Avid Contributor I

App says ARC playing Atmos but it doesn’t sound like it

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I just bought a Sonos Arc to replace the Playbar. My current set up is Arc, Sub, Sonos 1 & One SL as surround speakers.

After switching over to the ARC I can't really tell a huge difference from the Playbar. It sounds good, but so did my Playbar. I've tried some Atmos movies through my 4k firestick. When playing atmos movie my Sonos 2 app is telling me it's playing Atmos (movies through HBO Max). I changed a setting on my tv which allowed the Atmos designation to show up on my Sonos 2 app. The fire stick also is set for best sound available.

I’ve moved the ARC so it's about 4” below the tv and in front. It's about 5 feet from the ceiling (flat). ARC is about head level when sitting on couch which is about 8’ away or so. I tried true tuning. I've even played with the Highs setting for the Arc and never noticed anything by doing that.

Do I need to unpair my rear speakers and just do speaker and sub? I’m not sure if im missing something here. Im disappointed that the sound quality doesn't really feel upgraded considering the price I paid for a new Sonos Arc compared to the Playbar I used to have.

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MikeLL

Contributor I

Audio format = Dolby Atmos. Absolutely. Yes I have tried changing the doaf. I have set height from normal to all the way to the top. NO change in sound at all.The ARC is 55 inches from the ceiling. As I said, it doesn’t matter how far I am from the ARC. Pe (on YouTube) suggested experimenting with that distance. I have tried EVERY distance. It simply doesn’t matter. Ironically, when I got the email moments ago about your response, I was, and am still, on Nakamichi’s website. I’m tired of fighting this battle. Last night, I watched The Matrix in Dolby Atmos. NO overhead sound. None. Nada. Zilch.

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GuitarSuperstar

Lead Maestro

Audio format = Dolby Atmos. Absolutely. Yes I have tried changing the doaf. I have set height from normal to all the way to the top. NO change in sound at all.The ARC is 55 inches from the ceiling. As I said, it doesn’t matter how far I am from the ARC. Pe (on YouTube) suggested experimenting with that distance. I have tried EVERY distance. It simply doesn’t matter. Ironically, when I got the email moments ago about your response, I was, and am still, on Nakamichi’s website. I’m tired of fighting this battle. Last night, I watched The Matrix in Dolby Atmos. NO overhead sound. None. Nada. Zilch.

Very odd. I can hear A LOT of height channel effects when I play The Matrix. If you place your ear right next to the upward firing drivers, do you hear any audio being played out of them?

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi

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MikeLL

Contributor I

Exactly where are the upward firing drivers?

Airgetlam

Bruce

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GuitarSuperstar

Lead Maestro

Exactly where are the upward firing drivers?

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi

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MikeLL

Contributor I

It is 1:18a.m. where I live. My wife would kill me if I fired up that system now;) I’ll try in the morning & respond. Thanks to EVERYONE who has tried to help me. I deeply appreciate it. I sincerely do!!

M

MikeLL

Contributor I

Well, it’s official: I AM getting sound out of the upward firing speakers on the ARC; I can hear it when I bend over & put my ear close. So WHY oh why am I NOT getting overhead sound? I thought about getting a pair of ERA 300’s since they supposedly support Dolby Atmos, too, but they would only recieve rear sound signals, so IF they did produce overheard sound I would assume it would be minimal at best. I give up. Thanks to everyone who tried to help. This is a great community.

G

GuitarSuperstar

Lead Maestro

Well, it’s official: I AM getting sound out of the upward firing speakers on the ARC; I can hear it when I bend over & put my ear close. So WHY oh why am I NOT getting overhead sound? I thought about getting a pair of ERA 300’s since they supposedly support Dolby Atmos, too, but they would only recieve rear sound signals, so IF they did produce overheard sound I would assume it would be minimal at best. I give up. Thanks to everyone who tried to help. This is a great community.

While your ear is next to the upward firing drivers, if you adjust the Height Audio level from 0 to +10, can you hear the difference in volume?

Do you mind posting photos of your setup including the ceiling and sofa?

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi

M

MikeLL

Contributor I

OMG! There is NO difference in the upward firing speakers from negative zero all the way up to 10 !! NONE!

Ken_Griffiths

OMG! There is NO difference in the upward firing speakers from negative zero all the way up to 10 !! NONE!

If that’s whilst playing Atmos Music audio, then perhaps check the Arc ‘room’ settings and ensure that ‘Spatial Music" audio has not been disabled.

If there’s an issue whilst playing Atmos TV audio and the ‘Now Playing’ screen badge confirms the audio source as Atmos, then perhaps go onto try a few different A/V Atmos sources and if still no joy with the height adjustment control in the Sonos App, then it maybe best to submit a Sonos system diagnostic report from within the App and either note/post it’s reference back here and then contact/chat with Sonos Support Staff via this LINK and see what the Staff can perhaps suggest to resolve the matter.

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