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GaryGorilla
Enthusiast I
December 13, 2020

Is the Sonos Arc fit for purpose

Ok, im close to giving up and returning the arc and sub.  I have tweaked with the settings for weeks but can't get the balance right.

We cannot watch a Netflix program or a movie without having to constantly adjust the sound up and down.  The dialogue is absolutely terrible, either too low or too tinnie.  Also when they speak a lot of the times the speech goes up and down in volume even though its a normal monotone sentence. 

Whereas action noises and music is way too overpowering, hence the turning up and down throughout a movie or program.  Speech enhancement I find is very poor too.

 

I am using this with a new Sony Bravia OLED TV with earc on auto.  Not sure if there are another settings on the TV audio output I need to change or if anyone can recommend any settings on the arc and sub for the right balance.

 

At the moment its an expensive set up that is just not fit for purpose.

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    Tylertron21
    December 15, 2020

    I have a feeling the Sonos is creating a “phantom center”, meaning the Sony is outputting in 2 channel stereo. Look into the Sonos app to see what signal the app is reporting in while playing back audio (not paused).  System - About system.

    Then, what devices are you streaming from? The built in Sony apps? Might sound odd, but check if there is a Android TV update for the Bravia. Then manually check the play store for streaming app updates. 

    Play around the Bravia’s audio outputs, try changing from auto, you can always change back to auto. I haven’t looked into the threads but many Sonos users here have had issues with Sony Tvs. If all else fails look into those threads.   

    Dialog clarity in all sources of content is probably the weakest link for the Sonos arc outside of music listening. I have the full 5.2.2 set up and I run into some scenes where dialog isn’t the best.  

    One last question, where is the arc mounted? Wall, TV stand? Ear level? What's the distance from your main listening position and the ARc? 

     

    Interestingly normal TV is PCM stero 2 so changed that to auto 1 which sorted it

    Okay so did changing from Auto to PCM bring back the dialog volume and fix your issues?

    GaryGorillaAuthor
    Enthusiast I
    January 10, 2021

    I have a feeling the Sonos is creating a “phantom center”, meaning the Sony is outputting in 2 channel stereo. Look into the Sonos app to see what signal the app is reporting in while playing back audio (not paused).  System - About system.

    Then, what devices are you streaming from? The built in Sony apps? Might sound odd, but check if there is a Android TV update for the Bravia. Then manually check the play store for streaming app updates. 

    Play around the Bravia’s audio outputs, try changing from auto, you can always change back to auto. I haven’t looked into the threads but many Sonos users here have had issues with Sony Tvs. If all else fails look into those threads.   

    Dialog clarity in all sources of content is probably the weakest link for the Sonos arc outside of music listening. I have the full 5.2.2 set up and I run into some scenes where dialog isn’t the best.  

    One last question, where is the arc mounted? Wall, TV stand? Ear level? What's the distance from your main listening position and the ARc? 

     

    Interestingly normal TV is PCM stero 2 so changed that to auto 1 which sorted it

    Okay so did changing from Auto to PCM bring back the dialog volume and fix your issues?

    Sadly not.  It's still all over the place in terms of dialogue and action noises.  I've never known a surround system be so inconsistent.  On the odd occasion when it's balanced, such as watching Vikings its awesome but its so rare.  The differences are so extreme.

    GaryGorillaAuthor
    Enthusiast I
    January 10, 2021

    @GuitarSuperstar out of interest what are your settings on the arc and sub if you don't mind me asking?

    With everyday TV viewing:

    Bass: 0

    Treble: -2

    Loudness: On

    Night Sound: On

     

    When I watch a movie:

    Bass: +5

    Treble: +3

    Loudness: On

    Night Sound: On (I only leave it on because I have young children sleeping upstairs)

    I hardly ever use speech enhancement.

    Sub level is always at 0.

     

    @GuitarSuperstar do you have trueplay on or off?

    GuitarSuperstar
    Lead Maestro
    January 10, 2021

    @GaryGorilla I keep Trueplay on.

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