3 Simple Audio Out Solutions For Samsung Smart TVs

While your new Samsung smart TV has decent built-in speakers, you’ve been wanting to create a custom sound setup that’s on par with the picture’s ultra-high resolution quality. 

You check the back and side of the TV for an AUX port but find that there isn’t one. Additionally, you know that you could achieve a high sound quality using another audio output. 

But, which audio-out solutions are available for Samsung smart TVs? How can you connect a sound system or speaker to your Samsung smart TV’s ports/Bluetooth? 

Keep reading to find out! 

Samsung Smart TV Audio Out Solutions – Comparison Table

1. Optical Audio Output

Optical cables support high-quality digital sound output and are easy to connect to your Samsung TV and speakers. However, you must ensure that your speakers also have optical ports, since many models do not, especially if they’re of lower quality. 

Materials Needed

• Samsung TV with an Optical Audio Port
• Speaker/Soundbar with an Optical Audio Input
• Optical Audio Cable 

Instructions

Step 1: Plug one end of the optical audio cable into your Samsung smart TV’s optical audio output port. 

Step 2: Then, plug the other end of the same optical audio cable into your speaker or sound system’s optical audio input port. 

Now is also a good time to check that your speakers are powered, if needed. 

Step 3: Then, turn your attention to your TV and use your TV remote to open the Settings menu. 

Step 4: Navigate to the Sound Menu. 

Step 5: Go to Sound Output. 

Step 6: Click on Optical from the list of available sound outputs. 

Step 7: Once you’ve selected Optical, exit the Settings menu and play some music to see if they play from your speakers or sound system. You can also adjust the volume to your preferred level. 

Watch the video below demonstrating how to connect a speaker or sound system to your Samsung smart TV using an optical cable. 

2. HDMI ARC/eARC

HDMI ARC/eARC is by far one of the most popular ways to connect external devices to modern TVs. It’s fast, reliable, and couldn’t be easier. You may even have a few HDMI cables laying around your house already. 

However, only select speakers have HDMI ARC/eARC ports. 

HDMI also supports great sound output, ensuring the audio you’re listening to will be crystal clear. That said, HDMI cables deteriorate over time, so if the cable you’re using is a few years old, you may want to replace it. 

Materials Needed

• Samsung TV with ARC/eARC
• Speaker/Soundbar with ARC/eARC
• HDMI Cable
  • HDMI 1.4 or higher  for ARC
  • HDMI 2.1  for eARC

Instructions

Step 1: Connect one end of an HDMI cable to your Samsung TV’s HDMI ARC/eARC port. Some TVs will have multiple HDMI ARC/eARC ports. Since there are no notable differences between them, feel free to plug the cable into any available HDMI port. 

Step 2: Next, plug the other side of the cable into your speaker or soundbar’s HDMI ARC/eARC port and ensure it’s secure. Also, plug the speaker or sound bar into a wall outlet with its power cable. 

Step 3: To play sound from your Samsung smart TV to your sound system, you will need to enable the eARC setting. To do this, navigate to the Settings. 

Step 4: Then, head to Sound Menu. 

Step 5: Go to Expert Settings.

Step 6: Then, select HDMI e-ARC and enable it. 

Watch the video below demonstrating how to enable HDMI eARC on Samsung smart TVs. 

Step 7: Depending on your Samsung TV model, you may also have to enable Anynet+ or Samsung’s HDMI CEC to take full advantage of your speaker or sound system. You will have to do this in addition to enabling HDMI eARC. 

This process varies widely depending on your TV model. For your convenience, we’ve listed the required steps for each model in the table below. 

3. Bluetooth Audio

Last, but not least, you can wirelessly connect compatible speakers or soundbars to your Samsung TV using Bluetooth. This is a great option for those who don’t want wires cluttering their entertainment setup, and prefer a sleek, minimalist approach to technology. 

However, Bluetooth is, by far, the least reliable audio solution on this list. 

Due to its wireless nature, Bluetooth sound systems can be unstable and often produce a lower sound quality than their wired counterparts. You may also experience frequent sound interference, disconnections, and audio delays. 

That said, this method is great for those looking to create a temporary setup that is quick and easy to install. 

Let’s learn how to wirelessly connect a Bluetooth-supported speaker or soundbar to your Samsung smart TV! 

Materials Needed

• Samsung TV with Bluetooth Audio
• Bluetooth Speaker/Soundbar

Instructions

Step 1: Enable Bluetooth pairing mode on your external speaker or sound bar by turning it on and, if needed, pressing the pairing mode. Also, plug in your Bluetooth speaker if it needs to be powered. If your speaker does not require a steady stream of power, ensure it’s fully charged. 

Step 2: Next, head to your TV’s Bluetooth settings to pair it to your Bluetooth-compatible speaker. This process varies depending on which Samsung TV model you have. 

Consult the table below to see how to navigate to the Bluetooth settings on your Samsung TV. 

Note: You can also follow these same steps to wirelessly connect Bluetooth headphones to your TV. 

Step 3: If you’ve correctly enabled your speaker’s pairing mode, they should appear in your TV’s list of available Bluetooth devices. Once you see your Bluetooth speaker’s name, select it to pair to it. 

Step 4: Then, play something to see if it plays from the Bluetooth speakers. If it doesn’t, ensure your speakers are turned on and powered (if needed). You may also need to move the speakers closer to your TV, as they may be out of range. 

Yesenia Achlim

Yesenia Achlim is a technical copywriter and editor with a focus on AV equipment. She aims to break down complicated topics and make technology accessible, no matter your technical expertise. When she’s not teaching you how to replace a projector lamp, you can find her reading and baking.