Quick answer on connect speakers to a smart TV: use HDMI ARC or eARC if your TV and speaker both have it: one cable carries sound, and your TV remote controls the volume. Use optical if there’s no ARC. Bluetooth is the easy wireless option but can lag, and Wi-Fi systems like Sonos give the best wireless multi-room setup.
How we put this guide together: written by Md. Enamul Arafath for TopSmartGear, based on TV and speaker makers’ setup instructions. This is a research-based guide, not a hands-on test. Sources include Sonos’s official Era 100 specs. Read how we review.
Which connection should you use?
| Connection | Best for | Sound quality | Lag | TV remote controls volume? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI eARC / ARC | Soundbars and AV receivers | Best (eARC supports Dolby Atmos) | None | Yes |
| Optical (Toslink) | Older TVs or speakers without ARC | Good | None | Usually not |
| Bluetooth | Portable speakers and headphones | OK | Can be noticeable | Sometimes |
| Wi-Fi (Sonos, Alexa, AirPlay) | Multi-room and smart speakers | Very good | Low on supported systems | Depends on system |
| 3.5mm / RCA | Powered PC or bookshelf speakers | Good | None | Sometimes |
Method 1: HDMI ARC or eARC (recommended)
- Find the HDMI port on your TV labeled ARC or eARC.
- Connect it to the HDMI ARC/eARC port on your soundbar or receiver with an HDMI cable (use a high-speed cable for eARC).
- On the TV, turn on HDMI-CEC (brands call it Anynet+, SimpLink, Bravia Sync and similar).
- In the TV’s sound settings, set audio output to the HDMI/receiver option.
Method 2: Optical cable
- Remove the small plastic caps from both optical ports.
- Connect the optical cable from the TV’s Digital Audio Out (Optical) to the speaker’s optical input.
- In the TV’s sound settings, choose optical output. Set the format to PCM if you hear no sound.
Method 3: Bluetooth
- Put your speaker in pairing mode (see its manual; for an Echo, say “Alexa, pair”).
- On the TV, open the Bluetooth or sound output settings and search for devices.
- Select the speaker. If the picture and sound don’t line up, look for an “AV sync” or audio delay setting on the TV.
Not every TV can send audio to Bluetooth speakers. If yours can’t, use HDMI or optical.
Method 4: Wi-Fi speaker systems
Systems like Sonos connect a soundbar to the TV by HDMI, then add Wi-Fi rear speakers and a subwoofer wirelessly. Apple TV can send sound to HomePods, and Fire TV can use supported Echo speakers through Alexa Home Theater. These give room-filling sound without speaker wires.
No sound? Quick fixes
- Check the TV’s audio output is set to the right option (HDMI ARC, optical or Bluetooth), not TV speakers.
- Make sure you used the HDMI port labeled ARC/eARC on both devices.
- Turn HDMI-CEC off and on again, then restart both the TV and speaker.
- For optical, set the TV’s digital audio format to PCM.
- Update the TV’s and soundbar’s software.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between ARC and eARC?
eARC has more bandwidth, so it can carry lossless and Dolby Atmos formats from streaming apps and connected devices. ARC handles standard surround sound.
Can I use two Bluetooth speakers with my TV?
Most TVs connect to only one Bluetooth audio device at a time. For several speakers, use a Wi-Fi system.
Looking for a soundbar? Read our Sonos Ray and Sonos Beam Gen 2 reviews, and add bass with the Sonos Sub Mini.
