When it comes to enhancing the audio experience for your TV, a soundbar with an optical input is an excellent choice. Optical inputs, also known as TOSLINK ports, allow for a direct digital connection between your TV and the soundbar, ensuring high-quality audio transmission. Here, we’ll explore some of the best soundbars that come equipped with optical inputs and provide a straightforward setup guide to get you started.
Top Picks for Soundbars with Optical Input
Sonos Beam: A compact, smart soundbar that not only supports optical input but also comes with HDMI ARC, allowing for a seamless connection with your TV. It’s also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.
Yamaha YAS-209: This soundbar offers clear and detailed sound, wireless subwoofer for deep bass, and supports 4K passthrough with HDR10. The optical input ensures that you can connect it directly to your TV for an enhanced audio experience.
Bose Home Speaker 500: Although primarily known for its smart features, the Bose Home Speaker 500 also functions as a soundbar and supports optical input. It offers excellent sound quality and can be part of a larger Bose smart speaker ecosystem.
Sony HT-Z9F: This 3.1 channel soundbar comes with an external subwoofer and supports a variety of input options, including optical. It’s known for its clear dialogue and enveloping sound, making it perfect for movie nights.
Polk Audio Signa S2: A budget-friendly option that still packs a punch with its balanced sound and separate subwoofer. It supports optical input and is a great choice for those looking to upgrade their TV’s audio without breaking the bank.
Easy Setup Guide
Step 1: Unboxing and Physical Setup
- Carefully unbox your soundbar and all included components (soundbar, subwoofer, remote control, power cables, optical cable).
- Place the soundbar under your TV, ensuring there are no obstructions to the sound.
- Position the subwoofer in a corner of the room to maximize the bass effect.
Step 2: Connecting Your Soundbar to the TV
- Locate the optical output on your TV and the optical input on your soundbar.
- Use an optical (TOSLINK) cable to connect your TV to the soundbar. Insert one end of the cable into the TV’s optical output and the other into the soundbar’s optical input.
- If your soundbar or TV also supports HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel), you might prefer to use an HDMI cable instead, as it can support more advanced audio formats and is often simpler to set up.
Step 3: Powering On and Initial Setup
- Plug in your soundbar and subwoofer and turn them on.
- Follow the on-screen instructions or the user manual to complete the initial setup, which may include pairing the subwoofer with the soundbar or setting up smart features if available.
Step 4: Configuring Your TV
- Go into your TV’s settings menu.
- Navigate to the audio or sound settings section.
- Look for an option related to digital audio output or optical output and select it.
- Choose the correct format that matches your soundbar’s capabilities (e.g., PCM, Dolby Digital).
- Save your changes.
Step 5: Testing Your Setup
- Play a movie, TV show, or music through your TV to test the sound.
- Adjust the settings on your soundbar or TV as needed to achieve the best sound quality.
- Explore additional features such as voice control (if supported) or adjusting the bass levels.
By following these steps, you should be able to easily set up your soundbar with an optical input and start enjoying enhanced audio from your TV. Remember, the specific steps may vary slightly depending on your TV and soundbar models, so it’s always a good idea to consult the user manuals for both devices.
