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Sonos 9.1.4 Theater Mini-Review

D700

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Just setup our new theater sound system.

Sonos Ultra - 2' in front of 120" projection screen
1 x Sub 4 - on floor beside the arc
2 x Era 300s - 12' back from front wall, 1' off side walls, slightly behind seating area

Room: 12 x 25 section of open plan 40 x 25 finished basement
Reason for going Sonos:
  • Simplicity of 4 units to get 9.1.4 system. No speaker wires, automatic setup, controlled through Projector remote
  • Positive experience past 2 years with a Beam gen 2 in family room
  • Amir's positive findings and opinions on Sonos engineering
Cost: <$2500
Past Experiences: 2 - Denon/Klipsch/SVS, 1 - Marantz/NHT/SVS Theaters in 3 different houses over the years.

Setup for Arc Ultra was painless, new firmware installed, tested out with Dune Prophecy, Avengers and a few TV shows. Dialog was very good, sounds was very good but wondered about separation since most of the sound comes from the screen. Decent side to side effect and some overhead.

Proceeded to add the Sub and ERA300s, firmware updates for all 3, then proceeded with Truplay advanced setup. All told, about 30 minutes to set it all up.

I knew going in that only the opening to Star Wars IV: New Hope would prove the system to me. Its first film my dad took me too, my first memory of getting swept away in a film and to this day, after hearing it a 100 times, never fails to take me back to being 11 years old. I was fully prepared to return this system if it didn't live up. So, here we go.

I looked around bewildered where the full symphony was coming from, I knew it was only 4 boxes but it might as well have been 20...I was in a bubble of sound. I go to Cleveland symphony 2x year, we get front row middle seats through work on several occasions...yes, it was like that, exactly like that. Then the small ship speeding towards the planet as the sub-bass of the cruiser comes in firing from overhead.

With God as my witness, the sound of the laser cannon made me duck and look up at the ceiling, hair on back of my neck standing up. this was better than any movie theater I've been in, it was ...immersive.

I sped through some favorite scenes, then went to some other movies and TVs shows. The effect is definitely dependent on the streaming service/source material...but with Dolby Atmos or 5.1 it was exceptional.

Update 1.12.25: More music I've listened to, less satisfied I've become. Also finding scenes in movies where not getting good pan from Left to Right. Opening a ticket with Sonos. I installed the latest firmware on their advisement last week (it didn't automatically install) and it seemed to have improved some things...but it may have broken others, see my note at top of this thread. I'm getting great surround and overhead effects from the ERA300s but Arc Ultra may have some flaws.

Update 1.28.25: Support has been very responsive. I discovered on my own that my Google TV Projector had enabled DTS DRC (DTS Dynamic Range Compression), not sure if it was by default or I accidentally selected it during setup. I'm scratching my head why a DTS setting impacts Atmos or DD5.1 but it does...with it off I have ambient music and sound effects back! While I can still measure the center channel being multiple decibels louder than FL/FR, the overall impact is much lessoned. I will continue to pursue with Sonos but with DTS DRC off, the experience is great for movies and TV. No qualms or hesitation.
 
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For the record:

Arc Ultra

  • 7 Tweeters, 2 upward firing
  • 6 Midrange Woofers
  • 1 Woofer (dual membrane, whatever that is)
  • 14 Total speakers
Sonos 4 Sub
  • 2 opposing woofers for noise cancellation
Era 300
  • Four tweeters (one forward-firing, one upward-firing, and two side-firing)
  • Two woofers that are angled left and right
  • Total of 6 speakers

Grand Total of 22 Speakers.
 
For the record:

Arc Ultra

  • 7 Tweeters, 2 upward firing
  • 6 Midrange Woofers
  • 1 Woofer (dual membrane, whatever that is)
  • 14 Total speakers
Sonos 4 Sub
  • 2 opposing woofers for noise cancellation
Era 300
  • Four tweeters (one forward-firing, one upward-firing, and two side-firing)
  • Two woofers that are angled left and right
  • Total of 6 speakers

Grand Total of 22 Speakers.
A speaker is defined in a couple of way although the main way is to define a compilation of drivers to reproduce 20Hz to 20kHz as being one speaker. 22 speakers is a stretch of reality.
 
A speaker is defined in a couple of way although the main way is to define a compilation of drivers to reproduce 20Hz to 20kHz as being one speaker. 22 speakers is a stretch of reality.
sure
 
I'm thrilled to hear it's so good! I've been using a Samsung bar myself (mainly because of Allan Devantier's involvement and his Harman pedigree), but I agree, it is remarkable what these systems can do. I'm certain that some tricked-out all-Revel-Ultima setup would outperform them, but at vastly greater expense, complexity, and aesthetic unpleasantness. I think it's actually a fantastic time for home theater audio with the range of options available.
 
Seems to be better than the Bose Lifestyle, at about the same price.
;)
 
After some more listening, it's definitely the ERA 300s and the sub combined with Ultra that make it magic, totally worth it.
 
How's plain stereo music listening? How's the stereo separation with and without the surrounds? I'm very interested if one can get by with a system of this nature for traditional music listening in addition to all the home theater gains.
 
How's plain stereo music listening? How's the stereo separation with and without the surrounds? I'm very interested if one can get by with a system of this nature for traditional music listening in addition to all the home theater gains.
I'll have time this evening. I was listening mostly to 5.1 stuff. I'll post back.
 
Been thinking about this combination as we remodel our living room. Glad to hear your positive experience, but I'll probably need to see a few more reviews/experiences before deciding.

Can the system take another sub for 9.2.4?
 
How's plain stereo music listening? How's the stereo separation with and without the surrounds? I'm very interested if one can get by with a system of this nature for traditional music listening in addition to all the home theater gains.
Short answer, definitely. It’s hyper accurate, high dynamic range and easy on the ears.

At one point during reasearch, I’d worried could a soundbar, 1 sub and 2 sats handle large basement. I definitely put that to bed tonight. I stayed at 80db avg for an hour, no fatigue, no strain. Easily could go higher without clipping, I was in the 90s for some RHCPs and it was a party. Could probably go towards 100db but I like my hearing.

A few notes. Everything through Amazon Music on SONOS App.

First album, Dire Straits Dire Straits (HD) 16/44.1
Out of the gate, frequency response was perfect, better than my current 2.1 LS50/Velodyne/Marantz/Wiim system. Bass, lead guitar were superb…it was just obviously accurate. It put the guitar front slightly left with a spotlight on it…I loved that. Vocals though…not focused? Hard to describe. After poking in the app I found that you can tailor surrounds for music and I adjusted the surround volume -7 and it brought Knopflers voice front and center nicely, while still providing nice airiness. It definitely opens up the soundstage, I could create as much separation as I wanted. It’s a lot like sound of headphones without wearing cans.

Van Morrison Essentials (Atmos Remix)
This was excellent. Balance, tone, frequency response, soundstage…this is first time I can say I like the Atmos mix better. I’ve listened on AirPods and on my beam and it was …gimmicky. I know these tracks well, I’ve owned them in every format…I felt like I was in the audience. Several of these tracks alone justify having an Atmos enabled system in my mind, very well done. If all the remixes are like this, I’ll make time for listening to Atmos

Rolling Stones Various (Atmos, Atmos Remix)
Not all Atmos Remixes are like that…

Gimme Shelter - Hell No, did not sound good. Just Listenable…cant be sure that it’s just revealing a junky mastering from way back or they over did it going Atmos or what…but no.

Medley of hits: all listenable but of varying degrees of… satisfaction

Sweet Sound of Heaven Stones with Gaga: (Atmos) holy shit, might as well have been in the studio with them, highly effective. Again, worth having Atmos system just to experience this

RHCP Under the Bridge (Ultra HD)
Californication (Ultra HD)
Great in all respects. Definitely felt like there was room between the instruments and vocals, like you could walk among them…I liked it but definitely different than how I normally listen to this cranked.

Sarah McLaughlin - Angel (HD)
Vocals were spot on, her vocal harmonics rang perfectly and several puppies were adopted down the street.

Gaga Paparazzi - (Atmos)
Well handled, no complaints but no earth shattering Atmos effect.


Like any music, mastering seems like the differentiator when listening on accurate systems…and mine is very accurate after running true play. I’ll try to get some frequency plots this weekend.

Atmos, when done right, worth the price of admission.
HD and Ultra HD - very satisfying

I think lower quality recordings suffer though, so decide for yourself based on what you listen to. I’ll need to go through more music to have firm opinions there. I think it’s analogous to blowing up a low res image, not enough pixels so looks best small. Same for some recordings, going to sound best small, if that makes sense.

But if your theater is your listening room, I can’t imagine being unhappy all around and having option to spend time with a good Atmos mix is worth it.


Update: See my later posts. 2 channel music is hit or miss after software update, as another put it "not for serious listening"...that said, I'm really enjoying "some" Atmos content, which with ERA300s. But I've got a 2.1 system in another room where I listen to music.
 
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Been thinking about this combination as we remodel our living room. Glad to hear your positive experience, but I'll probably need to see a few more reviews/experiences before deciding.

Can the system take another sub for 9.2.4?
Yes, can add another sub…but you may not need it. My basement is huge and carpeted and I do not need it.
 
Thank you for your detailed listening notes, they are very helpful! Those are bold words to state that your system is better than a set of LS50s, but I don’t at all doubt your experience given the engineering chops found in the Sonos equipment. Seeing some data backing this now would be great. It’s good to know there are options out there when there those of us who get tired of fiddling with equipment, want to downsize, or are tired of complicated setups and wires.
 
Thank you for your detailed listening notes, they are very helpful! Those are bold words to state that your system is better than a set of LS50s, but I don’t at all doubt your experience given the engineering chops found in the Sonos equipment. Seeing some data backing this now would be great. It’s good to know there are options out there when there those of us who get tired of fiddling with equipment, want to downsize, or are tired of complicated setups and wires.
I don’t have bass management on my 2.1 system, I’ve fiddled and tweaked many hours to get it as good as it is…but that system is in a smaller room and bass gets boomy. I could tell right away the Sonos just had the mix right and it scaled right. I suppose that could be more of a critique of my smaller system than it is an endorsement of the Sonos…or a result of different acoustics in the theater area.

When I get room done I will do side by side comparison in the same room. Were I buying for that smaller room today, I would definitely try the Sonos 5s, I almost went that route anyway.

I definitely understand Sonos’ appeal. If you’re tired of wires, or don’t like fiddling with stuff…or your family just wants 1 button or 1 app.

Don’t take my word for it, would like to see others experiences
 
I think a major failing and opportunity in the traditional AV space is automated setup that doesn’t require tweaking. This is part of the success of Sonos and even the Apple HomePod.

Even if one goes through the effort of getting a receiver, multichannel setup with speakers, and subwoofers, no system (other than maybe Lyngdorf) allows you to get things setup without a lot of technical work.

That’s just not good enough. Mainstream receivers need an automated process that is reliable and results in good sound (appropriate crossovers, delays, sensible targets for room EQ, and things like loudness, night, apartment settings).

Audyssey was a good start but it’s like it was never finished. The newer systems might have improvements, but aren’t free of the need for setup from a trained installer or hobbyist who reads a lot.
 
I think a major failing and opportunity in the traditional AV space is automated setup that doesn’t require tweaking. This is part of the success of Sonos and even the Apple HomePod.

Even if one goes through the effort of getting a receiver, multichannel setup with speakers, and subwoofers, no system (other than maybe Lyngdorf) allows you to get things setup without a lot of technical work.

That’s just not good enough. Mainstream receivers need an automated process that is reliable and results in good sound (appropriate crossovers, delays, sensible targets for room EQ, and things like loudness, night, apartment settings).

Audyssey was a good start but it’s like it was never finished. The newer systems might have improvements, but aren’t free of the need for setup from a trained installer or hobbyist who reads a lot.
Definitely…but I think it’s too late, I think we’ll see a freefall on AVRs. I ran the Atmos 7.1.4 sound check last night and was amazed at the localization of sounds. I don’t want to run all those speakers and wires.

That said, I could see separates will become very specialized and high end, prosumer, target audience here.
 
I have a Sonos Arc/Sub/surround in my kitchen and for casual watching of cookery programmes and tv for the children, it is fine. I also have 2 Revel speakers and an Arendal subwoofer for listening to music in the same room (MiniDSP SHD/NAD C298 power amp) - all set up with DIRAC.

There is no comparison in sound quality between the two setups but the Sonos does its job and is easy to use for the family,

For serious listening (movies/music) we move to the living room with a more elaborate setup with Revel speakers and DIRAC again.

Sonos provides adequate sound quality and is very easy to use setup. The separates root provides outstanding sound quality but is complex to setup and accomodate.

I'm actually more surprised that the Sonos doesn't sound better than it does, knowing that it has such a good reputation (we also have a Sonos Beam in the children's playroom).
 
I looked at the Sonos lineup a few weeks ago helping my dad to choose a sub. I don't believe their sub4 with dual (i think) 6" drivers actually has any useful response at 25hz. It's not qualified with the -3db point or amplifier specs on their site. In fact, I'd bet it's already rolling off around 40hz, but I haven't seen any measurements.
I have no comment on the main speakers themselves, but no matter how good they are, Sonos is not selling a real subwoofer to go with them. Since the "ecosystem" is so locked down, a Sonos setup will never have the lowest octave like it should.
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Sonos is fantastic. I'm loving my system. Of course the Sonos subs aren't capable of true sub bass. Sonos is a great alternative when you are no longer enamored with a full sized system. Pros and cons, but the sound quality of Sonos is absolutely a pro.
 
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