You Asked: Why are streaming ads so loud? Do HDMI cables matter?

On today’s episode of You Asked: Will Sony’s theater quad speaker system work in an untraditional setup? When should you actually pay more for HDMI cables? Why’s your TV volume all over the place when streaming?

Why Your Streaming Volume Keeps Jumping Around

Alan Garth asks: I’m running Hulu Live TV through a 4K Max Fire TV box. Everything with the audio is fine until an ad comes on. I fast forward through the ad. Then the audio is lower to the point I have to turn it way up to hear. Then, when another ad comes on, it blasts me out of the room. Is there a setting on my Samsung Smart TV that I need to change?

The issue here is a dirty trick Hulu can get away with because they aren’t traditional, cable TV.

See, back in 2010, a federal law was passed here in the U.S. called the CALM Act. It stands for Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act. As you’d expect by the name, it requires TV commercials to have the same loudness as the programming it’s placed in. The thing is… it only applies to broadcast, cable and satellite providers.

Hulu, and I imagine others that have paid plans with ads, being a non-traditional provider, can get around that act. And you better believe advertisers want their content to grab your attention by any means necessary. So… Those volume spikes that the Calm Act prevents on traditional television gets ignored elsewhere. It’s less than ideal.

But… I think there is a workaround with your 4K Max Fire TV to level the volume. I think the way to go is look up the Settings menu, then Display and Sound, then Audio, followed by Advanced Audio. Then look for the Volume Leveler. Hopefully that fixes the issue for you.

I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention that just last month, October 2025, the state of California and Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill that will mirror what the CALM Act does with streaming services. So… Alan… if you’re in California, help is on the way. And if you’re not, it’s probably still on the way since what happens there often becomes a national trend as well.

Will Sony’s Theater Quad System Work in an Oddly Shaped Room?

Mike asks: I want to upgrade my TV setup. I want to buy the Sony Bravia 8 Mark II, and I’m really hesitating about which audio system to pair it with. I’m very interested in the Sony Quad speakers, but my living room layout is unusual. I’ve attached a photo of the speaker placement I’m planning. Could you tell me if it looks OK? I’m a little worried because the TV won’t be centered between the two front speakers. Could you tell me what you think? And would a classic soundbar system, for example, the Sonos Arc Ultra under my TV with a subwoofer and Era 300 speakers at the rear, be more suitable?

Great question Mike. I think we can get you pointed in the right direction.

First off… both Sonos Arc Ultra and Sony Bravia Theater Quad systems you’re considering are top notch choices that you will love. However, I do think you’d find Sony’s Quad speakers to be the better choice here BECAUSE of your unusual setup. To me, that’s the exact reason this quad exists.

The four speakers and the way they’re built to output sound are perfect for unorthodox setups, especially when using Sony’s 360 spatial sound mapping. Basically, you’ll see the four speakers where you need them to be based on your setup. And then through the app, you’ll run the sound mapping setup. Each speaker will take turns playing a loud sound that allows the system to map out the room and speaker placement to provide the best surround sound experience.

It’s actually really impressive technology. But furthermore, in our last studio, we also had an unorthodox setup in terms of where the speakers could be placed. At times, one was placed on a bookshelf at different levels, sometimes on top, sometimes on a shelf. Another was a shelf of a different height under the stairs. And a few floated around the TV in various areas.

But any way we placed them, it still sounded great every time once mapped. Once you throw the TV in the mix, regardless of the front speakers’ proximity to it, I’m pretty sure it’ll be able to accurately use the TV audio as a center channel as intended.

Also, looking at your setup, I think physically, the Sony Quad system works better for your space too. A soundbar might be an awkward fit up there with the TV, but thinner Sony speakers might fit better and look better overall. Even behind the couch, I think the thicker profile of the Era 300’s might stand out more than you want it too.

Do HDMI Cables Really Matter?

Oscar Valencia asks: Do HDMI cables really make a difference? I ask because I own two monster HDMI cables, and one is giving me problems. So should I go and buy a high-end cable? I use it for gaming and watching movies with a projector.

To answer the first part of your question… Yes, HDMI cables make a difference, but only to a certain extent. Do not overpay for them. This isn’t always a “you get what you pay for” situation where a higher price tag means better performance.

To be safe, look for cables that are certified as Premium, which means they are licensed to pass 4K content. Monoprice is a good starting point for fairly priced cables, and last time I looked at their website, they were running a really good sale. Like… So good that you might pay more for shipping than the actual HDMI cable, and they have a good return policy.

And I bring up the return policy because they’re cables. Things happen. If it happens soon after receiving them, great, you’re covered. And in the case of Monoprice, if you don’t overpay for the cable, you don’t, like under 20 dollars, you don’t feel as bad when you need to replace them.

That’s the approach I take for basic monitor or TV connections to Blu-Ray players or things that don’t necessarily demand the highest speeds or performance. I will say that for my PlayStation 5, after moving and misplacing the original HDMI 2.1 cable that came with it, I sprung for one that was officially licensed by PlayStation. I think I paid about 40 dollars for it, which I probably shouldn’t have, but if seeing something more official gives you peace of mind, there’s that. And for what it’s worth, it’s been excellent and held up for years.

I think the only other time I’d pay up is if the cable comes with a specific feature. Sometimes you need a right angle connection at one end of the cable if it makes plugging it in easier. Some cables are also rated for specific environments like running through walls or along ceilings.

If you need to cover longer distances, I’d look into an optical HDMI cable. It uses light pulses transmitted through glass or plastic fibers to send video and audio signals, whereas traditional HDMI cables use copper. It helps the signal hold up over longer distances. They’re typically used in larger buildings and stadiums, but, if your home has unique demands and you don’t wanna take any chances, that’s when it’s worth spending a bit more.

Either way, Monoprice or Amazon or somewhere with a decent return policy is your friend in this case. Just don’t fall for the “ultra, super fast” hype you see from some brands that wanna charge you $60 for a cable under 10 feet.