Sonos · 2021
Beam (Gen 2)
Soundbar
From
$499
Setup guide
How to connect a soundbar to your TV
HDMI eARC or ARC, optical, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compared, with the steps and TV settings for each.
By TV Reviews Editors 2 min read
In this article
Key takeaways
- HDMI ARC or eARC is the best connection when both devices have it.
- Optical works on most TVs but cannot carry the highest-quality audio such as Dolby Atmos.
- Bluetooth is wireless but less stable and lower quality than HDMI.
- After connecting, set the TV's sound output to the soundbar.
Four connection types cover almost every soundbar. Pick the best one both devices support.
Which connection to use
| Connection | Quality | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI eARC | Best | Carries uncompressed and object-based audio, one cable | Needs eARC on both TV and soundbar |
| HDMI ARC | Very good | One cable, works on most modern sets | Often limited to compressed audio |
| Optical | Good | Simple, almost universal | Compressed 5.1 or 7.1 at most, no Atmos |
| Bluetooth | Fair | No cable | Less stable, lower quality than HDMI |
Engadget says optical is capped at compressed surround, whereas HDMI ARC can handle higher-quality audio, including Dolby Atmos. Samsung says Bluetooth is convenient but less stable because other electronics can interfere.
HDMI (ARC or eARC)
- Connect an HDMI cable from the TV's ARC or eARC port to the soundbar's HDMI output.
- Turn on both devices and select the soundbar's HDMI or digital input. On Samsung bars this is the D.IN source, and the display shows TV eARC/ARC.
- Open the TV's sound settings and set the audio output to the soundbar. Samsung's path is Settings > All Settings > Sound > Sound Output.
- Make sure HDMI-CEC is turned on in the TV (Samsung calls it Anynet+).
If you want Dolby Atmos, use eARC. Full steps and brand notes are in how to set up eARC.
Optical
- Connect a digital optical cable from the TV's optical out to the soundbar's optical input.
- Select the soundbar's digital input.
- On Samsung TVs, choose Receiver (Optical) under Sound Output.
Bluetooth
- Put the soundbar in Bluetooth pairing mode (on Samsung, select BT Pairing as the source).
- On the TV, open the sound output settings and choose the Bluetooth speaker list.
- Select your soundbar and pair.
Samsung warns that microwaves and wireless routers can disturb Bluetooth when they are close to the soundbar, and that a metal surface or an obstruction can drop the sound.
Wi-Fi (brand apps)
Some bars connect over Wi-Fi through a phone app. Samsung's version uses the SmartThings app, and the TV and soundbar must be on the same network. Samsung says Wi-Fi reaches farther than Bluetooth and allows more than one soundbar on the network. Other brands use their own apps. Their steps differ, so use the setup guide for your soundbar.
Fixing lip-sync
If the voices lag the picture, look for an audio sync or delay control on the soundbar remote or in the TV's sound settings. On Samsung bars the delay can be set from 0 to 300 milliseconds, and the exact button depends on the model.
No sound after setup
Work through no sound from soundbar over eARC. Catalog examples for HDMI bars include Sonos Beam Gen 2 and Sonos Arc Ultra.
Heads up Menu names are Samsung's. Other brands use different labels, so check your TV and soundbar manuals for the matching sound-output and CEC settings.
- soundbar
- hdmi
- earc
- optical
- bluetooth
- setup
Good to know
Questions people ask
Which connection sounds best?
HDMI. Samsung says HDMI gives the best audio quality, and Engadget explains that ARC and eARC can handle formats like Dolby Atmos that optical cannot.
Why is my soundbar out of sync with the picture?
Samsung's soundbars include an audio sync control that lets you adjust a delay, in a range of 0 to 300 milliseconds on models that offer it. The method depends on your soundbar, so check its manual.
Do I need the soundbar remote?
Often not. Engadget explains that HDMI-CEC lets one remote control compatible devices, so a TV remote can usually handle soundbar volume and power when CEC is on for both. Support varies by brand.
Mentioned in this article
The products
Sources and further reading
5 sources used for this article. We paraphrase and link, we do not republish.
- How to Connect your Soundbar to a Samsung TV · Samsung Australia
- The HDMI ARC port on your TV has a very specific job · Engadget · May 14, 2026
- No sound from your Samsung soundbar · Samsung Africa · May 22, 2023
- Resolve a Soundbar Out of Sync with A Samsung TV · Samsung Australia
- HDMI ARC - What is eARC? Audio Return Channel · HDMI Forum / HDMI LA
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