Introducing Sonos Sub Gen 3, brilliant sound you can feel
Available on June 10th, Sonos Sub is being masterfully engineered with its third generation. We’re enhancing the same iconic design and bold bass with updated internals including increased memory, processing power, and a new wireless radio.
Hear and feel the difference with Sub, the wireless subwoofer for deep bass. Experience lower lows and higher highs when you connect Sub to your Sonos system over WiFi. Place the award-winning design upright or lay it on its side and enjoy pure bass with no vibration or rattle.
No buzz, just bass
Sonos Sub features two force-canceling drivers at the center to eliminate vibration and rattle so you get powerful bass without any distortion. It brings the same great sound as the previous Sub, with updated internals including increased memory, processing power, and a new wireless radio.
The custom-designed drivers take over the lowest frequencies for the Sonos speaker or home theater setup that Sub is bonded with, freeing up the speaker for higher highs, while the Sub handles all of the lowest lows. Connect Sub to Arc or Beam, and enjoy TV, movies, and video games like never before. Add a pair of One SL surrounds for an even more immersive home theater experience.
Some more details on Sonos Sub gen 3:
Simple to set-up. Plug Sub into power and bring your phone up to Sub to automatically pair and securely transfer WiFi credentials using near-field communication (NFC).
Flexible Orientation. Sub’s enduring design continues to fit perfectly into any space. Stand Sub upright, lay it on its side, or tuck it under the couch without any loss in sound performance.
Bold Bass. Frequency response plays as low as 25 Hz.
Tune with Trueplay. Trueplay puts the speaker-tuning capability of the pros in the palm of your hands, adapting and optimizing the sound of the speaker to the unique acoustics of the room. iOS device required.
Dimensions. The dimensions are (H x W x D)15.3 x 6.2 x 15.8 inches (389 x 158 x 402 mm) and Sub weighs 36.3 lb (16 kg).
Pre-order today on Sonos.com in glossy black or white for $699 US (€799 EUR).
We’ve announced details for the Sonos Arc and Sonos Five. You can also check out our blog for some great stories.
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What would you do in my place? I’ve ordered the Arc and now have the option of either buying the Sub Gen 2 new for 599 minus loyalty Miles for ~300 or buy the new Sub for a whopping 799, i.e. 500 more expensive.
I’d get the gen 2 device.
@Ryan S : Can you confirm that the Gen 3 Sub has 2 GB of RAM? The specs regarding CPU, RAM suddenly disappeared from the product page, so any insight would be appreciated.
/Mikkel
And if it had that 2 GB, would you think that more RAM and the unsure future implication would justify to shell out 500 bucks?
My main problem with the Sub is I can't pair it with 2 speakers in the same room (Playbar and play:5). And as I understand, Gen 3 won't change that...
Curious why you would have two devices speakers in the same room? Is it a particular big room? If so, why wouldn’t you just play both in a group and then get the sub at part of that group?
Huge issue for me and why I have held off on buying a Sub. Because you have your tv sound using a sound bar (Playbase, Playbar, Beam, Arc), which cannot accommodate outboard L + R front speakers. But then in the same room (typically living room), you want a music-only setup with separated Ones/Fives. And because you’re not a sucker, you don’t want to pay $700 each for 2 Subs sitting right next to each other in the same room, that will never be used at the same time.
I really hope the extra RAM of this new Sub along with the 2.0 software means you can finally share a Sub between groups including auto switching the Trueplay data for the 2 groups (it’s been speculated a reason why you couldn’t previously do this was limited RAM in the Sub, but no idea if that’s true).
You can have front L/R speakers alongside a soundbar with rear L/R and a sub...you just pair the front set as (for example) 'Living Room front" and then group these with 'Living Room' (the soundbar, rear surrounds and sub) and then boom - you have an over the top but definitely better sounding surround system!
Hopefully though with the arc there will be some Atmos rear speakers with upward facing cones, or Atmos ceiling speakers, and this OTT setup won't be of any benefit.
The sub and its extra RAM though who knows?! Its just a slave speaker so doesn't need much so I suspect its just been future proofed by sonos for things they have in the pipeline a few years away yet...
Hi Ryan
Just trying to get some clarification on the available Finishes for the Sub (gen3).
Features and Specs state the following:
However FAQ’s state what’s below which could be interpreted as a forthcoming optional NEW finish for the Sub (gen3) other than gloss...like matte (or maybe a more durable scratch resistant gloss finish). Still it could imply a deeper black or whiter white. The latter could make it hard to be in the same room without sunglasses LOL
Please clarify. Thanks!
And what should I say after just getting the Sub a week ago? :D
I have the option to return it for few months from now.
The question is: is it worth it to do that and pay 150€ more for Gen 3?
My main problem with the Sub is I can't pair it with 2 speakers in the same room (Playbar and play:5). And as I understand, Gen 3 won't change that...
Return it for sure and get the latest.
I have some wifi stability issues with my current sub gen 2. I see wifi radio is updated in the internals of gen 3, but what does that mean exactly? What’s the difference?
At minimum I hope they replaced the ancient spanning tree protocol they used which caused so many issues with mesh wifi.
I was disappointed yesterday not to see the predicted announcement about a mid-range Sub option come true. I get it on the one hand, they are banking on people being locked in to the ecosystem that they’ll fork over the $700 for the Sub to get the best experience. And I may end up caving too eventually. But I still think something like a $350/$400 Sub would be much more appealing product, even assuming it was slightly inferior bass to the big model. I would have likely eventually bought two since I have two Beams. Who knows though, I could also see if they had a mid range Sub that it could just cannibalize the more expensive one since most people aren’t audiophiles, but I sure do think they would sell a lot more of them.
Teah I have a sub but didnt pay full price since I got it for a military discount but the sub audience will always be limited by the price. I’m sure they are afraid a smaller sub would cannabilize sales of the bigger one but for a Beam and two ones paying $699 for a sub add on is pretty ridiculous.
They could have made the sub sound better by having it go lower and better detail. Its very much a home theater sub but not that great for music. Lot’s of $4 to 500 regular subs sound better. I would have used a 3rd party sub with my Amp but there were too many reports of issues.
It’s still in GLOSS?
No matte Black to match the rest of the products?
I also am annoyed by this. Gloss scratches if you look at it and feels so dated to me. (Also still appalled that I can’t pair the Sub to two groups (TV and a pair of 5s sitting on the same credenza))
My main problem with the Sub is I can't pair it with 2 speakers in the same room (Playbar and play:5). And as I understand, Gen 3 won't change that...
Curious why you would have two devices speakers in the same room? Is it a particular big room? If so, why wouldn’t you just play both in a group and then get the sub at part of that group?
Huge issue for me and why I have held off on buying a Sub. Because you have your tv sound using a sound bar (Playbase, Playbar, Beam, Arc), which cannot accommodate outboard L + R front speakers. But then in the same room (typically living room), you want a music-only setup with separated Ones/Fives. And because you’re not a sucker, you don’t want to pay $700 each for 2 Subs sitting right next to each other in the same room, that will never be used at the same time.
I really hope the extra RAM of this new Sub along with the 2.0 software means you can finally share a Sub between groups including auto switching the Trueplay data for the 2 groups (it’s been speculated a reason why you couldn’t previously do this was limited RAM in the Sub, but no idea if that’s true).
My main problem with the Sub is I can't pair it with 2 speakers in the same room (Playbar and play:5). And as I understand, Gen 3 won't change that...
Curious why you would have two devices speakers in the same room? Is it a particular big room? If so, why wouldn’t you just play both in a group and then get the sub at part of that group?
Huge issue for me and why I have held off on buying a Sub. Because you have your tv sound using a sound bar (Playbase, Playbar, Beam, Arc), which cannot accommodate outboard L + R front speakers. But then in the same room (typically living room), you want a music-only setup with separated Ones/Fives. And because you’re not a sucker, you don’t want to pay $700 each for 2 Subs sitting right next to each other in the same room, that will never be used at the same time.
I really hope the extra RAM of this new Sub along with the 2.0 software means you can finally share a Sub between groups including auto switching the Trueplay data for the 2 groups (it’s been speculated a reason why you couldn’t previously do this was limited RAM in the Sub, but no idea if that’s true).
Couldn’t agree more! Not being able to share a sub between the Playbase and stereo pair of 5s (which are right beside the TV!) is a major oversight. If I could use the 5s as TV speakers, then I’d add the sub and get rid of the Playbase.
@brbray and others of the same mindset...
Please answer one question regarding using the sub between different sets of speakers...
”why should a Sonos sub do more than a conventional sub?”
@brbray and others of the same mindset...
Please answer one question regarding using the sub between different sets of speakers...
”why should a Sonos sub do more than a conventional sub?”
For me, it delivers on more of what separates SONOS from others in the category: simplicity and ease of use. Also, it seems like a given that a SONOS sub should do more than a conventional sub. It’s not a stand-alone device, but rather part of a flexible, wireless, multi-room system that changed the marketplace.
It’s still in GLOSS?
No matte Black to match the rest of the products?
I also am annoyed by this. Gloss scratches if you look at it and feels so dated to me. (Also still appalled that I can’t pair the Sub to two groups (TV and a pair of 5s sitting on the same credenza))
Appalled? Seems a bit strong. I get why you want it for your scenario, but that’s not typical. As already pointed out, no other sub does this, so it’s hard to consider it a deficiency.
As far as the Sonos sub being moved between two rooms or shared between two sets of speakers in the same room...that’s not beyond the realm of possibilities as long as you’re willing to pay an extra $200 bucks or more (I’d imagine). Sonos Sub tech ain’t cheap at $700 and you want to add more to the cost. However, as I said no conventional sub does what is being asked. My God man...the Sonos sub not only sounds great...IT’S WIRELESS.
To gloss vs matte. OK...a matte finish would be a nice option. However, for my taste the matte sub when it existed was IMO not attractive. JMHO. I have gloss subs and they don’t scratch by looking at them. Try my care/ cleaning tips:
Keep any sub out of a traffic way. Applying pressure when dusting will actually push dust particles into the surface of the sub (white or black) causing fine scratches. Those scratches may only be visible under certain lighting or at various angles. On a black sub the scratches overtime can become so many that the sub appears dull and gray rather than black. On a white sub the finish loses its gloss.
Deep scratches appear plainly visible regardless of color.
I generally use a swiffer on my subs for lite dusting. Air freshener may leave a fine mist on the sub that dries as a haze. If that happens I use a very damp cloth to moisten the surface and gently wipe dry with a cotton cloth going in one direction. Never clean or wipe in a circular pattern. No polishing compounds...ever.
I have a sub that is behind an entertainment center so it’s not easy to dust. I purchased a cloth and placed over it to keep dust off and out of it. It can’t be seen so who cares about cloth. There are some who might invest in a cover similiar to that shown in the link:
Probably not a common request; but doesn’t seem like an unreasonable ask for Sonos to provide on-demand input switch functionality - especially considering that they special in multi-room audio that allows dynamically grouping speakers on-the-fly. It does seem unfortunate that the Sub can’t be grouped dynamically as well (not that I have a setup where it matters).
Sadly just bought gen2 before seeing this post
Sadly just bought gen2 before seeing this post
Are you living somewhere that you can’t return it or have you passed the return date?
For those owning a gen2...In any event the gen2 sub will work on S2, is supported for at least 5 years and technical support beyond that.
I saw no announcement where the frequency response of the gen3 has improved over the gen2.
The most notable improvements appear to be response time due to a more powerful CPU (which is difficult to measure), ease of setup, rubber feet and a redesigned power cord. Increased memory is all about future updates and may take years before the gen2 capacity is inadequate.
Hi Ryan
Just trying to get some clarification on the available Finishes for the Sub (gen3).
Hey AjTrek1, I checked in with the team to make sure. The finishing changes are some smaller changes to the Sonos text on the product and the coloring on the inner ring. The grander finish hasn’t changed from the Sub Gen 2’s glossy finish.
Hi Ryan
Just trying to get some clarification on the available Finishes for the Sub (gen3).
Hey AjTrek1, I checked in with the team to make sure. The finishing changes are some smaller changes to the Sonos text on the product and the coloring on the inner ring. The grander finish hasn’t changed from the Sub Gen 2’s glossy finish.
@Ryan S
Thanks for the clarification. Might I suggest less confusing language in the FAQ of…
”...powerful CPU and cosmetic branding updates...”
Cheers!
Hi,
For those who want do place the sub under a couch, the back will have rubber feet?
From those who have, no.
However, $1.29 at the local home depot took care of that. And the one under the bed is on carpet.
Sadly just bought gen2 before seeing this post
Are you living somewhere that you can’t return it or have you passed the return date?
For those owning a gen2...In any event the gen2 sub will work on S2, is supported for at least 5 years and technical support beyond that.
I saw no announcement where the frequency response of the gen3 has improved over the gen2.
The most notable improvements appear to be response time due to a more powerful CPU (which is difficult to measure), ease of setup, rubber feet and a redesigned power cord. Increased memory is all about future updates and may take years before the gen2 capacity is inadequate.
I unable to return my sub due to their policy only allow product fault. Hope the sound quality of gen2 and gen3 are equivalent
Why doesn’t the new sub work with S1, but the older subs work with both s1 and s2? I’m not ready to switch to S2 because I have older speakers in parts of my house too. Can’t this Sub be made to work on S1 and just let me switch when I’m ready?
Why doesn’t the new sub work with S1, but the older subs work with both s1 and s2? I’m not ready to switch to S2 because I have older speakers in parts of my house too. Can’t this Sub be made to work on S1 and just let me switch when I’m ready?
The new Sub will ship with S2 software, so it was solely designed and tested with S2 software. This means there was no version of S1 software produced for this new Sub.
LOL
However, as I said no conventional sub does what is being asked. My God man...the Sonos sub not only sounds great...IT’S WIRELESS. 
Try my care/ cleaning tips: