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Use HDMI ARC/eARC for the direct connection: run an HDMI cable (HDMI 1.4 or later) from the TV’s ARC/eARC-labeled HDMI port to the TV (eARC) input on the primary Cambridge Audio L/R X speaker. Select the TV source and choose the connected audio system in the television’s sound menu. If ARC/eARC is unavailable, use a TOSLINK optical cable and set the TV’s digital audio format to PCM. L/R X is a stereo-only active speaker system, so it does not accept multichannel TV audio.
What you need before connecting
The L/R X is an active stereo pair, so you do not need a separate amplifier or AV receiver for a direct TV connection. The television connects to the primary speaker; the secondary speaker receives the stereo signal from the primary through the normal L/R X speaker link.
- A TV with an HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC for the preferred method.
- An HDMI cable compatible with HDMI 1.4 or later.
- Both L/R X speakers and their power cables.
- The supplied speaker-link cable if your installation requires the wired link between the two speakers. This cable is not a TV cable.
- For the alternative method, a TOSLINK optical audio cable and a TV with an optical audio output.
Turn the TV and speakers off before plugging in or removing cables. The L/R X manual specifically advises making connections with the equipment powered down.
Understand the L/R X connections first
There are several sockets on the L/R X system, but only the primary speaker is the TV connection point. The primary speaker has the TV (eARC) input for HDMI and an optical input for TOSLINK. It also has other audio connections, including AUX and phono, plus a subwoofer output. Those additional inputs are for other sources and do not make the basic TV connection better or simpler.
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The speaker-link connection has a different job. It links the two L/R X speakers to one another, so do not use it as an HDMI or optical input. Likewise, do not connect the TV to the secondary speaker. Both HDMI and optical instructions in the manual route the television signal to the primary speaker.
Because L/R X is an active system, amplification is built into the speakers. A receiver is not required between the TV and speakers, and adding one is not part of the direct setup described here.
Connect the TV with HDMI ARC or eARC
HDMI ARC/eARC is the best direct route because one HDMI cable carries the TV audio and can also carry control commands. Cambridge Audio documents TV power-on and volume control for a connected audio product when the ARC connection and television settings support it.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute- Find the correct TV socket. Inspect the HDMI sockets on the television for a label such as ARC or eARC. Ordinary HDMI inputs are not interchangeable with the ARC/eARC output. The manual’s troubleshooting sentence is explicit: “Make sure the HDMI input used to connect your L/R X to your TV is the one that supports ARC or eARC.”
- Find the correct speaker socket. On the primary L/R X speaker, use the input labeled TV (eARC). Do not plug the TV into the speaker-link connection; that connection is for the two L/R X speakers to communicate with each other.
- Connect the cable. Plug one end of an HDMI cable rated for HDMI 1.4 or later into the TV’s ARC/eARC port and the other end into the primary speaker’s TV (eARC) input. A generic cable meeting that compatibility requirement is sufficient; the manual does not require a premium cable brand.
- Power up the system. Turn on both speakers and the TV. When both L/R X speakers are powered, the secondary speaker automatically pairs with the primary. If the speakers have been separated or you are installing them for the first time, use the supplied speaker-link cable as directed for the pair rather than running a cable from the television to the secondary speaker.
- Select the TV source on L/R X. Use the L/R X remote, the StreamMagic app, or the controls on top of the speaker to select the TV input. Sound should now come from the stereo pair instead of the television’s built-in speakers.
Set the television’s audio output
The exact menu names differ by TV manufacturer, but the relevant choices are consistent. Open the television’s sound or audio-output settings, select the connected audio system or external speaker option instead of the internal TV speakers, and apply the change.
- On a TV with eARC, choose the HDMI ARC/eARC audio system option. The L/R X accepts PCM through its ARC/eARC input.
- On a non-eARC TV, or on any set that asks you to choose a digital format manually, select Stereo PCM (Uncompressed).
- Do not select a multichannel, Dolby, DTS, or bitstream mode for the L/R X connection. L/R X does not support multichannel audio; stereo PCM is the compatible format when the TV exposes a format selector.
After saving the setting, start a TV program and raise the volume with the L/R X remote or the TV remote if HDMI control is enabled. If the TV still reports that its internal speakers are active, return to the audio-output menu and reselect the HDMI-connected system.
What PCM means in this setup
PCM is the uncompressed stereo format the L/R X can accept from the television. It matters most with older or non-eARC TVs that ask you to choose an output format manually. A setting such as Dolby, DTS, surround, or bitstream may describe a format the television can send to a multichannel receiver, but the L/R X is a two-speaker system and does not decode multichannel audio.
For HDMI, select Stereo PCM (Uncompressed) whenever the TV requires a manual choice. For optical, set the digital audio output to PCM. If the TV offers only an automatic option and ARC/eARC is working, the important check is that the resulting output is compatible stereo PCM rather than a multichannel stream.
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Enable TV power and volume control
Audio can work over ARC/eARC even when automatic power behavior has not been enabled. If turning on the TV does not wake the L/R X, or if the TV remote does not adjust speaker volume, open the StreamMagic app and go to the TV ARC source settings. Enable TV Power Control, then test the TV’s power and volume commands again.
Control behavior depends on the television’s HDMI implementation. The documented control path is HDMI ARC/eARC; the optical input is described as an audio connection and is not documented as providing equivalent TV power or volume control.
If you do not want automatic control, you can still use HDMI for audio and operate volume or source selection with the L/R X remote, the StreamMagic app, or the speaker’s top-panel controls. Control setup is separate from the physical audio wiring.
Use optical TOSLINK when ARC/eARC is unavailable
Optical is the fallback when the TV has no usable ARC/eARC port or HDMI audio negotiation is unsuccessful.
- Turn off the TV and both speakers.
- Connect a TOSLINK optical cable from the TV’s optical audio output to the optical input on the primary L/R X speaker.
- Power on the equipment and select the L/R X optical source with the remote, StreamMagic app, or top-panel controls.
- In the TV’s sound settings, select the optical or external audio output and set the digital audio format to PCM. The L/R X does not decode multichannel audio, so a Dolby, DTS, or other multichannel setting can result in silence.
Optical carries the television sound to the speakers, but the reviewed L/R X instructions do not promise the HDMI-style TV power and volume control behavior over TOSLINK. You may therefore need to use the L/R X remote or app for volume and source control.
HDMI ARC/eARC versus optical
| Connection | Use it when | TV format setting | Documented control behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI ARC/eARC | The TV has an ARC- or eARC-labeled HDMI port | PCM is supported; select Stereo PCM (Uncompressed) when a non-eARC TV requires a manual format choice | Can carry audio and control commands, including TV power-on and volume control when enabled and supported |
| Optical TOSLINK | ARC/eARC is unavailable or HDMI audio does not work | PCM | Audio path documented; equivalent TV power and volume control is not documented |
Both methods feed the primary speaker. Neither requires an external amplifier, and neither changes the L/R X system into a multichannel surround decoder.
Cable and package expectations
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A TOSLINK cable is needed only for the optical route. Do not assume that an HDMI or optical cable is included simply because the speakers include a speaker-link cable. The listed box contents identify the speaker pair, speaker-link cable, regional power cable, remote, and printed materials; check the current package contents if you expect a TV cable to be supplied.
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Placement and power checks before testing
Keep both speakers connected to power and make sure the primary and secondary are within their normal operating arrangement. The secondary speaker pairs automatically with the primary when both are powered. A silent secondary speaker is therefore usually a power, pairing, or speaker-link issue rather than a problem with the TV’s HDMI port.
When testing, use a live TV program or an app that is actually playing audio. Select the matching source on L/R X: TV for HDMI, or optical for TOSLINK. Source selection is easy to overlook after switching between music, phono, AUX, and TV inputs.
Troubleshoot a silent or unreliable HDMI connection
No sound at all
- Confirm that the HDMI cable is plugged into the television’s ARC/eARC-labeled socket, not a regular HDMI input. This is the most common wiring error.
- Verify that the other end is in the primary speaker’s TV (eARC) input. The secondary speaker and the speaker-link socket are not TV inputs.
- Check that the L/R X source is set to TV. Change it with the remote, StreamMagic app, or top-panel control.
- In the TV menu, select the HDMI-connected audio system rather than internal TV speakers.
- Check the cable specification. The documented requirement is HDMI 1.4 or later; replace an unidentified or damaged cable with one that clearly meets that standard.
- If the television is an older non-eARC model, set its digital output to Stereo PCM (Uncompressed). The L/R X does not support multichannel formats.
Sound works intermittently or stops after changing sources
Power off the TV and speakers, reseat both HDMI plugs, and power the system back on. Then recheck that the TV has selected the external HDMI audio system and that the L/R X remains on its TV source. HDMI ARC depends on the TV recognizing the ARC endpoint; reseating the cable and restarting both devices can force a fresh connection.
The TV plays sound through its own speakers
Open the TV’s audio-output menu and explicitly choose the connected HDMI audio system. Some televisions leave internal speakers enabled until this choice is made, even when an ARC cable is connected.
The secondary speaker is silent
Make sure both L/R X speakers are powered. The secondary speaker pairs automatically with the primary when both are on. If the physical pair has not been linked as required by your installation, use the supplied speaker-link cable between the speakers; never substitute the TV’s HDMI cable for that link.
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The TV remote does not control volume or power
First confirm that audio is working over HDMI. Then open StreamMagic, enter the TV ARC source settings, and enable TV Power Control. If the TV does not implement the required HDMI control behavior, continue using the L/R X remote or app even though the audio connection itself is functioning.
There is sound but it is unexpectedly limited
Check the TV’s output format rather than changing speaker wiring. If the set is sending a surround or other multichannel bitstream, change it to Stereo PCM (Uncompressed). The L/R X is designed for left/right stereo playback, so a compatible two-channel format is required.
Troubleshoot an optical connection
No sound over TOSLINK
- Confirm that the optical cable runs from the TV’s optical output to the optical input on the primary L/R X speaker.
- Select the optical source on L/R X.
- Set the TV’s optical or digital audio format to PCM. A multichannel output is not supported.
- Check both cable ends for a complete fit and inspect for a protective cap that was left on the optical plug.
Why optical has fewer control options
Optical is a digital audio-only route in the documented setup. The instructions do not assign it the HDMI ARC/eARC control functions, so plan to adjust volume and power with the L/R X controls unless your particular TV offers a separate control arrangement.
Common connection mistakes to avoid
- Using the wrong HDMI socket: only the TV’s ARC/eARC-labeled HDMI port provides the return-audio path.
- Connecting to the secondary speaker: the TV belongs on the primary speaker’s TV (eARC) input.
- Using the speaker-link cable for the TV: that cable links the two speakers, not the television.
- Leaving the TV on a multichannel format: choose stereo PCM when the TV requires a manual output format.
- Assuming any HDMI cable is suitable: use one compatible with HDMI 1.4 or later.
- Expecting an amplifier to be necessary: L/R X is an active speaker pair and connects directly to the TV.
- Expecting optical to duplicate HDMI control: the documented optical setup covers audio, not equivalent TV power and volume commands.
- Changing several settings at once: verify the cable, L/R X source, TV output device, and format one at a time so the failed step is clear.
Which method should you choose?
Choose HDMI ARC/eARC when the television has the labeled port and you want the simplest source selection plus the possibility of TV-remote power and volume control. Choose optical when ARC/eARC is missing or cannot be made reliable, provided the TV offers an optical output and can be set to PCM. In either case, keep the signal stereo: the L/R X connection is designed for a two-speaker left/right presentation, not multichannel TV sound.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Quick installation checklist
- Equipment powered off before cabling.
- HDMI route: TV ARC/eARC port to primary speaker TV (eARC) input.
- Optical route: TV optical output to primary speaker optical input.
- Both speakers powered and the secondary paired with the primary.
- L/R X source set to TV or optical, matching the cable used.
- TV output set to the external audio system.
- TV format set to Stereo PCM (Uncompressed) when required, and PCM for optical.
- TV Power Control enabled in StreamMagic if HDMI power or volume control is wanted.
Frequently overlooked details
The direct connection does not require a soundbar, receiver, converter, or separate amplifier. The key decisions are simply which output the TV provides and whether you want HDMI control features. ARC/eARC is not the same as an ordinary HDMI input: the label on the TV matters. On the speaker side, the label matters just as much: use TV (eARC) on the primary speaker, not the speaker-link socket.
If your TV has both ARC and eARC-labeled options elsewhere in its menus, use the physical port marked ARC/eARC and select the external audio system in software. If the TV is older and offers a format selector, stereo PCM is the safe choice. If that arrangement still fails, optical TOSLINK is the documented alternative, with PCM selected for its digital output.
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How do I connect Cambridge Audio L/R X speakers to my TV?
Connect the TV’s HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC to the primary L/R X speaker’s TV (eARC) input with an HDMI cable compatible with HDMI 1.4 or later. Select the TV source on L/R X and the connected audio system in the TV menu. Set Stereo PCM (Uncompressed) if the TV requires a manual format choice.
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Can I connect L/R X to my TV with HDMI ARC?
Yes. HDMI ARC/eARC is the preferred direct method. Use the TV’s ARC/eARC-labeled socket and the primary speaker’s TV (eARC) input; an ordinary HDMI input will not provide the return-audio path.
Do I need an amplifier or AV receiver?
No. L/R X is an active speaker pair, so it connects directly to the TV. The secondary speaker pairs with the primary when both are powered.
What if my TV has no HDMI ARC or eARC?
Use a TOSLINK optical cable from the TV’s optical output to the optical input on the primary L/R X speaker. Select the optical source and set the TV’s digital audio format to PCM.
Why is there no sound when the HDMI cable is connected?
Check that the cable is in the TV’s ARC/eARC port and the primary speaker’s TV (eARC) input, select the TV source on L/R X, choose the external audio system in the TV settings, and use HDMI 1.4 or later. On an older TV, select Stereo PCM (Uncompressed).
Can L/R X play Dolby, DTS, or surround sound from the TV?
The L/R X does not support multichannel audio. Set the TV to stereo PCM, or PCM for optical, rather than a multichannel Dolby, DTS, or bitstream output.
Can I connect the TV to the secondary speaker?
No. Connect the TV to the primary speaker’s TV (eARC) or optical input. The secondary speaker is linked to the primary through the L/R X speaker connection.
Will the TV remote control L/R X volume and power?
HDMI ARC/eARC can carry those control commands when the TV supports them. If needed, enable TV Power Control in StreamMagic under the TV ARC source settings. Equivalent control behavior is not documented for optical.
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Is a special or premium HDMI cable required?
No premium brand is specified. Use a generic HDMI cable compatible with HDMI 1.4 or later. A TOSLINK cable is needed only when you use the optical alternative.
What should I do if the secondary speaker is silent?
Confirm that both speakers are powered. The secondary should pair automatically with the primary. If your installation requires a physical link, use the supplied speaker-link cable between the speakers, not the TV’s HDMI cable.
The Bottom Line
For the cleanest setup, connect the TV’s ARC/eARC port to the primary L/R X speaker’s TV (eARC) input with an HDMI 1.4-or-later cable, select the TV source, and choose the external audio system in the TV menu. Use Stereo PCM when a non-eARC TV requires a format setting. If ARC/eARC is unavailable, use optical TOSLINK with PCM. Keep the L/R X signal stereo, and enable TV Power Control in StreamMagic if you want HDMI-based power and volume commands.
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