sonos arc with 2 ONEsl speakers & sub

In addition to any hardware settings issues, the program director is in charge of what sort of audio is sent to the rear speakers. Some programs are very active in the rear while others are very subtle. For me, one of the more interesting use of surrounds is in the movie “Seven”. While you are never smacked in the back of the head, the street scene ambiance is very realistic. You are never overwhelmed, but you are subtly aware of sirens several blocks behind. 

I don’t know where you fall, but I find that new to surround users expect to be smacked in the back of the head. This is natural because they want to be sure that the surround is working. New surround users should raise the level of the surround speakers to smack the back of the head level and play some action movies. “Seven” is a bad choice for new to surround users. After a while, you’ll likely back off on the surround level. (Been there, done that)

The initial Trueplay setup might be too subtle for the new to surround viewer.

Thanks for the replies .

1. to the superstar - on my app indicated that I was getting Dolby digital.  I looked for a few movies that were rated as being made with Dolby digital.  
 

2.  I now have increased the sound on the app.  I’ll try it out when I have a few hours available to observe.  And yes I want more sound so I definitely hear the rear speakers and surround effects 

With your TV, you should be getting Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 audio from Netflix and Prime Video. If you have a premium Netflix subscription, you can also get Dolby Atmos audio. With these audio formats, you should clearly hear audio coming from the rear surround speakers especially the musical score and sound effects from heavy action scenes. But the majority of audio will come from the Arc especially dialog.

Thanks - I’m new at this .  
 

I’m not even sure what the difference is between receiving Dolby digital vs only getting 5.1.

if a movie has 5.1 should I be hearing from the surround rear speakers?  Such as when a plane is flying overhead will I hear it going from front speakers to rear speakers or is that only with Dolby digital?

Here’s a good article explaining the different surround sound audio formats:

https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/ultimate-surround-sound-guide-different-formats-explained/

5.1 just represents the number of audio channels being sent through your speakers. “Dolby Digital” most often refers to Dolby Digital 5.1. “5.1” consists of a center channel, left and right front channels, left and right rear surround channels, and a low frequency (bass) channel. If you are getting 5.1 audio, you will most definitely hear audio out of your surround speakers. An airplane flying by or any kind of action that is happening behind you will be heard from the surround speakers. You will oftentimes also hear the musical score or ambient sounds like birds, insects, and street sounds from the surrounds to give you a more immersive audio experience.

All of this is under the control of the director. Some movies have very active rear channels other movies are very tame. ‘Dolby’. ‘5.1’ and such are simply the mechanical format that is being used.

As a not so great analogy, there could be a large, well stocked spice cabinet in a kitchen, but this does not guarantee that any of this is used in the food prepared there.

Thanks .  
 

im hoping to hear something while watching a movie or tv show that let me know that my surround rear speakers do work as designed.  So far nothing.

I just have to give it time.   And if I continue to get no results I’ll keep posting here and maybe in the end I’ll figure it out.

Lol

“unsophisticated Sonos system owner “.

If you do not do anything, nothing will change. Just go in to the sound settings on your TV and look for Dolby Digital, or pass through or such. Change the setting and if you don't like it or it does not work, change it back.

Thanks for your comments.

however as I previously said above I have the TV sound out selected to eARC.  This is where the Sonos hdmi is .

my Sonos app indicates I’m receiving Dolby digital or 5.1 whichever is appropriate.

And on the app I have increased the volume in the surround SL ones .

but so far I haven’t hear them unless I pick them up and place next to my ear.  Then I do hear sound.😣