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MarkArpe
Contributor I
November 16, 2024
Answered

tv sound level

I use a Sonos Beam and notice significant differences in volume when switching between channels. Is there a way to set a general output level to avoid these variations?

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Corry P
Corry PAnswer
Sonos Staff
November 18, 2024

Hi ​@MarkArpe 

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

In short, no.

There are multiple ways to level disparate sources to sound like they are the same volume, but when the entire sound track is not available at once for a peak volume search, then the only way to do so is to dynamically adjust the volume according to what is heard at any particular moment. The result of this is distracting and, to us, not at all acceptable - as it significantly alters the incoming feed, we opt not to do so. It really is better to adjust the volume manually.

Moreover, it is probably more than just when you change channels - I would not be surprised to hear if you needed to adjust the volume for each different show too - I certainly find myself doing so, and I did do long before I ever had a Sonos setup.

It’s possible that you will hear an improvement in this respect if you instruct whichever device is tuning into the channels to output only PCM audio (assuming it is not the TV), but that would restrict you to only receiving stereo audio from that device.

I hope this helps.

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

spbonzo
Contributor I
November 18, 2024

No. I suffered from exactly the same issue with a new Beam Gen 2. Ridiculous variations in volume between sources (terrestrial and apps) and even within movies. Contacted Sonos, reset the device twice, changed cable and various settings but no joy. Completely unusable unless you like changing volume every 3-4 minutes.

I’ve replaced it with a Bose alternative and all is fine.

Corry P
Corry PAnswer
Sonos Staff
November 18, 2024

Hi ​@MarkArpe 

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

In short, no.

There are multiple ways to level disparate sources to sound like they are the same volume, but when the entire sound track is not available at once for a peak volume search, then the only way to do so is to dynamically adjust the volume according to what is heard at any particular moment. The result of this is distracting and, to us, not at all acceptable - as it significantly alters the incoming feed, we opt not to do so. It really is better to adjust the volume manually.

Moreover, it is probably more than just when you change channels - I would not be surprised to hear if you needed to adjust the volume for each different show too - I certainly find myself doing so, and I did do long before I ever had a Sonos setup.

It’s possible that you will hear an improvement in this respect if you instruct whichever device is tuning into the channels to output only PCM audio (assuming it is not the TV), but that would restrict you to only receiving stereo audio from that device.

I hope this helps.

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