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.

This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

Show previous replies

S

Stone love sound

Enthusiast I

Just another voice to say the sub update is definitely broken.

I have an Arc, 2x One SLs and the Sub Gen 3. I don’t have Trueplay enabled.

I’ve just been doing some A/B and there’s definitely something wrong.

With sub audio set to default (0), I actually get better more prominent low end with the sub OFF. It’s immediately noticeable if I play a low end heavy track. I have to turn the Sub volume up to +6 to get roughly what I was hearing pre-update. You can flick it on and off while tracks are playing.

When you enable the sub it ‘takes over’ the low end from the Arc/Ones essentially automating crossover. However, following the update the sub is being so underpowered that by doing this you’re just losing the low end completely.

This is a dedicated £750 sub. It’s not meant to be subtle, it should have noticeable bass which it used to. I’ve spoken to Sonos support, even they are admitting it’s still a problem guys.

I think the majority of us will agree with you, including myself that the sub is still broken. But in the interim, we are just trying to improve the sound quality as best as possible until it’s completely fixed.

Z

Z95DFP

Lyricist II

Just another voice to say the sub update is definitely broken.

I have an Arc, 2x One SLs and the Sub Gen 3. I don’t have Trueplay enabled.

I’ve just been doing some A/B and there’s definitely something wrong.

With sub audio set to default (0), I actually get better more prominent low end with the sub OFF. It’s immediately noticeable if I play a low end heavy track. I have to turn the Sub volume up to +6 to get roughly what I was hearing pre-update. You can flick it on and off while tracks are playing.

When you enable the sub it ‘takes over’ the low end from the Arc/Ones essentially automating crossover. However, following the update the sub is being so underpowered that by doing this you’re just losing the low end completely.

This is a dedicated £750 sub. It’s not meant to be subtle, it should have noticeable bass which it used to. I’ve spoken to Sonos support, even they are admitting it’s still a problem guys.

I think the majority of us will agree with you, including myself that the sub is still broken. But in the interim, we are just trying to improve the sound quality as best as possible until it’s completely fixed.

I had this issue - split your Ones and Sub into one ‘room’, and put the Arc in another ‘room’, for music you will get 14.10 type sound playing both rooms simultaneously. You wont get the lack of bass issue with the ones driving the Sub. I have the Arc volume slightly above the ones/sub, I can enjoy music again until they fix this mess properly.

This should also work for TV too via the HDMI (tested mine via Creative X4 external DAC to PC and I can game in 5.1 audio, even though the system is split into two virtual rooms, so same principle should hold true for TV connection, I would think.

Only thing this wont fix is allowing you to play Atmos music via Amazon Music - multiroom playback stops you from having the ability to select Atmos (prob due to the 2x ones + sub as a standalone) and UHD tracks, but to be honest HD sounds amazing anyway.

Hope the above helps anyone wanting a short term music fix!!!! Literally cant believe the difference - my sub is now on +2 (from +15 and still sounded rubbish) and the bass is thundering away on my music again properly as it should be!