Sonos Sub 4 Review: Subtle Design Tweaks, Unsubtle Sound

The new Sonos Sub 4 sticks to the classic Sonos design but with a few subtle updates. We recently got the chance to check out the new Sub 4 thanks to Sonos, part of its fall update that included the new Arc Ultra in October.

Unboxing the Sub 4, it’s the same as the previous Sub 3. But this time around, a Sonos-branded polishing cloth is no longer included. The power cables remain the same.

There’s still styrofoam packaging for the Sub 4, like the Sub 3. It would be nice to see Sonos transition this to cardboard, but given how heavy the Sub 4 is (26 pounds; 11.79 kg), styrofoam for now seems to offer the best protection during transport to absorb shocks and bumps.

Sub 4 now comes in a matte finish, similar to the Sub Mini, making it less shiny but still sleek. The feet and port areas have also been slightly revised, giving it a more refined look.

Here, we see Sub 4 on the left, and Sub 3 on the right. The dual 5” x 8” elliptical woofers that face inward are still there. Facing each other results in a force-cancelling effect, which Sonos says eliminates distortion.

From the top, you can see the difference in the new matte finish on the Sub 4, compared to the Sub 3 in the back:

Inside, the Sub 4 includes upgraded internals like increased processing power (quad-core 4xA55 1.9GHz), better memory (512MB DDR4; 4G eMMC), and improved Wi-Fi 6 radios for smoother performance.

Sonos says Sub 4 has an updated enclosure, faceplate and cable cover to lower unnecessary waste. There’s now also close to a 50% drop in idle power consumption.

Looking at the bottom, Sub 3 (top) and Sub 4 (bottom) have some changes. The feet are now smaller, while there’s now a smaller port for power and ethernet. The product badge info is now integrated right into the external enclosure:

Here’s the Sonos sub family, with Sub Mini, Sub 3 and Sub 4:

Adding the Sub 4 to our Sonos system was once again seamless and easy with the Sonos app. There was a software update that installed quickly, and we were off to the races.

The sound quality remains top-notch, delivering deep bass that can shake your room. We tested the Sub 4 paired with a Sub 3 and cranked the bass while watching Top Gun. The result? Incredible sound but a literal headache during intense scenes. Rumbling lows and punchy bass. You get a true theatre experience that will have family members yelling at you to “turn it down!”.

It’s worth noting that your neighbours won’t appreciate you maxing out the bass unless they’re invited to movie night (and your snacks). Sub 4 is a huge leap compared to Sub Mini, as you can really feel the bass a lot more.

The Sub 4 is a great addition for anyone looking to enhance their Sonos home theatre system. Whether paired with other Sonos speakers or used on its own, it promises an immersive experience. Just be prepared for the power—it’s not for the faint of heart (or thin walls). We did not see a price increase for Sub 4 as it remained with a $999 MSRP.

Right now, Sonos has a holiday sale and Sub 4 is on sale for 20% off down to $849 CAD, saving you $150 (yes, also on sale on Amazon.ca). That’s a good price for getting a future-proofed Sub to add to your Sonos system.