Answered

LPCM ETA for Arc?

E
Userlevel 3

LG has released a firmware upgrade for the B9/C9/E9 supporting multichannel PCM passthrough.  This is great except Arc doesn’t support it yet.


Because of this new update, my Apple TV decides it should use LPCM instead of Dolby Digital 5.1 with Atmos enabled resulting in only 2.0 audio for non Atmos content.  The current only workaround is to disable Atmos and enable it when you want to watch an Atmos file.  Very frustrating as the previous firmware had no issue.

 

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Best answer by Ditte 10 November 2020, 16:39

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206 replies

J
Badge +18

We are actively testing multi-channel LPCM on Sonos and we'll be releasing it as part of a software update by the end of this year. We will update this thread again once it's available.  

S
Userlevel 2

Needs to happen soon. It’s a joke that I’m having to use stereo on an 800 quid sound bar

Ditte
Userlevel 5

Hi all,

We hear you. With a software update today, Arc now supports multi-channel LPCM, bringing new immersive sound experiences for gaming, Blu-ray discs, and more. To get support for multi-channel LPCM on Arc, download the latest Sonos S2 update from the app store and then update your system in the Sonos S2 app. After updating the app, go to Settings > System > System Updates > Check for Updates.

All the best,

Ditte

B
Userlevel 1

An ETA on LPCM would be nice. Having similar problem because I have Apple 4K as well. 

S
Userlevel 1

Would like to second this, I’m in the same situation. I have two devices (LG C9 and an Apple TV 4K) that as I understand it are following home theatre best practices in passing through multi PCM and one device (the Arc) that is holding everything back - I could tolerate it when it was just my Switch affected by Sonos’ lack of multi PCM support, but with the Apple TV also caught up in this the Arc simply isn’t worth the money. Based on what other Sonos owners have told me about their struggles with DTS support, I’m planning on returning the Arc if an ETA for multi PCM isn’t confirmed before the return period lapses. Will just switch back to my old Playbar and put aside the cash to migrate away from Sonos.

B
Userlevel 4
Badge +7

Hi @ledzep1.

Welcome, thank you for reaching back to Sonos Community.

I'll submit a feature request to add LPCM to a supported audio format to our development team.

We don't have a timeline we can share for this feature, but we'll be sure to make an announcement if we have any updates.

In the meantime, you can check this link for the Supported audio formats in Sonos.

If you need help with any other information, please be sure to let us know.

 

Hi

I’m confused, do you Sonos support staff talk to each other at all? 

I thought LPCM was already in the works to be added sometime in the near future, confirmed by some sonos support staff on here already.

I mean with all the issues with the ARC currently it sounds very worrying when a support staff member responds as if he has no clue about LPCM already being confirmed as getting added eventually.

 

 

 

What on Earth has happened with Sonos support? You used to have Ryan and others here actually reading questions and following up. Now you get the support that looks like it’s come straight from the Philippines on behalf of some **** **** manufacturer.

LPCM support was promised months ago, we need an actual follow up here, as the wait is getting ridiculous.

1 x Arc, 1 x Beam Gen 2, 1 x Amp, 2 x Sonos In Ceiling Speakers, 2 x Sub, 9 x Sonos Ones, 5 x Symfonisk Lamp
B
Userlevel 2
Badge +1

my tv has EARC which is connected to the Sonos Arc but the ATV only works with 5.1 as soon as I try to play an atmos format movie there is zero sound on Sonos Arc when Atmos is enabled on the ATV. I have the LG set to passthru. Hoping that Sonos update the arc to accept LPCM as soon as possible otherwise I spent $3000 for a new soundbart and tv for no reason. My LG appletv app doesn't play Atmos as its not supported yet by LG but hopefully will when update , the only app that seems to work for me is Netflix on LG tv.

 

jgatie

Sonos barely ever announces they are working on something like this, never mind give an ETA.  I'm afraid you're just going to have to be patient.

N
Userlevel 5
Badge +7

After doing a lot of testing on the playstation 5 and my PC, I would suggest you DO NOT use LPCM 7.1

Make sure you force all your devices into LPCM 5.1

 

If you run 7.1, you will find that the Arc gets mixed up and outputs Surround channels out the wrong speaker or outputs no sound at all

 

Below I’ve included a visual diagram of this.

If you enable 7.1 LPCM you will find that SR and SL sound is outputted in the RR and RL speakers and the RR and RL sound is not played at all. L, C, R and Sub audio is correct.

 

Sonos will need to release another update to tell devices that only 5.1 LPCM is available, because some devices just default to 7.1 on the new update and some users may not realise they should change it to 5.1

 

 

 

SONOS ARC | SONOS Sub | SONOS Play 1 x 2 | LG C9 OLED | PS5 | RTX3090 Gaming PC | Sennheiser GSP600 Headset | Audio Pro T8L Desktop Monitors
S
Userlevel 1

Hi everyone - for what it’s worth, my brother (who is in the same situation) emailed Patrick Spence (Sonos CEO) and got a reply stating that LPCM will be supported and the update will be coming “this year”. So far the only other source stating this has been a post on this forum (I believe) so this might give people more confidence that the functionality is indeed lined up for the near future. I don’t think it’s a totally safe bet until they’ve shipped the update but it’s looking more positive.

H

I have the same issue with my LG B9 and my Apple TV with the Arc. Hopefully Sonos will add this soon. It’s disturbing that such an expensive soundbar doesn’t support LPCM out of the box. 

S
Userlevel 4
Badge +2

Could it be that Apple fixed it in tvOS 14? I have kept my C9 on the old firmware but now I’m tempted. 

L

Just wanted to chime in here and say I have the same problem - no sound from ARC via 2020 LG 65 NANO86TNA from Apple TV 4K when viewing Atmos movies.

To describe it as a disappointing is an understatement.

Airgetlam

Sonos, as a rule, doesn’t give ETAs for software updates. 

Bruce
S
Userlevel 4
Badge +2

Add me to the list of Arc owners waiting for this. I own two and this is not what I expect when I dish out $2k on speakers. 

L
Userlevel 5
Badge +11

Hi @ledzep1.

Welcome, thank you for reaching back to Sonos Community.

I'll submit a feature request to add LPCM to a supported audio format to our development team.

We don't have a timeline we can share for this feature, but we'll be sure to make an announcement if we have any updates.

In the meantime, you can check this link for the Supported audio formats in Sonos.

If you need help with any other information, please be sure to let us know.

 

Hi

I’m confused, do you Sonos support staff talk to each other at all? 

I thought LPCM was already in the works to be added sometime in the near future, confirmed by some sonos support staff on here already.

I mean with all the issues with the ARC currently it sounds very worrying when a support staff member responds as if he has no clue about LPCM already being confirmed as getting added eventually.

 

 

 

F
Userlevel 1
Badge

“I'll submit a feature request to add LPCM” - reads to me this didn’t exist yet, is that the case? Because this was already promised months ago on this forum by Sonos staff.

R

You guys aren’t getting Atmos or any sound at all?

No sound at all unless I force 5.1 from Apple TV or use LG built in apps. Just have to wait for Sonos or LG to release a fix I guess.

G

Their CEO replied to a tweet saying they hope to have it out next month. Fingers crossed.

 

https://twitter.com/Patrick_Spence/status/1319378961797820417

P

Hi @poerQwa 

We’re currently working on it, but at present have no details as to when that will be released in an update. Currently only 5.1 multichannel LPCM is supported on the Arc.

Thank you for the quick feedback.

S
Userlevel 1

@jgatie A threat requires leverage...I don’t think my one Arc return is that much leverage against a business the size of Sonos. So relax. Now can you leave us alone to talk about this issue? Thanks.

@ledzep1: based on this thread it looks like a similar firmware update has been/will soon be delivered for the CX as well. So my suggestion is hold off updating to the latest firmware if you’re planning on getting the Arc, or hold off getting the Arc until Sonos have delivered LPCM.

J
Userlevel 1
Badge

Hi, I posted a brief update about this here on a related thread but the forum doesn't let me duplicate the post.

L
Userlevel 5
Badge +11

@jgatie A threat requires leverage...I don’t think my one Arc return is that much leverage against the business the size of Sonos. So relax. Now can you leave us alone to talk about this issue? Thanks.

@ledzep1: based on this thread it looks like a similar firmware update has been/will soon be delivered for the CX as well. So my suggestion is hold off updating to the latest firmware if you’re planning on getting the Arc, or hold off getting the Arc until Sonos have delivered LPCM.

I mean is it a certain Sonos will fix this in an update, if yes I don't mind placing an order and in the meantime hold off updating my TV.

From what I gather the issue is when playing Netflix 5.1 audio and it gets output as stereo 2.0 

Would this issue happen on my oppo203 as well?

 

 

B
Userlevel 2
Badge +1

No, some people come on here to launch silly threats demanding a completely unrealistic response time for their pet feature to be implemented. 

Really a basic operation of the Sonos is NOT a pet feature it is something that should have been a basic mode of operation is a sound bart thats cost $800. Granted maybe appletv needs to also modify how they send out their signals but from what I have read they are not alone.  I have spent $3000 but a new tv with EARC and a Soundbar to find out that all my movies on ATV will not work with Sonos because they didn't include thew ability to accept LPCM format. Not good enough! 

 

M
Userlevel 2
Badge +1

SoCal - I don’t think that’s correct.

As for the rest of this thread, I can report that I am running the latest firmware on an LG E9 and do not have this issue.  My Apple TV is playing Atmos without having to do anything in the audio settings.  Just make sure your audio setting is set to “Auto” rather than “Pass Through” or PCM.

 

But what about when you’re trying to play DD5.1 content? On my system (Apple TV, LG C9, Sonos Arc, it plays Atmos content perfectly but the Sonos Arc sees DD5.1 content as Stereo 2.0.

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