Buying Guide
Soundbar Connectivity Guide HDMI ARC Optical And Coaxial
Which television connection to specify, and what happens when you leave one out
Why connection choice decides the return rate
A soundbar is only as good as its ability to connect to the television already in the room. Our home theatre models list Bluetooth 5.0, AUX (TV RCA) input, USB flash disk reading, HDMI with ARC and optical transmission, and several also list coaxial transmission. That set is not decoration; each connector covers a different generation of television.
What Each Connection Does
| Connection | What it carries | When to specify it |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI ARC | Audio back from the television over the HDMI cable, with volume on one remote | Any television from roughly 2014 onward; the default for new sets |
| Optical | Digital audio over a fibre cable, unaffected by electrical noise | Older televisions and installations where HDMI ports are already full |
| Coaxial | Digital audio over a single RCA-style cable | Set top boxes and older AV equipment |
| AUX (TV RCA) | Analogue stereo | Budget televisions and legacy equipment |
| Bluetooth 5.0 | Wireless audio from a phone or tablet | Music playback separate from the television |
| USB | Playback from a USB flash disk | Retail demonstration and background music |
The One Connector Worth Paying For
If a range has to lose a connector to reach a price, HDMI ARC is the one to protect. It is the only connection that also passes volume control back to the television remote, which removes the second remote from the customer's coffee table. Our home theatre models ship with the HDMI cable in the box for exactly that reason, alongside the remote control, wall mount bracket set and adaptor.
Matching Channel Layout To The Room
A 2.0 bar puts everything through the bar itself. Our 2.0 models run from 20 W on a 795 mm bar up to 60 W on a 900 mm bar. A 2.1 set adds a separate subwoofer: the 60 W model pairs a 905 mm bar with 2.5 inch and 3 inch drivers, and the 80 W model adds a 6.5 inch subwoofer in a 160 × 323 × 345 mm cabinet. Choose 2.0 where dialogue clarity and shelf space matter, and 2.1 where the customer expects to feel the film.
Wired Or Wireless Subwoofer
A wired subwoofer keeps the cost and the failure modes down. A wireless subwoofer removes the cable run, which in a rented flat or an open plan room is often the deciding factor. Our range carries both, including a 50 W model with a wireless subwoofer and fabric wrap models where wired and wireless are offered as options on the same platform.
Products In This Article
SoundbarsFabric Wrap TV Soundbar 20W To 60W
Customizable in length and power
View Details
SoundbarsFabric Wrap TV Soundbar With Subwoofer
Fabric Wrapped TV Soundbar with Subwoofer(Wirelesss and Wired are optional)
View Details
SoundbarsTV Soundbar 15W 880mm
Driver unit 2″*2 + 5090*2
View Details
SoundbarsTV Soundbar 20W 2.0 795mm
Output power 20W(10*2) · Driver size 4480X2 · Product size 795*65*65mm
View DetailsRelated Reading
- ENC And Low Latency Explained For TWS Earbud Buyers — What the two most quoted earbud features actually change for the end user
- How To Choose A Conference Speakerphone — Match the microphone array to the table, then check the power budget
- Smart Ring Materials And Sensors — Ceramic, enamel and antibacterial stainless steel, and what each sensor actually reports
- Wooden Fabric Or Metal Speaker Cabinets — How cabinet material changes cost tooling and shelf position
- Home Entertainment — Soundbars and living room speakers for TV brands and home electronics retailers
- Retail And Private Label — Private label consumer audio programmes for retailers, distributors and gift buyers
- Download Center — Catalogs and datasheets as PDF
Questions On This Topic
Do I need both HDMI ARC and optical?
For a range sold into a broad installed base, yes. HDMI ARC covers current televisions and optical covers everything before them, and neither adds much to the bill of materials.
Does a longer bar always sound better?
Not by itself. Length gives room for more drivers and a larger enclosure, which is why our 900 mm and 960 mm bars carry higher rated powers, but a well matched 795 mm bar at 20 W can outperform a poorly specified longer one.
Can bar length be customised?
Yes. The fabric wrap soundbar range is published as customisable in both length and power, and other lengths and powers are available on request.
Specify It With Us
Send your requirement and we will tell you which platform fits and what has to be tooled.