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

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.

As to the first, I said what I said because it is a free world for everyone in it, in which the referred fan/s won’t hesitate to also ascribe motives to my statement, so I saw no reason why I should not go first because I do see such statements as just a dogmatic defence of Sonos that even Sonos does not attempt to put forth.

As to the second, and for what it’s worth, you were not in mind when I wrote what I did. Nor do I remember if you brought in EULA to defend changes to the app/features - I often do not see any point to these changes, but they don’t impinge on what any speaker is about, first and foremost, and why it is bought - for how it sounds - and so changes to apps and the like are, at worst, just a superficial irritant.

The only time Sonos made radical changes to the sound from my units, it was via the optional True play. Again, nothing to complain then given the option to just toggle it to OFF, or with respect to any tweaks that Sonos may make to the True play algorithms in S2, if I was a S2 user. As long as the toggle remains in place.

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te5s3rakt

Lyricist I

Seems to me the simplest solution would be just to give users the ability to adjust the sound profile.

Present in the settings a graph we can play with to get our desired sound. Reset to default brings back Sonos “preferred” factory profile. Allow the ability to save profiles so we can swap between a couple.

Simple stuff really. Ain’t no one would be complaining then.

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J

John B

Yes sounds pretty trivial to me. But then I have never seen a line of Sonos code either.

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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 .. 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 ;-)

It was just a sample screenshot - I assure you @amun I did play the same tracks from the same audio source - I did mention that Amazon would not let me stream/play the two at the same time - I took several screenshots and here is another from 11.31hrs this morning taken during the same test.

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John B

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

I think you will find that what S1 lacks is the ability to display the symbol, not to play the format. Displaying format was an S2 enhancement post the S1/S2 split. Sonos has been capable of playing lossless CD quality files since it was launched. I don’t agree with anything in your post.

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GuitarSuperstar

Lead Maestro

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

If you are using the Arc, Sonos doesn’t recommend turning up the Sub audio. They recommend temporarily disabling Trueplay on the Arc until the issue is addressed with an upcoming software update.

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"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi

melvimbe

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.

As to the first, I said what I said because it is a free world for everyone in it, in which the referred fan/s won’t hesitate to also ascribe motives to my statement, so I saw no reason why I should not go first because I do see such statements as just a dogmatic defence of Sonos that even Sonos does not attempt to put forth.

It would have been a lot more helpful if you mentioned the thread you specifically had in mind to provide some context. As it stood without context, it looked like you were referring to conversations that happened years ago on completely different topics.

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Danny

jgatie

Why would Sonos bother with a EULA if they do not intend to use it as an argument? What a silly comment, of course Sonos will use the EULA as an argument, there's no other reason to have a EULA.

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alexp

Trending Lyricist I

Disabling TruePlay has made little difference on my system (Arc + sub + surrounds). The sound is still tinny with no depth to the bass, even if I then turn up the bass EQ to full. My conclusion is either Sonos have not fully understood the scope of the issue yet, or they have chosen to downplay it for marketing reasons. In my opinion neither reflects well on Sonos.

Even if you ignore the unintended issues of bass response being broken in some setups, when you have customers who have spent thousands of $/£ on Sonos equipment, I find it pretty disappointing that Sonos product management ever thought it would be ok to roll out a significant change to the sound profile to all Arc customers on an automated software update with no ability for users to opt in or out of the change. Sure, some people like the change, and some don’t. But those people who auditioned the Sonos equipment or who relied on reviews of the sound profile by seasoned reviewers, are now left with a product that no longer provides that experience. Sonos isn’t some subscription service where people who don’t like the new experience can just switch to another service. It’s expensive hardware that you’re stuck with if Sonos decide that the sound profile you liked when you made your purchase decision is no longer available. In my opinion, this is not a good way to treat customers if you want them to be happy and remain long term Sonos fans, or repeat customers as new products are released.

As soon as this issue has been resolved (if it ever is) then I will be disabling Sonos software updates and hoping Sonos continues to work as is in a stable sate without needing any kind of mandatory update in the future.

I’ve adjusted my “would you recommend Sonos to a friend” score from 8/10 down to 2/10.

For those who are not effected by the any issues or who don’t find this experience as disappointing as me, then that’s ok. I’m just trying to respectfully share my experience and my opinion, and I’m not saying it reflects your experience or should be your opinion.

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Dogdad

Headliner III

Why would Sonos bother with a EULA if they do not intend to use it as an argument? What a silly comment, of course Sonos will use the EULA as an argument, there's no other reason to have a EULA.

What is a EULA?

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Changes to volume mapping and impact on Sub output

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