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For TV sound, connect a Sonos home-theater product to the TV’s HDMI ARC/eARC port when possible. Use optical audio for a Sonos Ray or when a TV lacks ARC/eARC, then add the product in the Sonos app. HDMI ARC/eARC is usually the simplest route for TV-remote volume control; optical needs remote setup and does not carry Dolby Atmos to Sonos.
First, check which Sonos product you have
“Getting Sonos on a TV” usually means routing TV audio to a Sonos soundbar or home-theater component. A regular room or portable speaker is not generally a direct replacement for the TV’s main speaker in the Sonos app. Sonos’s current U.S. soundbar lineup includes Ray, Beam (Gen 2), and Arc Ultra; older Playbar and Playbase owners can also connect a TV. An Amp can be used in some passive-speaker home-theater configurations, but it is a more involved setup. Sonos soundbar lineup
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Sonos Beam Gen 2 - Black - Soundbar with Dolby Atmos | $495.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar with Dolby Atmos - Black | $1,099.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Sonos Ray - Compact Soundbar for TV and Music - Black | $219.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Sonos Beam Gen 2 - White - Soundbar with Dolby Atmos | $493.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar + Sub 4 subwoofer - Black | $1,898.10 | Buy on Amazon |
| Product | TV connection | Best fit | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ray | Optical | A basic TV-audio upgrade, especially when the TV has optical output but no ARC/eARC | No HDMI ARC/eARC and no Dolby Atmos through the TV connection |
| Beam (Gen 2) | HDMI ARC/eARC; optical adapter when needed | A compact setup with Atmos capability when the TV and source support it | Atmos depends on the complete TV, source, format, and content chain |
| Arc Ultra | HDMI ARC/eARC | A larger-room or premium spatial-audio setup | Its benefits depend on compatible equipment and content; it is not the right fit for every room or budget |
| Playbar or Playbase | Optical | Existing owners who want to keep using their older home-theater product | Older connectivity and feature limitations |
| Amp | Depends on the TV and speaker configuration | Installations using passive speakers | More complex than connecting a soundbar |
Sonos’s product pages describe suggested TV sizes and room use, but those are recommendations, not strict compatibility limits. Check the connection your TV supports before choosing a product.
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- Identify the Sonos model. Its connection determines which TV output to use.
- Look for HDMI ARC or eARC. The port is usually labeled “ARC” or “eARC.” A regular HDMI input does not do the same job. A TV may have several HDMI ports but only one ARC/eARC port.
- Look for optical output if ARC/eARC is absent. It may be labeled “Optical,” “Digital Audio Out,” or “S/PDIF.”
- Use the right cable. Arc Ultra, Arc, and Beam use HDMI for an ARC/eARC connection. Ray uses optical. Arc and Beam can use an optical adapter if ARC/eARC is unavailable; check the package for the model-specific adapter before buying one.
- Have a phone or tablet with the Sonos app, the TV remote, and a power outlet nearby. The app is needed to add and configure the home-theater product before it plays TV audio.
- If using HDMI, find the TV’s HDMI-CEC setting. TV makers use different names for CEC, and it may need to be enabled for the remote to control Sonos volume.
- If you want Atmos, check the whole signal path. The TV, source device, audio settings, streaming service and title all affect whether an Atmos signal reaches Sonos.
For product-specific port requirements, see Sonos’s TV requirements for home-theater speakers.
#1 Best Overall
- Enrich your entertainment experience with vibrant bass, crystal clear dialogue, and a panoramic soundstage.
- Experience a 3D surround sound effect with Dolby Atmos.
- Stream music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks from all your favorite services when the TV is off.
- Control with the Sonos app, your TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and your voice.
- Effortless setup with only two cables and smart Trueplay tuning.
Connect Sonos to the TV with HDMI ARC/eARC
Use this route for Arc Ultra, Arc, or Beam when the TV has an ARC/eARC port. It carries TV audio and ordinarily allows volume control through HDMI-CEC.
- Locate the TV port labeled HDMI ARC or eARC.
- Connect the Sonos HDMI cable from the soundbar’s HDMI port to that TV port. Do not use an ordinary HDMI input.
- Connect the soundbar to power.
- Open the Sonos app. For a new system, sign in or create an account, select Add when the product appears, or choose Speaker or component and follow setup. To add it to an existing system, use Settings → Add Speaker or Component. App wording can vary by version.
- Follow the app prompts to finish adding the soundbar and connecting it to the TV.
- In the TV settings, enable HDMI-CEC if needed and set sound output to HDMI ARC/eARC or external audio if the TV has not switched automatically.
- Play something from a TV app, TV channel, game console, or other connected source. Check that sound comes through Sonos and that the TV remote changes its volume.
Sonos’s setup guides for Beam and Arc direct users through the Sonos app.
Connect Sonos with optical audio
Use optical with Ray, or with compatible Arc or Beam models using the appropriate optical adapter, when the TV has no ARC/eARC port. Optical carries TV sound but does not provide HDMI-CEC control or Dolby Atmos through the Sonos TV connection.
- Connect the TV’s optical output to Ray’s optical input, or connect it through the compatible optical adapter for Arc or Beam.
- Connect the Sonos product to power.
- In the Sonos app, choose Add for a new product, or go to Settings → Add Speaker or Component for an existing system. Follow the prompts.
- Set the TV’s sound output to Optical, Digital Audio Out, or the equivalent setting.
- If there is no sound, set the TV’s digital audio format to PCM or Dolby Digital as a test rather than an unsupported passthrough format.
- Play TV audio, then use the Sonos app’s remote setup so the TV remote can adjust Sonos volume.
Ray’s connection is optical; see Sonos’s Ray setup steps. Remote configuration is covered below.
Rank #2
- All-new acoustic architecture with Sound Motion technology fills every inch of the room and precisely place sounds all around you
- Unparalleled 9.1.4 spatial audio experience with Dolby Atmos
- Ultra-clear dialogue plus Speech Enhancement, powered by AI, detects the human voice to clarify every word
- Elegant design looks great in your home and won’t distract from your entertainment
- Control with your TV remote, the Sonos app, the touch controls, Sonos Voice Control, and Amazon Alexa
Set up the TV remote for Sonos volume
With HDMI ARC/eARC
With the cable in the TV’s ARC/eARC port and HDMI-CEC enabled, the TV remote should normally control Sonos volume. Sonos says HDMI-ARC products can work with IR and RF remotes in this configuration. If volume does not respond, verify the ARC/eARC port and CEC setting before trying other changes. Sonos remote requirements
With optical
Optical does not carry HDMI-CEC commands, so teach Sonos to recognize the remote’s volume signal:
- In the Sonos app, open Settings and select the room containing the home-theater product.
- Choose Home Theater → Remote Control Setup and follow the prompts.
Only one remote can be programmed to control the Sonos home-theater speaker at a time. Optical remote control relies on infrared: an RF- or Bluetooth-only remote may not work without additional configuration. Some Apple TV remotes do not emit IR by default; Samsung One and F-series remotes and LG Magic Remotes may need extra setup. Cable or satellite remotes may need their volume buttons programmed separately. If the TV’s on-screen volume indicator changes but Sonos does not, the remote may be controlling the TV rather than the soundbar. See Sonos remote setup instructions.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhat Dolby Atmos needs
Atmos support on a soundbar alone does not guarantee Atmos from the TV. Sonos identifies Arc, Arc SL, Arc Ultra, and Beam (Gen 2) as Atmos-capable home-theater products. For TV audio, Atmos requires HDMI ARC/eARC and a compatible TV and source. Optical does not deliver Atmos through the Sonos TV connection.
Rank #3
- Experience clearer, more powerful sound than ever before possible by a small standalone soundbar.
- Dynamic sound that enhances the drama and creates a surprisingly wide soundstage.
- Zero-stress setup with only two cables and help from the Sonos app.
- Stream all your content from your favorite services over WiFi using the Sonos app, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and more.
- For Dolby Digital Plus-based Atmos, standard HDMI ARC may be sufficient if the TV and source pass it through correctly.
- For lossless Dolby TrueHD Atmos, eARC is required.
- Check the content and service. The specific movie or episode and subscription tier must provide Atmos.
- Check the source and TV settings. A TV may convert audio instead of passing Atmos through. Devices can use different formats; for example, Apple TV can use Dolby MAT.
To confirm what Sonos is receiving, check the Sonos app’s Now Playing screen or About My System area; the app displays Atmos when the product receives an Atmos signal. Sonos’s detailed format guidance is at Listen to Dolby Atmos audio from your TV on Sonos.
Use AirPlay as an occasional alternative
AirPlay can send audio from an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, or another compatible device to an AirPlay-compatible Sonos product. It is a separate streaming route, not the normal substitute for wiring a TV to a soundbar: lip-sync, interruptions, and remote-volume behavior may be less dependable than a direct TV connection.
- Connect the Apple device and Sonos system to the same network.
- Start the audio or video on the Apple device.
- On iPhone or iPad, open Control Center, tap the AirPlay icon on the audio card, and select the Sonos product.
- On Mac, open System Settings → Sound and choose the Sonos speaker as the output.
AirPlay is supported on several Sonos products, including Arc, Arc Ultra, Beam, Ray, Playbase, Amp, Era speakers, Five, Move, and Roam. It is unavailable for a speaker configured as a surround speaker. Check Sonos’s AirPlay instructions and compatibility details.
Sonos is connected but there is no sound
Start with the connection and settings most likely to prevent TV audio, then test a simpler format before changing more settings.
Rank #4
- Enrich your entertainment experience with vibrant bass, crystal clear dialogue, and a panoramic soundstage.
- Experience a 3D surround sound effect with Dolby Atmos.
- Stream music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks from all your favorite services when the TV is off.
- Control with the Sonos app, your TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and your voice.
- Effortless setup with only two cables and smart Trueplay tuning.
- Check power and connection. Make sure the Sonos product is powered on and the cable is firmly seated. Use the TV’s ARC/eARC port for Arc Ultra, Arc, or Beam over HDMI; use the optical output for Ray or an optical setup.
- Check the TV output selection. Select external speakers, ARC/eARC, or optical audio as appropriate. Some TVs do not switch automatically.
- Try another TV app or input. If only one source is silent, its output format or settings may be the issue.
- Temporarily choose PCM or Dolby Digital. If sound returns, the TV, source, or passthrough setting may be using an audio format the current path does not support. You can test higher formats again one at a time.
- Restart the TV and Sonos product. If HDMI control remains unreliable, temporarily disconnect other HDMI devices to check for a CEC conflict.
- Check the Sonos app. Confirm the product is online and use the product-specific troubleshooting flow if it is not.
If sound cuts out
- Test PCM or Dolby Digital, then re-enable higher formats one at a time.
- Check for a loose or faulty cable, a TV switching back to its internal speakers, an HDMI-CEC conflict, or a source device changing formats.
- If the soundbar is offline in the Sonos app, check the Sonos system connection as well as the TV cable.
If the TV speakers and Sonos play together
Set the TV to external speakers or receiver output, verify the HDMI cable is in the ARC/eARC port, and turn off internal speakers in the TV menu if that option exists for optical output.
If the remote will not change Sonos volume
For HDMI, verify ARC/eARC and enable CEC. For optical, run Remote Control Setup in the Sonos app and check whether the remote sends IR; a remote that controls only a streaming box may need to be configured to control the TV or Sonos volume.
If Atmos does not appear in the Sonos app
Verify that the Sonos model supports Atmos, the soundbar uses HDMI ARC/eARC rather than optical, and the TV and source are set to pass a compatible Atmos format. Check the title and service, then test another known Atmos title or source. The app reports the format actually reaching Sonos, not merely the format a title advertises.
Choose the connection or soundbar that fits your setup
Choose HDMI ARC/eARC when the TV has it
It is the preferred route for Arc Ultra, Arc, and Beam: it supports TV-remote volume through CEC and is the required TV connection for Sonos Atmos. eARC is necessary for lossless TrueHD Atmos; ARC can carry Dolby Digital Plus-based Atmos when the TV and source support it.
Best Value
- Surround yourself in the story: Go deeper into every scene with spatial audio. Dolby Atmos and the upward-firing drivers work in concert to immerse you in a multidimensional soundstage. You’ll hear planes as if they’re flying overhead, sense footsteps moving across the room, and feel the music swell all around you.
- Feel the bass: Experience every rumble, roar, and beat you've been missing with clean, pulse-pounding bass. Sub 4 takes over the lowest frequencies so paired speakers are free to focus on midrange and high frequencies so everything sounds even clearer.
- Wonderfully wireless: Place Sub 4 anywhere in the room. It connects to the soundbar over WiFi, so you can create the setup that works best for your space.
- Perfectly tuned for the room: Using the microphones in your iOS device, Trueplay tuning technology analyzes the unique acoustics of your space and optimizes the EQ. So all your content sounds just the way it should.
- Breeze through setup: Simply plug in the power cable, connect your phone or tablet to WiFi, and open the Sonos app. It will guide you through connecting the soundbar to your TV and syncing your TV remote for streamlined control.
Choose optical when ARC/eARC is unavailable
It is the route for Ray and a practical fallback for compatible Arc or Beam models with an adapter. Expect to configure the remote, and do not expect Atmos through this connection.
Match the product to the actual need
- Ray: a compact, basic upgrade where optical is available and Atmos is not a requirement.
- Beam (Gen 2): a compact HDMI ARC/eARC setup with Atmos capability when the rest of the chain supports it.
- Arc Ultra: a premium choice for a larger room or more immersive Atmos-oriented system, provided the TV has ARC/eARC.
- Playbar or Playbase: reasonable to keep using if already owned, with their older optical connection and feature limitations in mind.
- Amp: consider for a passive-speaker installation rather than a simple soundbar replacement.
If you need multiple HDMI inputs, broad codec support, Bluetooth transmission, wired rear speakers, or a more open upgrade path, a traditional AV receiver or another soundbar system may be a better match.
Use Sonos speakers as TV surrounds, not as an improvised TV pair
Compatible Sonos speakers can be bonded as surrounds to a Sonos home-theater product. That is different from placing two Era or One speakers beside the screen and selecting them as an independent wireless TV stereo pair; that is not the standard Sonos TV setup. A speaker configured as a surround also cannot be used as an ordinary independent AirPlay target while in that role, as Sonos’s AirPlay guidance notes.
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Owners of older Sonos systems should also distinguish S1 from current-system capabilities: Beam (Gen 2), Ray, Arc, and Arc Ultra are not S1 products, and Sonos says DTS Digital Surround is unavailable for home-theater products using the S1 Controller. If a Blu-ray player or console outputs DTS, change its output to Dolby Digital or PCM, or use a source that can transcode DTS. See Sonos’s supported home-theater audio formats.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
