Unimpressed by sound of Sonos Arc

Be sure to check for the silly. When you are not paying strict attention the TV might revert to TV sound and ARC is silent. Worse, both might be active, but ARC’s Volume is very low.

Check the audio format that ARC is receiving. I can imagine that some stereo programs (such as news commentary) will not sound much different. In my experience music channel quality on cable TV is too awful for words and nothing can improve it.

Many thanks. How would I “check audio format”…,? I’ve tried various live TV and streaming services with same effect. More worryingly, I now think sound is emanating from Arc. It’s just hopeless.

Set the TV to these settings (if available):

Digital Audio Out: Auto 1

Dolby Digital Plus Output: Dolby Digital Plus

Pass Through Mode: Auto

Also perform Trueplay tuning and adjust the EQ and Height Audio level to your liking in the Sonos app.

Then test a 5.1 or Dolby Atmos film from Netflix or Prime Video. The Now Playing screen on the Sonos app will display what audio format is currently playing.

Thanks. I’ll check those settings and try something as suggested. I guess I’m coming to the conclusion that this Soundbar (all of them) are no different to TV speakers for non DD+ viewing? Is that correct 

It depends on the audio performance of your TV’s internal speakers. But, in general, the Arc should sound better, even with stereo audio.

Thanks again. That’s what I thought, but it isn’t. With Sony speakers, wife had volume on 15. With Sonos, it had to be about 50? Not sure if that’s comparing like with like 

That volume setting number is pretty meaningless for comparisons, it is useful for helping you to quickly return to a previously set volume level.

You can likely get the Sonos displayed volume number to change (but no reason to) by fiddling the Sonos configuration settings for volume.

Thanks. I’m more disappointed with Arc performance in general. Ie indistinguishable from tv on most of the content my wife watches.

Hmmm...Remember a sound bar of any type performs best when viewing movies or OTA content with Dolby Digital, DTS and other high-end sound codec. The Arc should sound better even with a stereo broadcast by the mere fact that the speakers fire outward toward the listener vs downward firing as on most TV’s; unless yours are different. 

• Is your Arc sitting below your TV on a cabinet or is it wall mounted? 
• What are the room measurements (L x W x H (ceiling)?

Hi

Arc is sitting below TV on cabinet.

Room roughly 12 * 13 * 8 (ceiling)

Thanks