Use a full-size High Speed HDMI cable or better from the Bose soundbar’s HDMI ARC/eARC port to the television’s HDMI ARC/eARC port. If you need a replacement, a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable is the safest all-purpose choice, but you do not need a Bose-branded cable.
The cable and ports you need
The cable is only half of the connection. The TV must also have a compatible ARC or eARC port:
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TV HDMI ARC/eARC port → Bose soundbar HDMI ARC/eARC portDo not connect the soundbar to an ordinary HDMI input on the TV. A standard HDMI input receives audio and video; it does not return the TV’s audio to the soundbar.
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HDMI cable categories
| Cable label | Typical capability | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| High Speed HDMI | Up to 10.2 Gbps | Basic ARC and many standard TV-audio setups |
| Premium High Speed HDMI | Certified up to 18 Gbps | Many 4K/60 HDR systems |
| Ultra High Speed HDMI | Certified up to 48 Gbps, including eARC and HDMI 2.1 features | New replacements, eARC, modern 4K equipment, and future upgrades |
See the HDMI cable category guidance for the official designations. “HDMI 2.1 cable” is common retailer shorthand, but Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable is the clearer official buying label.
Which cable should you use with each Bose soundbar?
| Bose model | Typical TV connection | Practical cable advice |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Soundbar 300 | HDMI ARC or optical | High Speed HDMI or better |
| Soundbar 500 / Smart Soundbar 500 | HDMI ARC or optical | High Speed HDMI or better is a sensible baseline |
| Smart Soundbar 600 | HDMI ARC/eARC or optical | Use ARC/eARC for supported Atmos; Ultra High Speed is a safe replacement |
| Soundbar 700 / Smart Soundbar 700 | HDMI ARC/eARC or optical | Connect the bar’s ARC/eARC port to the TV’s matching port |
| Smart Soundbar 900 | HDMI ARC/eARC or optical | Use eARC where available for supported Dolby Atmos content |
| Smart Ultra Soundbar | HDMI eARC/ARC or optical | Use the supplied cable or a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable |
Model names and ports can vary by generation, so check the labels on the equipment and the exact owner’s guide. Bose’s setup instructions for the Smart Soundbar 700 and Smart Soundbar 600 specify an ARC/eARC connection to the TV.
Do you need an HDMI 2.1 cable?
Not necessarily. A basic Bose soundbar using HDMI ARC does not automatically require an HDMI 2.1 cable. A functioning High Speed cable may be sufficient.
For a new replacement, however, a certified Ultra High Speed cable is a good one-time choice. It is certified for eARC and high-bandwidth HDMI applications. This does not upgrade a soundbar or TV to HDMI 2.1 or eARC; those capabilities must already exist in the connected equipment.
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HDMI says older cable categories may work in some eARC installations but are not certified for eARC operation. The official eARC guidance is therefore a reason to prefer Ultra High Speed when eARC reliability matters.
Try the cable included with the Bose soundbar first
Several Bose soundbars are supplied with HDMI and optical cables. Bose product information lists included cables for the Smart Soundbar 600 and 900, while the Smart Ultra Soundbar includes an HDMI eARC cable and an optical cable.
Use the included HDMI cable unless it is missing, damaged, too short, or unreliable. Replacing it will not improve sound quality merely because the new cable costs more or has gold-plated connectors.
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- Turn off or pause the TV and soundbar.
- Find the TV port marked HDMI ARC, HDMI eARC, or Audio Return Channel.
- Find the matching HDMI ARC/eARC port on the Bose soundbar.
- Connect the cable directly between those two ports.
- Turn on the TV and soundbar.
- In the TV’s audio settings, choose HDMI ARC/eARC, Receiver, or External speaker.
- Set digital audio output to Auto, Passthrough, Bitstream, or the equivalent option available on the TV.
- Enable HDMI-CEC if required. Brand names include Anynet+, Bravia Sync, Simplink, Viera Link, and CEC.
- Select the TV source on the Bose remote or in the Bose app, then test playback.
HDMI ARC can also carry control commands, allowing the TV remote to adjust volume, mute, and sometimes power. Bose notes that optical does not carry HDMI-CEC commands.
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ARC versus eARC
ARC is adequate for many ordinary TV-audio setups. eARC provides greater bandwidth and is preferable for compatible high-bitrate audio formats and demanding Dolby Atmos configurations.
eARC only works as intended when the TV, soundbar, settings, source, and cable are all suitable. A new cable cannot add eARC to a TV or soundbar that does not support it.
Dolby Atmos does not have one universal cable rule. The result depends on the Atmos format, the TV’s ARC/eARC capability, the streaming or disc device, and the TV’s audio-output setting. Bose recommends eARC for Atmos on relevant models such as the Smart Ultra Soundbar and Smart Soundbar 600.
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Use an optical cable instead:
TV optical audio out → Bose soundbar optical inDo not connect the optical cable to an optical output on the soundbar. The TV must provide the optical output.
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Optical is a legitimate fallback for TVs without ARC/eARC or for persistent HDMI compatibility problems. Its limitations are that it does not carry HDMI-CEC control commands and may not support the same advanced audio capability as eARC. Bose identifies optical as the alternative wired connection for compatible soundbars.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting
No sound
- Verify that the cable is in the TV’s ARC/eARC port, not a regular HDMI port.
- Make sure the Bose soundbar is set to the TV or HDMI source.
- Enable ARC/eARC and HDMI-CEC in the TV menu.
- Choose external speakers or HDMI ARC/eARC as the audio output.
- Try another High Speed HDMI cable.
- Power-cycle the TV, connected source devices, and soundbar.
- Test with optical to determine whether the issue is specific to HDMI ARC/CEC.
Bose also recommends trying another High Speed HDMI cable and using optical as a diagnostic or workaround for ARC/CEC problems.
The soundbar is detected, but Dolby Atmos is missing
- Check whether the TV supports eARC and whether eARC is enabled.
- Set the TV’s digital audio output to Passthrough, Bitstream, or Auto rather than PCM or Stereo.
- Confirm that the streaming service, title, and source device actually provide Atmos.
- Check the source device’s audio settings.
- Try a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable if the existing cable is marginal.
- Confirm that the Bose model and its firmware support the expected format.
On supported models, the Bose app can show the incoming audio format, including Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, LPCM, and AAC. See Bose’s guide to checking the digital audio format.
The TV remote does not control volume
This usually indicates that HDMI-CEC is disabled or that the TV and soundbar have not completed a reliable handshake. Enable the TV’s CEC feature and restart both devices. If you use optical, sound will still work, but the optical connection cannot carry HDMI-CEC commands.
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Audio drops out
Test a direct TV-to-soundbar connection without an HDMI switch, splitter, receiver, adapter, or extender. Also try a shorter or certified cable, update the TV and soundbar, and check whether the source audio format exceeds what the TV’s ARC/eARC path can pass. Long concealed cable runs deserve particular care: test them before closing walls, cabinetry, or other finished construction.
Buying checklist
- Choose a full-size HDMI connector.
- For basic ARC, use High Speed HDMI or better.
- For a new replacement, prefer the official certified Ultra High Speed HDMI label.
- Choose a length that reaches comfortably without sharp bends.
- For long runs, use a cable designed and certified for that length, and test it before installation.
- Buy from a reputable seller with a practical return policy.
- Do not pay extra for Bose branding, gold-plated connectors, “audiophile” construction, or an “8K” claim without certification.
For Bose Smart Soundbar 900 and Smart Ultra Soundbar systems, Bose generally expects source devices such as game consoles and cable boxes to connect to the TV, with the TV sending audio to the soundbar through its ARC/eARC connection. Follow the exact model’s documentation if your installation uses an AV receiver or HDMI switching equipment.
Bottom line
Use the Bose-supplied HDMI cable if you have it. Otherwise, choose a full-size High Speed HDMI cable or better for a normal ARC setup; choose a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable for a new replacement, eARC, Dolby Atmos-focused system, or future-facing installation. Most importantly, connect it to the TV’s labeled HDMI ARC/eARC port, not an ordinary HDMI input.
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