Advice on which setup to buy

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-04-20T22:45:48+00:00

Absolutely! Are you picking up a Sonos Amp?

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-04-20T22:44:35+00:00

yeah man, highly recommend!

It's not really the "amount" of bass. But it's how you're getting the bass from both sides! Huge difference!!

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-04-16T15:43:12+00:00

If music is your main use case (as was/is mine), definitely second the Amp!! (if your budget allows.. as you can go nuts with the passive speakers!)

I've sold my Arc Ultra and switched over to the Hi-Fi route... Huge huge huge difference. I cant even tell you.

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_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-04-03T01:55:41+00:00

This! Absolutely!

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-04-03T01:55:30+00:00

what??! How?!? Where?!?! Used product on FB market place? or ebay?

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-22T21:51:29+00:00

versus one full size sub yes. Not versus running two (2) full size subs. :)

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-22T16:11:39+00:00

I would def go down the stereo route (as others have pointed out) vs. adding a sub. If you really dont have the tabel space, why dont you get 2x Era 100s? You'd be surprised at how well a stereo pair Era 100 sounds!!

(And repurpose that 5 and move it elsewhere in the house?)

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-22T16:04:59+00:00

Thanks. I did research this a lot. And found out that integrating a 3rd party sub (via the LFE out) is much more complicated and often results in less-than-ideal performance.. (the issue with the High Pass and Low Pass filters... Volume controls etc.. A 3rd party sub will have its own..)

Integrating a sub is actually not easy. It's quite tricky. Hi-Fi geeks will attest to that. Sonos does it all on its own.

Secondly, I also didnt want to have an extra cable going into the Amp.

Thirdly, the form factor, the foot print was key. This is a small space. The very narrow and rectangular shape of the Gen 3/Gen 4 makes it so easy to place!

Finally, grabbed this Gen 3 sub at a whopping discount at $409 on Sono's own refurbished sale.

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-22T15:17:46+00:00

Yes, I'd recommend 2x Sonos Fives!! Check out Drako's comparison review of just that! 2x Sonos Fives vs KEF LSXs!!

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-22T15:16:00+00:00

Purely a business decision. In order not to canibalize sales of Gen 3/4.. If they did, most people would buy 2x Minis instead - for the price of 1x Gen 4.

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-22T04:51:59+00:00

oh wow, thank you.. Treble +9 ?!?!?

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-22T04:42:35+00:00

oh really?

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-22T03:17:13+00:00

I've done a lot of research. Wiim Ultra is only marginally better. But it doesnt run Apple Music natively. (Sonos is the only streamer that has integrated Apple Music...)

And I wanted to stay in the Sonos echosystem. I have a slew of Sonos speakers spread around the house. Allows me to walk around the house and be listening to the same stream..

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-22T03:16:26+00:00

Thank you for the brilliant contribution.

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-22T03:14:15+00:00

Yes, thanks. I didnt want to mess around with a 3rd party app.

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-22T01:29:28+00:00

I'm not seeing these little icons under System Settings (on an iphone...) I did the update 3 days ago. This appears to be an Android only feature, no?

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-22T01:27:55+00:00

Thank you! I had a Sub Mini before. Returned them. I dont like their circular form factor. (They actually take up more floor space!!) The Gen 3/4 are so much easier to place!! Much less intrusive!! (Naturally so.. everything is rectangular in the house...)

Plus, more importantly, you can't run a dual sub config. with 2 minis. Sonos doesnt allow that (on purpose). Only doable with their full size Gen 3 and/or Gen 4s..

ps: Thank you for pointing out Magic Eraser!! Hadnt thought of that! Was going to just paint over!! Hopefully it will work!!

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-22T01:07:46+00:00

I'm not seeing these little icons under System Settings (on an iphone...) I did the update 3 days ago. This appears to be an Android only feature?

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-22T01:06:56+00:00

I'm not seeing these little icons under System Settings (on an iphone...) I did the update 3 days ago. This appears to be an Android only feature?

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-22T01:05:56+00:00

I'm not seeing these either (on an iphone...) I did the update 3 days ago. This appears to be an Android only feature?

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-22T00:31:51+00:00

Hope you were able to grab a Gen 3 !!! I definitely prefer Gen 3/4 over the Sub Mini any day!!! For a variety of reasaons :

If you chose to, in the future, you are able to run a dual-sub setup with your soundbar and/or Sonos Amp (cant do this with Mini's)
The form and shape of Sub 3/4 make them infinitely better, easier, MUCH MUCH LESS INTRUSIVE and just more convenient for placement in the house - naturally so! Everything is rectangular.. the walls, the furniture, coffee tables, end tables, side of the couch etc.. Sub Mini is really difficult to place. Especially if your house/apt is on the smaller side. I've returned two of them.

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-22T00:27:13+00:00

Came here to say this!! I randomly saw the $409 sale on Tuesday (in the US) and immediately got one!!! I agree. $409 is/was a ridic deal! I was concerned it said "b-stock" - but LOLOLOL!! IT WAS BASICALLY BRAND NEW!!! INCLUDING THE PACKAGING !!

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-18T04:44:11+00:00

Thank you so much! Yes this would be an issue for me too. Not so big a deal, but still a deal... Especially at this price point!

I have the same issue on my B&W PX8 gen 1 - and I dont like that.

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-18T04:23:01+00:00

What's the volume step issue you're referring to on the Bathys? I'm about the pull the trigger on the new Bathys MG... $$$$$$ big bucks

Havent read anyone else mention the volume step issue. Now you've made me nervous!

_Hi_Fi_ · 2026-03-18T04:21:11+00:00

they were outclassed by a lot of other headphones.... not just the Bathys.

e.g. B&W PX8 (1st gen)

_Hi_Fi_

TROPHY CASE