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Inconsistent Sound with Beam Gen 2

  • December 23, 2024
  • 6 replies
  • 270 views
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Hi, I’ve purchased the Sonos Beam Gen2. So far I’m a slightly unimpressed for a few reasons. First one, the sound is inconsistent between terrestrial TV channels.  Example, watching something on ITV, sound is spot on, clear surround sound.  Go to E4, Big Bang Theory, and the sound is tinny at best.  Then back to ITV to watch a movie and the sound is muffed, difficult to hear what is being said.  I’ve fiddled around with the settings but doesn’t do anything to improve the sound, luck of the draw per channel.  I’ve a Philips TV which at the moment is producing a more superior sound experience on terrestrial TV.  Anyone any tips to improve this?

Streaming services such as Prime, Disney and Paramount so far seem consistent with the sound, but that leads onto the next thing that hasn’t impressed me.  I purchased the Sonos because I want to experience the rich sounds especially Dolby Atmos.  Imagine my surprise to find all three streaming services require premium subscription to enjoy Dolby Atmos.  My fault, should have researched this beforehand. So I subscribed to Prime premium and then realised that most of the Dolby Atmos movies are newer ones, and you don’t get them on Prime, you have to rent or buy.  

Best answer by Stanley_4

Might be an internal or communications problem, wait for the bad sound and submit a diagnostic, note the number. Maybe collect a few over various channels and then call Sonos support to have the diagnostics looked at. They can see things we users can’t.

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6 replies

Airgetlam
  • Airgetlam
  • December 23, 2024

Sonos plays, for the great part, what it is handed, by the TV, and ultimately the source, be that terrestrial channels, or a streaming device, such as a cable box, or Apple TV. It’s a challenge to blame the Sonos device for a different sound when presented a different format. 

HDMI ARC is supposed to take care of much of that, so the sound device (the Sonos itself) tells the TV via the HDMI cable what formats/codecs it can handle, but it still plays what it is handed. So a lot of ‘talking head’ shows, and older TV programs that are in mono or just stereo, don’t sound as good as newer movies, which are encoded in Dolby Digital, or Atmos…something not all TVs can even pass through. I recall a football (American) game which was actually in stereo, although the station sent it to me in Dolby Digital…it sounded terrible, and I sent off a note to the engineers at that station. But they were just passing on what they received, too, and had little control over the issue, it turned out. Much like Sonos has little control, at times. 

One thing I’ve found useful, is the presentation in the Sonos controller, showing what formats they are receiving from the TV set itself. Then I have the option of figuring out why my TV is sending the wrong type of signal. Is it the TV’s problem? Or is it the show or channel itself. I just haven’t run in to a point at which it has been a Sonos issue. Not to say it isn’t possible, but so far, it hasn’t been. 

Bruce
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  • GunnyGoo
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • December 24, 2024

Thank you for the explanation Airgetlam.  Makes a lot of sense.  What I don’t get is, my Philips TV is a year old, does everything except make cups of tea in the morning, yet every single terrestrial channel, the sound is more or less excellent.   Last night the Beam got switched off trying to watch ‘Its a Wonderful Life’ such was the muffed sound, and the TV took over and did a great job.  Am I expecting too much from a soundbar?  I don’t know.  I’ll use the Beam from now on with the streaming channels.  Thank you again, and a Merry Christmas.

Airgetlam
Stanley_4
  • Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • Answer
  • December 24, 2024

Might be an internal or communications problem, wait for the bad sound and submit a diagnostic, note the number. Maybe collect a few over various channels and then call Sonos support to have the diagnostics looked at. They can see things we users can’t.

Airgetlam
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  • Royy
  • Contributor I
  • March 12, 2025

Bought my beam gen 2 just over a year ago and the speech enhancement doesn't work so for the past year been messaging sonos regarding this kept getting told they were fixing it in the next update which never happens absolutely worse than useless company. Offered me a replacement and expected me to accept a reconditioned exchange no chance I'm accepting that. I'm only sorry I never returned to the shop in that first month and got a refund. If I was you I'd do my best for a refund if you've only just bought it and maybe go for the bose sounbar.

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  • GunnyGoo
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • March 12, 2025

Hi Roxy, my Beam is now collecting dust.  Lost my mind with it. My TV delivers better consistent sound. Did everything that I was supposed to do but nothing works. The Beam is fine with a streaming service and content with Atmos or whatever, but for terrestrial TV it is utter pants.  The Beam sat underneath my telly and so covered the front speaker within the TV, so switching off the Beam to watch normal TV is not an option cos the sound is muffled by the Beam being in the way. Now its under the coffee table and being used as an expensive paper weight.

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  • Royy
  • Contributor I
  • March 12, 2025

Hi Roxy, my Beam is now collecting dust.  Lost my mind with it. My TV delivers better consistent sound. Did everything that I was supposed to do but nothing works. The Beam is fine with a streaming service and content with Atmos or whatever, but for terrestrial TV it is utter pants.  The Beam sat underneath my telly and so covered the front speaker within the TV, so switching off the Beam to watch normal TV is not an option cos the sound is muffled by the Beam being in the way. Now its under the coffee table and being used as an expensive paper weight.

Is it too late to get a refund this is the worst company I've dealt with.

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