Skip to main content
BobbyB86
Contributor I
June 7, 2020
Answered

Sonos Arc with AV receiver Dolby TrueHD Atmos

Hello, as everyone, I’m excited about the Sonos arc capability, but unable to directly find an answer to my question from the internet.  I currently have a Sony OLED A8F with HDMI Arc and mainly utilize a sony bluray player and Apple 4K TV for my movie and streaming.  

My question is, I am aware that my TV will only be able to deliver at best DD Plus Atmos to the Arc due to HDMI ARC.  However, I am curious if I bought an AV receiver with HDMI 2.1 capability if it is possible to deliver the Dolby TrueHD Atmos to the Sonos Arc this way?  I already am looking for options as the Sony bluray player I have delivers gorgeous Dolby vision to my TV, but it can’t deliver surround sound to my Sonos as it can’t convert DTS:X to Dolby (and thus I generally use my apple TV), so I am looking for a receiver that can convert that as well.  Anyways, I understand there are a lot of variables at play, I just want to deliver Dolby TrueHD to a sonos Arc via an AV receiver and am curious if that is possible.  

This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.
HighfalutintoddAnswer
Prominent Collaborator I
July 2, 2020

I have a similar situation with a 2014 Sharp Aquos TV. To old to pass thru Dolby Atmos to my Arc.

I it an older smart TV but i do not use its internal apps i stream to it from Amazon Fire device. My question is with a proper recevier that has HDMI ARC or ARC+ out can i not go to the receiver with my Fire or Apple TV device and out to the TV with video and out to the Arc with audio? meaning the Audio is not passing thru the TV.

 

No, this won’t work. The receiver has HDMI-ARC in order to be able to get the audio from the TV’s built-in apps and tuners and then to amplify it and send it to the speakers connected to the receiver. And the Sonos Arc doesn’t have a traditional HDMI input which would accept an output from a receiver (quite weirdly it actually has an HDMI OUTPUT to be able to receive the audio return channel from the TV - hard to wrap the head around). 

The only solution we currently know of that will enable an external HDMI to send full range audio like Dolby TrueHD / Atmos from any device to the Sonos Arc is an upcoming adapter from HDFury called Arcana: 

https://www.hdfury.com/product/4k-arcana-18gbps/

They’re accepting pre-orders now and it will do exactly what you want - allow you to hook up your Amazon Fire or TV to the Arc to get Atmos while still keeping your old TV. 

(@BobbyB86 - this is the answer to your original question, too.)

Arc + Sub 3 + One SLs = Awesome and Loving It!
View in thread

15 replies

Airgetlam
Airgetlam
June 7, 2020

That depends on your A/V receiver, and if it has the capability to create, not just pass through, an eARC signal.

Bruce
Highfalutintodd
Prominent Collaborator I
June 7, 2020

I’d have to give this some thought, but at first glance I don’t think it would work. 

Even if your receiver had ARC/eARC, the receiver is going to expect to be the final destination for the audio. E.g., the receiver would be accepting the audio signals from the television (whether through a broadcast channel or a built-in app) in order for the receiver itself to  do the processing and output to its own amplifiers. I can’t think of a scenario where a receiver would go ahead and “pass through” the audio signal to another device (basically like a pre-amp would for analog signals). 

I’d love to hear more about this from people who are more knowledgeable about this than I am, though. 

Arc + Sub 3 + One SLs = Awesome and Loving It!
    REG0822
    Contributor I
    July 2, 2020

    I have a similar situation with a 2014 Sharp Aquos TV. To old to pass thru Dolby Atmos to my Arc.

    I it an older smart TV but i do not use its internal apps i stream to it from Amazon Fire device. My question is with a proper recevier that has HDMI ARC or ARC+ out can i not go to the receiver with my Fire or Apple TV device and out to the TV with video and out to the Arc with audio? meaning the Audio is not passing thru the TV.

     

    HighfalutintoddAnswer
    Prominent Collaborator I
    July 2, 2020

    I have a similar situation with a 2014 Sharp Aquos TV. To old to pass thru Dolby Atmos to my Arc.

    I it an older smart TV but i do not use its internal apps i stream to it from Amazon Fire device. My question is with a proper recevier that has HDMI ARC or ARC+ out can i not go to the receiver with my Fire or Apple TV device and out to the TV with video and out to the Arc with audio? meaning the Audio is not passing thru the TV.

     

    No, this won’t work. The receiver has HDMI-ARC in order to be able to get the audio from the TV’s built-in apps and tuners and then to amplify it and send it to the speakers connected to the receiver. And the Sonos Arc doesn’t have a traditional HDMI input which would accept an output from a receiver (quite weirdly it actually has an HDMI OUTPUT to be able to receive the audio return channel from the TV - hard to wrap the head around). 

    The only solution we currently know of that will enable an external HDMI to send full range audio like Dolby TrueHD / Atmos from any device to the Sonos Arc is an upcoming adapter from HDFury called Arcana: 

    https://www.hdfury.com/product/4k-arcana-18gbps/

    They’re accepting pre-orders now and it will do exactly what you want - allow you to hook up your Amazon Fire or TV to the Arc to get Atmos while still keeping your old TV. 

    (@BobbyB86 - this is the answer to your original question, too.)

    Arc + Sub 3 + One SLs = Awesome and Loving It!
      REG0822
      Contributor I
      July 2, 2020

      Thank you BobbyB86, I knew I would have challenges with my older TV and fully utilizing the Arc but i do have to say it as standard surround play bar sounds a bit better than the original play bar that I have relocated.

      You have helped me clarify what is available to work with and the link to arcana is great, i will consider this too.

      regards

        BobbyB86Author
        Contributor I
        July 2, 2020

        I need to give Highfalutintodd the credit for the response, not me. But I need to give you the credit as well for asking the question I had meant to ask. I don’t plan to use my TV apps. I plan to connect a Blu-ray player and Apple TV to a receiver that would then connect to the Sonos Arc and to the TV hoping that I could receive Dolby atmos that way and legit 4K video to the TV from a dedicated Blu-ray player.  I also will look into hdfury, but I find it a little odd that the receiver can’t essentially play the role of this splitter/adapter.

         

        Thank you highfalutintodd for spending time to answer this question! 

          REG0822
          Contributor I
          July 2, 2020

          ha, good catch BobbyB86 and thank you Highfalutintodd for your response.

          LittleDreaD
          Contributor II
          August 2, 2020

          @Highfalutintodd This answers the question I was also about to post on Dolby True HD, just pre ordered the HDFury Arcana. Thanks.

           

            davo101010
            Contributor I
            October 24, 2020

            If HDFURY arcana works it will be great for Sonos the send their Arc customers a similar product to over come their flagship soundbar the short comings.... Or even strike a deal with the HDFury guys and get a good discount

            Kpm547
            Lyricist I
            January 2, 2021

            Has anybody received their HDFury Arcana? Does it work as advertised?

            Show more replies
            Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement