How to Use a Soundbar with a Streaming Device

Why connect a streaming device to a soundbar

A streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Fire Stick plugs into your TV to deliver apps and content. The TV's built-in speakers often sound thin, so adding a soundbar improves the audio for movies, shows, and music. The connection between the streaming device and the soundbar is indirect: the streaming device sends video and audio to the TV, and the TV passes the audio to the soundbar.

This article explains the connection options you will see on listings and TV ports, so you can set up your equipment and know what to check before buying a soundbar. For a general overview of soundbar features, see our best soundbar guide.

HDMI ARC and eARC: the main connection

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) is a feature on many TVs and soundbars that lets audio travel from the TV back to the soundbar over a single HDMI cable. HDMI eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) is a newer version that supports higher-bandwidth audio formats. The HDMI Licensing Administrator describes eARC as simplifying connectivity and supporting the most advanced audio formats and highest audio quality.

To use ARC or eARC, connect the soundbar to the TV's HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC, then plug the streaming device into another HDMI port on the TV. The TV then sends audio from the streaming device to the soundbar. Check your TV's manual or port labels to confirm which port supports ARC or eARC.

If your TV lacks ARC or eARC, an optical cable is the alternative. Optical (Toslink) carries digital audio from the TV to the soundbar, but it does not support the same high-bandwidth formats as eARC. For most streaming apps, optical works fine, but check the soundbar's listing for its optical input. For more on connection options, read our soundbar connectivity guide.

Streaming device connections: HDMI and more

Streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Fire Stick connect to your TV via HDMI. Some models are sticks that plug directly into an HDMI port, while others use an HDMI cable. The streaming device handles video and audio decoding, then sends both to the TV over HDMI.

If your soundbar has HDMI inputs, you could connect the streaming device directly to the soundbar and then to the TV, but this depends on the soundbar's HDMI inputs and whether it supports video passthrough. Many soundbars have one or more HDMI inputs, but not all support 4K or HDR passthrough. Check the soundbar's listing for HDMI input count and passthrough support. Our HDMI inputs guide explains what to look for.

For most setups, the simplest path is: streaming device to TV via HDMI, then TV to soundbar via HDMI ARC or eARC, or optical. This avoids any passthrough limitations and keeps the video path direct to the TV.

Checking ports before you buy

Before buying a soundbar, look at the back of your TV to see which ports are available. Note the HDMI ports labeled ARC or eARC, and whether there is an optical output. Also check how many HDMI ports are free for the streaming device and other gear like a game console.

On a soundbar listing, look for the connection terms: HDMI ARC, HDMI eARC, optical input, and Bluetooth. If the listing does not state a port, that does not mean it is missing; it may be on the maker's page. Read the maker's specifications to confirm the exact ports.

Bluetooth is another option for streaming audio from a phone or tablet, but it is not the primary way to connect a streaming device like Roku or Apple TV, which rely on HDMI. Bluetooth on a soundbar is useful for playing music from a phone, as described by the Bluetooth technology overview: it streams audio wirelessly between devices. See our Bluetooth codecs guide for more.

Setting up your streaming device with a soundbar

Once you have the right cables, the setup is straightforward. Plug the streaming device into the TV, connect the soundbar to the TV via HDMI ARC or eARC (or optical), and power everything on. The TV should automatically detect the soundbar and route audio to it.

If you do not hear sound from the soundbar, check the TV's audio output settings. Many TVs have a setting to choose the audio output device, such as HDMI ARC or optical. You may need to select the soundbar as the output. The soundbar's own input selection may also need to be set to the correct HDMI or optical input.

For HDMI ARC to work, both the TV and soundbar must support it. If your TV only has optical, use that. If neither is available, you may need a different soundbar or an adapter, but that is rare for modern TVs. For a step-by-step checklist, see our unboxing and setup guide.

Troubleshooting common issues

If the soundbar does not produce sound, first confirm the cables are firmly connected to the correct ports. For HDMI ARC, the cable must go into the port labeled ARC on both the TV and soundbar. For optical, the cable must click into place.

Check the TV's audio settings to ensure the output is set to the soundbar, not the TV speakers. Some TVs have a setting called 'Audio Output' or 'Sound Out' where you can select ARC or optical.

If the streaming device's audio is out of sync with the video, the HDMI specification includes a Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) to improve audio and video synchronization, especially in setups with a soundbar. This is a feature of newer HDMI versions, so check if your TV and soundbar support it. If not, you may need to adjust the audio delay setting on the soundbar or TV. For more on HDMI features, see our HDMI ARC vs eARC comparison.

What to pick for your situation

When choosing a soundbar for use with a streaming device, focus on the connection terms in the listing. Look for HDMI ARC or eARC support, which is the most common and reliable way to connect. If your TV is older and only has optical, make sure the soundbar has an optical input.

For a simple setup with a Roku or Fire Stick, a soundbar with HDMI ARC is sufficient. For an Apple TV 4K or a setup where you want the best audio formats, consider a soundbar with eARC and Dolby Atmos support, as these are often paired with higher-end models.

The table below summarizes what to look for based on your TV and streaming device.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Can I connect a Roku directly to a soundbar?

Yes, if the soundbar has an HDMI input and supports video passthrough. Plug the Roku into the soundbar's HDMI input, then connect the soundbar to the TV via HDMI ARC or eARC. Check the soundbar's listing for HDMI input count and passthrough support.

Does an Apple TV need eARC to work with a soundbar?

No, an Apple TV works with any soundbar that connects to your TV via HDMI ARC, eARC, or optical. eARC is only needed for the highest-quality audio formats like Dolby Atmos from the TV's apps or connected devices.

What if my TV has no HDMI ARC port?

Use an optical cable to connect the soundbar to the TV's optical output. This carries digital audio but does not support the same high-bandwidth formats as eARC. Check the soundbar's listing for an optical input.

Why is there no sound from my soundbar with a Fire Stick?

Check that the Fire Stick is plugged into the TV, the soundbar is connected to the TV via HDMI ARC or optical, and the TV's audio output is set to the soundbar. Also ensure the soundbar is set to the correct input.