Sonos Sub Gen 3 Review (2023) — A Must-Have Home Theater Upgrade

The Sonos Sub has one of the most unique designs for a home theater component. However, what is made to be visually appealing is not as functional. Is this the case with the Sonos Gen 3 sub? To make sure you aren’t left with an average product, our audio team conducted a thorough Sonos Sub Gen 3 review.

What We Like

What We Don’t Like

Design

The design of the new Sonos Sub is  the most eye-catching feature. The wireless subwoofer has a hollow center and possesses the same appearance as the Sub Generation 2. The improvements for Gen 3 are hidden beneath the surface.

As its predecessor also did, the Gen 3 comes in both black and white with a high-gloss finish. The exterior adds a touch of sophistication. Many Sonos speakers have a matte finish, making the high-gloss black and white exterior of this Sonos Sub stand out in your home theater. Some users may prefer a more streamlined design, but members in our testing group liked the contrast.

What’s great about the unique frame of the Sonos Sub Generation 3 is the placement versatility. You can place it wherever you wish, and it won’t interfere with the rest of your Sonos setup, and you can position it on its side or vertically.

Sonos Sub Gen 3 Features

The improvements of the Sonos sub are deep within. Our team of audio engineers took the time to compare it to previous models like Sonos Sub Generation 2. They also spent effort to assess its compatibility and complimentary benefits with other Sonos products such as the Sonos One SL, Sonos Five, and the Sonos amp. The next part of the Sonos Sub Gen 3 review will go into each feature in more detail. 

Material and Durability

The Sonos sub is visually appealing, but is it durable and practical? The subwoofer is a little heavy at 36 pounds, but we would gladly lift a bit more weight if it means our submodel is beautifully designed and capable of exceptional bass relays.

The cabinet is a little thin, but it only brings benefits to the volume and placement. Don’t worry about the durability of the Sonos sub. The sub delivers strength and build because Sonos is one of the rarer companies that test their products before packaging them for distribution.

From the Sonos speaker to other parts of a home theater system, rest assured that your subwoofer went through rigorous stress tests and quality control tests before it made it into your home.

Power and Frequency Response

The Sonos subwoofer provides excellent sound thanks to its frequency response. Subwoofers are different from speakers and are only required to play the low end of the spectrum. In other words, they are responsible for the bass tones. Our audio engineers loved that the Sonos Gen 3 sub could play down to 25 Hz when most other subwoofers play at around 28 to 29 Hz.

What does this mean? It means the Sonos Subs can play bass sounds that other subs cannot. It’s a very hard-hitting sub that can create the home theatre experience you always want.

Drivers

A coveted and smart feature of the Sub Generation 3 that our team enjoyed after multiple reviews are dual force-canceling drivers. You don’t have to be an audiophile to know that cranking up the deep bass sound can result in heavy vibrations. This isn’t the case for the Subwoofer from the brand because the drivers work to stabilize the cabinet.  This will then tamper the vibrations.

You won’t get any buzz, noise, or distortion. The drivers will make sure the subwoofer complements your speakers in the best way possible to give you a positive listening experience.

Digital Amplifier

The subwoofer has a built-in class D amplifier that will work seamlessly with the dual-driver design to make the most out of your sound system. The amp will ensure the subwoofer complements all the other elements of your home theatre devices.

Sound Quality and Bass

A subwoofer and speaker is only as good as the sound quality and performance. Let’s take a deeper look at the Sonos Sub Gen 3 for sound quality and bass.

To put it simply, the Sonos subwoofer will play crisp, clean, and deep-thumping music that is free of distortion and unnecessary vibrations. The new Sonos sub can handle all the bass tones on the spectrum, allowing your other speakers to focus on the mids and highs. The result of this isolation is accurate bass and distinguishable details in any room. 

The Sonos Gen 3 Sub may not be as big and powerful as some professional surround sound models, but it can surely enhance your existing Sonos system. 

Versatility of Sonos Sub Gen 3

One of the most marketable features of the subwoofer from Sonos is versatility. The internal software allows it to analyze its surroundings and calibrate the settings to optimize the audio. This means you can set it up with a Sonos soundbar or speaker and have it work perfectly. There is also a volume adjustment feature that can be accessed through your phone.

The subwoofer also works with Sonos’ TruePlay technology for a better listening experience. TruePlay is the feature you can rely on to analyze the acoustics in your room. The feature uses your mobile phone mic to carry out its fine-tuning. 

The Sonos Generation 3 subwoofer is an upgrade to the previous generation 2 model with a noticeable versatility enhancement.

Setup and Placement

As a wireless subwoofer, the setup for your generation 3 Sonos sub is highly intuitive and considered one of its smart features. All it takes is the press of a button, and the sub and speaker will be paired together. The wireless setup makes it easy to adjust the subwoofer’s positioning without having to worry about affecting your movie or music sound. 

Our audio team has tested the ease of setup with various Sonos system components and speakers such as the Sonos amp, Arc, and Beam soundbar. No matter what you decide to pair the sub with, it’s as easy as a simple press of a button.  

The placement is one of the hallmark features of the sub from Sonos. Whether you are laying it flat or standing it vertically, the software calibrates the sub to perform the same way. 

(For a better home theater integration, you can also check our page about simple living room home theater placement

Memory and Processor

An ideal upgrade from the generation 2 model is the memory. The brand went from a 128 MB model up to 256 in the new Gen 3 subwoofers. To power more information and data, Sonos also made sure to upgrade the processor to a Quad-Core 1.5 GHz [1]. In the end, you get a faster subwoofer with the ability to process more information.

Inputs and Connections

This is a wireless subwoofer and doesn’t require any cables to hook up with your Sonos system. You will need a power cord, but the sub can be paired easily with the press of a button. You will need the Sonos app to control your sub, which you can download to your phone. The Sonos app goes by the name of Sonos S2, and it’s an ingenious system. 

The app can detect what device you are attempting to connect within your system and gives users complete control over TruePlay adjustments. 

The inputs are located on the back of the sub, and all you need is the power cord. For maximum flexibility when trying to figure out the location for the Sonos Subs in your home theatre, our experts suggest looking for a longer cable.

Wireless Connectivity

The sub is wireless and can connect with other devices. Because of this, the Sonos Sub generation 3 can pair easily with another subwoofer and speakers. Connecting two subwoofers will only bring beneficial effects to playing your music and watching your movies. Two subs working together will create a broader soundstage and tighter bass.

The wireless connection also allows you to pair your subwoofers with Amazon Alexa devices. You can opt to connect your system to Amazon Alexa for hands-free performance and voice controls. 

Value For Money

The Sonos Sub Gen 3 can bring deep bass tones you have been missing in your movies and music to the forefront, but is it worth your money? There is no debating the high price tag of this sub, but is the deep bass sound generated by this system unique?

Our sound engineers say yes. The Gen 3 assessment has yielded very positive results. In terms of performance, your listening experience will undergo massive changes. The sub is an indispensable addition to your surrounding system as it allows you to adjust the volume levels via TruePlay and works seamlessly with soundbar, amp, and speaker models from the brand.

The sub can pair easily with all other speaker components in your surround sound system, such as the Arc, for heavy and enhanced bass. Our audiophiles say that if you already have Sonos speakers or a complete system from the brand, then it makes sense to invest in this sub regardless of the price.

Strictly from a pricing standpoint, the Gen 3 sub will be more worth it than a pair of floorstanding speakers for surround sound. It can transport you to the center of the music regardless of room size. If you want more bass, investing in a second sub can create a more immersive experience.

Since the device can elevate sound quality from all speakers, the benefits the sub can bring to your entertainment room are priceless. Even on devices that already have their sub like the Arc, the Generation 3 can still be appreciated for its crystal clear sounds at a reasonable price.

Our team also suggests paying attention to the warranty and reading the fine print to find out what’s covered. A few hundred dollars is not a small amount for most, so knowing if you are protected if the sub fails down the line is very important. Sonos is a brand that offers excellent customer support and deals.

FAQ

How good is the Sonos SUB Gen 3?

The Sonos Sub Gen 3 is a good sub. It is a huge improvement from the Gen 2 and offers more memory storage and a faster processor. However, it stays true to the line and still displays the same frame and design. There are two colors to choose from but with a high-gloss exterior for a more elegant style. If you have a system from the same brand, the Gen 3 Sub will be a great fit for your entertainment room. 

What is the difference between Sonos SUB Gen 2 and 3?

The difference between the Sonos Sub Gen 2 and 3 lies with the memory and processing power. On top of that, the Gen 3 is optimized to work better with other Sonos devices and be controlled by the updated S2 app. It is also a wireless design that adds a level of flexibility to your speakers when you play your favorite music.

Sonos Sub Gen 3 Review Conclusion

After multiple Sonos Sub Gen 3 reviews, our sound professionals are convinced  that it is a beautiful addition to speakers from the same brand. Your movies and music will enjoy an upgrade as the sub can permeate the room with the lower end of the sound spectrum and increase the reach of your home system.

Writer

Picture of Willie Greer
Willie Greer
Willie Greer is the founder of The Product Analyst. A cinephile, he has made it a personal quest to achieve the awesomest home theater possible. He now shares what he has learned through the years on the site, and has enlisted the help of tech-savvy colleagues in providing more insight about today’s most sought-after gadgets.