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Sonos Port & Onkyo amplifier volume issues

  • May 20, 2025
  • 12 replies
  • 100 views

We are facing the following issue with a system where 2 Sonos Ports are connected to a Sonos Ready amplifier by Onkyo. 
Despite pass-through mode, the volume fluctuates unpredictably and constantly. 

Please advise.
 

Best answer by buzz

I’m not sure what you are experiencing. The typical complaint is that level can vary from track to track and this is caused by differences in the track recording levels. I don’t recall any previous complaints with respect to levels changing while a track is playing, however, some tracks, particularly classical music and some jazz tracks are very dynamic. Pop music levels typically don’t vary much.

An Internet news radio station would be a good test choice because the audio level will be very consistent, although some stations will boost the level on commercials somewhat.

You could take this up with SONOS phone support. First, submit a diagnostic after one of the Volume level incidents. If a PORT is having issues, they will usually leave data in the diagnostic. 

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12 replies

buzz
  • 24656 replies
  • May 20, 2025

What is your source of music? Are you playing a music service? Does the Volume vary from track to track or within a track?


  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 6 replies
  • May 20, 2025

Spotify, Volume vary all the time ...


buzz
  • 24656 replies
  • May 20, 2025

Do you have variation with another source, such as Internet Radio stations?


  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 6 replies
  • May 20, 2025

same situation on radio stations 

 


  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 6 replies
  • May 20, 2025

in the fixed mode works fine but on the pass-through volume goes up and down all the time.

 


buzz
  • 24656 replies
  • May 20, 2025

Which model ONKYO? You have two PORTS’s connected as inputs to the ONKYO. Do both exhibit this behavior?


  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 6 replies
  • May 20, 2025
  • Onkyo 6100
  • 2 Sonos Ports in 2 different inputs

buzz
  • 24656 replies
  • May 20, 2025

Does the ONKYO indicate any Volume change commands are being executed? Are you using any sort of voice control?


  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 6 replies
  • May 20, 2025

No, Onkyo does not indicate volume changes - no voice control use.

 


buzz
  • 24656 replies
  • May 20, 2025

What is the speaker impedance? How loud are you listening? Maybe the ONKYO is entering a protection mode.


  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 6 replies
  • May 20, 2025

I could understand some kind of amplifier protection, but the fluctuation in playback volume doesn’t explain it— speaker impedance at 8 Ohms.


buzz
  • 24656 replies
  • Answer
  • May 20, 2025

I’m not sure what you are experiencing. The typical complaint is that level can vary from track to track and this is caused by differences in the track recording levels. I don’t recall any previous complaints with respect to levels changing while a track is playing, however, some tracks, particularly classical music and some jazz tracks are very dynamic. Pop music levels typically don’t vary much.

An Internet news radio station would be a good test choice because the audio level will be very consistent, although some stations will boost the level on commercials somewhat.

You could take this up with SONOS phone support. First, submit a diagnostic after one of the Volume level incidents. If a PORT is having issues, they will usually leave data in the diagnostic.