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Question

Volume Dialogue Fluctuates Between Cable Box and Streaming Apps BADLY

  • May 22, 2026
  • 10 replies
  • 36 views
V

I have a Sonas Arc Ultra Soundbar connected to a Sony - 65" Class BRAVIA 2 II LED 4K Tv.

Bottom Line Up Front:  Volume Dialogue Fluctuates Between Cable Box and Streaming Apps BADLY.  

I’m having trouble with the sound as it relates to the cable box (and certain shows on steaming apps).  When watching a game (NBA) for example (cable box), it sounds like the announcers are talking out of a tin can with barely any dialogue volume. However, when I watched a movie on a streaming app, it sounds better than a movie theater!

Not sure what I’m doing wrong, but I’d like consistency.

 

Can anyone help?

10 replies

106rallye
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  • 106rallye
  • May 22, 2026

What does the Sonos app say you are getting as a format when you like/don't like the sound? Stereo might sound worse than DD 5.1., so you might want to check the settings on your settop box.

    V
    • VAborn
    • Author
    • Contributor I
    • May 22, 2026

    What does the Sonos app say you are getting as a format when you like/don't like the sound? Stereo might sound worse than DD 5.1., so you might want to check the settings on your settop box.

    I checked the settings, it goes to “auto” based on what the source is. For example, ESPN sounds horrible on the soundbar :(

    AjTrek1
    • AjTrek1
    • May 22, 2026

    From what I understand per your post the issue is with the cable box. Who is your cable provider and have you contacted them regarding the issue? Also have you tried routing the cable box audio through the TV speakers instead of the Arc Ultra to see what the sound is like?

    Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
      K
      • kdowling
      • May 22, 2026

      When watching ESPN, what kind of audio does the Sonos app say the Arc Ultra is playing on the TV now playing screen? Also look in Settings → General Settings → About Your System, scroll down to your Arc Ultra and check “Audio In”.

        V
        • VAborn
        • Author
        • Contributor I
        • May 22, 2026

        From what I understand per your post the issue is with the cable box. Who is your cable provider and have you contacted them regarding the issue? Also have you tried routing the cable box audio through the TV speakers instead of the Arc Ultra to see what the sound is like?

        Vzn Fios and haven’t contacted them but I’ll give it a shot. Sadly, the tv speakers and the arc sound about the same (when watching cable tv).  Again, streaming is a different monster all together. It sounds AMAZING 

        K
        • kdowling
        • May 22, 2026

        My Sony is an older model (A80J) so the settings might not be the same, but mine is Settings → Display & Sound → Audio Output and make sure Pass Thru Mode is set to Auto.

        AjTrek1
        • AjTrek1
        • May 22, 2026

        From what I understand per your post the issue is with the cable box. Who is your cable provider and have you contacted them regarding the issue? Also have you tried routing the cable box audio through the TV speakers instead of the Arc Ultra to see what the sound is like?

        Vzn Fios and haven’t contacted them but I’ll give it a shot. Sadly, the tv speakers and the arc sound about the same (when watching cable tv).  Again, streaming is a different monster all together. It sounds AMAZING 

        OK… if the TV and Arc Ultra sound about the same…I’d lean toward Verizon as the orignating source. The Arc Ultra can only output what it receives. It can’t remix or cleanup the source material.

        Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
        V
        • VAborn
        • Author
        • Contributor I
        • May 22, 2026

        When watching ESPN, what kind of audio does the Sonos app say the Arc Ultra is playing on the TV now playing screen? Also look in Settings → General Settings → About Your System, scroll down to your Arc Ultra and check “Audio In”.

        It’s says “DOLBY MAT”

        V
        • VAborn
        • Author
        • Contributor I
        • May 22, 2026

        From what I understand per your post the issue is with the cable box. Who is your cable provider and have you contacted them regarding the issue? Also have you tried routing the cable box audio through the TV speakers instead of the Arc Ultra to see what the sound is like?

        Vzn Fios and haven’t contacted them but I’ll give it a shot. Sadly, the tv speakers and the arc sound about the same (when watching cable tv).  Again, streaming is a different monster all together. It sounds AMAZING 

        OK… if the TV and Arc Ultra sound about the same…I’d lean toward Verizon as the orignating source. The Arc Ultra can only output what it receives. It can’t remix or cleanup the source material.

        Do you think that a better HDMI cable will make a difference (FROM the cable box TO the tv)?

        Airgetlam
        • Airgetlam
        • May 22, 2026

        Just as a warning, DOLBY MAT is just the container for the audio, it doesn’t necessarily mean the content is any particular number of channels. It could be anything from mono to Atmos. Although there does seem to be a fairly high correlation (it doesn’t make financial/bandwidth sense to carry mono in a MAT stream), it isn’t 100%…as Apple has shown with their recent change to Apple TVs, and I’ve experienced in the past with ‘Dolby Digital’ carrier containing a stereo stream. 

        Bruce
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