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.
Looks like no fix in 15.2, disappointing as I hoped this would be the one.
That is disappointing. At least my workaround is still working (see my previous posts if you haven’t already), so I’m happy enough that it will no longer cause me issues. I’ll still follow this for a proper fix though.
For anyone interested, this is a the cable I’m using which fixed the problem for me.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09YPR5SD4
I really hoped this cable fixed it. But to bad. Drops seem to be less. But still there… i have a samsung s95c tv. Think I will try a hdmi 2.1 switch with audio earc out. Only option left to make full use of earc without interruption
Just to update my post from 14 days ago - still no audio drops on my C2.
I’ve been unable to reproduce for at about 6 months now. Unfortunately I was not able to pin this to a f/w update on either Sonos or LG side (but I’m suspecting LG given Sonos’ response last year).
if it does, LG seems to have been the culprit then, or the fixer. Idk.
I was able to trigger the issue by switching incoming audio modes on the eARC HDMI2 input which would drop the audio streams from HDMI 3/4, so there was definitely a “feature” in the LG TV. However, the only eARC device I tried that would also trigger this feature was Beam 2 so suspect it was also within Sonos’ gift to at least suppress this behaviour even if they deemed no bug on their side. I will try to find the time to repeat the Raspberry Pi tests to see if the LG behaviour has been changed.
Yeah adjusting volume works. But sometimes it just randomly changes without touching the settings.
anyway, the dropouts are GONE!! It’s still working just fine with the original HDMI cable. Super nice!
Can you please share more information on which TV and soundbar you have?
Yeah adjusting volume works. But sometimes it just randomly changes without touching the settings.
anyway, the dropouts are GONE!! It’s still working just fine with the original HDMI cable. Super nice!
Sorry, I wasn’t talking about distance, but volume. The complaint, as I read it, was ‘way too loud’, which I would assume could be addressed by adjusting the volume of the surrounds, not the distance.
You can’t adjust the surround volume for the surrounds in the controller app? I’ve not tried recently, as I’ve not perceived any changes in either of my surround setups.
Nope. The surround distance setting changes nothing. You can set it to whatever you like, but with trueplay enabled it sticks to the 3 meter + setting
You can’t adjust the surround volume for the surrounds in the controller app? I’ve not tried recently, as I’ve not perceived any changes in either of my surround setups.
Also decided to check the thread after a long time and am surprised seeing the previous posts. I’ll grab the original cable later today or tomorrow and check some lpcm content. Was planning on playing the Nintendo switch anyway, which can only output surround as lpcm 5.1 and has been super annoying with the cut outs. Tried the original cable a few months back and the dropouts returned immediately then.
the one way cable worked well for a good while. But have been noticing the screen randomly go to black and showing the volume bar, then going back to the content. Sometimes 10 times in a row, or it’ll be stuck in some sort of loop. I did figure out it was some kind of handshake issue, since earc kept disabling and enabling automatically during these cutouts to black. Even when the beam was the only device connected.
so if we can use a normal cable again this would fix so many things.
if it does, LG seems to have been the culprit then, or the fixer. Idk. I’ll report back later.
edit: no update on my C1, still 03.41.00 and still the same issue sadly. Maybe you guys have different LG sets?
I have a C1 w/ the latest firmware. Are your Sonos speakers updated? Had to ask because some people are afraid to update due to the new app.
Last thing I can think of is maybe try to power cycle / unplug both the TV and speakers from the socket. To clear stuff or whatever.
yeah rebooting worked. Had no issues since.
however since the latest Sonos firmware update my surrounds are now always at the 3 meter or further setting, no matter how I actually set them up in the app. Way too loud now 
. Have reduced TV volume on them for now, but it’s sad that this broke while it worked perfectly for so long.
without trueplay it works fine, but the sub doesn’t shine without it sadly.
Just to update my post from 14 days ago - still no audio drops on my C2.
Also decided to check the thread after a long time and am surprised seeing the previous posts. I’ll grab the original cable later today or tomorrow and check some lpcm content. Was planning on playing the Nintendo switch anyway, which can only output surround as lpcm 5.1 and has been super annoying with the cut outs. Tried the original cable a few months back and the dropouts returned immediately then.
the one way cable worked well for a good while. But have been noticing the screen randomly go to black and showing the volume bar, then going back to the content. Sometimes 10 times in a row, or it’ll be stuck in some sort of loop. I did figure out it was some kind of handshake issue, since earc kept disabling and enabling automatically during these cutouts to black. Even when the beam was the only device connected.
so if we can use a normal cable again this would fix so many things.
if it does, LG seems to have been the culprit then, or the fixer. Idk. I’ll report back later.
edit: no update on my C1, still 03.41.00 and still the same issue sadly. Maybe you guys have different LG sets?
I have a C1 w/ the latest firmware. Are your Sonos speakers updated? Had to ask because some people are afraid to update due to the new app.
Last thing I can think of is maybe try to power cycle / unplug both the TV and speakers from the socket. To clear stuff or whatever.
Also decided to check the thread after a long time and am surprised seeing the previous posts. I’ll grab the original cable later today or tomorrow and check some lpcm content. Was planning on playing the Nintendo switch anyway, which can only output surround as lpcm 5.1 and has been super annoying with the cut outs. Tried the original cable a few months back and the dropouts returned immediately then.
the one way cable worked well for a good while. But have been noticing the screen randomly go to black and showing the volume bar, then going back to the content. Sometimes 10 times in a row, or it’ll be stuck in some sort of loop. I did figure out it was some kind of handshake issue, since earc kept disabling and enabling automatically during these cutouts to black. Even when the beam was the only device connected.
so if we can use a normal cable again this would fix so many things.
if it does, LG seems to have been the culprit then, or the fixer. Idk. I’ll report back later.
edit: no update on my C1, still 03.41.00 and still the same issue sadly. Maybe you guys have different LG sets?
I haven’t checked this thread for a while, so I thought I’d come and have a little look and see if there’s been any fix.
I was surprised to see that some people are reporting that this is no longer an issue. I’ve been running my PlayStation 5 and my set-top box on HDMI 3 and 4 but I have been using these with Dolby Atmos and stereo 2 channel respectively.
I have just gone and changed both to 5.1 audio and in initial tests it looks like this may be indeed fixed now. If so, that is awesome. I’m not sure what changed, Sonos or LG.
I’ll report back if I get any issues or not.
It’s been a while and it’s still working so I think it’s really been fixed. Not sure if it was one of Sonos’ numerous updates or the latest LG update from months ago that fixed it. Just update your stuff to the latest and it’ll probably work.
There was a new update for my LG TV 2 days ago and since then i have not had one drop out. I really hope this is the issue fiixed.
PCM 5.1 still works fine after a week. Maybe it’s really been fixed? Appreciate if others can test and report back.
Edit: C1 and Beam running on latest firmwares. Haven’t power cyled yet though.
@thehowl This issue appears to come and go seemingly at random. Maybe you’re just on a (very) lucky streak? Hard to believe someone somewhere fixed something else they’d have announced it by now.
Extremly lucky in that case. Still works flawless for me, I hope it never comes back. I will post here if it ever starts to cut out again.
Tested for around 10 minutes on my C1’s HDMI 3 and there were no dropouts. Can’t even recall the last time I tested for this. So either it’s my “lucky” day as well or something did change (maybe as a byproduct and they didn’t even know lol).
@thehowl This issue appears to come and go seemingly at random. Maybe you’re just on a (very) lucky streak? Hard to believe someone somewhere fixed something else they’d have announced it by now.
I hade the same problem as everyone in this thread, for some reason I have had no problems with the sound cutting out on my ps5 with LG C1 and Beam 2 for like a month. Didn’t switch out any cables or changed any settings. The ps5 is on HDMI 3. Anyone else with similar results? I hope I didn’t jinxed it.
If the PS5 is set to Dolby Atmos in the sound settings, then there aren't any sound cut outs. This only occurs when setting it to PCM 5.1 and using HDMI 3 and 4.
My ps5 I set to linear PCM 5.1. Tv has bitstream and passthrough on.
I hade the same problem as everyone in this thread, for some reason I have had no problems with the sound cutting out on my ps5 with LG C1 and Beam 2 for like a month. Didn’t switch out any cables or changed any settings. The ps5 is on HDMI 3. Anyone else with similar results? I hope I didn’t jinxed it.
If the PS5 is set to Dolby Atmos in the sound settings, then there aren't any sound cut outs. This only occurs when setting it to PCM 5.1 and using HDMI 3 and 4.
I hade the same problem as everyone in this thread, for some reason I have had no problems with the sound cutting out on my ps5 with LG C1 and Beam 2 for like a month. Didn’t switch out any cables or changed any settings. The ps5 is on HDMI 3. Anyone else with similar results? I hope I didn’t jinxed it.
Hi Howl,
It seems to be a problem with the LG TVs. Not sure if it is only the new ones or not. I had the beam 1 and then bought the arc and both are doing the same thing. HDMI 1 seems ok. I have ordered an HDMI switch that i am going to plug into HDMI 1 and then all my boxes and stuff will plug into that. The switch is coming today so i will report back and let you know if it works. Its not ideal but hopefully it will work until some kind of fix comes out for this.
I hade the same problem as everyone in this thread, for some reason I have had no problems with the sound cutting out on my ps5 with LG C1 and Beam 2 for like a month. Didn’t switch out any cables or changed any settings. The ps5 is on HDMI 3. Anyone else with similar results? I hope I didn’t jinxed it.
If you’re not yet trapped within the Sonos ecosystem, this might be a good time to start over with another brand instead of going Arc / Arc 2. Hard to continue putting my trust in Sonos after seeing their track record (e.g. ignoring this issue, only addressing the longstanding Atmos pop issue after coverage by The Verge, the disastrous new app rollout, etc)
Well the story so far. It started working ok, i dont know why. Im not sure if it was because i changed it to hdmi 1 as in a previous suggestion. But it just started working about 2 days later. I bought the arc as i wanted to upgrade anyway and it seems to be working ok. HDMI 3 i have my firestick plugged in and was watching star wars on disney plus and it was dropping a lot. I changed the sound to passthrough and didnt have any more drop outs. For now everything seems good. I get the odd dropout while watch normal tv on my set top box but im putting it down to bad signal. Its very rare. I have the sonos sub mini and 2 era 100s so changing it wouldnt have been an option anyway
If you’re not yet trapped within the Sonos ecosystem, this might be a good time to start over with another brand instead of going Arc / Arc 2. Hard to continue putting my trust in Sonos after seeing their track record (e.g. ignoring this issue, only addressing the longstanding Atmos pop issue after coverage by The Verge, the disastrous new app rollout, etc)
Looks like i have 2 options now. Buy an arc or kick the TV through the window. Neither good options considering the amount of money i have spent on everything. I love both of them why cant they just get along lol. Im going to contact LG this coming week and see what they say. If not i will have to buy the arc. Are you sure the arc doesnt have these issues? I have read in some of these forums that it can go the same way. Thanks for the replies trying to help me out guys.
All I can say is that I had the Beam Gen 2 with the audio cuts on HDMI 3 and 4. I tried literally anything but nothing that worked in the end. Only the HDMI 1 port was unaffected by the issues. I've encountered several other users online who had the same problem with the Beam 2 and LG OLED TVs. Never heard of cut out issues with the Arc in combination with LG (not saying there aren't others with issues but I've never heard anything).
A friend of mine also has the Arc with an LG G2 and he never had any issues as well. I did some testing on his system just to be sure. I also have not encountered these cut outs since I have the Arc, that's why I can confidently say that the Arc works fine.
First time I'm hearing that even with the HDMI 1 port trick, the issues remain, maybe it has something to do with the new models C4/G4 I'm not sure?
Some users also recommended to replace the HDMI cable that came with the Beam, because apparently it can cause some issues as well. It is recommended to use a HDMI 2.1 cable in combination of eARC due to bandwidth.
It's very frustrating, especially when buying premium products like the LG G4 or a Sonos sound system, just to find out that there are deal breaking issues in combination of both.
Like you said, try out the replacement cable first, maybe do another reset of the TV or Sonos after plugging in the new cable. Also try out the LG customer service, I wonder if they have any recommendations, probably nothing that helps, but at least more people make them aware of this issue that is going on for more than a year by now.
Important TV settings:
DTV Audio Setting: Auto
Select HDMI Input Audio Format: Bitstream
Digital Sound Output: Pass Through
eARC Support: On
If nothing helps, I recommend replacing the Beam with the Arc before selling your Sonos system. It's great when it works, so I encourage you to keep trying.
I love the TV and i love my sonos. I guess they just dont love each other. Looks like i am going to have to save and buy the arc. I was intending to upgrade anyway. Just wasnt expecting it to be so soon after paying out a lot of money for the LG. Thanks guys
