How do I get the best sound from Sonos Arc?

Answered by Edward Huber

To get the best sound from your Sonos Arc, there are a few key steps you can take. Here’s a detailed guide to help you optimize your audio experience:

1. Placement: Position your Sonos Arc in the optimal location. Ideally, you want to place it centered and directly below your TV, either mounted on the wall or placed on a sturdy surface. Make sure it is not obstructed by any objects or furniture that may block the sound.

2. Trueplay Tuning: Trueplay is a feature that allows you to fine-tune the sound of your Sonos speakers to fit the acoustics of your room. To use Trueplay, open the Sonos app and navigate to the Settings tab in the bottom right corner. Then, go to System > Select Room > Trueplay > Trueplay tuning. Follow the instructions to set up Trueplay tuning for your Sonos Arc. It involves walking around the room with your mobile device, which uses the built-in microphone to analyze the sound and make adjustments accordingly. This process helps optimize the audio output based on your specific room’s characteristics.

3. Room Acoustics: Consider the acoustics of your room when positioning your Sonos Arc. Hard surfaces like bare walls, floors, and windows can cause sound reflections and echo. To minimize these issues, you can add soft furnishings, rugs, curtains, or acoustic panels to absorb excessive sound reflections. Experimenting with the placement of furniture and decor can also help improve the overall sound quality.

4. Audio Settings: Within the Sonos app, you can further enhance the sound by adjusting the audio settings. Go to the Room Settings for your Sonos Arc and explore options such as EQ settings, loudness, and night sound. These settings can be customized based on your personal preference and the content you are listening to.

5. Surround Sound Setup: If you have additional Sonos speakers, such as the Sonos One or Sonos One SL, you can create a surround sound setup with your Sonos Arc. This will provide a more immersive audio experience for movies, music, and games. To set up surround sound, go to the Sonos app and navigate to the Settings tab > System > Add Surround Speakers. Follow the instructions to pair your additional speakers and optimize the sound distribution.

6. Music Services and Streaming Quality: To ensure the best audio quality, use high-quality music streaming services that offer lossless or high-bitrate audio. Services like Tidal, Deezer, and Qobuz provide higher quality audio options compared to standard streaming services. Additionally, consider connecting your Sonos Arc to your network using an Ethernet cable for a more stable and reliable connection, especially when streaming high-resolution audio.

7. Room Size and Volume: Adjust the volume levels according to the size of your room. If your room is smaller, lower volume levels may be sufficient to fill the space with rich sound. In larger rooms, you might need to increase the volume to achieve the same effect. Experiment with different volume levels to find the sweet spot for your listening environment.

8. Software Updates: Keep your Sonos system up to date with the latest software updates. These updates often include performance enhancements, bug fixes, and new features that can improve the sound quality and overall functionality of your Sonos Arc.

Remember that everyone’s listening environment is unique, so it’s important to experiment and adjust the settings to your personal preference. Trust your ears and make tweaks as necessary to optimize the sound specifically for your room and audio setup.