Best TV Audio Output Settings for a Soundbar

The best TV audio output settings for a soundbar start with the physical connection. Select HDMI Receiver or ARC/eARC for an HDMI connection, Optical or External Speaker for a TOSLINK cable, and Bluetooth Speaker only for a paired wireless bar. Then set the digital format to Auto or Passthrough if the soundbar supports the source format; use PCM as the compatibility fallback.

Start with the signal path

Before changing menus, confirm the cable goes from a TV output to the matching soundbar input. ARC/eARC must use the specifically labeled HDMI ports on both products. Optical must run from TV Optical Out to soundbar Optical In. Select TV/ARC, Optical, or the corresponding input on the soundbar.

Choose the TV’s speaker output

1. Open Settings, then Sound, Audio, or Speakers.
2. Find Sound Output, Speaker Selection, or Audio System.
3. Choose HDMI Receiver, ARC/eARC, Audio System, Optical, or External Speaker to match the cable.
4. For Bluetooth, open the speaker list and choose the paired soundbar.
5. Play a built-in TV app to test the TV-to-soundbar path.

If both the TV speakers and soundbar play, select external audio only. Simultaneous output can create an echo because the two paths have different delays.

Choose a digital audio format

• Auto: a practical first choice that negotiates a supported format.
• Passthrough: sends the incoming encoded signal onward with minimal TV processing; use it when the soundbar supports that signal.
• PCM: lets the TV decode audio. Stereo PCM is the safest fallback when there is silence or an unsupported-format message.
• Bitstream: sends encoded audio for the soundbar to decode, useful for compatible surround formats.

Recommended ARC/eARC switches

Turn on HDMI-CEC—called Anynet+, Simplink, Bravia Sync, or another brand name—because ARC control often depends on it. Set eARC to Auto or On when both devices support eARC. If audio disappears with older equipment, turn eARC off and test standard ARC. Our HDMI ARC guide covers the complete connection.

Fix silence, dropouts, or lip sync

Restart the TV and soundbar after changing the output. Disconnect unused audio cables, test PCM, disable extra surround processing, and adjust AV Sync in small steps. Test a TV app and an external HDMI source separately because each may have its own format setting. The Soundbar & Audio Gadget Wiz can guide the next check, while our no-sound checklist handles stubborn failures.

Useful accessories

For an HDMI setup, compare a certified HDMI cable. For an optical setup, compare a TOSLINK cable for a soundbar.

Frequently asked questions

Should TV speakers be on or off?

Usually off when the soundbar is the main speaker, preventing echo and duplicate audio.

Why is PCM the only setting that works?

The soundbar or connection may not support the encoded format selected by Auto or Bitstream.

Should digital audio delay be zero?

Start at zero. Add delay only when sound arrives before the picture; a delay cannot correct audio that already arrives late.

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