Trending Lyricist I

Multichannel PCM 5.1 dropping out since 14.10 update

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Anyone else experiencing the same issue? Multichannel PCM 5.1 blanks out for a second every 1-2 minutes. I don’t think it’s a bandwidth issue as it works flawlessly with Multichannel PCM 7.1 (thorough test) and Dolby TrueHD Atmos (quick test). And it may have been caused by the Sonos 14.10 update. Setup is PS5→ LG C1→ Beam 2 (via earc).

2 weeks ago before the 14.10 update, I watched a bluray film wherein I had my PS5 transcode the DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio to Multichannel PCM 5.1 (as the C1 does not support DTS) and had no issues. Earlier today, I played a bluray film for the first time in 2 weeks and I encountered consistent audio dropouts every 1-2 minutes. It had the same setup where DTS-HD MA 5.1 → Multichannel PCM 5.1. I tested other bluray discs including the one I watched 2 weeks ago and they all now have the same issue.

Curiously, I’ve been gaming heavily on my PS5 the past two 2 weeks and haven’t had any audio issues. Then I realized that I’ve been using Multichannel PCM 7.1 when gaming on my PS5. So I made some changes under the PS5 sound settings to make it output Multichannel PCM 5.1 instead. Lo and behold, I am now getting the same consistent dropouts in games and even on the PS5 main menu.

I think it’s due to the Sonos 14.10 update as that’s the only firmware update I’ve done in the last 2 weeks. No PS5 update, no LG C1 update. Well actually while I was composing this post, I received and applied the latest LG C1 firmware update and I still have the same issue.

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Pinned Reply By Corry P

Hi @throwawaybeam2 et al

We now recommend you reach out to the TV manufacturer (LG) as this behaviour is also occurring with different soundbar manufacturers (so it’s not a Sonos-specific issue).

Alternatively, please utilize different audio formats from McLPCM 5.1 (e.g., McLPCM 7.1, DD+, etc).

I hope this helps.

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pcfarrar

Lyricist III

This bug is an issue with PSVR2 as well when using home theatre audio on my Beam 2 / LG CX setup. PSVR2 ignores the fact that you have Dolby Digital 5.1 selected and outputs in PCM 5.1 (presumably due to the headset audio). You then get the sound drops. Fortunately you can fix it by selecting 7.1 in the PS5 settings with the PSVR2 headset connected.

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yofalat611

Enthusiast I

Remember that we are in this together and Sonos is the enemy lol. One of the most active threads with almost 10k views, almost 200 responses, and multiple tickets filed. They’ve got to address this at some point, right...? I hope the forum mods are merely community volunteers because that’s how it looks like.

Turns out I am still in warranty after all, but sounds like the retailer would send the Beam 2 for “repair” rather than swap out for a newer unit (the build date is stamped on the exterior of the packaging though).

@Eruvatar, who just got a refund, only bought their unit Jan 2023 so unlikely that there are already revisions that address the issue. “Repair” could potentially be better if they secretly know how to address the issue but are keeping mum due to costs involved.

Speaking of, if you can still get a refund or if you are a prospective buyer, just drop the Beam and give the Bose Soundbar 600 a look (this may be inappropriate, but I don’t care at this point). Stumbled upon the Bose store earlier and gave it a try. For the same price point, I think it blows the Beam out of the water. Only thing I don’t like is the the forced upmixing which can’t be disabled. But to be fair, without the bug the Beam would still be a fine consolation considering it came out a year earlier. If the bug still isn’t fixed by the next update, I’m getting the Bose on the next sale and sell the Beam.

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RANDUSR23296

Enthusiast I

@Eruvatar, who just got a refund, only bought their unit Jan 2023 so unlikely that there are already revisions that address the issue. “Repair” could potentially be better if they secretly know how to address the issue but are keeping mum due to costs involved.

The unit on display in the store had “2107” stamped on it, like mine. I agree, if there’s a faulty unit with a very recent manufacture date then there doesn’t seem much point exchanging the h/w.

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ste_ms

Enthusiast I

I think the fact that the mods are not engaging with this thread anymore is telling. I think Sonos have reproduced the issue and so don’t need any more diagnostics or support calls coming in.

At this point they either don’t know how long a fix will take, or how it can be done and hence don’t want to set expectations, or they know it’s unfixable and are hoping this just dies away in time.

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RANDUSR23296

Enthusiast I

I think the fact that the mods are not engaging with this thread anymore is telling. I think Sonos have reproduced the issue and so don’t need any more diagnostics or support calls coming in.

At this point they either don’t know how long a fix will take, or how it can be done and hence don’t want to set expectations, or they know it’s unfixable and are hoping this just dies away in time.

Beam 3?

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OmriP

Lyricist III

I think the fact that the mods are not engaging with this thread anymore is telling. I think Sonos have reproduced the issue and so don’t need any more diagnostics or support calls coming in.

At this point they either don’t know how long a fix will take, or how it can be done and hence don’t want to set expectations, or they know it’s unfixable and are hoping this just dies away in time.

Lack of communication and hoping the issue just “dies” on its own are the worst things you can do as a company in the long run, because this basically guarantees you’re not gonna get returning customers.

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yofalat611

Enthusiast I

I think the fact that the mods are not engaging with this thread anymore is telling. I think Sonos have reproduced the issue and so don’t need any more diagnostics or support calls coming in.

At this point they either don’t know how long a fix will take, or how it can be done and hence don’t want to set expectations, or they know it’s unfixable and are hoping this just dies away in time.

Lack of communication and hoping the issue just “dies” on its own are the worst things you can do as a company in the long run, because this basically guarantees you’re not gonna get returning customers.

If you take a look at page 6, the mod’s final interactions with this thread are:

Liking a user’s “fix” (user has since confirmed that the issue has returned)

Liking a post defending the mods

Pretty telling as you can see. If these guys are actually on the payroll, damn Sonos is getting fleeced.

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RANDUSR23296

Enthusiast I

Interesting reading those papers about eARC - the ITE paper states that TMDS signalling is limited to 4/8/16 channels. Perhaps that’s why everything was 7.1 (8 channels)?

if the new ATV4K has moved to FRL signalling then perhaps that’s why it now outputs 5.1. Possibly the PS5 has also switched to FRL signalling hence the fix to 5.1 that came a few firmwares ago.

is FRL the culprit somehow?

I've tried a few video modes now but can't get ATV4K Gen 3 to use FRL, it's always TMDS. I doubt FRL is in there, the bandwidth isn't needed for the video modes Gen 3 supports. Apple must have changed something else more fundamental between Gens 2 and 3.

Not sure if the ATV is aware of the Beam 2 during the handshakes, or if the LG just reports it'll accept audio formats that it knows it can "pass through” based on the eARC capabilities received from the Beam2. I did also test that Gen 1 incorrectly negotiates 7.1 with my eARC AVR in place of the Beam2 on the C1, but does get 5.1 correct on the A1

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PhaseModS

Lyricist III

I think the fact that the mods are not engaging with this thread anymore is telling. I think Sonos have reproduced the issue and so don’t need any more diagnostics or support calls coming in.

At this point they either don’t know how long a fix will take, or how it can be done and hence don’t want to set expectations, or they know it’s unfixable and are hoping this just dies away in time.

Yeah that’s what really pisses me off. What sets Sonos apart is suppose to be their customer service but they’ve turned a blind eye to this issue. I’m done with this product. I’m selling it and moving on to something that lets me play switch games in surround sound without dropouts every minute. Thanks Sonos.

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PhaseModS

Lyricist III

Btw I’ve noticed the issue occurs whenever a new update either to the app or system becomes available. You don’t even have to download it. I’ll mess around for an hour, unplug various things, somehow it ends up working for a week, then I get a notification an update is available (without downloading it) and like magic it starts dropping out again.

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