Got my Beam today (16th) and am pleased with it so far, but I'm having to boost the TV volume much higher that it was with the TV speakers. Without the Beam the TV was at about the right volume at a setting of 30 whereas via the Beam it needs to be in the 70's to 80's (and thats nearly maxed out) to get the same perceived volume
It's a Sony Bravia TV with the Beam connected via the HDMI ARC and a pair of Play:1s as surrounds.
Anybody got any suggestions as to either TV or Sonos settings. I've played TV Level slider from the app. but it doesn't seem to make much impact?
I'll continue playing about in the meantime
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I find that with 5.1 sources the sound bar just isn’t balanced especially at low volumes. Anyone else experienced this?
Exactly this. Switching the output (from either Netflix or from the TV HDMI settings) to a stereo signal immediately delivers a more balanced mix with clear voices.
With 5.1 I get an overly dramatic mix with massive emphasis on special effects and music, but barely audible voices. To make out what people are saying the volume needs to be cranked up so high I'm afraid my neighbors will start complaining soon.
I'm thinking about getting a pair of Play 1's for surround but not before this 5.1 issue is fixed.
Just a thought for those with Sonys as I have a x900e. If your issue is with PCM content, under the Menu > Sound Adjustments > Common > Digital Audio Out Volume should be set to Max. Also, the Sound and Picture settings on my set are HDMI input specific so don’t go thinking that if you changed it while it’s set to the DVD player that it will remain that way when you change to the cable box HDMI input. Also, turn off ClearAudio+ as you don’t want processing altering the sound and Sound Mode as Standard. Under input related, the Dolby dynamic range is set to Standard and Dolby Digital Plus Output is Dolby Digital.
And somebody already touched on adjusting the set top box’s volume under it’s settings. (Not just hitting the volume + on the remote.). On a FIOS box - Under settings, you set the Volume Control to Fixed and then ensure that the Volume is cranked to Max - might have to crank the volume to max before setting it to fixed. Audio format should be surround.
And do not use the new Volume Limiter feature in the Sonos app! It does not simply just prevent the volume from going past the percentage you set it to. It will adjust the loudness of all volume levels by that percent.
And somebody already touched on adjusting the set top box’s volume under it’s settings. (Not just hitting the volume + on the remote.). On a FIOS box - Under settings, you set the Volume Control to Fixed and then ensure that the Volume is cranked to Max - might have to crank the volume to max before setting it to fixed. Audio format should be surround.
And do not use the new Volume Limiter feature in the Sonos app! It does not simply just prevent the volume from going past the percentage you set it to. It will adjust the loudness of all volume levels by that percent.
Eureka! I have a Sonos Beam, a Vizio from 2011 and I play all of my video content through Xbox One. I, like many here have had an issue with low volume outputs when using my tv vs the excellent performance and clarity I hear when I'm streaming music. I had tried messing with all the volume setting from my tv itself...
My fix:
Go to Xbox One's -> Display & Sound -> Audio Output -> Select HDMI audio and select "Bitstream out" (This had been set to stereo uncompressed originally). Optical Audio set to Bitstream Out. Bistream Format set to Dolby Digital.
It started finally working for me. The volume levels finally are consistent across all uses of the beam
My fix:
Go to Xbox One's -> Display & Sound -> Audio Output -> Select HDMI audio and select "Bitstream out" (This had been set to stereo uncompressed originally). Optical Audio set to Bitstream Out. Bistream Format set to Dolby Digital.
It started finally working for me. The volume levels finally are consistent across all uses of the beam
Userlevel 7
+26
Thanks for sharing, everyone. We'd love to look into this with you. Think you can ;submit a diagnostic from your Sonos system when you have audio playing that you had to turn way up, and if you have any channels that are fine at lower volumes, can you also send a diagnostic with those playing?
Also, the model number of the TV you're working with would be great, and the source of the channel/content would be helpful.
Also, the model number of the TV you're working with would be great, and the source of the channel/content would be helpful.
I wonder if this issue is to do with dd5.1 sources? I’m finding if I watch a movie on sky in 5.1 or via the blu day played on my Xbox that the volume needs to get to a certain point before all channels sound balanced. Once you get there it sounds great but is just too loud for the little one asleep upstairs.
At lower volumes parts of the mix such as quiet voices or music are just way too low. But using might mode or speech enhancement doesn’t entirely fix it as both introduce significant downsides. Tiny voices or in the case of night mode removal of all noticeable bass.
I find that with 5.1 sources the sound bar just isn’t balanced especially at low volumes. Anyone else experienced this?
At lower volumes parts of the mix such as quiet voices or music are just way too low. But using might mode or speech enhancement doesn’t entirely fix it as both introduce significant downsides. Tiny voices or in the case of night mode removal of all noticeable bass.
I find that with 5.1 sources the sound bar just isn’t balanced especially at low volumes. Anyone else experienced this?
Have been seriously unimpressed with my Beam from day 1, I have so many variable performance issues it is embarrassing when someone says ooh.........you have the new Sonos, how is it?
It is a bundle of excrement so far! Holding out for a software fix, but why do I need to?
No Napster functionality for Alexa and such poor volume control, either so low you hardly hear it or so high the neighbours complain, and little control in between!
It is a bundle of excrement so far! Holding out for a software fix, but why do I need to?
No Napster functionality for Alexa and such poor volume control, either so low you hardly hear it or so high the neighbours complain, and little control in between!
Hi everyone,
I've been following this thread since I got my Beam. I've spent many hours researching why I was getting low volume output from my Samsung (2014) TV, and I've now reached a conclusion.
I was always able to get decent volume output from the TV when the source was the INTERNAL tuner, or Smart TV apps accessed directly from the Samsung Smart Hub. This was lovely, rich DD 5.1 sound - the Beam working exactly as I expected. However, for any external HDMI source (PS4, BT YouView STB, Chromecast, etc.) I was getting only bog-standard stereo sound, which sounds rubbish and really quiet by comparison.
The Beam was connected to my TV via HDMI-ARC. All external devices connected to other HDMI ports. I must have tried every combination of settings, but could never get DD 5.1 passed through to the Beam from those external HDMI sources. This was confirmed by checking in the 'About My Sonos System' section of the iOS app.
So here is the problem: older TVs (especially Samsungs) will not pass-through DD 5.1 via HDMI-ARC or Optical/TOSLINK from any external HDMI source. My TV can output DD 5.1 from its own internal sources, but will not re-direct DD 5.1 from an external source to the Beam. I've read that this is something to do with the EDID 'handshake' between the TV and the external HDMI source. That might not be 100% technically accurate (before anyone jumps in to correct me), but I believe that is the gist of things.
So, if you have an older TV and are struggling with this issue, I suggest you do some research into your TV model to see whether it is capable of passing through DD 5.1 from external HDMI sources via HDMI-ARC. If not, your Sonos Beam will not be able to output DD 5.1 from these sources. It seems there is no fix.
However, there is a workaround that I have found. It's not ideal, but it's preferable (for me) to spending £££ on a new television.
My set-up is now as follows:
- STB and PS4 connected to TV via HDMI (for video only).
- STB, PS4 and TV all independently wired with Optical TOSLINK to carry audio output.
- All Optical TOSLINK cables feeding into an Optical Switcher (I purchased this one from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/CSL-Toslink-transmission-receiver-speakers/dp/B015O5DHOG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8).
- One more Optical TOSLINK cable from the output slot of the Optical Switcher into the Optical-to-HDMI adapter that came packaged with the Sonos Beam. This connects in to the Beam.
So I am essentially feeding all audio sources via Optical TOSLINK directly into the Beam, omitting HDMI-ARC and bypassing the TV as a middleman for audio from the external HDMI sources.
It works like a charm - DD 5.1 now plays from all sources now (assuming that you have adjusted the settings on your device to output DD 5.1 audio via Optical and/or that the content itself is coded for DD 5.1).
The only downside is that you lose the functionality that you get with HDMI-ARC (Alexa voice controls for the TV, etc.) AND you have to remember to switch the source on the Optical Switcher, but otherwise it's working as I hoped.
Hope that this clears up a lot of things for folks struggling with this issue. Happy to answer any questions about my setup.
Thanks
I've been following this thread since I got my Beam. I've spent many hours researching why I was getting low volume output from my Samsung (2014) TV, and I've now reached a conclusion.
I was always able to get decent volume output from the TV when the source was the INTERNAL tuner, or Smart TV apps accessed directly from the Samsung Smart Hub. This was lovely, rich DD 5.1 sound - the Beam working exactly as I expected. However, for any external HDMI source (PS4, BT YouView STB, Chromecast, etc.) I was getting only bog-standard stereo sound, which sounds rubbish and really quiet by comparison.
The Beam was connected to my TV via HDMI-ARC. All external devices connected to other HDMI ports. I must have tried every combination of settings, but could never get DD 5.1 passed through to the Beam from those external HDMI sources. This was confirmed by checking in the 'About My Sonos System' section of the iOS app.
So here is the problem: older TVs (especially Samsungs) will not pass-through DD 5.1 via HDMI-ARC or Optical/TOSLINK from any external HDMI source. My TV can output DD 5.1 from its own internal sources, but will not re-direct DD 5.1 from an external source to the Beam. I've read that this is something to do with the EDID 'handshake' between the TV and the external HDMI source. That might not be 100% technically accurate (before anyone jumps in to correct me), but I believe that is the gist of things.
So, if you have an older TV and are struggling with this issue, I suggest you do some research into your TV model to see whether it is capable of passing through DD 5.1 from external HDMI sources via HDMI-ARC. If not, your Sonos Beam will not be able to output DD 5.1 from these sources. It seems there is no fix.
However, there is a workaround that I have found. It's not ideal, but it's preferable (for me) to spending £££ on a new television.
My set-up is now as follows:
- STB and PS4 connected to TV via HDMI (for video only).
- STB, PS4 and TV all independently wired with Optical TOSLINK to carry audio output.
- All Optical TOSLINK cables feeding into an Optical Switcher (I purchased this one from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/CSL-Toslink-transmission-receiver-speakers/dp/B015O5DHOG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8).
- One more Optical TOSLINK cable from the output slot of the Optical Switcher into the Optical-to-HDMI adapter that came packaged with the Sonos Beam. This connects in to the Beam.
So I am essentially feeding all audio sources via Optical TOSLINK directly into the Beam, omitting HDMI-ARC and bypassing the TV as a middleman for audio from the external HDMI sources.
It works like a charm - DD 5.1 now plays from all sources now (assuming that you have adjusted the settings on your device to output DD 5.1 audio via Optical and/or that the content itself is coded for DD 5.1).
The only downside is that you lose the functionality that you get with HDMI-ARC (Alexa voice controls for the TV, etc.) AND you have to remember to switch the source on the Optical Switcher, but otherwise it's working as I hoped.
Hope that this clears up a lot of things for folks struggling with this issue. Happy to answer any questions about my setup.
Thanks
Lads, got a lovely new Beam. Connected to Sky + & Sony Bravia 55" Happy days. Let's rock the joint I said.
Perfect for tunes. Netflix was unreal! Sky box sounded like it was under water! Feck that I said! Seriously!!!!!
Tricked about for a bit with TV audio settings, Beam audio settings, all sorts of settings.
Then logged on here and read near an hour of this guff! Jesus what have I done buying this yolk.
Went and had a cuppa tea! I think better waiting for the kettle it seems.
Came back, Sky remote - services - settings - sound - Digital Audio Output (HDMI) - Changed to Dolby D
BOOM! I love Tea.
Sounds savage, sent me scrambling for the volume down button. Feck, should have seen that coming. ;-)
Then I noticed there was a wee lag. And sure enough two options down from the output on the same page is the delay function. Set it to 40ms as it's a fair run to the Sky box from the TV and BOOM again.
So stop abusing all the nice guys in Sonos Land and give it a whirl.
That's me signing off. Hope it helps some lads out and let's you enjoy the Beam as intended.
Perfect for tunes. Netflix was unreal! Sky box sounded like it was under water! Feck that I said! Seriously!!!!!
Tricked about for a bit with TV audio settings, Beam audio settings, all sorts of settings.
Then logged on here and read near an hour of this guff! Jesus what have I done buying this yolk.
Went and had a cuppa tea! I think better waiting for the kettle it seems.
Came back, Sky remote - services - settings - sound - Digital Audio Output (HDMI) - Changed to Dolby D
BOOM! I love Tea.
Sounds savage, sent me scrambling for the volume down button. Feck, should have seen that coming. ;-)
Then I noticed there was a wee lag. And sure enough two options down from the output on the same page is the delay function. Set it to 40ms as it's a fair run to the Sky box from the TV and BOOM again.
So stop abusing all the nice guys in Sonos Land and give it a whirl.
That's me signing off. Hope it helps some lads out and let's you enjoy the Beam as intended.
Resolved this on Samsung ES8000. Was having the same issue. Resolved this by going into Menu > Sound > Additional Settings > SPDIF Output > Audio Format. This was set to PCM, changed it to Dolby Digital and hey presto the sound came booming out! 😃
Also similar issue here, with a Samsung TV.
When using the cable setup box, sound level is a lot lower and less "wide" / powerfull than playing music.
Using the Netflix or Amazon Video App. sound level is in between, but there sound landscape is a lot closer to the Music.
I noticed that in the "About My Sonos System" with the Setup box sound is stereo, when using Netflix or Amazon, I have dolby surround.
Possibly there is a TV setting to be tuned
When using the cable setup box, sound level is a lot lower and less "wide" / powerfull than playing music.
Using the Netflix or Amazon Video App. sound level is in between, but there sound landscape is a lot closer to the Music.
I noticed that in the "About My Sonos System" with the Setup box sound is stereo, when using Netflix or Amazon, I have dolby surround.
Possibly there is a TV setting to be tuned
Closely following this also. Have same issue with Samsung.
Beam sounds fantastic when playing music via the App. Sound via TV is no improvement
Beam sounds fantastic when playing music via the App. Sound via TV is no improvement
Beam sounds fantastic when playing TV via PLEX.
Userlevel 7
+26
Looks like the diagnostics under your account didn't go through properly, this can happen due to a number of things. It'd be best if you can give us a call on our support line when you have some time to look into this. We're pretty busy this week with the launch and the software from last week, so it might be good to wait just a bit first.
Userlevel 7
+26
You can submit a diagnostic from your Sonos system using the steps on that linked page. Keep in mind, that just submitting a diagnostic doesn't send a message to our support team. You need to give us a call or contact the team directly with your confirmation number in order to get help. Also, a diagnostic alone doesn't help too much if they don't know what they're looking for, so please make sure when you contact us you include all the details of what you're seeing.
If you find that your TV volume indicator and your Beam indicator are out of sync, (assuming you're using HDMI and not Optical with the adapter), you'll want to check the CEC and HDMI-ARC settings.This thread may help checking those settings and getting that issue cleared up.
You can submit a diagnostic from your Sonos system using the steps on that linked page. Keep in mind, that just submitting a diagnostic doesn't send a message to our support team. You need to give us a call or contact the team directly with your confirmation number in order to get help. Also, a diagnostic alone doesn't help too much if they don't know what they're looking for, so please make sure when you contact us you include all the details of what you're seeing.
If you find that your TV volume indicator and your Beam indicator are out of sync, (assuming you're using HDMI and not Optical with the adapter), you'll want to check the CEC and HDMI-ARC settings.This thread may help checking those settings and getting that issue cleared up.
I followed the instructions as per Ryan above to get the CEC setup on my Samsung tv, and was then also able to set the tv output to Dolby. This seems to have resolved the problem. So instead on listening to the TV at a Sonos Beam volume of 50, it’s now normal at a Sonos Beam volume of 20-25.
Will monitor and see if the settings are remembered as I change source for consoles and on-demand TV. Thanks.
Hello I.am having the exact same issues:1 bought beam today:-
1) Samsung tv
2)sky Q
3) netflix
4)Xbox
I find the sound coming through beam needs to be set to 80 for it to be loud enough even watching via sky q
When watching via Netflix (using tv smart app) the sound only needs to be set at 30.
The beam is is connected fine turns tv off etc so.cec is working as it should.
It comes up as receiver in settings and listed as stereo.
This surely can't be right to have such poor output from device?
Ps what does airplay do? As when I click beam it doesn't do anything
Thanks
1) Samsung tv
2)sky Q
3) netflix
4)Xbox
I find the sound coming through beam needs to be set to 80 for it to be loud enough even watching via sky q
When watching via Netflix (using tv smart app) the sound only needs to be set at 30.
The beam is is connected fine turns tv off etc so.cec is working as it should.
It comes up as receiver in settings and listed as stereo.
This surely can't be right to have such poor output from device?
Ps what does airplay do? As when I click beam it doesn't do anything
Thanks
I am having the exact same issue with my Beam - previously my Sony Bravia (Model XBR-65X750D) was set to 30 or so for normal watching. After plugging in my new Beam via HDMI ARC, I have to turn it all the way up to the 80s to get the same level of volume. However, when I stream audio directly to the Beam using AirPlay 2, the volume is way too loud. I have reset all my TV sound settings back to default and have not been able to make any progress regarding this issue. Has anyone discovered a fix? I'm debating plugging in my optical cable with the adapter to see if that works better - although I'd really like to be able to use Alexa to control a few things.
Hi Matt, experiencing the exact same issue as yourself (with a Samsung TV) and there doesn't appear to be any fix or even the admission that this is a problem from what I have seen. Regarding HDMI ARC Vs Optical I was getting the exact same sound out of both from my TV. It would be interesting to see if you have same behaviour.
Just thought I would add perhaps a slightly different perspective here. I have an LG TV model 28MT48S and my TV volume-out via HDMI-ARC seems perfect with the Beam in a 5.0 surround setup with two Play:1’s . The normal LG TV volume controls are single digit increments, between 1 and 100 and a setting of 30 to 35 is more than loud enough for my dining room which seats eight to ten people, whilst it’s max volume is also loud, but without any distortion being evident. It is certainly more than loud enough for my small room (and ears) and would definitely dusturb the neighbours next door, or even the folk in the house after that, at its max setting.
I’m not seeing much volume difference between PCM and Dolby Digital output either and switching over to playing music seems to be on par with the TV sound.
So this appears to me to possibly be a TV audio-out issue, by some brands and or models of TV perhaps?
Obviously I’m no TV audio expert, but presumably there is no industry set standard here for volume output and that each manufacturer are gearing things for their own in-built TV speakers and their own brand of soundbars, leaving other manufacturers, like Sonos, having to average their sound accordingly across all the various different brands and models.
I’m just wondering if pin-pointing that average audio output, to suit the majority, is something Sonos would choose to do with the new Beam, once they have been able to collect the data and feedback from its 'real-world' users, as it would be nigh on impossible to test the Beam with every make and model of TV out there, prior to its public launch date.
I’m not seeing much volume difference between PCM and Dolby Digital output either and switching over to playing music seems to be on par with the TV sound.
So this appears to me to possibly be a TV audio-out issue, by some brands and or models of TV perhaps?
Obviously I’m no TV audio expert, but presumably there is no industry set standard here for volume output and that each manufacturer are gearing things for their own in-built TV speakers and their own brand of soundbars, leaving other manufacturers, like Sonos, having to average their sound accordingly across all the various different brands and models.
I’m just wondering if pin-pointing that average audio output, to suit the majority, is something Sonos would choose to do with the new Beam, once they have been able to collect the data and feedback from its 'real-world' users, as it would be nigh on impossible to test the Beam with every make and model of TV out there, prior to its public launch date.
Same issue here. I have a Samsung TV and using my Beam with HDMI ARC. Volume on Spotify and radio is great, but when I turn on my TV, the volume of the Beam is very low and I have to turn it up to like 80%. When I turn off my TV and turn the radio back on, I scares the sh*t out of me! Please fix this Sonos!
Are you sure it isn’t your TV that is doing this? I’m not having the same issue with my LG TV... surely the Beam can only output the signal that the TV sends to it. If it was the Beam at fault, then surely everyone, me included, would all have the same problem, my volumes are the same when using PCM stereo and the volume is just 'slightly' louder when using 5.1 DD surround sound, but that’s because my Surround Speakers LS & RS are added into the mix, but my Beam volume level is there or thereabouts the same, whether I’m watching TV or Netflix or playing Spotify/Amazon Music on the Beam.
In terms of Music, I can increase the volume of the surrounds by switching their settings from 'Ambient' to 'FULL', that obviously will increase the volume from those, but it only applies to a Sonos/Alexa music source.
Perhaps speak to Samsung Support about your issue and see what they say. There maybe some way to increase the TV audio output volume via your HDMI-ARC port, to bring it into line with the Spotify audio volume.
I just spoke to Sonos support regarding this problem.
I was told it is by design?! So when i explained that i have to turn the tv near to 100% then when i switch music, it comes out twice the volume. He still said it was by design.
It's my first sonos speaker but if this is the case it will be going back Monday and I'll stick with my Samsung's.
Has anyone else had a similar response from support, it doesn't seem right?
I was told it is by design?! So when i explained that i have to turn the tv near to 100% then when i switch music, it comes out twice the volume. He still said it was by design.
It's my first sonos speaker but if this is the case it will be going back Monday and I'll stick with my Samsung's.
Has anyone else had a similar response from support, it doesn't seem right?
RESOLVED ON SONY ANDROID TV.
I had the same problem...I resolved it by going to Settings - Audio - Sound - Advance Settings - Reset.
Resetting the audio settings has worked for me
I had the same problem...I resolved it by going to Settings - Audio - Sound - Advance Settings - Reset.
Resetting the audio settings has worked for me
hi all, I had a similar issue with my sound bar, the volume level seemed to be getting quieter, when I first installed my sound bar the tv volume was on about 12 but every day it was going up, eventually I had the sound bar on 65, I couldn’t find an answer but then I decided to turn the sound bar down to 0 then turn off sky q and the tv, turned it back on and the sound bar was back to normal having the sound around 12 again!! Hope this helps
I have the same problem with my Samsung smart TV.
I recently purchased the Beam during black Friday sale and was very disappointed when I plugged it in.
The initial sound test (Trueplay) and start up tones were impressive but the this as a sound bar was very disappointing. The sound output with TV as soundbar is lot lower than TV speakers. With TV I usually have it around 10-20 depending when and what I am watching, but with beam I have to turn it up all the way to 70-80 to feel like its a soundbar otherwise it sounds very small and quite, quieter than my TV speakers.
I did check the the audio settings of the TV and the Beam shows up as receiver and audio output is set to Dolby Digital (on Sonos App it shows Dolby Digital 2.0 or 5.1 depending on the content). Beam can turn on and turn off the TV so CEC is working. I don’t usually play music a lot but I did test and it sounded better through Sonos app.
Another problem I have is that with Beam when my TV is turned off, the power led light keeps on blinking, this usually stayed off when in use and turned on when not in use.
Need help please.
Edit: I have submitted diagnostics and here is the number #1051886115
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