Hey Guys,
I just got the Q950A and I am having trouble figuring out the best sound settings.
Usage:
My main usage will be gaming on the PS5 with the Sony X900H tv, but will also occasionally use it for streaming tv and movies. I do not have much experience with sound systems and between the sound settings on the TV, PS5, and Q950A along with certain combinations of these setting not working, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Setup:
I have my PS5 plugged into the HDMI 2.1 port on the X900H. The Q950A is plugged into the eArc HDMI port on the X900H.
Q950 Firmware Version: HW-Q950AWWB-1007.4.
Sub Module S/W Version: 57
Plugin Version: 2.2.102
Current Sony X900H Settings:
- A/V Sync: Off
- eARC Mode: Auto
- Digital Audio Out: Auto 1 (Output compressed without change).
- Pass Through Mode: Auto
Current PS5 Sound Settings:
- HDMI Device Type: AV Amplifier
- Channels: 7.1
- Audio Format: Linear PCM
Current Q950A Sound Settings:
- Sound Mode: Adaptive Sound
Question 1:
For the Digital Audio Out setting on the X900H, the other options are Auto 2 (“output only compressed audio for multi-channel content without change”) and PCM. I have read that PCM should only be used for stereo, but I wasn't sure if there would be any advantage in selecting Auto 2 (“output only compressed audio for multi-channel content without change”) over Auto 1 (“output compressed without change”).
Question 2:
For the HDMI Device Type on the PS5, is AV Amplifier the correct setting over “soundbar”? It was only the AV Amplifier option that had the channels input.
Question 3:
For the audio format on the PS5, I have read that Dolby and DTS does additional compression and thus could cause audio lag. This is why I have set it to Linear PCM. Can anyone confirm that this is the best setting to use for gaming? I have noticed that some of the Q950A sound modes do not work with 7.1 LPCM, which made me question if I should use a different audio format (See Question 4).
Question 4:
For the Q950A Sound Mode, I have noticed that there is no sound at all from the rear speakers when using the Standard sound mode with LPCM 7.1. Is this a bug? Furthermore, I found that the fronts of the rear speakers do not work, but the sides of the rear speakers do work, when selecting Game mode when using 7.1 LPCM. Is this another bug? However, if I witched to DTS or Dolby audio format on the PS5, both sides of the rear speakers do seem to work when using Game mode. Is there any advantage in using the Game sound mode over the other sound modes for gaming when it requires DTS or Dolby audio format on the PS5? Or would it be best to stick with LPCM with the Adaptive sound mode. I get sound from both sides of the rear speakers when selecting the Surround or Adaptive sound modes with LPCM 7.1. Is there any reason to use the Surround sound mode over the Adaptive sound mode?
I went through some of the previous posts (not all 109 pages though) and saw some posts regarding issues with some of the sound modes and LPCM. But some of these issues seem to be a bit different than what I am experiencing and I wasn't sure if things have changed with newer firmware.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.