How to Easily Connect External Speakers to a Samsung LED TV

Watching movies, playing games, and listening to music become more immersive with great audio from external speakers. Connecting external speakers like soundbars, Bluetooth speakers, or home theater systems to your Samsung LED TV is easy and can significantly enhance your audio experience.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn:

• Why connect external speakers to a Samsung TV
• How to choose the right external speakers
• Step-by-step instructions to connect using different methods:
  • HDMI ARC
  • Optical/Toslink
  • Bluetooth
  • WiFi
• How to change the audio output to external speakers
• Tips for seamless audio and connectivity

Why Connect External Speakers to a Samsung TV?

The built-in speakers in Samsung LED TVs are usually decent, but external speakers can take your audio to the next level with benefits like:

• Better sound quality: External speakers have superior audio drivers and circuitry compared to TV speakers, producing richer sound.

• Volume: External speakers get much louder than TV speakers, filling a room with immersive sound.

• Bass: TV speakers lack the components for deep low-end bass, while many external speakers have a dedicated subwoofer.

• Surround sound: Systems like soundbars and home theater systems give you multi-channel surround sound for a cinematic experience.

• Dialogue clarity: Dedicated center channel speakers in systems like soundbars make dialogue crisp and clear.

• Balance: External speakers enhance audio balance for clearer vocals, detailed mids, and rumbling lows.

• Different placement: External speakers can be placed around a room for a surround sound effect.

• Latest audio formats: Modern external speakers support latest Dolby and DTS audio formats absent in TVs.

How to Choose External Speakers for a Samsung TV

There are several types of external speakers you can connect to enhance the audio capabilities of your Samsung LED TV:

• Soundbars: The most popular and convenient audio upgrade with built-in subwoofers for booming bass. Great for smaller rooms.

• Bluetooth speakers: Portable wireless speakers that connect to your TV via Bluetooth. Flexible but sound quality varies.

• Bookshelf/floorstanding speakers: Powerful speakers placed on stands or the floor. Require cables but offer immersive surround sound.

• Home theater systems: Full 5.1 or 7.1 speaker systems with surround sound for a true cinematic experience.

Consider the size of your room, audio needs, placement options, and budget when choosing external speakers for your Samsung TV.

How to Connect External Speakers Using HDMI ARC

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) is the easiest way to connect external speakers like a soundbar or home theater system to a Samsung TV. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Use an HDMI Cable

You’ll need a compatible HDMI cable that supports ARC, usually labeled with “HDMI ARC”. High speed HDMI cables are recommended.

Step 2: Connect to TV’s HDMI ARC Port

Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI IN (ARC) port on the back of your Samsung TV. This port is usually labeled explicitly as “ARC”.

Step 3: Connect to External Speaker

Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI ARC port on your external speaker system.

Step 4: Enable CEC Control

On your Samsung TV, enable HDMI CEC capability which is labeled as Anynet+ in the settings. This allows the TV to directly control the connected speaker system.

Step 5: Change Audio Output to External Speakers

In your TV settings, under Audio Output, change from TV speakers to external speakers. The connected devices are usually auto-detected. ARC will now work.

How to Connect External Speakers Using Optical/Toslink

You can also connect your Samsung LED TV with external speakers using an optical cable or Toslink cable. The steps are:

Step 1: Use Optical/Toslink Cable

You’ll need an optical cable, also called a Toslink cable. It has a rectangular T-shaped connector on each end.

Step 2: Connect to TV’s Optical Port

Locate the OPTICAL DIGITAL AUDIO OUT port on the back of the Samsung TV. Insert one end of the optical cable into this port.

Step 3: Connect to External Speakers

Connect the other end of the optical cable to the OPTICAL IN port on the external speaker system.

Step 4: Change Audio Output

In your Samsung TV’s settings, change the Audio Output from TV Speaker to Optical. The external speakers will now play the TV audio.

How to Connect External Bluetooth Speakers

You can also go wireless and connect external Bluetooth speakers like portable speakers to your Samsung LED TV:

Step 1: Pair Bluetooth Speaker

Put your Bluetooth speaker in pairing mode. On your Samsung TV, open Bluetooth settings and select the speaker name when it appears in the list.

Step 2: Change Audio Output

In your TV settings, change the Audio Output from TV Speaker to the paired Bluetooth speaker. Audio will now play from the wireless speaker.

Step 3: Adjust Volume

Use your Samsung TV remote to adjust the volume of the paired Bluetooth speaker up or down.

How to Connect External Speakers Using WiFi

Newer Samsung TVs can connect wirelessly to external speakers like soundbars on the same WiFi network:

Step 1: Speaker Setup

Make sure the external speaker is powered on and connected to the same WiFi network as your TV.

Step 2: Add Speaker

In your Samsung TV settings, go to Audio Output and select “Add New Device”. Choose the external speaker from the list.

Step 3: Change Audio Output

With the speaker paired over WiFi, select it as the Audio Output option. The TV audio will seamlessly play from the wireless speaker.

Changing Audio Output to External Speakers

Once you’ve made the physical connection from your Samsung TV to external speakers, you need to change the audio output setting:

Using Samsung remote:

Go to Settings > Sound > Sound Output > Select your connected external speaker

Using TV settings menu:

Select Sound > Speaker List > Choose your connected external speaker

The options for external speakers usually include Optical, HDMI ARC, WiFi Speaker, Bluetooth, etc. Choose the option matching your connection method to redirect TV audio.

Tips for Seamless Audio Setup

Follow these tips when connecting external speakers to your Samsung LED TV:

• Always use high quality cables to avoid connectivity issues and audio drops.

• Keep external speakers away from wireless interference for uninterrupted wireless audio.

• Plug devices into the wall directly rather than a power strip which can degrade audio quality.

• Place speakers at ear level either side of the TV for the optimal surround sound experience.

• Adjust the levels of connected external speakers in your TV settings for balanced audio.

• Switch off TV speakers in settings so all audio is directed to external speakers.

• Refer to the user manual if you have any connectivity or setup issues.

Enjoy Immersive Audio from External Speakers

With so many great ways to connect external speakers, you can easily enhance the audio experience from your Samsung LED TV.

Use the guides outlined above to smoothly setup and configure external speakers using HDMI ARC, Optical, Bluetooth or WiFi configuration for the very best sonic performance.