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jgatie
jgatieAnswer
Dec 12, 2025 3:03 PM UTC

Does having the Arc Ultra connected to the TV by Bluetooth rather than HDMI impact the era 300’s performance? 

 

Most definitely.  Bluetooth is stereo only, which defeats the purpose of having the Era 300s there at all.  To utilize the surrounds properly, the Arc Ultra must be connected directly to the TV via HDMI-ARC/eARC.

9 replies

Stanley_4
Grand Maestro
Dec 12, 2025 3:00 AM UTC

Does the TV program you are watching have much audio in the surround channels? 

Many have little or none even when showing as 5.1 or better on the Sonos now-playing screen.

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Airgetlam
Dec 12, 2025 3:50 AM UTC

Certainly if they’re set up as surround speakers, there should be no ‘center/voice’ channel to them. You can, in the room settings, turn up the volume for the surrounds, though. 
 

If they’re ‘grouped’ as a separate room, there are different dynamics involved. 

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Bruce
106rallye
Dec 12, 2025 7:43 AM UTC

Is DirectV an app or a settop box? Are there any settings in the app or box? What sound format does the Sonos app say you are getting from DirectV?

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etw156Author
Contributor I
Dec 12, 2025 1:13 PM UTC

It’s the streaming service, an app. 

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etw156Author
Contributor I
Dec 12, 2025 1:20 PM UTC

Adjusting the volume on the TV / Music Level doesn’t change the volume of the surrounds. I don’t believe you can group Era 300s on a stand alone basis.

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jgatie
Dec 12, 2025 1:50 PM UTC

DIrecTV Stream is notorious for having lower volume.  I usually have to lower other apps by 4 notches when I switch to them after watching the DirecTV streaming app.

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106rallye
Dec 12, 2025 1:56 PM UTC

Adjusting the volume on the TV / Music Level doesn’t change the volume of the surrounds. I don’t believe you can group Era 300s on a stand alone basis.

Did  you really set the Era’s up as surrounds? If so, the volume should work for the surrounds too - provided they get any sound (so 5.1, not 2.0).

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etw156Author
Contributor I
Dec 12, 2025 3:00 PM UTC

Does having the Arc Ultra connected to the TV by Bluetooth rather than HDMI impact the era 300’s performance? 

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jgatie
jgatieAnswer
Dec 12, 2025 3:03 PM UTC

Does having the Arc Ultra connected to the TV by Bluetooth rather than HDMI impact the era 300’s performance? 

 

Most definitely.  Bluetooth is stereo only, which defeats the purpose of having the Era 300s there at all.  To utilize the surrounds properly, the Arc Ultra must be connected directly to the TV via HDMI-ARC/eARC.

Translate