Sonos Launches New $999 Arc Ultra Soundbar and $799 Sub 4

[ProbablyDylan]

Maybe it's me, but I don't see the logic in spending as much or more on a soundbar system that has less flexibility and worse sound quality than a mid-level AV receiver, 5 speakers, and a sub. From the picture it's pretty unattractive, you aren't saving that much space, and eventually upgrading the components is probably impossible...

I genuinely do not have space for a receiver, 5 speakers, and a sub. Sound bars are great for saving space.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Maybe it's me, but I don't see the logic in spending as much or more on a soundbar system that has less flexibility and worse sound quality than a mid-level AV receiver, 5 speakers, and a sub. From the picture it's pretty unattractive, you aren't saving that much space, and eventually upgrading the components is probably impossible...

It’s an equivalent of a 9.2.4 system, not a 5.1. Will it be as good as full separates, possibly as the tuning is good nowadays with AMPs as well but microphone placement is still very seat relevant. The cost of a full separates system, installation and setup is way way way more than this kind of a system. And personally I don’t mind that. But then it still can’t join in in a full whole house (office) multi room easy to use setup.

So it all depends what you want.

 

[Xano]

once again sonos is a mess, they literally put out a statement saying they were pausing all new products/launches until the app was fixed.
the app is not fixed and more bugs needs to be resolved.
I will not buy anything else from them, my trust on sonos is zero.

 

[victorvictoria]

Okay? I have more too. Here's a whole list of security issues from Apple. Not sure how having a security issue equates to not being a properly run company.

"Not sure" how security issues equate to mismanagement? Well I'm sure.

 

[flexwithmarius]

Why would anybody put what looks like a drainage pipe on their wall under the TV? Looks utterly crap.

They went with white just for staging purposes so the products pop out. Black would’ve blended in with the wood.

My system is black, always will be.

 

[flexwithmarius]

Just curious, what made them unable to restore the old version? Is that copyright issues? If this is explained clearly (which was never been), probably it can made us more patient and empathetic.

“Technical debt” was the reason. Basically the old app’s backend was such a mess that they had to scrap it and start over. Something about the headphones needing updated cloud infrastructure that the other products wouldn’t have meshed with.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

once again sonos is a mess, they literally put out a statement saying they were pausing all new products/launches until the app was fixed.
the app is not fixed and more bugs needs to be resolved.
I will not buy anything else from them, my trust on sonos is zero.

So what doesn’t work for you then? I have no material issues. And you can see from many others in this thread as well. Some, like yourself, keep saying it like it is some big thing. Looking at the reactions of some I can appreciate the principle of never publically admitting something went wrong.

 

[ChronicLynx]

"Not sure" how security issues equate to mismanagement? Well I'm sure.

I get what you’re trying to say, but if that were the case then almost every company on planet earth would be “mismanaged”.

There are A LOT of published CVE out there. Sometimes it might not even be your fault. For example, you could write your code perfectly, but a Microsoft Windows issue could lead to a security issue in your app. In this hypothetical case you had nothing to do with it, a vendor you relied on had an issue. Does this mean your company is now mismanaged?

 

[macduke]

LMAO Sonos can go to hell.

 

[ggibson913]

I am wondering if the old Arc will be available still

 

[alfonsog]

I have an arc, 2 subs, and 2 era 300 for my main tv. Atmos content sounds very good. But I’m not buying anymore Sonos I can go back to a receiver and discrete 9.1.4 if something fails.

 

[victorvictoria]

I get what you’re trying to say, but if that were the case then almost every company on planet earth would be “mismanaged”.

There are A LOT of published CVE out there. Sometimes it might not even be your fault. For example, you could write your code perfectly, but a Microsoft Windows issue could lead to a security issue in your app. In this hypothetical case you had nothing to do with it, a vendor you relied on had an issue. Does this mean your company is now mismanaged?

I get your point. But it doesn't apply to the incredibly sloppy management practices that have plagued Sonos over the last 3 years. There's almost always a story about bad software turning their hardware into bricks, customers' data being compromised, and of course the latest fiasco that started this thread.

 

[Tomasulu]

Have the 7.1 Sonos setup with the arc, 2 era 300 and sub3. Never had any issue with the app. The sound I get for both movies and music is impressive. May upgrade to the next version of arc a few years down the road. Way way better than my old 2 HomePods set up and the discernibly better than the Samsung 990c in the bedroom. Not an audiophile.

 

[bpb]

Here come all the comments about the software that works perfectly fine lol

Also.. I've got an Arc and a Sub from 2 years ago (maybe a year ago?). The only time I've used the App was during setup. After that I've never launched it once.

 

[thettareddast]

THIS. The only time I need the app is if I switch form music to TV - it takes a glaringly long time before Sonos realizes it should start throwing back the audio from the TV after endinging a Spotify connection - which I do form the Spotify App. The Sonos experience with Spotify is lacking. Otehrwise, unless I need to set up a new speaker or move some equipment around and reset a room, what do you need the app for??

For me turning on the TV automatically rides the music signal, so I actually dont need the app.

Typically I'd have music from my phone piping directly to living room system , or i voice command sonos to play music by itself. Then I would want to watch TV... when I turn on the TV it automatically takes over the sonos playback.

Maybe it's me, but I don't see the logic in spending as much or more on a soundbar system that has less flexibility and worse sound quality than a mid-level AV receiver, 5 speakers, and a sub. From the picture it's pretty unattractive, you aren't saving that much space, and eventually upgrading the components is probably impossible...

The flexibility is that I dont need any receiver. and i dont need to wire that receiver to 5 speakers and a sub. i have 2 surrounds that are free from the center unit (the bar). and the subwoofer i just plug in anywhere in the room.

and theres automatic tuning mode to time-correct and tone-correct for the various speaker placement too.

 

[MacFarmer]

here's the truth, companies are finding moving to the luxury segment gives them more margins so they are all trying to do that. the price increase that come from moving to the luxury segment is not proportional to the extra production cost. my view is customers need to rebel against all these price increases. the whole luxury segment is about manipulating people's desires to seem 'successful.' Even bang and olufsen released $1500 bluetooth headphones without any major improvement with the idea that it is just a 'luxury' product, which means you buy this to communicate to the world you can afford 1500 headphones. but all this shows in reality, if one is thinking with a critical mind, bang and olufsen is employing evil marketing tactics to play on the insecurities of people and the person was dumb enough to fall for it and waste 1500 on something he really doesn't need.

totally agree with you. I think a lot of people have a lot of easy money. If they work hard for it, they would not spend it on overpriced products. This luxury segment is getting ridiculous. You would expect to get at least quality product for the crazy margins you pay, but these days companies just seem to get away with lousy products.

 

[Xano]

For me and many others... if works fine for you congratulations, not for me, that's why I'm done with Sonos, no more crap from a company who disrespect costumers on a daily basis.

 

[siriuset]

I had heard that with iOS 18 there would be some changes in Airplay which allows you to stream Dolby Atmos (spatial audio) music directly from the Apple Music app to third party speakers like the Sonos Arc. Doesn’t seem to be the case right now even with yesterday’s release of 18.1. Anyone heard anything? I’d like to use the Music app with my Sonos system but don’t want to lose the Dolby Atmos.