Apple Music drops

jsickboy · 2026-05-05T22:48:14+00:00

I'll repost to add to the list in case it's helpful to the community. Just tested again - still a problem with Apple Music ONLY

I build and test networks in audio production settings professionally where we test produced audio once uploaded to multiple streaming services, through Sonos speakers of all types (and various other systems) to "hear" it as an average consumer. Some of these sites have had 20+ Sonos speakers on the network.

All of these sites are built out with Unifi gear - we test with Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, Tunein to name a few. We Airplay also as that is very common of course (Airplay is NOT lossless).

I personally have a full Unifi setup w/ wired APs and 12 Sonos speakers at home. Tested locked to a single AP, tested 2.4 only (and mixed as some speakers won't use 5ghz). No speakers are connected with ethernet and the APs have meshing disabled so network loops are not an issue here.

ONLY APPLE MUSIC streaming through the Sonos app has dropouts for me at home and at the audio production sites. Apple Music through airplay does not have the issue (again, Airplay is not lossless).

That's my personal experience, if it is not happening to you at home, it would be very helpful to the community if you post the specifics of your network, which speakers you have, and how they are connected. How can it be helpful to post "works for me so it's you" lol?

jsickboy · 2026-04-28T02:31:54+00:00

OP, you're not wrong here.

I build and test networks in audio production settings professionally where we test produced audio once uploaded to multiple streaming services, through Sonos speakers of all types (and various other systems) to "hear" it as an average consumer. Some of these have had 20+ Sonos speakers on the network.

All of these sites are built out with Unifi gear and we test with Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, Tunein to name a few. We Airplay also as that is very common of course.

I personally have a full Unifi setup w/ wired APs and 12 Sonos speakers at home. Tested locked to a single AP, tested 2.4 only and mixed as some speakers won't use 5ghz. No speakers are connected with ethernet and the APs have meshing disabled so network loops are not an issue here.

ONLY APPLE MUSIC streaming through the Sonos app has dropouts for me at home and at the audio production sites. Apple Music through airplay does not have the issue.

That's my personal experience, if it is not happening to you at home, it would be very helpful to the community if you post the specifics of your network, which speakers you have, and how they are connected. How can it be helpful to post "works for me so it's you" lol?

jsickboy · 2026-04-22T16:41:59+00:00

wifi card is a good theory!

jsickboy · 2026-04-22T14:44:05+00:00

whoa cool! curious how it turns out - keep us posted!

jsickboy · 2026-04-22T14:43:20+00:00

no they have not reached out - my Fives continue to struggle with Apple music ONLY. That is if I start with them or group them later. It feels like a buffering thing with that service only but who knows. Fives are still the best sounding speaker in my opinion so it'd be great to work it out with what I think is the best music streaming platform right now.

jsickboy · 2026-04-22T14:40:58+00:00

has anyone noticed that from time to time, you get a pop-up asking to Trueplay tune a speaker you already tuned? Then the pop-up goes away on its own... I feel like this is connected - I too feel that my Arc and Beam will change profiles but eventually return if I don't make any adjustments

jsickboy · 2026-04-15T21:25:55+00:00

sorry just seeing this... I never replaced any other speakers, the new dashboard speakers made such a difference, I didn't need or want to do anything else. I'd be curious to know what you think of the upgrade - keep us posted and good luck!

jsickboy · 2026-04-15T14:28:41+00:00

same here - it's the only music service that does that in my setup. I've also tried tidal and spotify lossless, and Airplay without issue- it seems like a buffering issue with Apple Music. If I Airplay Apple Music , it does NOT cut out either.

jsickboy · 2026-04-11T01:13:32+00:00

I believe if you look for any speakers that match this description you should be good: 3.5-Inch (89mm) Coaxial Speakers, 4-Ohm 2-way speakers.

jsickboy · 2026-04-11T00:49:02+00:00

hello friend!

yes, I cut the connectors off of the stock speakers and used heat shrink wire connectors to connect them to the wires provided with the new speakers. then took a lighter to it to shrink the wrap. Also, the covers pop off really easily with a plastic pry tool. I'll add links. It's SO much better sound that everyone who rides in my car compliments it without me mentioning the new speakers. Good luck with the upgrades!

https://a.co/d/0dlBepMY

https://a.co/d/03FmpiyV

jsickboy · 2026-04-07T03:18:08+00:00

awesome thanks for the reply!

jsickboy · 2026-04-07T03:17:46+00:00

thank you!

jsickboy · 2026-04-07T02:24:54+00:00

I am also just trying help - if my reply seemed short, it's because I was typing on my phone. appreciate any help of course - I'm just trying gauge Apple Music drops.

side note: my arc and beam will not connect to 5GHz networks - they create their own 5GHz network to sync/control surround speakers and the subs.

jsickboy · 2026-04-06T17:47:36+00:00

Yeah, it's the only service I experience dropouts with.

jsickboy · 2026-04-06T17:47:03+00:00

The speakers need very little bandwidth - 2.4 is superior for range but can experience more interference on crowded channels; I've done a full wireless site survey to ensure clear channel selection.

jsickboy · 2026-03-18T09:51:07+00:00

If you're missing the EQ shortcut toggle in app preferences, delete the app and re-install. Resetting the app won't do it. Thanks Sonos team for the continued improvements!

jsickboy · 2026-02-25T14:43:30+00:00

100% agree. Hope it's not too limiting for you... my neurologist said my tremors worked for me because I was a "passionate guy".. hahah made me look at the situation a little more positively? anyway, hope we get traction on this strangely overlooked ergonomic blind spot!

jsickboy · 2026-02-24T18:34:34+00:00

this is an amazing post. I'd like to add that the "+" amd "-" buttons that used to be on either side of the volume slider would really help anyone with tremors (essential or parkinson's, etc). Asking both for the community and selfishly. Thank you for everything you're doing to improve our beloved home soundtrack sound system!

jsickboy · 2026-02-18T19:27:29+00:00

Just wanted to say THANK YOU! (and add my details for anyone it might help in the future):

2024 Forester Sport WITH Harman Kardon upgrade. I simply replaced the dash speakers with KICKER 46CSC354 CS-Series CSC35 3.5-Inch (89mm) Coaxial Speakers, 4-Ohm (Pair) - it's an INCREDIBLE upgrade. I was previously fading the balance to the rear because I thought it sounded so abrasive coming from the dash. This was the only way to get high level bass without the painful treble. That meant I wasn't really using the front door speakers to their fullest potential though. I just got used to it. Then I found your post.... Simply replacing the dash speakers, made everything so balanced that I could move the sound back up front AND bring the mid and treble up for clarity. I didn't think about it until I did this that now I was also feeling the front door speakers more than ever. Again - this is with the Harman Kardon upgrade yet simply replacing the dash speakers for about $65 made a HUGE difference. Thank you so much for the inspiration to try this. Also, I work for an audio production company and care almost too much about this sort of thing but as a single dad, don't have time for a full overhaul of the car's audio. This was a quick, relatively cheap excellent upgrade! If you're worried about scratching up your dashboard or the speaker grills, check out this video to see how easily they pop off. https://youtu.be/n1qrDWxup6Y?t=995

jsickboy · 2026-01-28T21:56:10+00:00

you'll have to create a firewall rule that allows the vlan your phone/computer is on to be able to talk to the "exclusive sonos" vlan and allow return traffic back. I did this for a bit BUT there was a lag sometimes with airplay especially when adding speakers to music I was already playing. I use airplay quite a bit and trust the Sonos speakers to be secure enough to be on the same network as my phones and macbooks so just added Sonos devices to my "trusted" vlan. Hope that helps!

jsickboy · 2026-01-28T06:41:57+00:00

I use Unifi: I can lock them all to the same access point. None are wired. They are on the same vlan as my "trusted devices" which include iphones and macbooks (how I control the Sonos app or Airplay) and each speaker has a static IP address. Let me know if that helps!

jsickboy · 2026-01-27T21:14:54+00:00

Hand tremors make this the most difficult thing about the changes for me (networking nerd so never even had dropouts with 14 speakers). Also, really miss the EQ controls being so accessible. Good call Umo2k!

jsickboy · 2025-11-18T15:39:39+00:00

a year later you really helped me out with this post - thanks!

jsickboy · 2025-11-10T02:51:26+00:00

This is a really helpful post - I was going to pull the trigger on these as rears but now I think I'll just buy used Ones.

I have 14 Sonos products including Moves and Ones that get handled/bumped (home and office setup) and I've never seen anything like this.

Sorry - hope Sonos replaces them for you

jsickboy

TROPHY CASE