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Theater audio formats - Explained & best options

  • January 4, 2026
  • 5 replies
  • 91 views
A

I have two  Sono​​​s sound bars a Ray and ​​​​Beam V2 and I understand the Ray has limited audio options and is showing Dolby Digital 5.1. What I’d like to understand is what formats should be showing for my Beam v2 and what's the best option?

I think I used to see Dolby Atmos when using my Netflix Premium account which I no longer have so not expecting to see this any more.

It is showing Dolby Multichannel PCM 5.1 is PCM good or bad I’m sure I’ve seen Dolby Digital Multichannel 5.1. or Dolby Digital Plus 5.1.

 

So which is the best option Dolby Digital Plus 5.1, Dolby Multichannel 5.1 or Dolby Multichannel PCM 5.1

I was trying to test Atmos using Youtube test clips but Dolby Atmos was never displayed.

 

The formats listed by Sonos do not tally with what is shown in the app:

  • Dolby Digital Plus
  • Dolby Atmos (Dolby Digital Plus)
  • Dolby Atmos*
  • Dolby TrueHD*
  • Dolby Atmos (True HD)*
  • Multichannel PCM*
  • Dolby Multichannel PCM*

TV in question is Samsung connected using HDMI Arc & Digital

Best answer by Stanley_4

The ARC connection limits the sound formats compared to eARC so you won't see the highest quality Atmos.

If you want to test Atmos you first need a service or source that will stream you Atmos. Depending on the service/source the quality available will vary. Many like YouTube are very misleading, aka full of it.

Once you have a service search for "Dolby Labs" and use the test tracks they have made available.

The support section has some decent Atmos information. 

5 replies

106rallye
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  • 106rallye
  • January 4, 2026

YouTube is stereo only, uploaded video gets downsized to stereo. A test with YouTube will not show you anything worthwhile. Anything 5.1 will be giving you surround. What is “best” is up to you.

What are the sound settings on your TV?

    Stanley_4
    • Stanley_4
    • Lead Maestro
    • Answer
    • January 4, 2026

    The ARC connection limits the sound formats compared to eARC so you won't see the highest quality Atmos.

    If you want to test Atmos you first need a service or source that will stream you Atmos. Depending on the service/source the quality available will vary. Many like YouTube are very misleading, aka full of it.

    Once you have a service search for "Dolby Labs" and use the test tracks they have made available.

    The support section has some decent Atmos information. 

    AjTrek1
    • AjTrek1
    • January 4, 2026

    Below is a link you may find useful to answer your question. However, as has been what is best is up to you.

    Note: The link is an AI Generated synopsis.

    https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Dolby+Digital+Plus+5.1+vs+Dolby+Multichannel+5.1+vs+Dolby+Multichannel+PCM+5.1&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

     

     

    Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
    U
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    • User117655
    • Prodigy I
    • January 4, 2026

    ARC can transmit Dolby Atmos, as in everything though hardware dependent, but most streaming services tend towards DD+:

    'HDMI ARC supports Dolby Atmos, but primarily the compressed Dolby Digital Plus version used by streaming services; for lossless Dolby TrueHD Atmos, you need the higher bandwidth of HDMI eARC, which is recommended for the best quality, though many modern TVs and devices can deliver Atmos via standard ARC.'

    There is a confirming thread on Reddit too with some additional information:

    https://www.reddit.com/r/Soundbars/comments/w4424t/can_i_get_dolby_atmos_through_arc_and_not_earc/

    106rallye
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    • 106rallye
    • January 5, 2026

    Indeed, but DD+ is a compressed stream. To be able to use an uncompressed stream (that might be perceived as having better quality) you need eARC - and then only if you use an Apple TV or BD-player. Apps on your TV almost all use DD+.

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