Very poor sound quality on speech

[Madgreek22]

We have been having this problem for some time now and considering leaving Sky.

The volume and coherence of sound, particularly verbal, is so poor that we can't watch some programmes.

[Madgreek22]

This is happening on Sky movies and Sky Atlantic as well as other channels.

[Mark39]

Check that your Sky box's Digital Audio Output - HDMI setting is 'Normal not 'DolbyD' and that all sound processing effects in your TV settings are turned off.

The volume output level from Sky+HD has always been on the low side, but that should be easily overcome by turning up the volume on your TV to compensate. There haven't been any other reports here of problems with clarity so I suspect that's an issue with your equipment settings.

[TimmyBGood]

@Madgreek22 

Adding a soundbar (or better) instead of relying on tiny rear-facing television speakers makes a huge difference to comprehensibility: increasingly audio is mixed by the content creators in expectation of outputting dialogue through a centre speaker, and voices get mangled when sent to left and right only.

[Madgreek22]

@TimmyBGood 
Thanks, but I have a top of the range Bose sound system installed.  
Terrestrial television, Netflix and Amazon prime all have perfect sound quality.

[Madgreek22]

@Mark39 

Thanks Mark, but what you say is incorrect.

There are many posts on here with similar problems.

My settings are as you have suggested.

I have a top of the range Bose sound system installed.  
Terrestrial television, Netflix and Amazon prime all have perfect sound quality.

[Mark39]

Lots of posts about low volume, yes, as I acknowledged. But not about indistinct sound. Shame you didn't mention your setup in your original post.

[Normal+person]

I have seen a number of posts about sky sound quality  and am glad it's not just me but upset that 

sky don't seem interested in sorting it out.

sky Atlantic is particularly bad,  voices are whisper quiet and rest of the sound is loud but muffled.

It is not the tv as Netflix and prime and freeveiw are all fine.   Whilst you can happily watch cbs on volume 10 move to Atlantic and you need to be in the 50's and then is just load distorted sound and you still can't hear dialog..

silly question but is this ever going to be sorted as I have now turned off a number of shows as they are unwatchable. I'm on the  hd+ plus box.

[Madgreek22]

I totally agree with you and have identical problems.

[casa123]

Really muffled sound quality watching Sharp Objects on Demand on Sky Atlantic. Completely ruining our viewing experience. What can be done to resolve this? Having googled the problem, it seems we're far from alone on this...

[TimmyBGood · Accepted solution]

@Madgreek22 

Adding a soundbar is often a good option, as even cheap ones should give a left, right and centre output.  Increasingly, television audio is mixed in such a way that tradition L/R TV speakers cannot cope adequately.

[casa123]

Thanks for your suggestion but having done a bit of googling it appears that many other people have similar issues with Sky Atlantic so rather than me spending hundreds on a potentially unneccessary soundbar, might it be more appropriate for Sky to do some investigating?  The sound quality when watching Sharp Objects downloaded from Sky Atlantic was awful and became increasingly muffled the louder the volume.

Over to Sky for some good, old-fashioned customer service. 

[Annie+UK]

Some modern TVs have audio settings to enhance speech, have you checked the TVs user guide to see what is available?

[Mark39]

@casa123 bear in mind that many programmes on Sky Atlantic originate from the US, and Sky may not have any involvement in the way they're shot. I remember similar issues were raised in relation to 'Westworld' aired earlier in the year. It was OK (just) on my audio setup.

[casa123]

Thanks Annie, I've just tried that. It is marginally better, but still muffled. I guess if the soundtrack is not up to scratch, no amount of tinkering my end will resolve it!