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The best way to get sound from a TV is HDMI ARC or eARC when both the TV and soundbar or receiver support it. Use optical digital audio when ARC/eARC is unavailable, Bluetooth for compatible wireless headphones or speakers, and a headphone or analog output for older stereo equipment. If the plugs do not match, an active DAC, Bluetooth transmitter, or ARC audio extractor provides the bridge.
The cable is only half the setup: you will usually also need to select the external device in the TV’s Sound or Audio Output menu.
First, identify the TV output
Look at the labels beside the TV’s sockets and check the manual. You need an output from the TV, not an ordinary HDMI input.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →- HDMI ARC/eARC: Digital TV audio travels through the HDMI port specifically labeled ARC, eARC, or eARC/ARC.
- Optical, TOSLINK, or Digital Audio Out: A square optical connector carrying digital audio.
- 3.5-mm headphone jack: Analog stereo output, commonly controlled by the TV’s volume buttons.
- RCA Audio Out: Red-and-white analog left/right output, now uncommon on newer TVs.
- Bluetooth: Wireless audio output, if the television supports Bluetooth audio—not merely Bluetooth remotes or keyboards.
- USB: Usually not a general-purpose output for speakers or headphones. Use it only when the specific manual explicitly supports USB audio.
An HDMI socket labeled only HDMI IN normally receives video and audio; it does not send the TV’s app or tuner sound to a soundbar.
#1 Best Overall
- Optical digital audio cable: Perfect for equipment with a TOSLINK interface (OPT In / OPT Out or S/PDIF In / S/PDIF Out). TOSLINK connector to TOSLINK connector (F05 connector)
- Versatile: Ideal for transmitting crystal-clear digital audio from your TV, video game console (PS3/PS4/Xbox One), DVD/Blu-ray player, or TV streaming box to a soundbar, amplifier/amp, stereo/Hi-Fi system, D/A converter, and more
- High-End: This metal-free fiber optic audio cable, featuring a fully flexible PVC jacket, is entirely immune to electrical interference. Each cable undergoes multi-stage testing during manufacturing to ensure maximum product quality and durability
- 24K gold-plated connectors: Corrosion resistant gold plating keeps connectors clean. And because these cables are fiber optic, they provide 100 % signal transmission with 0 % loss
- No risk: 36 months manufacturer warranty
Choose the connection that fits your equipment
| Your situation | Best connection | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Modern TV and soundbar or receiver | HDMI eARC or ARC | Both devices need compatible ARC/eARC ports. |
| No ARC/eARC on one device | Optical digital audio | Less format capacity and no HDMI-CEC volume commands. |
| Wireless headphones, speaker, or hearing device | Bluetooth | The TV must support Bluetooth audio output; latency is possible. |
| Older amplifier with RCA or 3.5-mm input | TV analog output, or an optical-to-analog DAC | Optical cannot connect directly to an analog input. |
| TV has ARC but audio device has only optical or RCA | ARC audio extractor | Verify that the extractor supports TV-side ARC/eARC return audio. |
| Gaming or demanding surround formats | eARC, or source directly into the receiver/soundbar | Optical and basic ARC have format limitations. |
eARC offers greater bandwidth and support for higher-bitrate formats, but it does not automatically make ordinary stereo sound better. A basic stereo program can sound the same over ARC, optical, or eARC.
Option 1: Connect with HDMI ARC or eARC
ARC (Audio Return Channel) sends sound from the TV—including built-in streaming apps, the tuner, and many HDMI-connected sources—back to an external audio system. eARC is the enhanced version.
- Find the TV’s HDMI port marked ARC, eARC, or eARC/ARC.
- Connect it to the soundbar or receiver’s HDMI OUT (ARC/eARC) port. Do not use an ordinary HDMI input on the soundbar unless its manual identifies that port as the ARC/eARC connection.
- Use a suitable high-speed HDMI cable and push both plugs fully home.
- Turn on HDMI-CEC control on both devices if required. Manufacturers use names such as Samsung Anynet+, LG SIMPLINK, and Sony BRAVIA Sync. CEC carries commands such as power and volume control; Roku explains the relationship between ARC, eARC, and CEC in its setup guide: Roku HDMI settings.
- Select the soundbar’s TV ARC/eARC input.
- On the TV, choose the external HDMI audio device under Sound, Sound Output, or Audio Output.
There is no universal menu path. On recent LG webOS televisions, for example, the route is Settings → All Settings → Sound → Sound Out, followed by the HDMI ARC device; LG notes that labels vary by model and webOS version (LG instructions). Sony menus similarly vary by model; its guides cover ARC/eARC, optical fallback, speaker selection, and format settings (Sony ARC/eARC guidance).
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Rank #2
- Please REMOVE the end protective caps before using the cable.
- IN THE BOX: 6-foot digital optical audio Toslink cable.
- CLEAR AUDIO: Multi-channel, fiber-optic digital audio output; corrosion resistant gold-plated connectors and buffer tubing for optimal signal transfer.
- DURABLE: Lightweight, flexible cable with a rugged PVC exterior and removable rubber tips that protect the cable when not plugged in; remove before using.
- CONNECTS DEVICES: Quickly connects a sound bar, CD player, Blu-Ray player, game console, or other device to an audio system or TV.
Both devices must support the feature you want. An eARC TV can generally operate with an ARC-only soundbar, but the connection uses the lower common capability. A soundbar with no ARC/eARC cannot receive TV audio through a normal HDMI input just because it has an HDMI socket.
Option 2: Use optical digital audio
Optical is the most dependable fallback when ARC/eARC will not negotiate or one device lacks HDMI audio return.
- Remove any protective caps from the optical cable.
- Connect the TV’s Optical/Digital Audio Out to the receiver, soundbar, DAC, or transmitter’s Optical In.
- Select Optical or Digital on the receiving device.
- Choose optical or digital output in the TV’s sound menu.
- If the device is silent, set the TV’s digital audio format to PCM. PCM is a compatibility test, not automatically a sound-quality upgrade.
Optical avoids many HDMI-CEC handshake problems, but it does not carry HDMI device-control commands. You may need the soundbar’s remote for volume. Supported surround formats depend on the TV, source, and receiver; PCM stereo is the safest common setting. Sony’s connection and troubleshooting documentation covers optical, analog connections, and PCM (Sony soundbar guidance).
Rank #3
- Optical digital audio cable: Perfect for equipment with a TOSLINK interface (OPT In / OPT Out or S/PDIF In / S/PDIF Out). TOSLINK connector to TOSLINK connector (F05 connector)
- Versatile: Ideal for transmitting crystal-clear digital audio from your TV, video game console (PS3/PS4/Xbox One), DVD/Blu-ray player, or TV streaming box to a soundbar, amplifier/amp, stereo/Hi-Fi system, D/A converter, and more
- High-End: This metal-free fiber optic audio cable, featuring a fully flexible PVC jacket, is entirely immune to electrical interference. Each cable undergoes multi-stage testing during manufacturing to ensure maximum product quality and durability
- 24K gold-plated connectors: Corrosion resistant gold plating keeps connectors clean. And because these cables are fiber optic, they provide 100 % signal transmission with 0 % loss
- No risk: 36 months manufacturer warranty
Option 3: Pair Bluetooth headphones or speakers
Bluetooth is a wireless audio path, not a physical “audio out” port.
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- Put the headphones or speaker into pairing mode.
- Open the TV’s Bluetooth or audio-output settings.
- Select the device and wait for the pairing confirmation.
- Confirm that the TV has switched output to Bluetooth, then adjust any available audio-sync control.
Some televisions support Bluetooth only for remotes, keyboards, or controllers. Others permit just one Bluetooth audio device, disable the TV speakers or soundbar while paired, or provide no control from the TV remote. Bluetooth can introduce dialogue delay, especially with older codecs or generic transmitters. Hearing aids may require a manufacturer-specific TV streamer rather than ordinary Bluetooth. Sony’s model-specific Bluetooth guide is a useful example (Sony Bluetooth audio guidance).
Option 4: Wired headphones, RCA, and older stereo equipment
3.5-mm headphone output
Plug in the headphones and select the headphone output if the TV asks. Many sets mute their speakers automatically; others offer a separate speaker setting. Volume may be controlled by the TV, the headphones, or both.
Rank #4
- 【Extra-Long 10ft Cable for Flexible Setup】iVANKY 10ft optical audio cable provides just the right length to connect your devices comfortably - no more struggling with cables that are too short. Enjoy the same pristine, lossless audio quality while having the freedom to arrange your home theater, gaming system, or audio components exactly how you want
- 【Ultra-Clear Audio Quality with Japan Toray Original Fiber Core】iVANKY optical audio cable uses Japan Toray Original Fiber Core to deliver zero-distortion, lossless audio. This toslink cable is compatible with uncompressed PCM audio and compressed 5.1 to 7.1 surround sound systems, including Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD High Resolution, and LPCM. This digital optical audio cable ensures a wide dynamic range for an immersive listening experience
- 【Universal Device Compatibility】This optical cable for soundbar and home theaters connects seamlessly to a wide range of devices with standard Toslink (s/PDIF, Optical) ports, such as TVs, Soundbar, Speaker, Receiver, PS4, Xbox, Blu-Ray players, and more. It’s perfect for anyone looking to enhance their audio setup with a fiber optic cable that works flawlessly across multiple devices
- 【24K Gold-plated Connectors & Superior Durability】 Unlike conventional PVC jackets, iVANKY optical cable features a high-quality nylon braided jacket that withstands over 16,000 bends, making it highly durable and resistant to breakage. The aluminum shell and 24K gold-plated connectors prevent tarnishing and maintain conductivity over time, ensuring long-lasting performance
- 【Precision Design】The precisely designed cuboid connectors of this digital optical audio cable make installation easy and secure. The flexible and lightweight nylon material ensures hassle-free handling. Additionally, removable rubber caps protect the connectors from dust and oxidation when not in use. CL3-rated, this cable is also designed for in-wall installation, providing flexibility for your setup
If the TV has no headphone jack, use an optical-to-analog DAC, a Bluetooth transmitter fed from optical or analog output, or an HDMI ARC/eARC extractor.
RCA and analog inputs
Do not assume red-and-white connectors are outputs. They may be inputs, outputs, or absent. LG notes that many current models do not provide RCA output (LG connection guidance).
Optical is digital, while RCA and 3.5-mm connections are analog. A passive optical-to-RCA cable cannot convert the signal: you need a powered optical-to-analog DAC with PCM stereo support. For a TV with ARC but an amplifier with only RCA or optical input, use an ARC/eARC extractor whose specifications explicitly say it extracts TV-side ARC/eARC audio.
Best Value
- Optical digital audio cable: Perfect for equipment with a TOSLINK interface (OPT In / OPT Out or S/PDIF In / S/PDIF Out). TOSLINK connector to TOSLINK connector (F05 connector)
- Versatile: Ideal for transmitting crystal-clear digital audio from your TV, video game console (PS3/PS4/Xbox One), DVD/Blu-ray player, or TV streaming box to a soundbar, amplifier/amp, stereo/Hi-Fi system, D/A converter, and more
- High-End: This metal-free fiber optic audio cable, featuring a fully flexible PVC jacket, is entirely immune to electrical interference. Each cable undergoes multi-stage testing during manufacturing to ensure maximum product quality and durability
- 24K gold-plated connectors: Corrosion resistant gold plating keeps connectors clean. And because these cables are fiber optic, they provide 100 % signal transmission with 0 % loss
- No risk: 36 months manufacturer warranty
Getting sound from apps, consoles, and set-top boxes
When ARC is correctly configured, it is intended to return audio from the TV’s tuner and built-in apps such as streaming services, as well as many HDMI-connected players and consoles. Actual pass-through depends on the TV’s format support. If a source is plugged directly into the soundbar or receiver, its audio follows that device’s input and decoding path instead of the TV’s output setting. For high-bitrate gaming or surround formats, direct connection to an eARC-capable receiver or soundbar can be preferable.
Fix “no sound” in this order
- Power: Confirm the soundbar, receiver, DAC, or transmitter is on and not muted.
- Input: Select the matching TV ARC/eARC, optical, analog, or Bluetooth input on the receiving device.
- Ports and cable: Recheck the labels. The TV must use ARC/eARC, and the soundbar usually needs HDMI OUT ARC/eARC.
- TV output: Select the external device in the TV’s Sound or Audio Output menu.
- Format: Change digital audio to PCM to test for an unsupported Dolby, DTS, or other format.
- CEC and handshake: For ARC/eARC, enable HDMI-CEC on both devices, disconnect unnecessary HDMI equipment temporarily, then turn off and unplug the TV and audio device before reconnecting them.
- Cable: Try another suitable high-speed HDMI cable or optical cable.
- Fallback: If ARC/eARC remains intermittent, test optical.
Sony identifies wrong ARC/eARC ports, incompatible formats, speaker settings, and HDMI communication failures as common causes (Sony troubleshooting); Roku also recommends format checks for no-sound situations (Roku no-sound troubleshooting).
Other symptoms and their fixes
- Echo or double audio: Disable TV speakers or select only the external output. Independent simultaneous outputs are model-dependent.
- Sound cuts out: Suspect an ARC/eARC handshake, cable, CEC conflict, or unsupported format. Power-cycle the chain and test PCM or optical.
- Volume buttons do nothing: Optical normally carries sound but not CEC commands. Use the audio device remote, program a universal remote, or use ARC/eARC with CEC.
- Only one app works: Test PCM. Different apps or sources may use different formats.
- Bluetooth is out of sync: Use the TV or headphone audio-sync control, avoid stacking delay settings, or choose a low-latency transmitter.
- Headphones and soundbar will not work together: Many TVs treat these as mutually exclusive modes. A purpose-built dual-output transmitter or source-routing setup may be required.
When an accessory is the right answer
- Optical-to-analog DAC: Optical TV output to an old amplifier, powered speakers, or wired headphones with RCA/3.5-mm input.
- Bluetooth transmitter: A TV without Bluetooth audio output, provided the transmitter is designed to transmit—not merely receive—and supports the TV’s optical or analog output.
- ARC/eARC extractor: An ARC/eARC TV feeding optical, RCA, or 3.5-mm equipment. Check CEC, HDCP, PCM/Dolby, and simultaneous-output specifications carefully.
- Hearing-aid streamer: Often better than generic Bluetooth when matched to the exact hearing-aid brand and model.
- AV receiver: Appropriate when you need multiple HDMI sources, surround speakers, and centralized switching; excessive for a simple pair of headphones.
Bottom line
Start with the simplest compatible path: HDMI ARC/eARC for a modern soundbar or receiver, optical when HDMI audio return is unavailable or troublesome, Bluetooth for supported wireless listening, and analog or a powered converter for older equipment. Always match the TV’s labeled output to the audio device’s correctly labeled input, select that output in the TV menu, and use PCM when format compatibility is the likely cause of silence.
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