Sub 4 Arrives: Redefining Deep Bass for Home Cinema
No one will ever accuse a subwoofer of being too shy. Designed to handle the lowest frequencies of audio in movies and music, these loudspeakers literally make their presence felt with every bass-filled rumble and roar. Even so, few subwoofers have ever packed a punch in such a style as of the latest upgrade to the Sonos home theater experience: Sub 4.
If you’re chasing a more cinematic sound experience that does real justice to the rumbles and roars sitting at the lowest end of the audio mix, our newest subwoofer is the fastest way to get there.
What’s new in Sub 4?
The Sonos Sub 4 is a wireless subwoofer designed to add deep bass to a Sonos home audio system. It connects wirelessly to Sonos speakers and improves low-frequency sound for movies, music, and home theatre setups.
Let’s break down what’s new.
Increased memory and processing power
Sub 4 features a more powerful CPU than the previous generation. This allows it to communicate efficiently and effectively with the other components in your home theater system — and, ultimately, to deliver an incredible sense of depth and dimension across the lowest frequency sounds in an audio mix.
Sub 4 was built with not only power but also longevity in mind. Rest assured that it will be capable of receiving the latest software updates and features from Sonos for years to come.
An updated look
At first glance, the visual updates to Sub 4 may appear subtle. The biggest update is an all-new matte finish available in both black and white. This stands in contrast to the high-gloss finish of the previous generation, which was unique in the Sonos lineup but may have disrupted the aesthetic continuity of a full speaker setup. In any case, you’ll likely find Sub 4 to be a slightly more understated addition to your home theater system.
Where does Sonos Sub 4 fit into a home setup?
The Sonos Sub 4 is typically used as part of a home theatre or living room setup, paired with compatible Sonos speakers or soundbars. Rather than drawing attention to itself, it adds greater depth and impact to movies, music, and TV, creating a more balanced and immersive listening experience.
Sonos Sub 4 in Black
How does Sub 4 compare to Sub Gen 3?
| Feature | Sonos Sub 4 | Sonos Sub Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Bass performance | Very similar deep bass performance. The main sound character is carried over. | Strong deep bass performance with the same general acoustic direction. |
| Acoustic architecture | Continues the core Sub acoustic architecture, using force-cancelling drivers to reduce buzz and rattle. | Uses the earlier version of the same Sub acoustic architecture. |
| Design | Same iconic sculptural shape, but with an updated matte finish. | Same iconic shape, but with a premium gloss finish. |
| Internal hardware | Updated internal electronics, with faster processing, more memory, and Wi-Fi 6 support. | Older internal electronics, with lower processing power compared with Sub 4. |
| System compatibility | Works with compatible Sonos soundbars and speakers, including Arc Ultra, Arc, Beam, Ray, Five, Era 300, and Era 100. | Works with Sonos S2-compatible home theatre and speaker setups. |
| Setup | Plug it in, add it through the Sonos app, and connect wirelessly over Wi-Fi. | Set up through the Sonos app and connected wirelessly over Wi-Fi. |
| Best for | Users buying new, especially those who want the latest hardware and a finish that matches newer Sonos products. | Users who already own one or can find it at a good price, especially if the gloss finish matches their setup. |
The Sonos Sub 4 builds on the strengths of the previous generation with updated processing, increased memory, Wi-Fi 6 support, and a refined matte finish. If you already own a Sub (Gen 3), upgrading may not be essential. However, for a new Sonos home theatre setup, the Sub 4 is the latest model and the natural choice for long-term compatibility.
Who is Sonos Sub 4 best suited for?
The Sonos Sub 4 is designed for those who already have a compatible Sonos soundbar or speaker. Rather than replacing your existing setup, it's made to enhance it with deeper, more dynamic bass for music, films, and TV.
As part of the Sonos ecosystem, the Sub 4 is intended to work alongside other Sonos products, making it well-suited to anyone looking to build or expand a complete home audio system.
Experience it for yourself
Want to feel it and hear it for yourself? Book an appointment at the Sonos Flagship Store at Wheelock to hear a live demonstration. You're in for a treat!
FAQs
Can I use Sub 4 with older Sonos soundbars like the original Beam or Playbar?
Yes! Sub 4 is backwards compatible with all Sonos soundbars and home theater products, including older models. The improved processing power will still enhance your system regardless of which soundbar you're using.
What's the actual difference in bass output between Sub 4 and Sub Gen 3?
The acoustic architecture remains similar, so the raw bass output is comparable. The main improvements are in processing speed, communication efficiency with other speakers, and future-proofing through increased memory—resulting in tighter, more responsive bass rather than simply "louder" bass.
Will Sub 4 work in smaller rooms or apartments without disturbing neighbors?
Yes! Like previous generations, Sub 4 features adjustable bass levels in the Sonos app. You can fine-tune the output to suit your space and reduce disturbance while still enjoying enhanced low-frequency performance compared to soundbars alone.
Can I pair a Sub 4 with a Sub Gen 3 for dual subwoofer setup?
Yes! Sonos supports pairing different subwoofer generations together. You can combine a Sub 4 with a Sub Gen 3 (or Sub Mini) to create a dual subwoofer home theater system for even more impactful bass coverage.
Does Sub 4 require professional installation or calibration?
No! Sub 4 is designed for easy self-setup. Simply plug it in, add it through the Sonos app, and it automatically integrates with your soundbar. Trueplay tuning (on iOS devices) can optimize the sound for your room's acoustics with just a few taps.
Does Sub 4 consume more power than Sub Gen 3?
Despite the increased processing power, Sub 4 is designed to be energy-efficient. Power consumption is comparable to Sub Gen 3, with minimal impact on your electricity bill even during extended use.
How long will Sub Gen 3 continue to receive software updates now that Sub 4 is released?
Sonos typically supports products for many years after newer models launch. Sub Gen 3 will continue receiving updates for the foreseeable future, though Sub 4's enhanced hardware means it will likely be supported longer term.
