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If you weren’t already aware, Sonos has been slowly making inroads (pardon the pun) into the in-car audio market over the past few years.
Its partnership with Audi started with the Q4 e-tron back in 2021 and, over time, has spread to include more of the car manufacturer’s ‘entry-level’ models, including the A1, Q2 and Q3.
At the time, our experience with the Sonos Premium Sound System for the Q4 e-tron was a hugely enjoyable one. It resulted in a five-star rating, with us concluding it had delivered “a fun, musical set-up that echoes the character of its wireless speakers”.
Now it’s time to see how Sonos fares in what has historically been one of Audi’s most popular models, the A3…
System
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(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
(Image credit: Audi)
The system’s full name is the Sonos Premium Sound System with 3D Sound, and besides being included with certain high-end trim levels of A3, it’s available as part of the car’s optional Technology Pack (£1395), or Technology Pack Pro (£3995), which offer various features and driver aids in addition to the Sonos set-up.
It features 15 speakers dotted throughout the A3’s cabin, including a woofer in each door (front and back), a tweeter in each A-pillar, four more drivers spread across the front of the car, one in each C-pillar and a subwoofer. They are powered by a 16-channel, 680W amplifier.
The 3D element comes from the combination of those four front speakers lying across the instrument panel, the two speakers located in the C-pillar, plus the Fraunhofer Symphoria rendering technology, which is used to help deliver a more immersive listening experience.
Our test car was the high-performance Audi RS3 hatchback in top-of-the-range Carbon Vorsprung form. Unsurprisingly, with a ‘tested at’ price of £76,495, the Sonos system comes included as part of this package.
Infotainment
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(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
In terms of infotainment, the main central display is a 10.1-inch touchscreen, which is punchy and bright.
Album artwork looks colourful and crisp when using Apple CarPlay, and the screen responds relatively quickly to prods and pokes, even if the feedback you get isn’t the most satisfying.
By contrast, the control buttons on the steering wheel, which are both haptic and touch-sensitive, prove frustrating.
Depending on where the palm of your right hand sits on the steering wheel, we occasionally found ourselves changing the volume or skipping tracks accidentally when brushing against them.
Pressing the control pad provokes a more consistent response, but trying to slide your thumb over the volume control to change it while on the move was hit and miss.
Ironically, the best and smoothest touch controls in the car are on a small touch-sensitive control ‘disc’ which is down in the centre console by the gear selector.
Slide your finger in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and the volume changes in consistent and predictable increments.
Sound
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
We start by experimenting with the 3D sound settings and the level of surround sound the system offers.
You can alter the intensity of the 3D effect so it’s either high, low or off completely. We find it works best in the low setting, where it adds a little width and height to the sound without being too distracting.
You don’t want too much information forced out of the 3D speakers, as in our experience, this starts to mess up the cohesion and clarity of the system’s soundfield.
Playing the Black Eyed Peas Meet Me Halfway, we stick with the 3D mode on its lowest setting, and the balance of information being spread out through the speakers feels nicely judged and not too forced or unnatural.
Similarly, we keep the system’s surround level at around the second or third step along its sliding scale. Take it too far, and we think the soundfield loses solidity and becomes more of a smear of information, but in this position, you get a good balance of immersion and focus.
And, just like the RS3 cuts cross-country with impressive agility and pace, the Sonos system complements it with a nimble, athletic sound.
It’s a punchy, precise performer – as previously hinted at, bass notes are well controlled and hit you with solidity and precision. There’s decent weight there, yet lows are also handled with poise, which doesn’t distract the listener.
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Playing Close To Me by The Cure and the Sonos system handles the deep, prodding bassline well. It’s weighty, yet nicely defined and purposeful as it drives the track along.
And, it’s a similar case at the top end, where, despite lacking a little refinement and sophistication, the percussion, claps, and other high frequencies thrown at the system don’t sound harsh or abrasive.
However, there’s quite literally a large hole in the way the Sonos system performs. The more you listen, the more you notice something is missing in the lower midrange and upper bass, and no amount of tinkering with the sound settings can fix the issue.
You can alter bass and subwoofer settings, but it’s not the amount or level that’s lacking; it’s more the natural richness and warmth that you expect to hear just isn’t there. The net effect is that it feels like the bass is detached and disconnected from the midrange.
Play the Imperial March from the Star Wars soundtrack, and it’s lacking the midrange muscle and authority the orchestra usually conveys, leaving the track sounding hollow and lacking substance.
It’s not helped by the fact that highs lack a little sweetness and refinement, and more generally, the system favours a tonally grey presentation. The sound doesn’t create a sound that you, the listener, feel naturally drawn to, and it doesn’t sound as fun or inviting as the best entry-level systems we’ve heard.
Verdict
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If Sonos could bridge that gap between the midrange and bass with some extra richness and natural warmth, then that would undoubtedly improve what can only be described as a disappointing sound.
Given our previous Sonos experience in the Audi Q4 e-tron, we find it confusing that the A3 sounds so lacking and doesn’t sound as cohesive or as convincing as the system you find in its stablemate.
It almost feels like someone forgot to do the final bit of tuning, which isn’t something we thought we’d ever find ourselves saying about Sonos.
MORE:
Read our full Sonos Premium Sound System (Audi Q4 e-tron) review
And our B&O Play Sound System (Ford Fiesta) review