Knowing how to connect Sonos Arc to PS5 correctly can make a major difference in game audio, dialogue clarity, and surround sound performance.
The setup is simple once you understand which HDMI ports and audio settings actually matter.
Why the Sonos Arc and PS5 Pair Well
The Sonos Arc is a Dolby Atmos soundbar designed for TV-based home theater setups, while the PlayStation 5 supports high-quality audio output through HDMI.
When connected properly, the system can deliver immersive positional sound, strong dialogue, and a cleaner setup than a traditional AV receiver.
The key detail is that the Sonos Arc does not connect directly to the PS5 as a standalone audio device.
Instead, it works through your TV’s HDMI ARC or eARC port, which passes audio from the PS5 to the soundbar.
What You Need Before You Start
Before setting up the system, confirm that your equipment supports the right audio path.
- Sonos Arc connected to a TV with HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC
- PlayStation 5 connected to the TV via HDMI
- High-speed HDMI cable for the PS5-to-TV connection
- HDMI ARC/eARC port on the TV for the Sonos Arc
If your TV has only HDMI ARC, the setup will still work for most users.
If it has HDMI eARC, you may get better support for higher-quality audio formats and more reliable passthrough.
How to Connect Sonos Arc to PS5
Step 1: Connect the Sonos Arc to the TV
Plug the Sonos Arc into the TV’s HDMI ARC or eARC port using the HDMI cable that came with the soundbar.
On many televisions, this port is labeled ARC, eARC, or HDMI IN (ARC).
Make sure the soundbar is powered on and added to your Sonos app.
If this is a new setup, follow the app’s instructions to complete the initial configuration before changing console settings.
Step 2: Connect the PS5 to the TV
Connect the PS5 directly to another HDMI input on the TV using the HDMI cable included with the console.
Do not connect the PS5 to the Sonos Arc, because the soundbar is not meant to be used as a pass-through HDMI hub for the console.
Use the TV’s highest-bandwidth HDMI port if your television has multiple options.
This is especially important if your TV supports 4K at 120Hz, variable refresh rate, or other gaming features.
Step 3: Enable the TV’s ARC or eARC setting
Open your TV’s settings and enable HDMI ARC or eARC, depending on the model.
Some TVs require you to turn on external speaker output, digital audio output, or CEC control for ARC to function correctly.
The exact names vary by brand, but look for settings related to:
- HDMI ARC or eARC
- CEC, Anynet+, Simplink, Bravia Sync, or VIERA Link
- Audio output to external speakers
- Digital audio format: Auto, Bitstream, or Passthrough
Best PS5 Audio Settings for Sonos Arc
Once the hardware is connected, the PS5 audio menu needs to be configured for the best results.
These settings help the console send the right format to the TV and soundbar.
Recommended PS5 settings
- Settings > Sound > Audio Output
- Output Device: HDMI Device (TV)
- HDMI Device Type: AV Amplifier if your TV passes multichannel audio correctly, or TV if that is the more stable option for your setup
- Number of Channels: 5.1 or 7.1 if available through your TV and Sonos configuration
- Audio Format Priority: Linear PCM for general stability, or Dolby Audio / Dolby Atmos if your TV and app support the path properly
For many setups, Dolby Atmos is the most attractive option because the Sonos Arc is built for spatial audio.
However, some TVs handle PCM more reliably, while others pass Dolby formats more cleanly.
If you hear audio issues, test both PCM and Dolby output to see which performs better on your specific television.
Should you use Dolby Atmos on PS5?
Yes, if your TV supports it well.
Dolby Atmos can improve immersion in supported games and movies, especially in scenes with height effects, directional sound, and detailed environmental audio.
That said, Atmos depends on the TV’s passthrough capability and the app or game’s audio format support.
If you primarily play games that rely on fast positional cues, you may prefer the most stable output format over the most advanced one.
Consistency often matters more than theoretical format support.
How to Set Up Sonos Arc in the Sonos App
The Sonos app plays an important role in confirming that the soundbar is correctly recognized and configured.
- Open the Sonos app on your phone or tablet
- Confirm that Sonos Arc appears as your living room or home theater speaker
- Check TV input settings inside the app
- Run any available audio calibration or room tuning features, such as Trueplay if supported by your device
If the app reports a TV audio issue, the problem is usually with the HDMI ARC/eARC connection, the TV audio format, or the CEC setting rather than the PS5 itself.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
No sound from the Sonos Arc?
If the soundbar stays silent, start with the TV connection.
Confirm that the Sonos Arc is plugged into the ARC/eARC port, not a standard HDMI input.
Then check that the TV is set to external speakers and that HDMI-CEC is enabled.
Also verify that the PS5 is outputting audio through HDMI and that the TV volume is not muted or routed to internal speakers.
Audio delay or lip sync issues?
Audio delay usually comes from the television rather than the PS5 or Sonos Arc.
Many TVs offer an audio delay, lip sync, or AV sync setting that can reduce the mismatch between picture and sound.
If the delay persists, test a different HDMI port on the TV, switch between PCM and Dolby audio, and make sure any gaming or picture processing modes are not adding extra latency.
Dolby Atmos not showing up?
If Atmos is unavailable, the most common causes are:
- Your TV does not support Dolby Atmos passthrough
- eARC is disabled
- The PS5 audio output is set to an incompatible format
- The content you are testing does not actually include Atmos
Check the TV manual for supported audio passthrough formats and confirm that the Sonos Arc is receiving a Dolby signal in the Sonos app.
Game sound works, but dialogue feels weak?
Dialogue problems can happen when the TV or PS5 is sending an audio format your setup does not handle well.
Switching from surround output to a simpler format can make speech clearer.
You can also check whether your TV has a dialogue enhancement, night mode, or center-channel boost setting.
These features vary by manufacturer but can improve voice intelligibility in games and streaming apps.
Best TV Features to Look For
If you are still choosing a television, the most useful features for a Sonos Arc and PS5 setup are straightforward.
- HDMI eARC for better audio passthrough
- HDMI 2.1 for PS5 gaming features such as 4K 120Hz
- CEC support for easier volume and power control
- Dolby Atmos passthrough for immersive audio
- Low-latency gaming mode for reduced input lag
These features help the PS5 and Sonos Arc work together without complicated adapters or extra equipment.
When an HDMI Switch or Adapter Makes Sense
Most users should connect the PS5 directly to the TV and let the TV handle audio passthrough to the Sonos Arc.
However, an HDMI switch or extractor may be useful if your TV has too few HDMI ports or lacks reliable passthrough support.
Be cautious with audio extractors, because many can limit 4K120 support, VRR, or Dolby Atmos compatibility.
If your TV already supports ARC or eARC, that is usually the cleanest and most future-proof solution.
Simple Setup Checklist
- Connect Sonos Arc to the TV’s HDMI ARC or eARC port
- Connect PS5 to a separate HDMI input on the TV
- Enable ARC, eARC, and HDMI-CEC in the TV settings
- Set PS5 audio output to HDMI and test PCM or Dolby formats
- Confirm the Sonos Arc is recognized in the Sonos app
- Adjust TV audio sync if needed
Once these steps are complete, your PS5 should send game audio through the TV to the Sonos Arc with minimal fuss and strong performance across games, streaming apps, and Blu-ray playback.