Volume Dialogue Fluctuates Between Cable Box and Streaming Apps BADLY

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 :(

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?

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”.

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 

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.

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.

It’s says “DOLBY MAT”

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

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. 

​@VAborn You could try some other audio settings on the STB.

If it’s a generic cable that you can’t verify it’s quality it may be worth a shot. However read the following before spending your money.

Digital signals (1’s and 0’s) carried over an HDMI 2.1 cable either get to the receiving device or they don’t. They should not be compared to the old Analog RCA Audio cables wherein construction did make a difference.

Look for the HDMI certification labeling:

The factor that can make a difference is distance. Lengths exceeding 25ft can be suspect. However a longer cable is just what it is “longer” wherein some upgraded wires may be used like “platinum coated” which accounts for the higher price.

Below is an AI compilation (that for once is pretty accurate) regarding dollars to spend:

I hope the above answers your question.

Unless the cable is an antique it should be good, what is the label stamped on it?

Do you have another external source you can try? Firestick or Roku are available for around $20 if not.

Since you are transporting sound, not video, any HDMI 1.4 cable will do. The Sonos supplied cable is fine.

There will always be a difference is sound between sources.