Enthusiast II

Sonos Arc + Samsung Q90T | Sound Cutting Out | Anyone else?

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So I recently picked up the Sonos Arc + Sub and a Samsung Q90T TV (which has HDMI 2.1/eArc) and I am experiencing the sound cutting out periodically. Some details:

Only devices I can test with are an Xbox One S, Xbox One X and the built-in Samsung TV Apps
Sonos, Xboxes and Saumsung are properly set to have Dolby Atmos
I have experienced sound cutting out on both Atmos and 5.1
I have experienced sound cutting out from both the Xboxes as well as the built-in Samsung TV Apps (only tested the Netflix app) . . . so I know the Xboxes aren't the issue
At times the sound cuts out very infrequently (minutes apart) and other times about every 10 to 20 seconds and there is no discernible pattern on what changes this.
There is a sound setting on the TV showing ‘sound output’ that should should normally say ‘Receiver(HDMI-eARC)’ when you have the ‘HDMI eARC Mode’ set to ‘auto’ but sometimes shows ‘Receiver(HDMI)’ instead (as if it lost the eARC signal).
The most stable I have seen the sound (though it did cut out once during a 30 to 40 minute session, so perhaps it is just much less likely) is if I go to the Samsung TV settings and set ‘HDMI eARC Mode’ to ‘off’ (only other option is ‘auto’). When doing this Dolby Atmos still works (at least it says so in the Sonos app).

I don't know if this is a Samsung issue, a Sonos issue, or just the two of them working together. Curious if this is some form of eARC / HDMI signaling issue.

Perhaps related side-note: the Samsung settings do say when playing with the settings it may cause temporary muting, which is kind of what this is, so wondering if when in 'auto eArc' mode, there is a problem. Unfortunately there is no way to force on, just 'off' and 'auto'.

On reddit, someone with a Samsung Q80T also said they had this issue. They also mentioned that toggling ‘Dolby Atmos compatibility’ fixed it (though obviously no Atmos). My experience was more temperamental. Sometimes it got better and sometimes it didn’t.

Anyone else experiencing anything like this?

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J

jstruck

Avid Contributor I

@Bathdave Does the optical to earc converter preserve the ability to do Atmos? Or is that lost since its digital to analog (Optical is analog right?)?

H

horshamhector

Lyricist III

@Bathdave Does the optical to earc converter preserve the ability to do Atmos? Or is that lost since its digital to analog (Optical is analog right?)?

Using the Sonos Arc supplied optical (hdmi converter) cable will not enable Dolby Atmos. The cable is hdmi lead from the Ark to the converter and then into the optical input on the TV. The best sound you can get is 5.1 I believe and definitely not Dolby Atmos. It is explained in the supplied Sonos Ark instruction set up leaflet.

H

horshamhector

Lyricist III

I’m in the UK. I have the Samsung QE75Q95TATXXU TV with the Sonos Ark using Sky Q streaming service. From the beginning with the Ark I have had sound problems. Lip sync was out when watching Sky (and couldn’t be adjusted the right way through the TV) or cutting out. I went through the loop of support phone calls to Sky, Samsung & Sonos, none of whom resolved the problems and blamed the others. I went down using the optical sound cable route which was fine but no Dolby Atmos of course. I’ve gone back to hdmi lead into the e-arc port on the TV. I’ve still had intermittent problems with no sound when I switch the TV on which i initially resolved by unplugging the Ark hdmi lead but that didn’t always work. I’ve now unplugged the TV and Ark from their electric sockets and having reconnected, it now seems to work albeit no trace of Dolby Atmos. I have just watched the Youtube video suggested earlier by Krishna M Sonos staff and adjusted the sound settings on the Tv as suggested and Voila! I am getting Dolby Atmos DD+ on a Netflix programme with Dolby Atmos (Virgin River). I’m just hoping that this also resolves all the sound problems. I’ve been holding off buying the Sonos Sub, here’s hoping the sound issue is now resolved and there is a Black Friday deal for the Sub on offer.

D

dg53

Lyricist III

Exactly the same issue with my Sonos Arc and Samsung QE65Q95T QLED 4K HDR Smart TV. Got the TV and Arc at the end of July and no problems with it for the first few weeks and then every time I turn the TV now the sound cuts out and only rectified by either toggling the settings or unplugging the Arc from the power .

I’ve spoken to Sonos support who tool me through all of the usual troubleshooting steps, non of which worked. They then advised that they were working with Samsung on a solution but could give no indication of how long that would take. From reading some of the conversation threads on here its seems that they have been working on a fix for months.

I understand that issues arise and need time to fix, but I think it’s totally unacceptable just to be given “we’re working on it” for months with no clear end in sight. I’ve written an email to Sonos asking for them to clarify when this will be resolved and if not I’ll be raising a formal complaint.

I’ll update this thread as soon as I hear back from them.

My case number is 02297640 just in case anyone needs it

D

Dcva

Contributor I

So I recently picked up the Sonos Arc + Sub and a Samsung Q90T TV (which has HDMI 2.1/eArc) and I am experiencing the sound cutting out periodically. Some details:

Only devices I can test with are an Xbox One S, Xbox One X and the built-in Samsung TV Apps
Sonos, Xboxes and Saumsung are properly set to have Dolby Atmos
I have experienced sound cutting out on both Atmos and 5.1
I have experienced sound cutting out from both the Xboxes as well as the built-in Samsung TV Apps (only tested the Netflix app) . . . so I know the Xboxes aren't the issue
At times the sound cuts out very infrequently (minutes apart) and other times about every 10 to 20 seconds and there is no discernible pattern on what changes this.
There is a sound setting on the TV showing ‘sound output’ that should should normally say ‘Receiver(HDMI-eARC)’ when you have the ‘HDMI eARC Mode’ set to ‘auto’ but sometimes shows ‘Receiver(HDMI)’ instead (as if it lost the eARC signal).
The most stable I have seen the sound (though it did cut out once during a 30 to 40 minute session, so perhaps it is just much less likely) is if I go to the Samsung TV settings and set ‘HDMI eARC Mode’ to ‘off’ (only other option is ‘auto’). When doing this Dolby Atmos still works (at least it says so in the Sonos app).

I don't know if this is a Samsung issue, a Sonos issue, or just the two of them working together. Curious if this is some form of eARC / HDMI signaling issue.

Perhaps related side-note: the Samsung settings do say when playing with the settings it may cause temporary muting, which is kind of what this is, so wondering if when in 'auto eArc' mode, there is a problem. Unfortunately there is no way to force on, just 'off' and 'auto'.

On reddit, someone with a Samsung Q80T also said they had this issue. They also mentioned that toggling ‘Dolby Atmos compatibility’ fixed it (though obviously no Atmos). My experience was more temperamental. Sometimes it got better and sometimes it didn’t.

Anyone else experiencing anything like this?

When I turn on my 65” 2020 Frame TV from art mode. I usually watch via Apple TV and The ARC audio goes in an out for milliseconds. I have to unplug the power to the arc each time in order to get sound consistently. It’s very annoying.

D

dg53

Lyricist III

Exactly the same issue with my Sonos Arc and Samsung QE65Q95T QLED 4K HDR Smart TV. Got the TV and Arc at the end of July and no problems with it for the first few weeks and then every time I turn the TV now the sound cuts out and only rectified by either toggling the settings or unplugging the Arc from the power .

I’ve spoken to Sonos support who tool me through all of the usual troubleshooting steps, non of which worked. They then advised that they were working with Samsung on a solution but could give no indication of how long that would take. From reading some of the conversation threads on here its seems that they have been working on a fix for months.

I understand that issues arise and need time to fix, but I think it’s totally unacceptable just to be given “we’re working on it” for months with no clear end in sight. I’ve written an email to Sonos asking for them to clarify when this will be resolved and if not I’ll be raising a formal complaint.

I’ll update this thread as soon as I hear back from them.

My case number is 02297640 just in case anyone needs it

Latest from Sonos.

We are currently working with Samsung to put a lasting fix for this issue in place, however no timescale is forthcoming at the moment I'm afraid.
It would be beneficial for us if you could contact Samsung directly with regards to this issue, to highlight the pressing need for a solution.
I recommend checking regularly that your TV firmware is up to date and to download any updates as they become available.
In the meantime I would also recommend using your optical adapter to prevent audio dropouts in the short term.

S

saoulons

Lyricist I

I have/had this same issue, so ridiculous…

For me, cycling the power on the Arc would temporarily fix the issue, but I would have to do it EVERY TIME I would turn on the TV. Not what I was expecting when I spent $3k on a premium TV and sound bar.

To add insult to injury, my TV is mounted on a bracket on top of a fireplace really tight to the wall with an outlet recessed in the wall. Beautiful installation to hide wires, but getting a hand back there to unplug the Arc regularly is maddening. Sonos couldn’t have the power also removable at the speaker like many other electronics do?

The short-term fix for me was to use a Kasa smart power strip and plug the Arc into it. This way, I can cycle the power on the Arc with my phone or by pressing the button on the power strip. No need to pull plugs from the wall and, in my case, no need to constantly jam my hand behind a metal bracket. I thought that this was a clever solution to a problem that shouldn’t exist (not truly a solution but much more pleasant than pulling power cords from the wall).

But now the problem seems to have disappeared. Not sure why. Is it because of all the power cycling I did on the Arc while setting up the smart strip? Did Samsung or Sonos finally release an update to fix this?

This TV / Sound Bar combo is truly amazing but c’mon Sonos & Samsung, you can do much better testing of your premium products and can make fixing these issues a higher priority (if you have indeed fixed it).

G

garethtcollins

Lyricist III

But now the problem seems to have disappeared. Not sure why. Is it because of all the power cycling I did on the Arc while setting up the smart strip? Did Samsung or Sonos finally release an update to fix this?

This TV / Sound Bar combo is truly amazing but c’mon Sonos & Samsung, you can do much better testing of your premium products and can make fixing these issues a higher priority (if you have indeed fixed it).

How long would you say you've used your setup without issue? A lot of people across the many threads about this think they've fixed it when in fact it returns.

I'm about to set up a 55" inch Frame TV with an Arc and a sub. Both brand new and will of course be updated with the latest firmware.

D

dg53

Lyricist III

Further update. Had Samsung tech support on the phone who told me the software update on my TV (version 1403.1)was released to fix a ‘no sound’ issue between my tv and the Sonos Arc, but wasn’t specifically to fix the intermittent cutting out. This confused me as Sonos told me that there was a specific update being rolled out to fix this particular issue. Getting really fed up of having to go backwards and forwards between Samsung and Sonos and being told conflicting information. The Samsung tech support guy reset all the HDMI ports on my TV to see if this would fix the issue. This hasn’t completely. Over the last 6 days the issue was back for two of them. So whilst not as frequent as before, it hasn’t gone completely. I’ll give it a few more days and see how it behaves.

S

saoulons

Lyricist I

But now the problem seems to have disappeared. Not sure why. Is it because of all the power cycling I did on the Arc while setting up the smart strip? Did Samsung or Sonos finally release an update to fix this?

This TV / Sound Bar combo is truly amazing but c’mon Sonos & Samsung, you can do much better testing of your premium products and can make fixing these issues a higher priority (if you have indeed fixed it).

How long would you say you've used your setup without issue? A lot of people across the many threads about this think they've fixed it when in fact it returns.

I'm about to set up a 55" inch Frame TV with an Arc and a sub. Both brand new and will of course be updated with the latest firmware.

Yeah, I am not declaring victory just yet as it has been only 1 day. But before, I used to get it every single time I would cycle the TV power. I haven’t seen it in a day and multiple on/offs.

I also had an alert on my Q90T that the firmware was updated.

Either way, I am awaiting wide confirmation that this is indeed fixed before popping champagne (per others’ experience on this thread).

For your new setup, I would recommend to have an easy way to cycle power on your Arc. You can always pull the cord out of the wall but that gets old fast if you have to do it multiple times a day.

Good luck and stay tuned!!

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