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RRrocket
Contributor I
July 11, 2025

Only stereo with AppleTv 4k

I was having trouble with only getting stereo from my Apple TV into Sonos Beam (sub and 2 Symfonic bookshelf speakers for surround), connected to a Samsung frame (from Dec. 2023). I thought it was a problem with EARC, so I swapped out the Beam for Sonos Arc, connected the sub & surround speakers, and connected through optical.

after switching around with the settings within the appleTV and the Samsung, I was still getting only stereo sound on everything I played into the TV through the apple TV.

Then I tried playing Disney+ directly through the Samsung. Behold! Dolby 5.1 surround!

Then I realized that the only thing playing Dolby Atmos through the AppleTV was AppleTV+ content. Everything else was only playing in Stereo. Shame on you Apple! They better fix this soon.

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16 replies

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Rhonny
Prodigy III
July 17, 2025

You absolutely need high speed HDMI cables from Apple TV to the TV, and from eARC to the soundbar. Ideally HDMI 2.0, not 1.4.

Mr. T
Mr. T
July 17, 2025

found that setting. don’t know why I had not seen it before. 

still having problems with some sites and not others … might be some strange connection issue. 

trying swapping out HDMI cables ...

You stated you were getting Dolby Atmos from AppleTV with AppleTV+ so the HDMI cables are not the issue.

    Rhonny
    Prodigy III
    July 17, 2025

    Good spot. Wasn’t going to read it all over again!

      RRrocketAuthor
      Contributor I
      July 17, 2025

      found the passthrough setting! still having some problems but that seemed to help!

      Airgetlam
      Airgetlam
      July 18, 2025

      Not all ‘shows’ are in Dolby Digital, or Atmos. Some are, at best, in stereo. Some might even be mono, if they’re old enough. 

      Bruce
      Rhonny
      Prodigy III
      July 18, 2025

      found the passthrough setting! still having some problems but that seemed to help!

      Turn it all off at the wall (TV, Sonos, ATV) and then turn it back on again and see if things help. Otherwise, state what problems (beyond ​@Airgetlam‘s point) and maybe we can assist.. 

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