Retired Sonos Staff

Introducing Sonos Sub Gen 3, brilliant sound you can feel

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.

Sonos Sub

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

AjTrek1

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 :sweat_smile: LOL

Please clarify. Thanks!

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

D

DarwinOSX

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.

D

DarwinOSX

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.

D

DarwinOSX

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.

B

brbray

Lyricist II

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))

B

brbray

Lyricist II

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.

AjTrek1

@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?”

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

B

brbray

Lyricist II

@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.

melvimbe

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.

Danny

AjTrek1

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. :cold_sweat: 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. :nerd: 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:

No buzz, just bass

Sign up

Login to the community