overall volume all the way up. Which is also obnoxious and not a sufficient solution for the record). Pre 14.12 I could have my system play at a moderate overall volume, with the sub punching. I cannot replicate the sound profile that I enjoyed pre 14.12 update, no matter how much I revise the settings. I'll add that with the sub audio all the way up (& overall volume extremely high), there appears to be more of a boost to mid bass than to the low end. While the new "sound profile" isn't completely terrible it definitely is different and the old profile can't be replicated by turning up the sub audio. So, as a substantially invested Sonos customer, I do not find this response to be comprehensive or completely accurate. Please give us our Subs back. Perhaps, allow a sound profile option. Just a thought. Thanks!

Are you using the Sub with the Beam or the Ray?

Home theater group- Arc, Sub Gen 3, and One Sl's

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A

amun

Well using two Play:1’s almost side by side, one on S1 and the other on S2 with Trueplay disabled and flat EQ, I struggle to hear any differences to shout Home about .. see screenshot attached. which shows my brief test here…

I’m surprised that you can’t hear a difference, as your screenshot shows that you were playing two different tracks ;-)

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John B

That's how passionate I am and I share this exact same frustration with the other vast majority on here.

That would be the vast majority of those who have come on here because they they have a grievance. So it is hardly surprising they are a majority. (That grievance may be legitimate, I make no judgement on that.)

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Changes to volume mapping and impact on Sub output

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