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You can connect a soundbar without optical by using HDMI ARC/eARC, if both devices have compatible labeled ports. Connect the TV’s HDMI ARC/eARC port to the soundbar’s HDMI OUT/TV ARC/eARC port, then select the soundbar as the TV’s audio output and choose the matching input on the bar. If ARC/eARC is unavailable, Bluetooth or analog audio may work, depending on the ports and features on both devices.
Check which connections both devices support
Look at the labels beside the TV and soundbar ports, then confirm the options in each device’s manual. The available terminals can vary by model and region, so a connection that works for one product may not apply to another. Sony’s connection overview lists examples such as HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, and analog audio; consult your own manuals to verify what your devices support.
- Both have HDMI ARC or eARC: Use HDMI as the first choice.
- Both support Bluetooth audio: Pair them wirelessly, accepting that connection stability and sound quality may differ from HDMI.
- The TV has an audio output and the soundbar has a matching input: Use the appropriate analog cable.
- None of these match: Check the manuals for supported connection options before buying an adapter. A cable cannot add ARC/eARC support to a device that lacks it.
Connect the soundbar with HDMI ARC or eARC
ARC, or Audio Return Channel, sends sound from the TV to an audio system over HDMI. Sony describes ARC as a way to connect compatible devices with one High Speed HDMI cable instead of a separate optical or composite audio cable. ARC can also support control features such as operating multiple connected devices with one remote, depending on device compatibility and settings. See Sony’s ARC overview.
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- Find the return-channel ports. On the TV, use the HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC. On the soundbar, use the port labeled HDMI OUT, TV ARC, or eARC/ARC, as specified by its manual. Ordinary HDMI ports do not necessarily support audio return.
- Connect the ports with an HDMI cable. Sony specifies a High Speed HDMI cable for ARC in its ARC guidance. Samsung Canada’s instructions recommend a High Speed with Ethernet or Premium High Speed cable for the covered soundbars; check your models’ requirements.
- Set the TV’s audio output to the soundbar. Open the TV’s sound or audio-output settings and select the HDMI audio system, receiver, or soundbar option. The label and menu path vary by manufacturer and model.
- Select the corresponding soundbar input. Choose the bar’s TV ARC, HDMI ARC, or equivalent source. For example, LG’s ARC instructions say to select OPT/HDMI ARC on the bar and HDMI ARC in the TV’s sound-output menu. Samsung Canada’s guide uses D.IN and says to look for “TV ARC” on the display.
- Enable eARC if needed. Both devices must support eARC. Check each manual for the relevant TV setting; Samsung’s guide says eARC may need to be set to Auto. A connected cable alone does not establish eARC support or enable every setting.
When connected, the soundbar may show ARC or eARC on its display. If there is no sound, check that both ends are in the labeled ports, the TV output and soundbar input match, and ARC/eARC settings are enabled as required by the manuals. HDMI-CEC settings may also affect control features; Samsung calls this Anynet+ on its TVs, but names vary across brands. LG notes that menu names and procedures differ among TV models in its connection guide.
#1 Best Overall
- [📺eSynic Professional ARC/eARC Audio Extractor]----:Our eSynic Professional eARC/ARC to 3.5mm& L/R Audio Extractor Support From HDTV eARC/ARC to 3.5MM Headphone & L/R Stereo Audio System [Only Work With HDTV ARC/eARC Interface and Not Support Others HDMI Devices]
- [🎵Support 192KHz High Sampling Rate] ----:Our eSynic eARC/ARC to RCA Converter Supports High Sampling Rate up to 24bit/192KHz, Ensuring Clean Sound Quality.By Seamlessly Connecting the HDTV to the 3.5mm Audio Speaker , This HDMI ARC Audio Converter Makes the eARC/ARC Audio Extractor an Indispensable Upgrade for Home Entertainment Systems.
- [🔄Support High Quality Audio Formats]---:Our eSynic Professional eARC/ARC Audio Extractor Supports PCM & PCM 2.0Audio Formats to Provide You with High Quality Audio for an Immersive Entertainment Experience.Equipped with Audio Signal Indicators, It is Convenient for You to Accurately Understand the Working Status of the Product and Improve the You Experience. [No Optical/No Dolby-Only for PCM]
- [🔌 + ⚡Plug and Play]---: Our eSynic Professional ARC to 3.5mm Audio Adapter Work With USB Power supply No Software or Drivers are Required. Its Advanced Audio Processing Technology Efficiently and Cleanly Extracts Audio Signals from HDTV (ARC/eARC) Ports, Minimizing Potential Interference or Distortion and Providing You with a Smooth, Lag-free and High-quality Audio Experience.
- [👆 Attention ⚠️]-----:1. Ensure Your HDTV support eARC/ARC function. 2. Ensure the adapter is powered on. 3. Ensure the HDMI ARC Cable is Connected to the HDTV eARC/ARC Interface 4. Ensure the HDTV is in eARC/ARC Audio Output (Use the TV's Remote Control to Turn it on). 5. Please Connect the HDMI port with the eARC/ARC Mark and Make sure the eARC/ARC Function is Enabled on your TV 6. Please Set the Audio Formats to PCM.
Use Bluetooth when both devices support it
Bluetooth avoids a cable, but it is a model-dependent option: both the TV and soundbar must support Bluetooth audio pairing. Put the bar into Bluetooth pairing mode, open the TV’s sound-output or Bluetooth audio-device list, and select the soundbar. Follow the devices’ manuals if their menus differ.
Samsung cautions that Bluetooth does not provide the same sound quality as HDMI and that interference or other disruptions can make the connection unstable or cause disconnections. Its pairing and troubleshooting guidance is in the Samsung Canada soundbar connection guide.
Rank #2
- 【4K HDMI Audio Converter】This hdmi audio extractor supports extracting audio from HDMI sources to HDMI monitors, optical 5.1CH devices, L/R stereo audio or 3.5mm AUX audio devices. It supports use by connecting only the optical audio output, L/R stereo audio out or the 3.5mm stereo audio output without connecting the display. A Type-C 5V cable must be connected to provide power for proper operation(Note: Do not connect a TV as a signal source directly to the HDMI IN port or it will not work)
- 【HDMI ARC Audio Extractor】In ARC mode(Backward compatible with ARC), connect your TV’s HDMI ARC/eARC port to the “HDMI OUT” port to send audio to external speakers. (Tips: Enable CEC on your TV, set the DIP switch to “TV” mode, and use an HDMI cable with ARC/eARC support.)
- 【Triple Operating Modes】1. PASS Mode: Automatically mirrors your TV’s native audio. Optical output supports all multi-channel formats.(Note: Analog R/L & AUX ports support 2.0 PCM only; non-PCM inputs will cause digital buzz/noise); 2. R/L Mode: Universally downmixes all formats (PCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD) into standard 2.0 PCM. Delivers synchronized stereo sound across R/L, AUX, and Optical ports simultaneously; 3. SPDIF Mode: Dedicated multi-channel surround sound mode. Optical output supports all premium bitstream audio formats. (Note: Analog ports require PCM input to function; other formats will result in a static hum).
- 【4K@60Hz High Resolution】Supports up to 4K@60Hz with 24-bit, 30-bit, and 36-bit color. Backward compatible with 4K@60Hz 4K@30Hz, 2K@120Hz, and 1080P. Please make sure your source, monitor, HDMI cable all support 4K60Hz resolution in order to finally achieve the highest 4K60Hz resolution
- 【Wide Compatibility】Works with Blu-ray/DVD players, TV boxes, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, PS3/4/5, Xbox, PC, laptops, and more HDMI devices. Contact us anytime—our support team is available 24/7.(Supports HDR, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, DTS 7.1/5.1CH, HLG, VRR and other functions.)
Use analog audio only when the ports match
Some TVs and soundbars offer analog connections, such as stereo-mini or RCA, but these connectors are not universal. Check for an audio output on the TV and a compatible audio input on the soundbar, then use a cable suited to those exact ports. An RCA-to-3.5 mm cable, for example, is useful only when the devices have the corresponding connectors. Sony’s connection overview describes examples, while its Help Guide notes that terminals depend on model and region.
Route an external source through the soundbar
If the soundbar has an HDMI input as well as an HDMI ARC/eARC output, you may be able to connect an external source, such as a game system, to the soundbar and pass video on to the TV while the bar plays the source’s audio. Samsung and Sony describe this type of setup in their respective Samsung guide and Sony Help Guide. Before relying on it, check the soundbar manual for supported video resolution, refresh rate, HDR, and audio passthrough formats; having an HDMI input does not establish support for every format.
Rank #3
- HDMI ARC Audio Converter: HDMI Audio Extractor can return the sound from ARC-enabled TVs to the optical, coaxial, L/R channel and 3.5mm headphone jacks of the adapter through the HDMI ARC interface, which is a perfect solution to the compatibility problem of the interface between the TVs and audio systems.
- Digital to Analog Audio Converter: Featuring coaxial and optical (Toslink/SPDIF) digital audio inputs, this converter transforms digital PCM/LPCM signals into analog audio output, compatible with various audio devices. Through the switching key on the panel of the device, you can quickly select the input mode, easy and convenient operation. (Note: DAC only supports PCM input format, does not support decoding function)
- Simultaneous Audio Output: ARC Audio Extractor simultaneously outputs audio from the optical, coaxial, L/R, and 3.5 mm headphone ports. Please set the audio output to PCM or LPCM before use.(Note: Not compatible with Dolby AC3/Dolby Digital Plus, etc.)
- High Sampling Rate Support: Supports up to 192kHz audio sampling rate, compatible with 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz and 192kHz sampling rates, as well as 24-bit SPDIF input bitstream to ensure high-fidelity audio output and bring a clear and detailed sound quality experience.
- Wide Compatibility: Compatible with HDTV with ARC function and standard HDMI source devices. No driver or software required, plug and play, compatible with Amplifier/Sound bar/ DVD/ HD player/ Blu-ray/, cable/satellite box, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox, PC/laptop and more.
Choose the connection that fits your setup
| Option | What both devices need | Connection and trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI ARC/eARC | Matching ARC/eARC support and labeled ports | Wired; the clearest first choice when supported. ARC can support device-control features, subject to compatibility and settings. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth audio support on both devices | Wireless; Samsung says sound quality is not the same as HDMI and the connection may become unstable or disconnect. |
| Analog audio | A TV audio output and a matching soundbar input | Wired; the cable depends on the exact connectors. Availability varies by model. |
| External source through soundbar | Soundbar with an HDMI input and a suitable HDMI output path | Can carry source audio through the bar and video to the TV; supported video and audio formats depend on the soundbar. |
Menu names, ports, and supported formats differ by model and sometimes by country. Samsung’s cited steps are for Canada, and LG’s and Sony’s instructions likewise caution that settings and available terminals vary. Use the manuals for your exact TV and soundbar when a label or setting does not match these examples.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- 【HDMI Audio Extractor】The HDMI audio extractor can extract audio from HDMI signal and transmit it to AV receiver through optical or 3.5mm Cable.(Note: Devices do not support ARC and eARC.TV is not supported as the input source，otherwise product doesn't p video.)
- 【3 modes】2.0CH, 5.1CH and PASS mode. Select 3.5mm stereo output, please use 2.0CH mode. Select optical output, please use 5.1CH mode. When you use the first and two modes and find that no audio and video signal is output, use the pass mode.
- 【4K Ultra-HD with HDMI 1.4V】HDMI audio converter up to 10.2G bandwidth, support HDCP1.4,4K@30Hz RGB / YUV4:4:4 Ultra high definition image quality. The optical output supports DTS 5.1. The 3.5mm output supports PCM2.0. The audio splitter does not support 7.1 channels.Note: Fire TV, Apple TV, PS4/5 etc. only support 1080p format signals and do not support 4K
- 【Low energy consumption】HDMI audio splitter has a low energy consumption,only requires the USB port to be connected to the 5V-USB port of another device to work. Or use your other 5V-USB power adapter
- 【Wide Compatibility & Plug and Play】Suitable for various HDMI source devices without dedicated audio output as well as Blu-ray/ DVD/ HD player, cable/satellite box, Amazon Fire TV, PS4,PS5, Xbox, PC/laptop etc
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
