Sonos Ditches Arc, Tweaks Sub Sound After User Backlash

Sonos released a software update this week to address audio quality complaints caused by the previous software update. Many customers have said that the 14.12 update caused their Sonos devices to play at a lower volume and that they lost bass when using the Sonos Trueplay setting.

As detailed in several threads on the Sonos troubleshooting forum, as well as on Reddit and YouTube, the Sonos 14.12 update, which promised “improved Arc audio clarity during dialog playback”, also had undesirable effects.

As noted by What Hi-Fi and The Verge, a Sonos employee responded to commenters on the Sonos forum this week stating that the 14.12 update changed the audio profile of the Sonos Arc soundbar to improve audio quality, especially dialogue clarity, but also created “questions.”

“Arc users will find that the same volume settings result in lower output volume. While the maximum volume and bass capabilities have not changed, the volume settings in the lower areas resulted in a quieter sound than before the update,” wrote a Sonos spokesperson.

In addition, some owners of Sonos Arc, Beam, and Ray products have reported reduced bass coming from a connected Sonos Sub after setting up their devices with Trueplay. According to a Sonos spokesperson, the issue did not affect the Sub Mini, which was released by Sonos earlier this month. A Sonos spokesperson also said that those who use the Sonos soundbar on its own will not be affected.

The new 14.18 update should fix these issues while retaining the increased audio clarity that Sonos originally intended to deliver. “There was a clear preference in our community for the previous volume settings,” a Sonos spokesperson said.