A receiver is the central component of your house media setup. If you do not understand how to attach it correctly, there may be issues. We realize how perplexing it might be for first-timers or newcomers. Therefore, we’ve produced a tutorial to assist you with connecting a soundbar to a receiver. Plus, an outline of the benefits of doing so.
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Which Soundbars Can You Link With an AV Receiver?
There are two types of soundbars, regardless of brand: active and passive. You can connect both to a receiver, but a passive soundbar will be more suitable. Because active soundbars are intended to be all-in-one devices, their design is not ideal for this connection.
So, to highlight, active soundbars include digital decoders, and they have surround sound efficiency. Integrated amplifiers, all in one tiny box, are the highlight. On the other hand, passive ones are a design that you can incorporate into the receiver. Because they lack an inbuilt amplifier mechanism, they require an outside source to create the best sound.
To get the best sound from passive, you must link each channel to an additional amp. If not, then consider a receiver. Passive soundbars might be more expensive than other prime soundbars. However, owing to their notable performance, they are good in terms of pricing.
What about active soundbars? Why would anyone attach this all-in-one gadget to a receiver? Well, to answer this, here are a few of the explanations.
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Why Should You Connect a Soundbar to a Receiver?
To make use of a receiver’s extensive setup and control options
Some consumers assume that the receiver has enough command overbalancing. As well as various adjustments that connect the soundbar, it will allow them to take consumption of the receiver’s aptitude.
However, this is not a suggested method. There are complex soundbars with various functions that you may use if you want additional options.
When you sense constraints and wish to utilize the receiver’s presets, the best option is to employ a passive soundbar. Or, you may attach regular loudspeakers to the receiver.
To utilize the soundbar as front three-channel loudspeakers (right, left, and center)
We don’t recommend this since active soundbars cannot function in this way. The front channels will merge and will cause sound quality to suffer.
There’s a good chance for all those who wish to employ active soundbars in this manner. They must install independent surround speakers to function as the back channels. Because they are incompatible, there will be an issue with combining soundbars and various speakers. Throughout the disks, the sound generated will be uneven.
To utilize the soundbar as a center channel speaker
Perhaps one of the most rational justifications for attaching the soundbar to a receiver is this. Nonetheless, it is not the best option.
If you utilize the active soundbar as the center band speaker, employ the additional speakers for the remaining channels. Furthermore, such distinct speakers are usually of various brands, dimensions, or styles, which is a disadvantage. Because of the diverse types and sizes, your music will differ radically on each loudspeaker. Generally, this does not provide a very pleasing sound.
You are connecting an active soundbar to a receiver. Do you want to link your soundbar to a receiver and utilize it as the audio input? Although that is not the rule, there are a few ways to do it. First, based on the techniques you use, ensure that you have the proper connecting interfaces and functional gadgets.
How to Connect Active and Passive Soundbars to Av Receiver Using Two Methods
Method #1 – Make use of an optical cable
You can only use this approach to link a soundbar to a receiver with a digital optic output connection.
- To begin, it is usually best to have the receiver turned off when connecting to your gadgets. Do this to avoid short-circuiting and other potential problems.
- Connect the optical cable’s one end to the receiver’s out port.
- Put the other end of the power cord into the soundbar optical in port.
- Ensure to double-check that the electronic encode requirements for the receiver and soundbar are the same. It will guarantee that there are no weird noises.
- Attach the receiver to your TV or other video display.
- Turn on the electricity.
- Then, configure the audio settings on the receiver to aim at the soundbar.
- Change the settings on the TV to allow audio output to the receiver.
Method #2 – Make use of an HDMI cable
Alternatively, you can use this approach if your receiver does not have a digital optical out connector.
- To begin, make sure that all of your gadgets (receiver, speaker, and tv) enable ARC (Audio Return Channel).
- Switch off the television, receiver, and soundbar.
- Attach one side of the HDMI wire to the HDMI ARC connection on the receiver.
- Next, connect the opposite end of the cable to the soundbar.
- Attach the HDMI cable, connecting the receiver to the TV.
- Switch on your gadgets.
- Modify the receiver’s configuration to allow HDMI control.
- Switch on the TV’s HDMI controller.
- Ensure to adjust the TV’s settings so that you can send the audio to the receiver.
A different approach using an HDMI cable
The receiver does not perform its regular audio operations with this method. Essentially, the receiver will manage all of the HDMI links. You can see the distinction when you deactivate the receiver’s audio functionality. However, remember that not all radios allow you to disable their audio functionality.
Rather than relying on the receiver to handle the audio information, link the soundbar to the tv straight through aux, optical, or RCA connection. The audio will now play via the soundbar, and the receiver will also function as an HDMI converter.
How to Connect a Passive Soundbar to AV Receiver
Passive soundbars are intended to be used in conjunction with a receiver. As a result, the setup is straightforward. Passive soundbars typically come in two forms, but they are easy to connect.
If the passive soundbar has a single channel, attach it straight to your receiver’s center output. To route all operations through the center channel, you may need to make some changes in your receiver’s menu system.
Your passive soundbar may contain three sets of speaker cables or channels. For this reason, you must label them clearly. There will be three channels: one in the middle, one on the left, and one on the right. Attach each one to the receiver as needed.
Note that not all receivers are created equal. It is recommended that you first inspect the menu system to see what alternatives are available. If you do not own a subwoofer or any back speakers, you could be allowed to deactivate them. Instead, it will send the audio to your soundbar.
Final Verdict
You can link a soundbar to a receiver. However, it would help if you were prepared for unanticipated challenges. You are thinking beyond the boundaries with your home entertainment solution, which might lead to some unpleasant shocks. Therefore, you should consider whether you could better spend your time and money updating your current receiver and speakers.
John Fleming is the senior editor for Audiophilez.com, covering everything from headphones to smart speakers. He is a graduate of Music Production and Technology. Before Audiophilez, John began his career as a staff writer for two different magazines, where he became a skilled storyteller across different mediums. When he isn’t writing, he can be found biking, reading books, and playing the piano.