Skip to main content
GuitarSuperstar
Lead Maestro
Apr 4, 2023 5:50 AM UTC
Answered

Surround Audio setting doesn’t change surround levels on Era 300s

@Corry P Some Reddit users noticed that the Surround Audio TV Level setting doesn’t actually change the rear surround levels on the Era 300s. So I decided to test it for myself.

When playing a Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 Test Tones video and a DTS 7.1 Sound Check video, the TV Level setting has no affect on the levels of the rear surround channels. It only changes the side surround levels.

When playing a Dolby Atmos 5.1.4 Test Tones video, the TV Level setting has no affect on the levels of both surround channels. BUT when playing a DTS 5.1 Sound Check video, the TV Level setting DOES change the levels of the two surround channels.

NOTE: The DTS audio is being played as Multichannel PCM from a Blu-ray player.

Is this a bug in the software?

    This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.
    Corry P
    Corry PAnswer
    Sonos Staff
    Jul 27, 2023 8:56 AM UTC

    Hi @GuitarSuperstar et al

    We now consider this issue to be resolved. If you continue to see this issue, please ensure your Sonos system is up to date, then get in touch with our technical support team for assistance.

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

    33 replies

    Show previous replies
    Corry P
    Corry P
    Sonos Staff
    Jun 8, 2023 11:34 AM UTC

    Hi @GuitarSuperstar 

    The best thing would be to troubleshoot with our agents, and if they can’t help, eventually get the case escalated.

    Neither diagnostic reports indicated anything wrong, and my colleague was not able to reproduce the problem. He thinks what you experience may be more to do with the Arc than with the Eras. Therefore, removing the surrounds and adding again may help, or perhaps a reset of the Arc.

    And no, this is not by design.

    I hope this helps.

     

    Translate
    "Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein
    sanan
    Lyricist I
    Jun 9, 2023 11:53 AM UTC

     

    Which test tones are you currently utilizing? I experimented with an MKV file, but I observed that the upward-firing speakers remain silent, and the inner drivers of both my Era speakers do not produce any sound either. Despite removing them as surround speakers and replaying the audio, the issue persists. I am beginning to question whether the audio file is corrupted or if it is simply unsuitable for testing with the Era speakers. I am interested in exploring an alternative audio source to troubleshoot this matter further.

    Translate
    GuitarSuperstarAuthor
    Lead Maestro
    Jun 9, 2023 7:00 PM UTC

     

    Which test tones are you currently utilizing? I experimented with an MKV file, but I observed that the upward-firing speakers remain silent, and the inner drivers of both my Era speakers do not produce any sound either. Despite removing them as surround speakers and replaying the audio, the issue persists. I am beginning to question whether the audio file is corrupted or if it is simply unsuitable for testing with the Era speakers. I am interested in exploring an alternative audio source to troubleshoot this matter further.

    I am using a 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos Test Tones video from a Dolby Atmos Blu-ray demo disc. But it is also available here to download:

    https://download.dolby.com/us/en/test-tones/dolby-test-tones_7_1_4.mp4

    If you have an iPhone and an Apple TV 4K, you can AirPlay this video from your iPhone to the Apple TV and it will play in Dolby Atmos. Or you can download the file onto a USB flash drive and plug it into your TV. Just confirm that it is playing in Dolby Atmos in the Sonos app.

     

    Translate
    "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
    GuitarSuperstarAuthor
    Lead Maestro
    Jun 18, 2023 7:02 AM UTC

    Hi @GuitarSuperstar 

    The best thing would be to troubleshoot with our agents, and if they can’t help, eventually get the case escalated.

    Neither diagnostic reports indicated anything wrong, and my colleague was not able to reproduce the problem. He thinks what you experience may be more to do with the Arc than with the Eras. Therefore, removing the surrounds and adding again may help, or perhaps a reset of the Arc.

    And no, this is not by design.

    I hope this helps.

     

    @Corry P Can you ask your colleague to watch this video that explains the problem in detail?

     

    Translate
    "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
    Corry P
    Corry P
    Sonos Staff
    Jul 4, 2023 1:14 PM UTC

    Hi @GuitarSuperstar 

    Thanks! I have done so, and he has created an investigatory ticket.

    Translate
    "Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein
      jimmyzh3ng
      Contributor I
      Jul 9, 2023 3:11 AM UTC

      I have the same issue, surround volume adjuster only changes the volume of the surrounds for the 300’s, not the rears.

      Translate
      GuitarSuperstarAuthor
      Lead Maestro
      Jul 25, 2023 5:37 PM UTC

      I was personally notified by a Sonos Technical Support Engineer today that the 15.6 update has fixed the Surround Audio slider/inside driver level issue on the Era 300s. I have not been able to test this myself yet, but I will later tonight when I have the opportunity.

      For those of you who are using Era 300s as surrounds, let us know if the 15.6 update has fixed this issue for you.

      Translate
      "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
        TheFlyingTimTam
        Lyricist I
        Jul 26, 2023 3:05 PM UTC

        It would be also quite interesting to see how they perform when it comes to 5.1 (with side surrounds) and stereo music. Will the inner drivers also be used for these cases, or are they still only using the outer drivers?

        Translate
        GuitarSuperstarAuthor
        Lead Maestro
        Jul 26, 2023 3:16 PM UTC

        It would be also quite interesting to see how they perform when it comes to 5.1 (with side surrounds) and stereo music. Will the inner drivers also be used for these cases, or are they still only using the outer drivers?

        When playing 5.1 audio, both the outside and inside drivers are used to play surround audio.

        Translate
        "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
        TheFlyingTimTam
        Lyricist I
        Jul 26, 2023 3:19 PM UTC

        It would be also quite interesting to see how they perform when it comes to 5.1 (with side surrounds) and stereo music. Will the inner drivers also be used for these cases, or are they still only using the outer drivers?

        When playing 5.1 audio, both the outside and inside drivers are used to play surround audio.

        Thanks mate for your fast reply! I really appreciate it because this was one of the main reasons I returned my units. Since my living room is not perfectly shaped for sound to bounce of the side walls, I really like this change! 

         

        I guess it’s time to rethink my decision about the Era 300s 😊

        Translate
        Show more replies
        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement