Sonos Sub 4

Sub 4 connections and accessories

The Sonos Sub 4 surprises not only with its dimensions but also with its overall simplicity. On the underside is an inlet for the power connection. Directly next to it is an Ethernet port to connect it directly to the network and improve the stability of the ecosystem. Otherwise, there is no real additional accessory – almost.

How to set up the Sub 4

The Sonos Sub 4 is essentially an accessory itself and cannot be used without other Sonos speakers. Sonos also limits compatibility to current, non-portable models. These include: Arc Ultra, Arc, Ray, Five, Era 300, Era 100, Beam (1st and 2nd generation). Once that important prerequisite is met, setup is simple: plug it into the mains, open the Sonos (S2) app, and a pop-up will appear after a short while to connect the Sub 4 to the network and then add it to a speaker setup. This can be changed at any time later.

Trueplay – calibration at the touch of a button

Adding the Sub 4 changes the sound of a Sonos system significantly – it becomes much more powerful. Sonos is flexible with placement, allowing it to stand upright or lie flat, with complete freedom over positioning in the room.

Even if you choose a classic placement near the speakers, you should open the Sonos app again and calibrate the system using the Trueplay feature to optimise for room acoustics. This process takes less than five minutes and ensures listening pleasure for the entire lifetime of the setup.

Controls on the Sub 4

Without a compatible Sonos speaker, the Sub 4 will produce no sound. As such, the subwoofer cannot be directly controlled via voice or similar inputs. Physical controls are also almost entirely absent – only a connection button is present, used solely for setup. No frequency adjustments are available on the subwoofer or in the app. Only the “strength” of the bass can be adjusted.

How does the Sonos Sub 4 sound?

Within a Sonos system, the sound of the Sub 4 alone is hard to isolate, as all Sonos speakers already have powerful woofers. Inside the Sub 4 are two elliptical, inward-facing 5 x 8-inch woofers. Sonos uses them in a force-cancelling arrangement to prevent distortion. This is clearly audible: the Sub 4 never produces overpowering, breath-stealing rumble. Instead, it engages smoothly and evenly when the other Sonos speakers reach their limits, always remaining discreet and never intrusive.

The Sub 4 truly shines in a home cinema setup with a Sonos Arc or Arc Ultra. Both soundbars already have strong bass, but the additional subwoofer delivers spine-tingling moments in both gaming and film.

The Sonos Sub 4’s strengths also lie in its bass precision and detail. Whether you’re listening to classical music, jazz, or rock, the Sub 4 complements these genres with remarkable low-frequency performance. It maintains subtle nuances in quiet passages while providing a lively and dynamic soundscape during intense sequences.

Conclusion

The Sonos Sub 4 is more than just another subwoofer – it’s an essential part of the Sonos ecosystem for improving bass reproduction, particularly in home cinema setups. Its modern design blends seamlessly into any living space while delivering impressive sound quality that will please even the most demanding audiophiles. Whether you’re listening to music, watching films, or gaming, the Sub 4 ensures you experience every low-frequency detail in all its glory.