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miasmith
Contributor I
November 27, 2024
Answered

Sonos Arc Audio Drops When Using Dolby Atmos on Apple TV 4K

Hi Sonos Community,

I’m having an issue with my Sonos Arc when streaming Dolby Atmos content via my Apple TV 4K. The audio intermittently drops out for 1-2 seconds during playback, especially on Netflix and Disney+.

Setup Details:

  • Soundbar: Sonos Arc
  • Streaming Device: Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen)
  • TV: LG CX OLED
  • Connection: eARC enabled with HDMI 2.1 cable
  • Network: Strong Wi-Fi connection with no noticeable interruptions

Troubleshooting Steps Tried:

  1. Ensured all devices are running the latest firmware and software versions.
  2. Replaced the HDMI cable with a certified Ultra High-Speed cable.
  3. Adjusted Apple TV audio settings between “Auto” and “PCM” modes.
  4. Reset both the Sonos Arc and Apple TV, but the issue persists.

Questions:

  1. Is this a known issue with the Sonos Arc when handling Dolby Atmos via eARC?
  2. Would switching to a wired Ethernet connection for the Arc improve stability?
  3. Are there specific settings on the Apple TV, LG TV, or Sonos app that could resolve the audio drops?

Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated! I want to make the most of my Dolby Atmos experience without interruptions.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Best regards,

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Corry P
Corry PAnswer
Sonos Staff
November 29, 2024

Hi ​@miasmith 

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

Sorry to hear of this issue you are having with your Arc having audio interruptions when playing content from your Apple TV.

Commonly, this issue can be resolved with a reboot of the TV - please unplug it from power for at least a full minute. I recommend telling the Apple TV to restart too.

If this does not solve the issue, please try something I found that worked when I had the same issue after a software update on my Hisense TV - I changed the audio output format on the TV from Passthrough to Auto. It might not be this specific change that’s needed (you have a different brand of TV for a start), but please try different settings here. Please do keep an eye on the Now Playing screen of the Sonos app when testing to ensure you are still getting Atmos.

Questions:

  • Is this a known issue with the Sonos Arc when handling Dolby Atmos via eARC?

I wouldn’t go that far, but such issues can happen - reboots usually fix them. Loose connections on the HDMI cable can be another cause.

  • Would switching to a wired Ethernet connection for the Arc improve stability?

Unlikely - if it were only the surrounds that were affected, maybe, but if the device with a direct connection to the TV exhibits the issue too, then it has nothing to do with networking.

  • Are there specific settings on the Apple TV, LG TV, or Sonos app that could resolve the audio drops?

Digital Audio Output Format (or similar - usually 3 of these 4 words are used) on the TV, as mentioned above.

Please note that high-speed HDMI cables are only needed for 4K content, and your Arc is not receiving a picture - the supplied cable will be fine unless more length is needed. If you ever get a new device to connect to the TV, I’d use this high-speed cable you now have for it rather than for the Arc.

I hope this helps.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein
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8 replies

Corry P
Corry PAnswer
Sonos Staff
November 29, 2024

Hi ​@miasmith 

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

Sorry to hear of this issue you are having with your Arc having audio interruptions when playing content from your Apple TV.

Commonly, this issue can be resolved with a reboot of the TV - please unplug it from power for at least a full minute. I recommend telling the Apple TV to restart too.

If this does not solve the issue, please try something I found that worked when I had the same issue after a software update on my Hisense TV - I changed the audio output format on the TV from Passthrough to Auto. It might not be this specific change that’s needed (you have a different brand of TV for a start), but please try different settings here. Please do keep an eye on the Now Playing screen of the Sonos app when testing to ensure you are still getting Atmos.

Questions:

  • Is this a known issue with the Sonos Arc when handling Dolby Atmos via eARC?

I wouldn’t go that far, but such issues can happen - reboots usually fix them. Loose connections on the HDMI cable can be another cause.

  • Would switching to a wired Ethernet connection for the Arc improve stability?

Unlikely - if it were only the surrounds that were affected, maybe, but if the device with a direct connection to the TV exhibits the issue too, then it has nothing to do with networking.

  • Are there specific settings on the Apple TV, LG TV, or Sonos app that could resolve the audio drops?

Digital Audio Output Format (or similar - usually 3 of these 4 words are used) on the TV, as mentioned above.

Please note that high-speed HDMI cables are only needed for 4K content, and your Arc is not receiving a picture - the supplied cable will be fine unless more length is needed. If you ever get a new device to connect to the TV, I’d use this high-speed cable you now have for it rather than for the Arc.

I hope this helps.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein
    Pools-3015
    Pools-3015
    Prodigy I
    November 29, 2024

    I have this issue with my Samsung TV when watching Dolby Atmos video from the Apple TV. The audio would drop for -2 seconds every 18-20 minutes. Audio from other sources work fine with no drops.

    I dont believe its a network issue because I have my Arc wired to my network, but, I have seen many posts about this issue with no fix. There are similar posts on the Apple community as well.

      billiejoe87
      Chromatic Producer I
      January 25, 2025

      I have this issue as well on my Samsung S95D when using Dolby Atmos from the Apple TV 4K or PlayStation 5. Only fix seems to be turning off atmos. I had a Bravia 9 as well that did the same thing.

      One thing is for certain, once this Sonos Arc eventually stops working I won’t be replacing with another Sonos unless they implement a HDMI passthrough like virtually every other major brand. It’s ridiculous for so long Sonos keep leaving us at the mercy of a TV being able to properly send audio when for years across different brands it’s been a problem.

      1 x Arc, 1 x Beam Gen 2, 1 x Amp, 2 x Sonos In Ceiling Speakers, 2 x Sub, 4 x Sonos Ones, 2 x Sonos Era 100, 5 x Symfonisk Lamp (Gen 2)
      Corry P
      Corry P
      Sonos Staff
      January 27, 2025

      Hi ​@billiejoe87 

      While I do understand your request, there is a very good reason for us not doing so:

      Say we had a HDMI passthrough port some time ago, but it was only capable of handling HD signals. To make use of your Apple TV 4K, you would have had to upgrade the TV, the Apple TV and the soundbar! And, if our next soundbar had 4K HDMI passthrough, and then in a few years you wanted to upgrade to 8K or 16K, you would again need to upgrade your soundbar just to get a better picture!

      Although you need an extra HDMI port on your TV to use it, I think it makes far more sense to use the HDMI-ARC/eARC standards and not have to upgrade your audio system when you want a better picture than your last TV could provide.

      I hope this helps.

      "Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein
      pag262007
      Contributor I
      February 1, 2025

      Is there a known issue for Apple TV and dolby digital with sonos ARC? I have to unplug the HDMI maybe 2 a month...

      Airgetlam
      Airgetlam
      February 1, 2025

      Not that affects my two setups….

      Bruce
      billiejoe87
      Chromatic Producer I
      February 1, 2025

      Hi ​@billiejoe87 

      While I do understand your request, there is a very good reason for us not doing so:

      Say we had a HDMI passthrough port some time ago, but it was only capable of handling HD signals. To make use of your Apple TV 4K, you would have had to upgrade the TV, the Apple TV and the soundbar! And, if our next soundbar had 4K HDMI passthrough, and then in a few years you wanted to upgrade to 8K or 16K, you would again need to upgrade your soundbar just to get a better picture!

      Although you need an extra HDMI port on your TV to use it, I think it makes far more sense to use the HDMI-ARC/eARC standards and not have to upgrade your audio system when you want a better picture than your last TV could provide.

      I hope this helps.


      With all due respect (as this isn’t directed at you personally) if that is Sonos justification, it’s garbage.

      All your main competitors have the passthrough and many reviewers dock your soundbars points for not having it. Were Sonos Arc & Beam not so synonymous with the word “dropout” online then maybe eARC would work, it however doesn’t for a lot of us.

      HDMI passthrough is an option by the way. No-one would have to upgrade anything if the device they wanted to use was too fully featured for it, just not use it. All you are doing is denying the option to those who want it. I’d press however that LG have had HDMI 2.1 on TV’s for over 5 years now. The HDMI standards don’t change that often & I believe you guys only commit to 5 years of updates once a product is no longer for sale anyway.

      1 x Arc, 1 x Beam Gen 2, 1 x Amp, 2 x Sonos In Ceiling Speakers, 2 x Sub, 4 x Sonos Ones, 2 x Sonos Era 100, 5 x Symfonisk Lamp (Gen 2)
      Corry P
      Corry P
      Sonos Staff
      February 6, 2025

      Hi ​@billiejoe87 

      It is my own explanation - I don’t know if we have an official one. 

      Our 5 year promise is a promise of at least 5 years of software support. Technically, we still release the occasional update for our very first products, so are currently looking at ~15 years of updates for existing products so far. For example, Playbar and Playbase received support for DTS audio long after neither were available for sale.

      "Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein
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