Contributor II

Dolby Atmos Music and Terrible Remixing

27 replies
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Is anybody else experiencing certain Dolby Atmos music tracks where you can barely hear the vocals? I have come across this quite often recently with Dire Straits Sultans of Swing being the most recent. Could this be a Sonos issue with playback of certain songs where the vocals practically disappear? I can't imagine Mark Knopfler approving the release of this song sounding this way. Any thoughts or feedback?

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isthatmysandwich

Avid Contributor I

I have found using test tracks really handy in getting things set up, more repeatable than music. Dolby Labs is a good source as are services that stream Dolby Labs tracks unaltered.

Thanks for that advice. To be honest though I tend not to stream music. On the rare occasion that I have Idone I’ve not noticed the same problem. My main concern is when the source is Blu-ray atmos. I’ve even googled the best settings on my Blu-ray player just in case that’s where my problems are originating but, as far as I can tell, the settings are fine. I find it strange that I have no control over the centre speaker on the ultra as I’m concerned that’s where my problem is.

Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

Speech enhancement may impact that, try it set to off compared to the other levels.

Streaming does get you lower quality sound than Blu-ray but it is cheap and easy.

Downloading and playing locally is an option, haven't looked at quality issues there.

A test Blu-ray disk might be an option?

https://www.amazon.com/blu-ray-calibration-disc/s?k=blu-ray+calibration+disc

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isthatmysandwich

Avid Contributor I

Speech enhancement may impact that, try it set to off compared to the other levels.

Streaming does get you lower quality sound than Blu-ray but it is cheap and easy.

Downloading and playing locally is an option, haven't looked at quality issues there.

A test Blu-ray disk might be an option?

https://www.amazon.com/blu-ray-calibration-disc/s?k=blu-ray+calibration+disc

Thanks for your help. I really don’t know if the problem is coming from the Blu-ray player or the arc ultra. It may well be that there isn’t a problem with the hardware at all and the problem is my own expectations. I don’t know.
Having said that, I’m now suspecting that the problem is that Sonos don’t allow the centre, left and right speakers to be adjusted to personal taste. Only a suspicion. I’m only guessing here but if a calibration disc highlighted a problem originating from the soundbar I’d be powerless to do anything about it.
I’m not sure if that makes sense or if I’m talking absolute s*****. Probably the latter 😂😂

Moderator Note: Modified in accordance with the Community Code of Conduct.

Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

With a calibration disk in hand and a complaint about sound you at least have ammunition to file a co plaint with support and have it looked at.

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isthatmysandwich

Avid Contributor I

With a calibration disk in hand and a complaint about sound you at least have ammunition to file a co plaint with support and have it looked at.

Thanks again. Just a thought - as my dissatisfaction is deriving from physical media rather than internet streaming do you think that the supplied eArc cable is up to the task of handling Blu-ray music and mgbs per second. I’m grasping at straws here but who knows 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

Not a cable expert but you can check the stamped information on it and look up the specification.

I'm pretty sure Sonos wouldn't ship a mislabeled cable. Too many places do though

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isthatmysandwich

Avid Contributor I

Not a cable expert but you can check the stamped information on it and look up the specification.

I'm pretty sure Sonos wouldn't ship a mislabeled cable. Too many places do though

Thanks again. I’m clutching at straws of course.

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