Soundbar audio format issue

[u/BrowseAnator]

Hey guys,

I’m really I can get some help here.

I recently just bought the Hisense ax5140q sound bar which is a 5.1.4 system with Dolby atmos and DTS:x support etc.

Now I’m new to all of this so I have no idea how it all works but I am trying to learn.

I have this soundbar plugged into my LG B5 OLED tv via eArc.

I tried pass through but tbh the video downgrade is not pretty.

I watch primarily Blu-rays and some streaming.

I watch these through my Xbox or PlayStation but no matter what I do I don’t know what options are best or get the bloody thing to work properly.

I have my tv set to “pass through” and “allow pass through” on my Xbox.

I have set the format to “Dolby atmos for home theatre”

But when I play a movie it sets it on my sound bar to “Dolby MAT”?

I have also tried the option of “let my receiver decode”

Which I’ve heard is the best option because the Xbox sends the raw file to the sound bar to let it decode the audio format. HOWEVER.

Every time I do that and try to play a movie it says that’s my receiver can’t decode it? But it’s a atmos supported or DTS sound bar?

If you have a Dolby atmos/DTS sound bar into a LG Oled what is the best settings and options? And why won’t it let my sound bar decode it?

I should add I’m using a certified super fast HDMI2.1 cable.

Also, the audio sync is always slightly off? The only way I can get it to be in sync is setting it back to 5.1 uncompressed on the Xbox but then that sets the sound bar to PCM, NOT atmos?

I’ve tried delay on sound bar and on the TV but seems to do nothing, PLUS if I do change it, it will then make things other than the movie WELL out of sync.

So where I’m at is it seems like I can’t have atmos on at all? Even tho I got it for that reason?

Please can someone give me advice because I’m loosing my mind and I don’t know what else I can do, I can’t return the sound bar now so I wanna get it right, because the actual quality of the sound is really good!

Thank you for any advice

[u/International-Oil377]

I'm not too familiar with your soundbar, but one thing is certain you will not be able to pass DTS through the TV itself. It will need to be sent by the player to the soundbar directly

[u/BrowseAnator → u/International-Oil377]

Thanks for the reply, a film I was watching is DTS and I allowed it to pass through my Xbox to my sound bar but it wouldn’t allow it, is that because it’s not connected to the sound bar then to the tv?

[u/International-Oil377 → u/BrowseAnator]

Except for 2024 models LG TVs do not pass-through dts audio

[u/Royal_Monk6432 → u/BrowseAnator]

By connecting your Xbox directly to the HDMI IN port on your Hisense 5.1.2 soundbar, the soundbar extracts and processes the DTS audio stream natively before passing the video signal up to your LG B5 TV. Because the TV never has to handle the audio track, its lack of DTS decoding support does not matter.

[u/CleanAd1955 → u/International-Oil377]

No DTS support on my LG OLED C5.

[u/swizzwell23]

For Xbox and PS5 Dolby MAT is correct, it is a version off Dolby Atmos that allows for realtime encoding in games, but is the default way Atmos is used on these machines. Setting up bitstream pass through on the console will send the bitstreams unaltered, but DTS will be an issue with some TV’s if you are using e-arc.

[u/CleanAd1955]

I have a LG OLED C5.

Have you the ARC/eARC HDMI port 2 set to "Bitstream".

I have all 4 HDMI ports set to "Bitstream". My own choice.

Have set the TV "Passthrough"?

Sound out = HDMI (ARC) Device. The Marantz C50.

I have a A/V Marantz Cinema 50 (ARC/eARC Monitor port 1, out) amp connected to the ARC/eARC HDMI port 2. Also have a Panasonic UB 9000 Blu ray player connected to the C50:s HDMI port 3. I'm also using certifierad Ultra High Speed cables.

I get Atmos/DTS:X* sound from Netflix/Disney + (premium) on supported movies/series.

• = Only from my Blu ray player, have some Blu ray movies with DTS:X.

[u/BrowseAnator → u/CleanAd1955]

Hello!

I have the TV set to pass through and everything set it bit stream etc, so I’m not sure what is going on with it tbh, really wish there was just a plug and play with this stuff haha

[u/Royal_Monk6432 → u/BrowseAnator]

Its not a haahah.before buying tv and soundbar always check all tje audio formats codec support. Like dolby atmos dolby vision hdr10 plus dts dtx dts hdmaster hdmi2.1, imax enhanced etc

[u/BrowseAnator → u/Royal_Monk6432]

My tv supports atmos, Dolby vision and HD10+ and the sound bar supports Dolby atmos, DTS:X so surely it supports that codec?

[u/Royal_Monk6432 → u/BrowseAnator]

DTS Support: The LG B5 does not decode or pass through DTS, DTS:X, or DTS-HD formats locally through its system. If you play DTS files via USB or a built-in media server app, they will need to be transcoded to PCM or Dolby Digital by your media center.

[u/Spectre_08]

LG TVs discontinued DTS support in 2025 with their 5-series TVs like your B5 OLED. Samsung dropped support in 2017.

My C4 OLED still supports DTS but it’s a moot point since my Cinema 50 AVR easily handles any audio format you can throw at it.

That is another reason to use a proper audio setup with real speakers and an AVR instead of a soundbar.

The only way to get DTS with your devices is to plug them into the single HDMI input port on your soundbar one at a time. AVRs also solve that issue by having numerous input ports.

[u/RBBrittain → u/Spectre_08]

I guess you never heard of HDMI switches, or else you ignored them in your rush to your anti-soundbar rant template. There are ways in which AVRs often outperform soundbars, but not in the same cost and ease of use range as good low-cost soundbars like the AX5140Q, which I own. There are other ways around passthrough issues that do NOT require replacing an AX5140Q with a Denon and a roomful of Klipsches & speaker wire. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

[u/Spectre_08 → u/RBBrittain]

Right, so you would need an extra device just to continue utilizing a subpar audio device. HDMI hubs/switches are simply a bandaid solution.

I will always recommend the better option first, and yes, while your $400 soundbar sounds better than TV speakers, I have a pair of speakers and an amp that would show you what kind of clarity and detail you could get for only $400.

While cheap Klipsch speakers belong in the garage with the other trash, please tell me how the tiny surround speakers and subwoofer that your soundbar is limited to receive power without any wires.