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Protect the power cable from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus. The Sonos Arc contains eight elliptical woofers combine to deliver a solid overall bass response. (Image credit: Future) Sonos Arc: audio performance If your TV remote is set to control the sound via HDMI control rather than infrared it won’t work when playing music on the Arc. The Arc's own status light consists of LEDs that shine through four holes above the subtle Sonos logo (fun fact: there are 76,000 holes in all the grilles combined). By default, these LEDs remain off most of the time and their brightness is tailored to the ambient light in the room even when they are lit (when adjusting volume, for example), so as not to appear too bright. Using ARC makes it simple to connect but invites the same infuriating lipsync issues that can plague other soundbars, particularly with TV services such as Sky and Virgin in the UK.
It’s worth pointing out that because the system uses your room to actually get the sound around you there’s going to be some variation in the Arc’s ability to deliver surround sound. The LED above the Sonos logo shows when the bar is muted (here lit green) or when the smart speaker functions are active. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian We switch to Blade Runner 2049 and this dynamism impresses us further. The scene in which K and Joi fly out of Los Angeles and towards the orphanage transitions from loud – as waves hit the flood barrier – to eerily quiet, as the rain hits the car, with occasional bits of clearly projected dialogue.Although the native resolution of the Arc isn’t public knowledge, it is currently capable of dealing with audio files up to 16bit/48kHz resolution - that may rise to 24bit when the S2 update drops. Weightier more bassy sound. It's already best in class or top 2. As with every Sonos iteration, the bass always improves and I'm sure it will here too. But the current Arc is already excellent as a stand alone sound bar. Dynamics, detail and clarity are all outstanding in the current Arc, though there is a lot to be said for how much weight and bass a home cinema product can produce too. A weightier presentation that's capable of a greater volume of bass– perhaps due to those reflex bass port improvements – would be most welcome in a sequel. The Arc uses its array of speakers to bounce sound off your walls and ceiling to create a 3D audio effect, and the soundfield is once again tailored to your room using Sonos' Trueplay technology. Despite the extra audio plane, the process is identical to that of other Sonos speakers: the soundbar outputs a series of test sounds that are measured by your iOS device (Android devices still aren't supported), first from the listening position and then from around the room. One of the most commonly requested upgrades from users is support for Dolby Atmos rival DTS:X, which, while not as commonly used, is still widely available on soundbars from other manufacturers.A recent firmware update gave Sonos soundbars DTS capacity but only in its basic compressed form, not the full lossless DTS:X or DTS HD MA.
We really didn’t feel any desperate need to add a Sub to the Arc soundbar, there was more than enough powerful bass to allow you to feel those on-screen explosions or beat drops when turned up loud. We even felt the night mode settings that lower the bass EQ would be a useful feature for those in apartments with thin walls. Those incidental details are lovely, but the Arc is dynamically deft too, and it’s this combination of qualities that makes the performance so evocative. Each part of the plane sounds different – areas open to the elements are airy and cacophonous, while others are more enclosed and keep outside noise more muffled. As the camera switches between positions, the Arc conveys the subtly unique volume and texture of each. The Sonos Arc also features revolutionary Trueplay technology. Trueplay scans your room, analyses the results and then fine-tunes the speaker for the ideal listening experience. Whether your room is large or small, densely furnished or minimalist, the Arc adapts to give the most natural and realistic sound possible (iOS device required). This precision is matched by the three silk dome tweeters that deliver particularly crisp highs with an impressive level of control. We were particularly taken by the unit's ability to deliver soundscapes that distinguished sound from individual instruments during particular arrangements without feeling disjointed. Bass and treble can also be adjusted in the Sonos app, although you're unlikely to feel the need, and the Loudness function can be disabled here, too. There's also a Night Sound feature that flattens dynamics and reduces bass, ideal for when you don't want to wake the rest of the household, while Speech Enhancement aims to project dialogue more clearly.
All of that effort paid off: the Sonos Arc delivers one of the most convincing Atmos presentations of any soundbar we’ve heard. Height junkies can turn up the volume of the Arc's upward-firing drivers using a separate control, but we don't find it necessary to overly boost the vertical channel to enjoy the Arc's immersive delivery. The centre tweeter and woofers are hidden behind the Sonos logo. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian And now Tidal has begun offering Dolby Atmos mixes of some music, the Arc has even more opportunity to demonstrate just how expansive it can sound with a well-mastered Atmos file. But the little absence between low-end and midrange is still apparent, and the tendency for the top of the frequency range to get just a little glassy is in evidence, too. Verdict This product does not have any user-serviceable parts. Do not open or disassemble or attempt to repair it or replace any components. Refer all servicing to Sonos qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cable or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped. Typically it is an issue when using external devices connected to your TV, rather than the apps and services integrated into your TV, and very common with Sky Q, Virgin and other TV set-top boxes in the UK. In my testing, none of the audio adjustments of the LG TV, Sky Q or Arc could solve the problem because the sound came after the picture, not before. It is such a common problem with ARC-based soundbars there is a cottage industry built around it from bizarre sets of configuration steps to a vast array of HDMI gadgets.
Prices valid in stores (all including VAT) until close of business on 29th November 2023. (Some of these web prices are cheaper than in-store, so please mention that you've seen these offers online.) Experience shows, films, and video games with the precise and immersive sound of Dolby Atmos on Arc. The upwards-firing drivers create a multi-dimensional soundstage that moves around you, rendering every whisper and explosion with dramatic clarity, detail, and depth. For personalised sound, use the Sonos app to adjust bass, treble and loudness. Speech Enhancement mode optimises vocal clarity – ideal for documentaries and sports commentary. Night Sound reduces the intensity of sound, making it less intrusive for others around your home.Bring all your entertainment to life with the brilliantly realistic sound of Arc, featuring Dolby Atmos. Enjoy control with your remote, the app, your voice, and Apple AirPlay 2. You can perform True Play tuning, waving an iPhone or iPad about your room listening to what sounds like loud alien blasters. The Sonos app listens to the sound to optimise the Arc for your particular room. Sadly the feature isn’t available for Android devices because of the variances in microphone quality. The soundbar handled most music genres with aplomb, only sounding a tad flat with orchestral music such as Holst’s Jupiter, if I was being super critical. Sustainability
Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus that produce heat.
Design
It might be pricey and long, but the Arc is just about the best-sounding soundbar you can get. Just maybe think twice if you have Sky. Four of the woofers face you directly through the front of the Arc. There’s one in each end and two more that fire upwards to generate the height elements required for Dolby Atmos. One tweeter fires straight out from the centre of the Arc, while the other two fire out at a left and right angle. A woofer in each end of the soundbar provides a wide soundstage. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian For yet another year, the Sonos multi-room system remains the best all-rounder.” ’What Hi-Fi?’ 2023 Product of the Year.
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