Sonos Holiday Sale Brings Back Black Friday Prices on Ace Headphones, Arc Soundbar, and More

[TapDatApp]

Same here. I really don’t think Sonos can do anything to win back my trust or dollars.

I’m willing to give them another chance if they fire the CEO. What a dunce.

 

[wbeasley]

Would love to have an app store that would offer old versions of apps.

It’s incompatible due to back end changes. They said they can’t roll it back.

Very very poorly planned upgrade.
Obviously not tested and signed off.

 

[wbeasley]

Pair that thing with twin 300s for true "surround" sound (the real thing, where audio meant to come from "back there" actually comes from back there). Then, you'll have left front, right and center in that ARC and surround left & right in those 300s. That system "fakes" ATMOS with up-firing speakers and it is a good illusion vs. actually putting speakers overhead... much better than having only 2 speakers up front faking "center, surround and overhead speakers" by claiming ATMOS. Our ears can definitely hear the difference from where sound originates.

And tip: instead of overpaying for stands if you need them, well-rated clones sold on Amazon for much less seem just as good. Since the new app hit, I've helped 2 friends add 300s like this and they LOVE the overall sound of it all. I'm an AV stickler and would always argue for Receiver + quality "dumb" speakers over any of the "smart" options but even I was impressed with how well Arc + twin 300s sound as a system.

Later still, they added the bass module too as both liked even deeper bass, though I didn't really believe they needed it as Arc does quite well with bass on its own. But they had no problem adding it with the new app and now they enjoy the low rumbles, explosions, thunder, etc that come from a dedicated sub... another option not available to any of the HPs-or-bust fans.

Don't let this crowd's biases fool you. Start a thread with a picture of any Apple competitor's "anything" and 'we' tear into it like it's toxic poison. Yes, when the completely-overhauled app was first released, some people were having issues. Others were not. Since then- which has been months now- the app has had many updates but 'we' hate on it anyway. I believe people when they say they are still having problems with it... through I'm not myself. I just don't believe that everyone is having problems as I'm not myself... nor are those friends. Once I adapted to the new app, I found I like it much better as it let me bring the stuff most important to me right to the front page vs. digging up and down through sometimes 3 or 4 clicks to accomplish the same in the old app. But to each his own.

Those genuinely affected that are Mac people can still use the old Sonos App on Mac (as an easy workaround) as well as never bother using the Sonos App at all because they can "throw" Apple Music to Sonos directly from Apple's app and stuff like your Arc setup are controlled by your TV or the AppleTV remote via ARC instead of needing the Sonos App (old or new).

This crowd sees Sonos as an Apple competitor, so 'we' would rather push heavily walled garden, stereo sound in 2 HPs vs. all of the many "open" home theater setup options from a company focused only on speakers. So 'we' rip away at it... like Spotify is junk (too)... and Google Maps... and all things Epic Games, the entire EU and lately whole other countries who dare to cross Apple, etc.

You have what may be the very best soundbar available. Enjoy it.

Sonos actually used to get good coverage and praise here before the app fiasco.

The CEO response didnt help.

 

[jclardy]

I picked up the Sonos Ace for $50 cheaper on Black Friday. Huge fan so far - audio quality is great, build quality is excellent, controls are just right, and frame is lighter than APM. And the accessories are way nicer than the APM - way better case, it also can play lossless audio via USB-C directly (APM can't) and includes a USB-C->3.5mm cable in the box (APM - sold separately) APM ear cushions are much nicer though - I've never had any headphones come close to that for me.

I had lightning APM and loved them, but sold them about a year ago awaiting the USB-C update (My biggest gripe was having to have a lightning cable with me just to charge them, and I had to charge them a lot because there was no "off" button and I didn't use the bra case.) And then Apple did the laziest 4 year update of any product in Apple history. Saved $250 and will wait for the "real" APM update if it ever happens.

Also - the Sonos app is terrible. I have a Beam soundbar and that is great, so I barely use the app (No speaker groups to deal with) but every time I open the app there is a 50% chance it just won't load at all.

 

[cire1244]

If you are happy with what you have, ‘love the one you're with.’

But if you are itching to replace with Sonos, the 300s are their best… and I saw some in their refurb store last time I looked.

For a large room, go 300s and have an eye towards turning beam into an Arc in the future, maybe moving beam to another smaller room.

Thanks for the insight. Indeed the Symfonisk have been exceeding my expectations. They are indeed Sonos speakers! While I'm not an "audiophile", I tend to think that I am more critical than most when it comes to sound quality. I listen to a lot of music. But there's room for improvement.

I have read mixed things (particularly on the Sonos subreddit) about the Beam vs the Arc. While the Arc can certainly get louder, some seem unconvinced how much better the sound range/quality actually is at normal operational levels of sound. Or at least, that it's not worth the price relative to the Beam. That said, I'm not against a front soundbar upgrade at some point.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Again, "love the one you're with" if it sounds good to you.

However, beyond Reddit where great biases can exist as they do here too, if you look up "soundbar" roundup-type reviews that pit this one vs. that one, Sonos Arc usually beats all challengers by professional measures... and even Sonos themselves position Arc as their best bar and Beam & Ray below that.

I only mention this because you reference "big room" and objective reviews will generally argue Arc over Beam (and Ray) for big rooms. Same with the consideration for 100s vs. the 300s. The latter is the big room ideal from Sonos.

My own opinion: when I hear "big" room, I much favor- and use myself- the quality AV Receiver plus "dumb" (but quality) speakers. That's what in my main home theater room. The "smarts" live within the AppleTV, iDevices and Macs in the same household- no need replicating them in speakers, knowing those smarts will ultimately be "vintaged" and thus take the speaker portion out with them.

But if I wanted to go with a soundbar-based option now, I get that UltraArc for my big room, the 300s and maybe the SUB too over all other soundbar-based options. The integration with Apple tech is great but they also bring the open-ness well beyond the constraints of the walled garden too.

But ultimately, each persons own ears should be the judge. If you are happy with what you have, ride that until something conks... and then replace it with the best available at that time.

 

[Bl0ckHe1d]

I never thought i’d see the day but even on my network that has never had problems with Sonos staying connected, speakers are constantly losing connection.

When these things give up I’m not buying Sonos again. The company has lost the game.

It could be possible that your home network isn't up to scratch; there are easy fix for speaker(s) losing connection by either hardwiring one of your speaker to the router or purchase a Sonos Boost.

Had connectivity issues which was resolved using the Sonos Boost and not had any issues since.

 

[darthbane2k]

The integration with Apple tech is great but they also bring the open-ness well beyond the constraints of the walled garden too.

Nope. Other than AirPlay2 support, there is BARELY any integration with Apple tech. If you want to use a smart assistant or voice commands you are forced to use Alexa (some people do rely on this to command homekit devices, to play music in certain zones etc), and forget about the convenience of Asking the speaker to add something to your library or the level of integration you get between say HomePod and something like Apple TV (remember Sonos will soon want you to buy their TV streaming box for that - NO THANKS!). Handing off of audio also doesn't work with Sonos speakers as nicely as waving your iPhone above your HomePod.. and no intercom between rooms with Sonos speakers.

You speak of openness, however everything about Sonos' new product categories suggest their intention is to build their own walled garden.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

It could be possible that your home network isn't up to scratch; there are easy fix for speaker(s) losing connection by either hardwiring one of your speaker to the router or purchase a Sonos Boost.

Had connectivity issues which was resolved using the Sonos Boost and not had any issues since.

Again, "love the one you're with" if it sounds good to you.

However, beyond Reddit where great biases can exist as they do here too, if you look up "soundbar" roundup-type reviews that pit this one vs. that one, Sonos Arc usually beats all challengers by professional measures... and even Sonos themselves position Arc as their best bar and Beam & Ray below that.

I only mention this because you reference "big room" and objective reviews will generally argue Arc over Beam (and Ray) for big rooms. Same with the consideration for 100s vs. the 300s. The latter is the big room ideal from Sonos.

My own opinion: when I hear "big" room, I much favor- and use myself- the quality AV Receiver plus "dumb" (but quality) speakers. That's what in my main home theater room. The "smarts" live within the AppleTV, iDevices and Macs in the same household- no need replicating them in speakers, knowing those smarts will ultimately be "vintaged" and thus take the speaker portion out with them.

But if I wanted to go with a soundbar-based option now, I get that UltraArc for my big room, the 300s and maybe the SUB too over all other soundbar-based options. The integration with Apple tech is great but they also bring the open-ness well beyond the constraints of the walled garden too.

But ultimately, each persons own ears should be the judge. If you are happy with what you have, ride that until something conks... and then replace it with the best available at that time.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Nope. Other than AirPlay2 support, there is BARELY any integration with Apple tech.

• Can Sonos direct connect with Apple Music? Yes and a whole bunch of other services too, many of which do not have a "play native" deal with Apple for HPs yet and thus only play on HPs through Airplay.
• Does Sonos work with Apple HomeKit? Yes, which can get Siri control too (I use Siri often to "play music in.." on Sonos speakers. It works just fine).
• Does Sonos speakers work with the Apple Home app? Yes, which allows them to be bundled into rooms- even with HPs- so that one could play music to a mix of speakers in rooms... or whole home.
• Can one select Sonos speakers with Apple Music, Apple Remote app, AppleTV control center, Mac control center, iDevice controls, etc for playback of audio from the devices just like one can select HPs for playback from those devices? Yes.

I don't know what to call all of that but good integration with Apple tech. I'm an Apple guy. I use Sonos through Macs every day. I presume something must be missing in support of "Barely" but don't know what it is myself.

If you want to use a smart assistant or voice commands you are forced to use Alexa (some people do rely on this to command homekit devices, to play music in certain zones etc),

Nope. See bullet 2 above. I use Siri almost every day to play music on Sonos devices. Yes, I am commanding Siri on my Apple devices to do that... but they are with/around me anyway. No need to "use Alexa only." I don't.

and forget about the convenience of Asking the speaker to add something to your library

Again, Apple devices with me/nearby add things to my calendar/todo/library BETTER than HPs... so I just use those. But if that was very important to me to be done only through speaker tech, then HPs for the win. On the other hand, HPs are limited to only stereo and thoroughly walled garden. So I enjoy the best of both worlds as is.

or the level of integration you get between say HomePod and something like Apple TV.

My friends have a Sonos setup with AppleTV-based viewing. They don't have to do ANYTHING. Turn on AppleTV and it is already connected to Arc, which is already connected to the rest. No need to select any menu options or take any special steps. They can voice command the smarts in AppleTV using the AppleTV remote or their iDevices or Macs to make anything play. Oh and they can also use the same setup with all kinds of other AV hardware such as Disc Players, game boxes, etc too in real surround sound, with an actual center channel and a subwoofer for deeper bass. HPs begin and end with stereo only... with not even a rumor of Apple ever adding a center, surrounds or sub.

Handing off of audio also doesn't work with Sonos speakers as nicely as waving your iPhone above your HomePod..

OK. Instead of having to wave a "wand", I just tell Siri to play whatever I want to hear wherever I want it to play. That seems more magical to me. I don't even have to be near the speaker... or even in the same room.

and no intercom between rooms with Sonos speakers.

If this is an important benefit to someone unable to communicate the same way through- say- iDevices or just by calling out to others in the same home, HP for this win.


All this offered, I think HPs are just fine as smart speakers for Apple people. If someone is happy with stereo sound, HPs play stereo just fine. People gush at how great they sound (as people do for other speakers too). If someone is happy with limiting their home theater to left & right stereo sound, HPs do stereo just fine too. But there are plenty of fish in this sea and HPs don't really have many truly special advantages over select fish such as Sonos options.

 

[darthbane2k]

• Can Sonos direct connect with Apple Music? Yes and a whole bunch of other services too, many of which do not have a "play native" deal with HPs yet and thus only play through Airplay.
• Does Sonos work with Apple HomeKit? Yes, which can get Siri control too (I use Siri often to "play music in.." on Sonos speakers. It works just fine).
• Does Sonos speakers work with the Apple Home app? Yes, which allows them to be bundled into rooms- even with HPs- so that one could play music to a mix of speakers in rooms... or whole home.
• Can one select Sonos speakers with Apple Music, Apple Remote app, AppleTV control center, Mac control center, iDevice controls, etc for playback of audio from the devices just like one can select HPs for playback from those devices? Yes.

I don't know what to call all of that but good integration with Apple tech. I'm an Apple guy. I use Sonos through Macs every day. I presume something must be missing in support of "Barely" but don't know what it is myself.



Nope. See bullet 2 above. I use Siri almost every day to play music on Sonos devices. Yes, I am commanding Siri on my Apple devices to do that... but they are with/around me anyway. No need to "use Alexa only." I don't.



Again, Apple devices with me/nearby add things to my calendar/todo/library BETTER than HPs... so I just use those. But if that was very important to me to be done only through speaker tech, then HPs for the win. On the other hand, HPs are limited to only stereo and thoroughly walled garden. So I enjoy the best of both worlds as is.



My friends have a Sonos setup with AppleTV-based viewing. They don't have to do ANYTHING. Turn on AppleTV and it is already connected to Arc, which is already connected to the rest. No need to select any menu options or take any special steps. They can voice command the smarts in AppleTV using the AppleTV remote to make anything play. Oh and they can also use the same setup with all kinds of other AV hardware such as Disc Players, game boxes, etc too in real surround sound, with an actual center channel and a subwoofer for deeper bass. HPs begin and end with stereo only... with not even a rumor of Apple ever adding a center, surrounds or sub.



OK. Instead of having to wave a "wand", I just tell Siri to play whatever I want to hear wherever I want it to play. That seems more magical to me. I don't even have to be near the speaker... or even in the same room.



If this is an important benefit to someone unable to communicate the same way through- say- iDevices or just by calling out to others in the same home, HP for this win.


All this offered, I think HPs are just fine as smart speakers for Apple people. If someone is happy with stereo sound, HPs play stereo just fine. If someone is happy with limiting their home theater to left & right stereo sound, HPs do that just fine too. But there are plenty of fish in this sea and HPs don't really have many truly special advantages over select fish such as Sonos options.

You are not commanding Siri via the speaker in any of those scenarios, you are explicitly telling an iOS device to play music in a specific room. Eg ‘hey siri play music in the kitchen’. With HomePod it’s always listening and I do not have to specify which room. Sonos can also do this - always listen and accept commands but only with Alexa.

Trust me , we have a mix of HomePods and Sonos speakers in the house and I know the limitations of both.

I’m not disputing whether Sonos make fine speakers or not (they do - their app stinks though), I’m disputing the claim that a Sonos solution integrates nicely with the Apple ecosystem. I’m sorry but it doesn’t compare to HomePod in that respect.

 

[darthbane2k]

OK. Instead of having to wave a "wand", I just tell Siri to play whatever I want to hear wherever I want it to play. That seems more magical to me. I don't even have to be near the speaker... or even in the same room.

That is not how handoff works. If I am listening to a podcast on iPhone and then want it to continue on the speaker as I enter my living room (or vice versa) then I simply hold my device above the speaker and the audio seamlessly transfers. You cant do that with Sonos

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

You are not commanding Siri via the speaker in any of those scenarios, you are explicitly telling an iOS device to play music in a specific room. Eg ‘hey siri play music in the kitchen’.

Correct. But as an Apple household, I have Apple devices all over the home anyway, including 1 on me at just about all times. So this is really no problem. They all have Siri in them and the same "smarts" in them too. I really don't need the same smarts and another incarnation of Siri in a speaker.

With HomePod it’s always listening and I do not have to specify which room.

Apple devices house the same "smarts" and can be always listening if I want that. I don't want my technology always listening to everything that is going on in my home. So I'd rather push a button to summon Siri... but I could easily turn that on to mostly replicate that HP feature with the other Apple tech already in the home if having my technology always listening to everything was important to me.

Sonos can also do this - always listen and accept commands but only with Alexa.

Yes. I bet if Apple made Siri as readily available for third party use as Alexa and others, Sonos would offer it as an option too. But they don't... which is partially why Alexa is about everywhere while Siri is limited to the walled garden... and likely why Alexa has consistently evolved greater smarts while Siri has been in a rut for more than a decade. But hopefully, Siri will finally get some brains upgrades with A.I.

Trust me , we have a mix of HomePods and Sonos speakers in the house and I know the limitations of both.

As do I and my counterpoint is to simply show that it is not as extreme as you make it out to be. Sonos works great within an Apple household. While it lacks a few things HPs can do, it offers a number of added value things that HPs can't do. Some of those a very tangible things like audio beyond only stereo, real surround sound that actually comes from "back there", real center for clearer dialogue vs. faking the center channel and a real sub for those that like deeper bass.

And Sonos the company is focused on speakers while Apple is focused on iPhones, then other computing tech & software... and HPs are probably down in the "hobby" closet with AppleTV and similar. They might do something more with HPs... someday.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

That is not how handoff works. If I am listening to a podcast on iPhone and then want it to continue on the speaker as I enter my living room (or vice versa) then I simply hold my device above the speaker and the audio seamlessly transfers. You cant do that with Sonos

Great and an HP advantage. If I'm listening to a podcast on my iDevice and want to continue it on a Sonos speaker, I pause it on iDevice, note where I am in the timeline, start it on Sonos and jump to that spot. Yes, that is a few more steps than magical handoff but not that difficult.

If that's too much, I can switch it via a simple airplay click to Sonos to carry on. Again, I don't have to get near the speaker to do that so that's some magic from afar.

However, at least for me, I would never use such a feature... very likely finishing whatever I started on whatever device it started. But glad that is important to you. It's good that there are choices of smart speakers with a variety of features & benefits.

 

[darthbane2k]

Correct. But as an Apple household, I have Apple devices all over the home anyway, including 1 on me at just about all times. So this is really no problem. They all have Siri in them and the same "smarts" in them too. I really don't need the same smarts and another incarnation of Siri in a speaker.



Apple devices house the same "smarts" and can be always listening if I want that. I don't want my technology always listening to everything that is going on in my home. So I'd rather push a button to summon Siri... but I could easily turn that on to mostly replicate that HP feature with the other Apple tech already in the home if having my technology always listening to everything was important to me.



Yes. I bet if Apple made Siri as readily available for third party use as Alexa and others, Sonos would offer it as an option too. But they don't... which is partially why Alexa is about everywhere while Siri is limited to the walled garden... and likely why Alexa has consistently evolved greater smarts while Siri has been in a rut for more than a decade. But hopefully, Siri will finally get some brains upgrades with A.I.



As do I and my counterpoint is to simply show that it is not as extreme as you make it out to be. Sonos works great within an Apple household. While it lacks a few things HPs can do, it offers a number of added value things that HPs can't do. And Sonos the company is focused on speakers while Apple is focused on iPhones, then other computing tech... and HPs are probably down in the "hobby" closet with AppleTV and similar. They might do something more with HPs someday.

Sonos WAS just focused on speakers, they have since released headphones and are to release a TV streaming box (delayed due to the app debacle).
They have burned bridges with Apple and Google and that free and open platform is fast becoming a walled garden of its own.
You say lack of integration isn’t as extreme as I suggest - I disagree and that’s what infuriates me because I LIKE Sonos speakers a lot but have always hated their app and hated what I lose from say a HomePod.
Selfishly I wish Apple would just buy them.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Sonos WAS just focused on speakers, they have since released headphones and are to release a TV streaming box (delayed due to the app debacle).

I think of headphones as speakers one wears. The science & technology is still audio.

The TV box is vaporware until it actually launches. If so, they are modestly spreading their wings from their core focus (they do already offer little boxes called Amp and Port). Apples core focus is a phone. And then some other computer-related tech and software. IMO: HPs are in the "hobby" category with AppleTV. I happen to love AppleTV and have it hooked to every TV in my home but clearly, it too is very much a hobby to Apple.

They have burned bridges with Apple and Google and that free and open platform is fast becoming a walled garden of its own.

OK. Has Apple burned any bridges with partners? And Apple started and has always been walled garden.

Sonos already has relationships with about every music service to play on their speakers. How many does might Apple have after 5+ years of HPs? Apples money & relative resources have to be "to the moon" vs. Sonos and yet "little" Sonos has the focus on this one space... and the "open" deals show that... along with speakers that can accommodate AUX connections, etc vs. having to work only through TV HDMI eARC to play things other than Airplay on them.

You say lack of integration isn’t as extreme as I suggest - I disagree and that’s what infuriates me because I LIKE Sonos speakers a lot but have always hated their app and hated what I lose from say a HomePod.

Individual opinions are fine. My definition of your "barely" (integrated) is obviously different than yours. Sonos seems quite integrated in my Apple tech-heavy home. There is little more I wish it could do with my Apple stuff. But others may feel differently and that's fine. People can feel whatever that want to feel.

Selfishly I wish Apple would just buy them.

I could see a benefit in such a thing... but I'd worry about the loss of focus. As is, Sonos is focused on speakers (in various forms) while Apple is a phone company that makes some other tech too... of which speakers seems to barely be an interest.

If Apple bought Sonos and persisted the focus, OK. Else, I'd rather they stay so much smaller and hungrier... where it matters much more to them if they goof up something because they directly feel the pain in the most tangible of ways. When Apple flubs up software, we just roll with it, hoping they'll fix it eventually. I've been waiting on this one to be fixed since it first manifested broadly in Big Sur...

​

At least 5 years now and still hoping that bug(s) will resolve soon... when Apple finds some time to focus on the "as is." I'm far from the only one with the problem and that enclosure works fine hooked to Macs running macOS before Big Sur or any PC, all other variables (like cable, etc) being the same.

Sonos released the new app too early... felt great pain from it and have been regularly updating it. Apple has done complete app revamps many times before, not felt so much pain and eventually gets the new incarnation to "catch up' to the old incarnation. We used to sling around the "wait for the .2 or .3" update and that has evolved- for me anyway- into "the .4 or .5 updates or about WWDC."

However, while Sonos gets the new app fully as capable as the old one, we Mac people barely need to use it at all... as the old Sonos App for Mac is still the same one... and Apple software "controls" Sonos just fine. I don't think I've opened the Sonos App in at least 30 days... but use Sonos speakers just about every day.

 

[flexwithmarius]

It could be possible that your home network isn't up to scratch; there are easy fix for speaker(s) losing connection by either hardwiring one of your speaker to the router or purchase a Sonos Boost.

Had connectivity issues which was resolved using the Sonos Boost and not had any issues since.

Oh we’ve been on SonosNet for years. Specifically, the upstairs speaker in the office has been going on and offline but there’s an AP nearby (maybe 20-30 feet away).

We have eero 6s throughout the house and it’s new construction. Cinder on lower level, wood frame upper level.

 

[tobybrut]

Sonos actually used to get good coverage and praise here before the app fiasco.

The CEO response didnt help.

Hopefully they fired or demoted someone for that. Obviously their software quality control took a vacation at some point since that should have never passed internal testing. They tried to roll back to the older version, but they couldn't since they'd lose support for their newer stuff like the Ace and Arc Ultra. There might have been issues with back end compatibility, too. At least they fessed up to it and apologized. Maybe in a couple of months, the app will be fixed.

To me, their hardware is pretty decent, though I do have one complaint. My Beam 2 seems to go to sleep far too rapidly. If I step away for a little while and come back and play something again, I'll find no sound for a few seconds as the Beam has to wake up. It appears as though the Beam 2 disengages its eARC after nothing is happening for a while. Typically my Apple TV is just showing a screen saver, so it doesn't go to sleep if any sound is actually playing. When it wakes up, my TV shows the volume controls briefly and then sound returns. It's a minor annoyance that lasts only a few seconds.