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Arc v eArc

  • March 29, 2025
  • 8 replies
  • 177 views
J

Is there a noticeable difference in sound quality between Arc and eArc?   

I currently have Beam Gen 2, sub mini and 2x Era 300 surrounds. My Panasonic GX800 TV  (from 2019 I believe) has Arc not eArc. The sound sources I see on the Sonos app are Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus 2.0 and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1. What other sound sources would show on the app if I upgraded my TV to eArc?  Dolby True HD?  Or would I need to get an eArc TV and alsio upgrade the soundbar to perhaps Arc Ultra.? 

 

Best answer by GuitarSuperstar

eARC will not give you any added benefit with the Fire TV Stick. But eARC will allow you to play Multichannel PCM audio from PS5 games and Multichannel PCM, Dolby TrueHD, and lossless Dolby Atmos audio from Blu-rays. The difference in audio quality can be noticeable depending on how critical of an ear you have.

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8 replies

G

Are you using any external media devices like an Apple TV 4K, Blu-ray player, or PS5?

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
    J
    • Jprobbo73
    • Author
    • Contributor I
    • March 29, 2025

    Hi Guitar Superstar.

    Thank you for replying. 

    I use a Firestick 4K max. I do have a PS5 too but not used it for a while. I might try a blu ray movie later. 

    G

    eARC will not give you any added benefit with the Fire TV Stick. But eARC will allow you to play Multichannel PCM audio from PS5 games and Multichannel PCM, Dolby TrueHD, and lossless Dolby Atmos audio from Blu-rays. The difference in audio quality can be noticeable depending on how critical of an ear you have.

    "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
      J
      • Jprobbo73
      • Author
      • Contributor I
      • March 29, 2025

      Thanks for the reply.

      Do those different sound sources   show up in the app? 

      I have another couple of questions if I may.

      Does eArc give added benefit to a Apple TV 4K?  Is that a better media device that Firestick?   

      You have provided lots of great advice on here and Reddit re Music / Dolby Atmos music. I was wondering in  your set up do you prefer to the have surrounds  music playback set to full or ambient. I was always curious why ambient was the default and not full. 

      G

      Yes, the Now Playing screen in the Sonos app will display the audio format that is currently playing. Although it won’t specify what flavor of Dolby Atmos you are getting (Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, or Dolby MAT).

      eARC will allow you to play Multichannel PCM and Dolby Atmos audio (via Dolby MAT) from an Apple TV 4K. Is the Apple TV better than the Fire TV Stick? Hard to say as it’s based on personal preference. Audio quality between the two won’t be that big of a difference. The main benefit of using the Apple TV 4K is its ability to stream Dolby Atmos music from the Apple Music app. This is my primary use for the Apple TV. My preferred streaming device is a Roku Ultra.

      I keep Music Playback set to Full to get full stereo playback from my surround speakers when streaming music in stereo.

      "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
        J
        • Jprobbo73
        • Author
        • Contributor I
        • March 29, 2025

        Is there a noticeable difference in quality streaming Dolby Atmos Music from the Apple Music app on the Apple TV  4K compared to streaming Dolby Atmos Music from Apple Music  via Sonos app? 

        G

        There isn’t a huge difference in audio quality although I personally think the bass sounds better when streaming from the Apple TV. The ability to search for Dolby Atmos music on the TV screen is a better experience than using the Sonos app.

        "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
        J
        • Jprobbo73
        • Author
        • Contributor I
        • March 29, 2025

        Thank you for taking the time to respond. Much appreciated.

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