Q930C center channel filtered/muffled

[montejuelz]

TV: LG G4

Soundbar: Samsung Q930C

I'm experiencing an issue with Dolby Atmos content on my setup where dialogue in the center channel sounds muffled, almost as if it’s only playing high frequencies. When I increase the volume to around 20-25, the dialogue briefly gets louder (almost like it’s hitting a distortion threshold), but it quickly drops back down. All other channels sound perfectly fine.

Details: eARC, passthrough, firmware 1004.

What I’ve tried so far: different HDMI cables, various sound modes, and firmware updates.

I also tested Netflix on my PS5 in 5.1 surround sound format, and I’m facing the same problem with the center channel there as well.

After reading through several threads on Reddit and other forums, I found that I’m not the only one with this issue. A couple of users mentioned that they managed to fix it by getting a replacement model through their service center, but I don’t have that option as there are no service centers nearby.

Is there anyone here who has found a way to resolve this issue? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Played the Dolby Atmos TrueHD 7.1.4 test via USB flash drive to check each channel separately. The problem is only with the center channel.

l've attached the video. https://youtube.com/shorts/LppJgTgZUTk?si=B2x7LzrZd27UdgtE

[MXEagles]

I am in the exact same boat, and what's more frustrating is the Samsung Service Centre can't reproduce the issue. I have sent them video of the issue from my end, so hopefully they can retest. 

I assume you don't have a solution? 

[andydedeckker]

I solved it +/- a month ago. I had the same frustrating problem for more than half a year.

You need to update the Firmware with the latest one you can download from the Samsung Support website. It 's version 1010.x. 
You can't update from 1004 to 1010 by the smartthings app. It just won't work.

After update, the problem is a lot better with hdmi and completely solved with wifi here.

[montejuelz]

A week ago I updated the soundbar via USB to version 1010. After I reset the soundbar to factory settings, the problem persisted. Muffled dialogs and distortion if you turn up the volume a lot.

Some thread advised to slightly hit the center speaker, I'll try it later 😹

[NafetsN]

Been dealing with the same for the last three months 😞 My MID 1 R, MID1 L and CT MID are noticeably muddy compared to everything else in the sound check mode (accessed by holding right on the remote for ~7 seconds while the soundbar is off):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMfMsgB4tjo

Wondering if the rest of you see the same thing there on your systems?

[montejuelz]

Hey, everybody. You may not believe me, but I think I managed to fix the center speaker.

Turned on dolby atm movie at the moment with dialogues, took the soundbar in my hands and began to hit in different directions in the center, then in a vertical position began to shake soundbar up and down. Dialogs are back to normal again!

I don't know how long this solution will last.

Now I'm sure that it's not a software bug.