The fastest way: HDMI with eARC

Most Sony soundbars connect to your TV using a single HDMI cable with eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel). This is the simplest route because one cable carries both picture and sound, and your TV sends audio back to the soundbar automatically. You do not need a separate audio cable or a receiver.

Plug the HDMI cable into the eARC port on your TV — usually labeled eARC or ARC, often HDMI 3 or HDMI 4 — and into the HDMI input on the back of the soundbar. Turn on both devices. Your TV should recognize the soundbar within seconds. Go to your TV's audio settings and select the soundbar as the output device. Most TVs do this automatically, but if sound still comes from the TV speakers, you may need to turn off the TV's internal speakers in the audio menu.

Key Takeaways

  • HDMI eARC is the simplest connection: one cable, automatic audio routing, and no extra equipment needed.
  • If your TV lacks eARC, use a standard HDMI cable to the soundbar and a separate optical audio cable from the TV to the soundbar for older models.
  • Bluetooth works for streaming from phones and tablets but not for TV audio on most Sony soundbars without a separate audio connection.
  • After connecting, check your TV's audio settings to confirm the soundbar is selected as the output and the TV's internal speakers are off.
  • If sound cuts out or lags, restart both devices and check that the HDMI cable is fully inserted into the eARC port.

HDMI without eARC: using optical audio instead

If your TV does not have an eARC port, or if you have an older Sony soundbar without eARC support, use optical audio (also called TOSLINK or S/PDIF). This requires two cables: a standard HDMI cable from your TV to a streaming device or cable box, and an optical audio cable from your TV's optical output to the soundbar's optical input.

Connect the optical cable to the port labeled "Optical Out" or "Digital Audio Out" on the back of your TV. Plug the other end into the optical input on the soundbar. Turn on both devices. In your TV's audio settings, select "Optical" or "Digital Audio Out" as the output. The soundbar will receive sound from any source your TV plays — broadcast TV, streaming apps, cable boxes — as long as the TV is set to send audio through the optical port.

Optical audio works reliably but carries less data than eARC, so it does not support advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos. For most viewers watching standard TV and streaming services, this limitation does not matter.

Bluetooth for phones and tablets

Sony soundbars with Bluetooth can pair with your phone or tablet to play music and podcasts directly. This does not work for TV audio — your TV cannot send sound to the soundbar over Bluetooth — but it is useful for playing content from your phone without plugging in a cable.

Press the Bluetooth button on the soundbar or use the Sony remote to enter pairing mode. On your phone or tablet, go to Bluetooth settings and select the soundbar from the list of available devices. Once paired, the soundbar will reconnect automatically when you turn it on and your phone is nearby. You can switch between TV audio (through HDMI or optical) and phone audio (through Bluetooth) by selecting the input on the soundbar's remote.

Checking your TV's audio output settings

After you connect the soundbar, your TV may still send sound to its internal speakers instead of the soundbar. This happens because the TV defaults to its own speakers. You need to change this in the audio settings.

On most TVs, go to Settings > Sound or Audio > Speaker Output or Audio Output. Look for an option that says "External Speaker," "Soundbar," "HDMI," or "Optical" depending on how you connected. Select that option. Some TVs also have a setting to turn off the internal speakers entirely — this prevents sound from coming out of both the TV and the soundbar at the same time. If you see "TV Speaker" or "Internal Speaker," set it to Off.

If you cannot find the audio output setting, check your TV's manual or search the model number plus "audio output settings" online. Different TV brands use different menu names, but the setting exists on all modern TVs.

Troubleshooting no sound or intermittent sound

If you connected everything but hear no sound, start by checking the volume. Make sure the soundbar is not muted — look for a mute button on the remote or the device itself. Then check that the TV's volume is not at zero. Many TVs mute their internal speakers when a soundbar is connected, so you control volume through the soundbar remote, not the TV remote.

If the soundbar is on and the volume is up but you still hear nothing, unplug both the TV and the soundbar, wait 30 seconds, and plug them back in. This resets the connection. Once both are on, check the TV's audio output settings again to confirm the soundbar is selected.

If sound cuts out during use, the HDMI or optical cable may not be fully inserted. Push both ends of the cable firmly into the ports until you hear or feel a click. If the problem continues, try a different HDMI or optical cable — the original may be damaged. Also check that no other device is trying to use the soundbar's Bluetooth connection at the same time, as this can interrupt the TV audio.

When to use a receiver instead

A soundbar is designed to sit in front of your TV and handle audio from all your devices. If you have multiple devices — a cable box, a streaming device, a gaming console, a Blu-ray player — you can connect them all to the soundbar's HDMI inputs, and the soundbar sends the audio to your TV. You do not need a separate receiver.

A receiver becomes useful only if you want surround speakers, a subwoofer, and a more complex setup. Most people with a soundbar do not need a receiver. If your soundbar has a subwoofer, it connects wirelessly or with a single cable, not through a receiver.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect my Sony soundbar to my TV with just Bluetooth?

No. Sony soundbars do not receive TV audio over Bluetooth — they only use Bluetooth for phones and tablets. You must use HDMI eARC, HDMI with optical audio, or optical audio alone to hear sound from your TV.

What if my TV does not have an eARC port?

Use an optical audio cable instead. Plug it into your TV's optical output port and the soundbar's optical input. This works on almost all TVs made in the last 15 years, even if they lack eARC.

Do I need to turn off my TV's internal speakers?

Not always, but it is recommended. If both the TV and soundbar play sound at the same time, the audio will sound out of sync and confusing. Go to your TV's audio settings and set the internal speakers to Off or disable them when an external speaker is detected.

Why is there a delay between the picture and the sound?

This usually happens with optical audio on older TVs. Try switching to HDMI eARC if your TV supports it, as it has lower latency. If you must use optical, check your soundbar's settings for an audio delay or lip-sync adjustment option.

Can I use the soundbar with multiple devices at once?

No. The soundbar can receive audio from only one source at a time. If your TV is connected via HDMI and your phone is connected via Bluetooth, you hear only the device you selected last. Switch between them using the soundbar's remote or input button.