The emergence of the soundbar has made it simpler than ever to enhance the audio for anyTV, new or old. I’ve been evaluating home theater equipment for numerous years, and can’t picture installing a television without one. (Unless I’m setting up a bigger)surround soundThese slender, multi-driver devices rest just beneath your television, delivering a more expansive and engaging audio experience compared to the speakers found in most TVs.
Today’s best soundbarscome in various forms and dimensions, from small to large, with a variety of cost options. You can find a good basic model such as thePolk Audio Signa S2for $199, or splurge around $900 to get top-tier audio from premium venues like the.
Soundbars have largely taken the place of conventional surround sound systems due to their high level of convenience. All the necessary speakers are contained within a single, compact unit, and connecting it to your television is straightforward. You can utilize several wired connections, such as HDMI ARC/eARC or optical audio output. In many instances, you’ll also be able to connect wirelessly throughBluetoothor Wi-Fi. Regardless of the configuration you pick, this entire process should not require more than five minutes, and we will guide you through each step.
HDMI eARC: Your Optimal Choice
The most straightforward and dependable method to connect a soundbar to a television is through an HDMI cable. Just plug the soundbar into an electrical outlet and then attach the HDMI cable to both the soundbar and the rear of the TV.
Unlike with other home theater equipment, there is a specific HDMI port designated for your soundbar on the back of your television. All newer TVs and older models from the late 2010s should include at least one HDMI port labeled “ARC” (Audio Return Channel) or “eARC” (enhanced Audio Return Channel), which feature an additional protocol designed for connecting audio devices. Utilizing this port will ensure a more stable HDMI connection with the best possible quality between your TV and soundbar. Additionally, using an eARC connection enables your soundbar to support audio formats such as Dolby Atmos, offering virtual surround sound and other advanced features.
After connecting the cable, verify your TV’s settings to ensure the audio output is configured for ARC. Most newer models will typically adjust to it automatically, so you might only need to make changes if the soundbar fails to produce TV audio when connected.
By linking the soundbar through HDMI, you can manage the volume using the TV’s remote, rather than the soundbar’s remote. You will only need to utilize the remote that comes with the soundbar to modify its audio settings (such as bass, treble, and dialogue clarity, for instance).
You Can Also Utilize an Optical Cable
If your HDMI ports are all occupied, you can also link your soundbar to your TV using the digital optical output port on the TV and the optical input port on the soundbar. Optical connections between a television and a soundbar are typically dependable, but they do not support advanced digital audio formats such as Atmos. This could have a noticeable impact on the audio quality, particularly with a premium soundbar.
Furthermore, you will not be able to use your TV remote to manage settings associated with the soundbar, meaning you should always have the soundbar’s remote nearby to power it on and modify the volume.
Going Wireless
Wireless connections through Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi are becoming more popular and are certainly handy, but I don’t advise using them. Bluetooth frequently causes higher latency, increasing the delay between when the audio is sent and when it arrives at the soundbar. This might lead to a mismatch between what’s on the screen and the accompanying sound, which can negatively impact your enjoyment.
Wi-Fi connections offer greater bandwidth, which significantly reduces latency. If given the option, I would always suggest connecting a TV and soundbar using Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth. However, if possible, I would still prefer a wired HDMI eARC connection over a wireless one: it is more dependable, supports all specialized audio features your soundbar may include, and is typically straightforward to set up.
Wrap-Up
If your television is over 7 years old and does not have an HDMI eARC port, I recommend thinking about purchasing a new model before upgrading your audio system.
Many of the top soundbars available today can also be set up as a complete audio systemsurround sound systemBy incorporating an external subwoofer for enhanced bass and rear speakers for immersive 360-degree sound, the soundbar remains the central component of this audio system. Therefore, ensuring a stable connection between the soundbar and the TV via HDMI is essential.
FAQ
What if you wish to connect a Blu-ray player or gaming console to your soundbar?
External devices like media players and gaming consoles need to be connected to the same television as the soundbar using an HDMI cable. Make sure the TV’s settings have HDMI passthrough activated so that the audio from these external sources is sent directly to the soundbar, instead of being handled by the TV. Failing to enable HDMI passthrough may lead to lower quality connections and reduced audio performance.
Is it preferable to attach a soundbar to the wall beneath the television, or is it acceptable to place it on a cabinet?
A soundbar should always be positioned beneath the TV’s display. If the TV is mounted on the wall, it’s entirely fine to use the same mounting method for the soundbar provided it’s feasible. It’s also typical to place the soundbar on a console located below a wall-mounted TV.
Do I need to set my TV’s speakers to the lowest volume or turn them off entirely after connecting a soundbar? I want to avoid any echoes.
There is no requirement to lower the TV’s speakers completely when a soundbar is connected. Configuring the TV’s audio output to eARC or Optical will automatically turn off its speakers and make the soundbar the primary audio source.
How can I determine the appropriate size for a soundbar?
The primary factor in selecting the size of a soundbar is its installation method and the dimensions of your TV. Full-sized soundbars typically provide a more engaging audio experience with a broader sound field. Therefore, if your TV is 55 inches or larger and you have enough space on your console and wall, go for a soundbar that is 50 inches or slightly bigger.
Fortunately, concise options such as theBose Smart Soundbardeliver a powerful impact as well, without compromising on sound quality and connection options. These are ideal for smaller televisions and limited areas.
