Samsung soundbars support four main connection types: HDMI eARC, HDMI ARC, optical/Toslink, and Bluetooth. Each handles audio formats differently, and picking the wrong one leaves you with compressed audio or a volume button that only works on the soundbar remote. Here are the five best connection products and configurations for Samsung soundbars.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Zeskit Maya 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable | eARC Dolby Atmos passthrough | 4.8/5 |
| Monoprice Premium HDMI 2.0 Cable | ARC on older Samsung TVs | 4.7/5 |
| AmazonBasics Digital Optical Audio Cable | TVs without HDMI ARC port | 4.6/5 |
| BlueParrott Bluetooth Transmitter | Wireless audio from non-BT TV | 4.5/5 |
| Samsung One Connect Box (OCC) | Frame/Serif/Terrace TV setups | 4.7/5 |
Zeskit Maya 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable — Best for eARC Dolby Atmos
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) requires a Premium Certified HDMI 2.1 cable to pass lossless Dolby TrueHD Atmos and DTS:X at full quality. Standard HDMI 2.0 cables often fail this because their internal shielding does not meet the eARC specification, resulting in the soundbar falling back to lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 or even 2.0 stereo. The Zeskit Maya is one of the most consistently tested cables in the home audio community, passing 48 Gbps certification and maintaining the eARC signal on runs up to 10 feet. Enable Anynet+ on your Samsung TV after connecting to get unified remote control.
Find Zeskit Maya HDMI 2.1 Cable on Amazon
Monoprice Premium HDMI 2.0 Cable — Best for HDMI ARC on Older TVs
Samsung TVs from 2017 to 2019 support HDMI ARC but not eARC, limiting audio return to Dolby Digital 5.1 at 640 kbps. For these TVs, any Premium HDMI 2.0 cable handles the ARC signal without issues, and there is no benefit to spending more on an eARC cable. The Monoprice Premium HDMI 2.0 is durably built, reliably spec-compliant, and priced low enough to replace both the TV-to-soundbar and any HDMI source cables at once. Connect to the port labeled ARC and enable HDMI-CEC in TV settings.
Find Monoprice Premium HDMI 2.0 Cable on Amazon
AmazonBasics Digital Optical Audio Cable — Best for TVs Without ARC
Older Samsung TVs or budget models may have no HDMI ARC port at all. In that case, a digital optical (Toslink) cable is the next best option, supporting up to Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1. Optical does not carry lossless audio or Atmos object-based audio, but it is a clean, noise-free connection that sounds better than an analog 3.5mm cable. The AmazonBasics Toslink cable is durable and the connector clicks firmly into place, avoiding the intermittent dropout that cheap optical cables cause. Set TV audio output to “PCM” or “Bitstream” and match it to what your soundbar expects.
Find AmazonBasics Optical Audio Cable on Amazon
BlueParrott Bluetooth Transmitter — Best for Wireless from Non-BT TV
Some TVs, particularly older or commercial displays, lack Bluetooth audio output entirely. A Bluetooth audio transmitter plugs into the TV’s optical or 3.5mm output and sends a wireless signal to the soundbar in Bluetooth mode. The BlueParrott unit supports aptX Low Latency, which cuts Bluetooth lag from 200ms down to around 40ms, making lip sync acceptable for most content. It pairs in seconds and stays paired across power cycles. This is also useful for adding a second Samsung soundbar in a room adjacent to the TV.
Find Bluetooth Audio Transmitter on Amazon
Samsung One Connect Box — Best for Samsung Frame TV Setups
Samsung’s Frame, Serif, and Terrace TVs route all connections through the One Connect Box, a separate breakout unit connected to the TV via a slim cable. The soundbar HDMI eARC connection goes into the One Connect Box, not the TV itself. Replacement One Connect Boxes are available if the original is lost or damaged, and the pairing process is straightforward. This setup keeps all cables at the equipment rack rather than hanging behind the wall-mounted TV, which is a meaningful practical advantage for clean installs.
Find Samsung One Connect Box on Amazon
How to Choose the Best Samsung Soundbar Connection
Check your TV’s HDMI labels before buying any cable. If one port says eARC, use HDMI 2.1 and unlock the best audio. If it says ARC only, HDMI 2.0 is sufficient. Optical is the fallback for TVs without any ARC port. Bluetooth is a convenience connection for music playback, not a primary TV audio solution. For Q-Symphony (where the TV speakers and soundbar work together), HDMI ARC or eARC is required and Anynet+ must be enabled; this feature does not work over optical or Bluetooth.
For related home audio reads, see our article on best connection for soundbar for general soundbar connection advice, and visit our methodology for evaluation standards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to connect a Samsung soundbar to a Samsung TV?+
HDMI eARC is the best connection for Samsung soundbar to Samsung TV pairings. It supports lossless Dolby Atmos and DTS:X passthrough, allows single-remote volume control, and enables Samsung's Q-Symphony mode on compatible models. Use port labeled ARC or eARC on your TV, enable Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) in TV settings, and use a Premium Certified HDMI 2.1 cable.
Can I connect a Samsung soundbar via Bluetooth to my TV?+
Yes. Most Samsung TVs support Bluetooth audio output, and Samsung soundbars can pair in Bluetooth mode. However, Bluetooth audio has 100 to 200ms latency compared to HDMI ARC, which causes noticeable lip sync issues with dialogue-heavy content. Bluetooth is best used for music streaming from a phone or tablet, not as the primary TV connection.