Contributor I

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Audio "pop" / crackling noise on Sonos Beam Ultra with eARC Pass-through after firmware 27.2.1

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Hi everyone,

I am experiencing a persistent audio issue since updating my Sonos Beam Ultra to firmware 27.2.1 (released yesterday/recently).

Whenever I use the eARC + Pass-through (dérivation) configuration on my TV, a loud and annoying "pop" / crackling noise occurs at the exact moment an audio stream starts or resumes (e.g., when launching a video, switching sources, or coming out of a micro-silence).

Here is what I’ve troubleshot so far:

The issue happens only when eARC and Pass-through are enabled together. The initial handshaking / stream activation triggers a sharp digital/electrical click in the soundbar's decoder.

Workaround found: Disabling eARC (falling back to standard ARC) while keeping Pass-through or switching the TV audio to standard Multichannel completely removes the pop.

However, forcing standard Multichannel alters the native bitstream, and since rollbacks are blocked on Sonos, users are stuck with a broken eARC handshake behavior introduced in this 27.2 update.

This is clearly a software/firmware regression regarding how the audio buffer or DSP handles the eARC initialization timing under Pass-through.

Is anyone else experiencing the same issue since updating to 27.2.1? Can the engineering team please look into this handshake bug in an upcoming hotfix?

Thanks

AirgetlamAnswer

I’d agree it sounds like a handshake issue, between the TV and the Sonos, but I’m not sure what might be causing it. As a precaution, I’d make sure all the devices are up to date, software and firmware, in case there’s something going on with CEC, but I’d certainly suggest that you submit a system diagnostic within 10 minutes of reproducing the issue, and call Sonos Support to discuss it. Do not factory reset any units. Also, don’t post the resulting diagnostic number here. In case it ultimately is indeed a Sonos issue, having hard data to pass off to the engineers will likely be most helpful.

There may be information included in the diagnostic that will help Sonos pinpoint the issue and help you find a solution.

When you speak directly to the Support staff, they have tools at their disposal that will allow them to give you advice specific to your network and Sonos system.

Bruce

Airgetlam

I have not noticed this, although I use Arcs, not Beam Ultras. I’d suggest two things.

First, check your other devices for updates, and apply them. While you didn’t specify what devices are upstream from the Sonos, it is feasible that either the TV, or other devices have updates that ‘fix’ sending this signal through the HDMI-ARC to the Beam.

The other suggestion I would recommend is that you submit a system diagnostic within 10 minutes of reproducing the issue, and call Sonos Support to discuss it. Do not factory reset any units. Also, don’t post the resulting diagnostic number here.

There may be information included in the diagnostic that will help Sonos pinpoint the issue and help you find a solution.

When you speak directly to the Support staff, they have tools at their disposal that will allow them to give you advice specific to your network and Sonos system.

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Bruce

A

AlexmtrAuthor

Contributor I

I contacted Sonos support, and they concluded that my unit is defective and offered to replace it. However, as I mentioned, this popping sound started right after the update. Before the update, the soundbar was working perfectly. I’m concerned that if I go through the entire replacement process, I might end up with the same issue, assuming it’s a software problem, and then be left waiting, with no real certainty, for a fix to be released via another update.

Alexis

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Airgetlam

The only way I’m aware of to make Sonos aware of any potential firmware issues is to provide them hard diagnostic data to follow up on. Unlikely that it had anything to do with a client update, those aren’t part of the stream between your TV and the Sonos, although it’s possible it’s a firmware update.

I’d still update the TV and any upstream devices, before choosing the effort to get a replacement. But it’s unlikely that you’ll find an answer in the public forum, much more likely you’ll receive the answers you’re looking for from Sonos.

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Bruce

A

AlexmtrAuthor

Contributor I

I shared diagnostic data with Sonos when this happens, and I also sent them a video where these popping sounds can be heard. That is why they offered me a replacement. My TV is up to date and hasn’t had any new updates for several months. Furthermore, the only change that has occurred is the Sonos 27.2.1 update. There is nothing else that could account for any kind of alteration.

Alexis

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kdowling

Just as a point of reference, I am also using a Beam Ultra and have not experienced this. Currently running ver 27.2.1 build 97.2-81220.

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A

AlexmtrAuthor

Contributor I

Do you activate eARC and Pass-through ?

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kdowling

I do, but I have CEC (Bravia Sync on my Sony TV) turned off. I control everything with a harmony remote and CEC gets in the way.

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kdowling

Something to try… turn CEC off on the TV and see if it makes a difference.

You can also try resetting the CEC bus. Unplug the TV, Beam Ultra and any source devices from power. Wait about 3 minutes. Plug the TV back in and wait for it to come up completely. Then plug the Beam Ultra back in and wait. Finally, each source device, one at a time, waiting for each to come up completely.

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A

AlexmtrAuthor

Contributor I

This is clearly a firmware issue, as disabling the eARC option or the audio compression setting on the TV (for the signal sent to the Sonos) eliminates the popping sound. It appears that a change made to the soundbar’s controller has introduced an instability. I try to disable CEC etc.. but it’s not working

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Harold_S

Lyricist II

Hi, I have the same issue. Yesterday I did a firmware update to 27.2.1. and the same problem. So, it is not your hardware but it is something in the new firmware.
The issue only occurs when you switch from, for example, TV to another medium, or when changing a single TV channel that seems to broadcast in a different audio format.

I have a Arc, 2xOne and a Sub (Gen 3)

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AlexmtrAuthor

Contributor I

Thanks for your feedback. In my case, even when the audio format remains the same, the pop sound occurs whenever the source changes for instance, when switching between TV channels.

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Harold_S

Lyricist II

There is a new firmware update. I haven't tried it yet, but I hope it will solve the issue for me as well.

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EmTeeEy

Lyricist I

I’ve noticed the same issue with a Beam Gen2 + 2xOne SL + Sub Mini.

I have an LG C1 with eARC enabled + bitstream pass through + AV Sync bypass. When using my Windows 11 PC with Dolby Atmos spatial audio enabled I get the pop noise when starting any audio playback (video etc). If I leave it paused and let it sleep (30-60s or so) I get the noise on resuming playback. I’ve also noticed that sometimes I can play with no audio outputting at all, toggling mute on and off will make the sound actually come out - with the pop at the beginning of course.

The problem goes away if I disable spatial audio on the PC or set the TV to use PCM output instead of bitstream. Seems like an issue with audio handshaking when using Dolby Atmos through eARC with Sonos.

I don’t see this with my Chromecast with Google TV though, however, that matches content and I’m not often watching Dolby Atmos/Vision content on that so don’t know if it can cause it.

I’ve had this issue recently, only a few weeks ago but I checked my app and I am also on version 27.2.1. I’ve been using this configuration for a long time with no issue until now.

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AirgetlamAnswer

I’d agree it sounds like a handshake issue, between the TV and the Sonos, but I’m not sure what might be causing it. As a precaution, I’d make sure all the devices are up to date, software and firmware, in case there’s something going on with CEC, but I’d certainly suggest that you submit a system diagnostic within 10 minutes of reproducing the issue, and call Sonos Support to discuss it. Do not factory reset any units. Also, don’t post the resulting diagnostic number here. In case it ultimately is indeed a Sonos issue, having hard data to pass off to the engineers will likely be most helpful.

There may be information included in the diagnostic that will help Sonos pinpoint the issue and help you find a solution.

When you speak directly to the Support staff, they have tools at their disposal that will allow them to give you advice specific to your network and Sonos system.

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Bruce

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