Question

Play:1 vs Play:3

  • 8 December 2016
  • 8 replies
  • 1092 views

Badge
I purchased one of each of the play:1 and the play:3 to do a comparison before investing in more speakers. I was surprised that the low volume bass of the play:1 seems to be punchier than the play:3. Of course, the play:3 has more clarity, and once you increase the volume, the bass improves over the play:1.

But, I do most of my listening at lower volumes, where the play:1's bass sounds better to me.

This surprises me because I thought the play:3 had two low-range drivers vs the one in the play:1. Have others noticed the same thing, or do I have something setup incorrectly? I have played with the eq settings.

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.

8 replies

It is not easy to set up Sonos speakers incorrectly!

The only suggestion I can come up with is do Trueplay tuning of both and see how things turn out. And let your ears be the ones to decide.

Many here have commented that their listening needs are met by either a 1 or a 5; between them they cover all the bases.
Userlevel 7
Badge +22
Position can sometimes effect bass with them a lot. Put the play:3 closer to wall or corner and I find it buts out a lot of bass.
Userlevel 1
Badge +2
Buy the sub and do a retune. You will be amazed!!!
Badge
Just as an update, I've played each unit for a few weeks now, and the Play:3 bass has picked up considerably. I've always read that some speakers needed to be broken in, and perhaps this was the case here. Both speakers are meeting my expectations now.
Glad you are happy but i don't believe the tech in Sonos needs or is capable of running in. I am open to being corrected.
Both speakers are meeting my expectations now.
That is the bottom line, at the end of the day.

But if you are curious to know why, it is because the brain has been broken in to like the sound of the speakers and not the other way around! And it takes a very short time to do this - everybody's brain - fuelling all the equipment burning in mythology. Some speakers may need a very short time of actual breaking in, but the effects are barely audible. In the case of other kit, breaking in is all myth - audiophiles will even claim that speaker wires need to be broken in.
Badge
Could all be mental. I won't argue that. 🙂
Userlevel 7
Badge +21
My et up sounds better if i stand on one leg too 😉