If your soundbar has an accompanying app for your smartphone or tablet, you could use this as an alternative to the remote, at least on a temporary basis. Some brands also let you buy replacement remotes separately, which is worth trying if you suspect your remote control is faulty (for example, if it stopped working after you dropped it). My soundbar or subwoofer isn’t working at all As you can see, controlling your soundbar with your TV remote is a fairly straightforward process. You only need to make the connection to your TV and adjust your settings and sound as necessary.

The Arc supports Dolby Atmos (although only via eARC) as well as both Google Assistant and Alexa. It can be fully integrated into a Sonos multiroom audio system and controlled via the excellent Sonos S2 app. The only caveat is that physical connectivity is limited to a single HDMI ARC/eARC port, with no HDMI or optical digital input available. Otherwise, this is an astonishing achievement in AV audio engineering. Many manufacturers imply that their TVs will only link with AV equipment from the same brand, but basic CEC functionality usually works between brands – just make sure HDMI CEC is enabled. HDMI ARC Still having problems with your set-up? See our expert guide to common soundbar problems . Setting up a soundbar app Sony TVs can be connected to a soundbar through the HDMI ARC connection, an optical digital audio cable only, or with both an HDMI and optical digital audio cable. All of the setups are the same as the instructions listed above. When switching the audio output setting, you’ll select ‘Audio System’ for all setups. Like any other speaker system, soundbars benefit from a bit of extra time and care when you first set them up. Use our easy-to-follow guide to find out how you can get the best-quality audio from yours.

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Whether you are using an optical or HDMI ARC connection, you should have been provided the correct cable with your soundbar from the soundbar manufacturer. Plug in the cable to your soundbar and your TV. Close attention is paid to sound reproduction across the frequency spectrum, with a focus on the three cornerstones of soundbar performance: bass response, dialogue clarity and crispness of treble. If there are different EQ presets available, we’ll try these out with appropriate content and all tests are run at a variety of volume levels, including maximum volume to push the product to its limits. If you have any issues with your soundbar, see our expert guide to common soundbar problems . How to set up your soundbar An HDMI ARC connection makes controlling your soundbar from your TV remote simple, and after your connection is made through the cable, you should immediately be able to hear your TV’s sound coming through your soundbar. On the hunt for a soundbar that can take pride of place in your living room? Discover the best soundbars that combine style with substance. The best way to connect a soundbar

Whatever the problem, fixing your soundbar will almost certainly be cheaper – and more environmentally friendly – than replacing it. Start by turning the volume of the soundbar all the way down, using your soundbar remote. Then play around with the volume settings to find the optimal volumes on each device to produce the best sound for your system. After connections have been made and settings have been adjusted, you may need to adjust the soundbar’s volume to optimize the sound now that it is controlled through the TV. The setup process varies between models, but it usually involves connecting to your soundbar using an app. After this initial setup, you should be good to go.This handy feature allows you to link HDMI-compatible devices together. For example, you can connect your Blu-ray player or console to the soundbar, so only one cable needs to connect to your TV, working as both input and output. If your soundbar is showing its age, find out more about the features available on the latest models – go to the best soundbars. Soundbar voice controls

The digital optical and HDMI ARC connections are made just like the instructions above. You’ll use the Sound > Sound Out area to change the output to HDMI or optical. When connecting through ARC, your TV may automatically recognize your connection after inserting the cable. Otherwise, use the menu on your VIZIO remote and go to System > CEC, then change the setting to ‘Disabled’, ‘Enabled’, or ‘ARC only’, based on your needs. Soundbars aren't just for use with TVs, though – you can also use one to listen to music from your phone, tablet or laptop. We'll show you how.

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In addition to testing out a soundbar’s ability to deliver sound to accompany onscreen action, we take time to try out any wireless streaming capabilities it may have, be that via Tidal over Bluetooth or Spotify Connect over a Wi-Fi network. Content is also streamed via features such as Chromecast built-in and AirPlay 2 to ensure they work as intended.