Samsung TV No Headphone Jack? 4 Audio-Out Routes to External Speakers

Samsung TV No Headphone Jack? 4 Audio-Out Routes to External Speakers

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What To Know

  • Newer Samsung TVs lack headphone jacks but have Optical ports for high-quality sound output
  • Use a Digital to Analog Audio Converter (DAC) to connect wired headphones or speakers with a 3.5mm AUX connection to the Optical port on Samsung TVs.
  • Other connection methods include HDMI ARC for soundbars and Bluetooth for wireless headphones or speakers.

In this guide, I’ll show you four ways to connect headphones or speakers to your Samsung TV without a headphone jack.

Let’s dive in!

Do Samsung TVs Have Headphone Jacks?

No, newer Samsung TVs do not have headphone jacks. 

While some older Samsung TVs do have headphone jacks (or 3.5mm audio ports), newer Samsung TVs are made without them. 

This may be because most Samsung smart TVs support Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to wirelessly connect their Bluetooth headphones or speakers. 

Additionally, newer Samsung smart TVs are fitted with digital audio (Optical) ports, which foster slightly better sound quality than 3.5mm audio ports. 

zoom in on the Optical port on the Samsung TV

The Optical ports on Samsung TVs support wired connections to external headphones, speakers, or amplifiers, enabling users to enhance their TV setups with high-quality audio.

For users who have a preference for using wired headphones or speakers, especially those with a 3.5mm AUX connection, refer to the first solution “Use a Digital to Analog Audio Converter” below.

4 Better Ways for Samsung TV Sound Output

For Samsung TV owners looking to enhance their audio experience, there are four effective methods to achieve better sound output.

1. Use a Digital to Analog Audio Converter

 A popular and efficient way is through the use of a Digital to Analog Audio Converter (DAC).

This device is ideal for connecting wired headphones or speakers, especially those that only support a 3.5mm AUX connection, to your Samsung TV’s Optical output port.

the Digital to Analog Audio Converter (DAC)

The DAC comes equipped with an Optical input port (SPDIF), designed to link directly to your TV’s Optical output. 

highlighting the SPDIF (Optical in) port on the DAC

On its output side, the DAC offers both a 3.5mm AUX port and RCA left (white)/right (red) ports.

the audio output ports on the DAC

These ports allow for a versatile range of audio equipment connections, including headphones, speakers, and even soundbars. 

An excellent DAC model to consider is the PROZOR Digital to Analog Audio Converter.

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PROZOR 192KHz Digital to Analog Audio Converter DAC Digital SPDIF Optical to Analog L/R RCA Converter Toslink Optical to 3.5mm Jack Adapter for PS3 HD...
  • PROZOR 192KHz Digital to Analog Audio Converter: Converts coaxial or toslink digital PCM audio...
  • Input Audio Connector: 1 x Toslink, 1 x RCA (Coaxial); Output Audio Connector: 2 x RCA(R/L), 1 x...
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Setting up the DAC with your TV and headphones or speakers is a straightforward process:

Step 1: Begin by powering on the converter.

powering on the DAC

Step 2: Connect one end of an Optical cable to the DAC’s SPDIF (Optical input port).

plug the Optical cable into the DAC

Step 3: Attach the other end of the Optical cable to your TV’s Optical port.

plug the Optical cable into the Samsung TV's Optical port

Step 4: Depending on your audio device, connect your wired headphones or speakers to the DAC using the 3.5mm AUX connector.

For the soundbars, a 3.5mm AUX cable may be necessary.

connect the 3.5mm AUX connector to the DAC

connect a wired headphone to the DAC

After completing these steps, it’s important to check that the sound is correctly being output to your headphones or speakers.

If you encounter any issues like unclear sound or intermittent output, first ensure that all cables are securely connected and in good condition.

Additionally, you may need to adjust your TV’s sound output settings to select the Optical option, ensuring optimal audio transmission.

pointing to the Optical sound output on Samsung TV

2. Use HDMI ARC

Enhancing your Samsung TV’s audio quality is simple with the HDMI ARC method. 

This approach involves using the HDMI port with ARC (audio return channel) support on your TV to connect it to external audio devices like a soundbar.

For example, when I connected my Samsung UA43AU7002 TV to an LG SN8Y soundbar, the process was straightforward:

Step 1: Plug one end of an HDMI cable into the HDMI ARC/eARC port on the soundbar.

plug the HDMI cable into the HDMI ARC port on the soundbar

Step 2: Attach the other end of the cable to the HDMI ARC/eARC port on your Samsung TV.

plug the HDMI cable into the HDMI ARC port on Samsung TV

Step 3: You’ll need to adjust the settings on your soundbar. 

Set the connection method to HDMI ARC/eARC to ensure it communicates correctly with the TV. 

switch soundbar connection method to E-ARC

Step 4: After that, it’s time to tweak the TV settings. 

Go to the main Settings menu, find the Sound settings, and navigate to Sound Output

select the Sound setting on Samsung TV

select the Sound Output setting on the Samsung TV

Step 5: Finally, select the soundbar – Receiver (HDMI-eARC) option to change the Sound Output to your soundbar. 

select Receiver (HDMI e-ARC) as the Samsung TV sound output

3. Use Optical 

One effective method to improve the sound quality of your Samsung TV is by utilizing an Optical connection.

If you have a soundbar, such as the LG SN8Y like mine, which is compatible with Optical input, you can easily connect it to your TV.

This is done by using an Optical cable that links your TV directly to the soundbar, enabling the sound to be output through the soundbar instead of the TV’s built-in speakers.

plug the Optical cable into the soundbar

plug the Optical cable into the Samsung TV

To make this setup work, it’s essential to adjust a few settings. 

First, on your Samsung TV, navigate to the audio output settings and select the Optical option. 

This directs the TV’s audio to flow through the Optical cable.

select Optical as the Sound Output for Samsung TV

Next, ensure that your soundbar is also set to receive input via the Optical connection.

switch the soundbar connection method to the Optical

Once these settings are in place, you’ll notice a significant enhancement in your TV’s audio performance, providing a more immersive viewing experience.

4. Use Bluetooth

One of the best ways to improve your Samsung TV’s sound experience is to use its Bluetooth capability.

This awesome feature lets you connect your TV wirelessly to cool audio devices like Bluetooth headphones, speakers, or soundbars, making your watching experience way better without any messy wires. 

For instance, I can easily pair my Samsung UA43AU7002 TV with my Samsung Galaxy Buds Live wireless earphones.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live earphones

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live earphone is opened

Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: First, get your headphones or earphones ready to connect by putting them in pairing mode

If you have Samsung Earbuds like mine, just press and hold both earpieces for about 5 seconds, and they’ll be ready to pair.

Step 2: Next, grab your Samsung TV remote and navigate to Settings. Then, go to Sound.

Step 3: After that, select Sound Output and choose Bluetooth Speaker List.

select Bluetooth Speaker List in Samsung TV Sound Output setting

Step 4: Finally, just pick your headphones or speaker from the list that appears on your TV. 

select Galaxy Buds Live to connect to Samsung TV

select Pair and connect on Samsung TV

Bluetooth speaker is connected to the Samsung TV

This simple process will link your audio device to your TV, and voilà! You’re all set to enjoy your shows with great sound.

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