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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petewhiteside80

Lyricist III

Retuned with trueplay, definitely a lot better in my experience.. await Peter Pees findings to visualise what has changed.

Wider, more punchier and Sub bass has returned

D

David Batchelor

Avid Contributor I

Agree with the last couple of comments, volume curve is back to how it used to be for me and also the sub is more prominent (IMHO)

J

jesalr

Contributor II

Ran a bass sweep pre update, post update, and post update with a retune of TruePlay.

Both post update sweeps showed up way more at 40, 35 and 30Hz than pre-update.

Might be a placebo, but it certainly seems better for me. Awaiting actual data though to see for sure

R

RBM1505

Lyricist III

I hadn’t posted on this thread before, nor seen any comments on how a Playbase/Sub/surrounds had also been affected by recent updates. However, I’m pleased to say the 14.18 release and a fresh Trueplay session does result in a much improved experience. The surrounds L/R balance is better, and the sound for music is much improved too. Thank you, Sonos.

I'm not sure I have anything to be thankful for. They've mostly fixed an expensive system that they broke in the first place?

As far as I'm concerned I will never reccommend Sonos to anyone. In fact, I actively tell anyone who has an interest in audio to avoid them like the plague. This whole debacle has completely trashed their reputation. If I could have a zero-loss solution to offload this crap I'd take it in a heartbeat. My biggest regret this year has been that I didn't return it inside the 100 days when I had an issue with outputs.

The moment there's something better that will justify an upgrade cost I am out of here and never looking back. A completely amateur company masquerading as a serious audio supplier.

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FPSJ

Enthusiast II

So both James L and Coroline V have retired?

Coincidence????

Airgetlam

Likely so. I’ve had 4 people “retire” in my company in the last 6 months. And my company is much smaller than Sonos is.

Bruce

A

Ajseps

Lyricist III

Mine sounds solid. Update deff fixed the arc and sub issues for me

B

blunderdome

Enthusiast I

It would be really awesome to hear direct from Sonos as to whether or not they consider the issue resolved. Not sure why we have to play Schrodinger's patch here when they could just tell us what was or wasn’t fixed.

Flare

Prominent Collaborator I

Definately hear an improvement with the Arc, 2xSub and surrounds with Trueplay on! Apart from the improved bass also noticed that the Arc + Surrounds sounds are more balanced now, prior to 14.18 when playing music I would be hearing all the audio from the surrounds.

Will re-run Trueplay later and see if that improves it even further.

J

JeroenVR

Prominent Collaborator I

Just watched “Bad Boys for Life” in Atmos with the new patch 14.18.

Volume at 30 was loud enough to clearly hear the voices. With the EQ bass at +1 and treble at 0, sub-level +2, and later on I figured out to reduce the surround audio to -2 for my room. Seems quite balanced to my ears. The bass is deep, mids are good and treble is also fine. Total result is very satisfying in my opinion.

It lasted 3 months, but I really do think I have the sound back where I want it to be. Sincerely hoping everyone can hear and feel the difference. Although this has taken a long time, me personally am very happy I can enjoy my system again. Can’t speak for the rest in here, but truly hope, everyone can confirm there is a very big improvement with 14.18.

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Changes to volume mapping and impact on Sub output

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