Yes. A PS5 can connect to a soundbar, but the right wiring depends on the ports on your TV and soundbar. Use PS5 → TV → eARC/ARC soundbar when gaming video features such as 4K/120Hz and VRR matter most. Use PS5 → soundbar HDMI IN → TV only when the soundbar can pass through those features. If ARC/eARC is unavailable, route sound through the TV’s optical output.
Sony documents the PS5’s HDMI OUT connection to a TV or sound system in its PS5 Ultimate FAQ. Current PS5 hardware provides HDMI OUT as its AV connection; it does not provide a separate optical output, as shown in the PS5 instruction manual.
Choose the connection that matches your ports
| Setup | Use it when | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 → soundbar HDMI IN → TV ARC/eARC | The bar has HDMI IN and suitable passthrough | Direct audio path; can support advanced formats | The bar may limit 4K/120Hz, VRR, HDR or ALLM |
| PS5 → TV → soundbar eARC/ARC | The TV has ARC/eARC | TV handles gaming video directly; simplest modern setup | Requires compatible ARC/eARC ports and cables |
| PS5 → TV → optical soundbar | ARC/eARC is unavailable | Works with older equipment | Lower bandwidth; no HDMI-CEC volume or power control |
| PS5 → Bluetooth soundbar | Only where a specific model and accessory support it | No audio cable | Pairing, latency and compatibility issues; not the standard PS5 method |
Method 1: Connect the PS5 directly to the soundbar
This works only if the soundbar has a genuine HDMI IN as well as an HDMI OUT labeled ARC or eARC. A bar with only HDMI ARC/eARC OUT is designed to receive TV audio and cannot normally accept the PS5 directly. Samsung and LG show this external-device-to-soundbar arrangement in their setup guides: Samsung and LG.
- Turn off the PS5, TV and soundbar.
- Connect PS5 HDMI OUT to the soundbar’s HDMI IN.
- Connect the soundbar’s HDMI OUT (ARC/eARC) to the TV’s matching HDMI ARC/eARC port.
- Turn on the TV, soundbar and PS5. Select the soundbar’s HDMI input and the TV input receiving the bar.
- On the PS5, open Settings → Sound → Audio Output and select the HDMI-connected device.
- Check the PS5’s 4K, HDR, 120Hz and VRR options. If a feature disappears, connect the PS5 directly to the TV instead.
For 4K/120Hz or other HDMI 2.1 features, use the HDMI cable included with the PS5 first. Sony recommends an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable for HDMI 2.1 operation; every device and cable in the chain must support the required bandwidth.
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Method 2: Connect the PS5 to the TV and return audio by ARC or eARC
This is usually the safest arrangement for gaming. The TV receives the PS5’s video directly, while ARC or eARC sends sound back to the soundbar. Sony identifies ARC/eARC as the preferred TV-to-soundbar connection when available.
- Connect PS5 HDMI OUT to a normal HDMI input on the TV.
- Connect the TV port labeled HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC to the soundbar port labeled HDMI OUT ARC/eARC.
- Set the TV’s audio output to external speakers, audio system, ARC or eARC. Labels vary by brand and firmware.
- Set the soundbar source to TV ARC/eARC.
- On the PS5, select the HDMI audio device under Settings → Sound → Audio Output.
- Enable HDMI-CEC on the TV and soundbar if volume control or automatic power switching does not work. ARC carries the audio return; CEC is what enables compatible control features. See Sony’s ARC explanation.
Method 3: Use optical audio through the TV
Optical is the fallback for a TV and soundbar without ARC/eARC. It can carry digital game audio, but it has less bandwidth and fewer control features than HDMI.
- Connect the PS5 to the TV with HDMI.
- Connect the TV’s OPTICAL OUT to the soundbar’s OPTICAL IN.
- Select Optical or D.IN on the soundbar.
- Set the TV’s audio output to optical or external audio.
- If there is no sound, set the TV’s digital audio output to PCM, then choose a compatible PS5 audio format.
Optical generally does not provide HDMI-CEC volume or power interlock and should not be treated as equivalent to eARC for high-bandwidth formats. Sony details these limitations in its soundbar connection guide.
PS5 audio settings that usually work
Open Settings → Sound → Audio Output. Sony’s current menu guidance is documented here.
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- Output Device: Select the HDMI-connected audio system. With a TV-first setup, this may appear as the TV or HDMI device.
- HDMI Device Type: For a soundbar or other multi-channel system connected directly to the PS5, AV amplifier may be the appropriate option. It exposes channel and speaker-position controls where supported.
- Audio Format (Priority): Start with Linear PCM for gaming when the TV and soundbar accept multi-channel PCM. It is uncompressed, but it is not universally compatible.
- Dolby or DTS: Try these when the equipment does not handle multi-channel PCM correctly or when encoded surround is required.
- Optical troubleshooting: PCM is a useful compatibility test. Exact TV labels differ by manufacturer.
There is no single best format for every TV, soundbar and connection. Match the PS5 setting to the formats documented for the complete HDMI or optical chain.
Will the soundbar affect 4K/120Hz, HDR or VRR?
It can. A soundbar may pass audio correctly while restricting the video signal to 4K/60Hz, disabling VRR or ALLM, or interfering with HDR. Before routing the PS5 through a bar, check its specifications for:
- 4K/120Hz passthrough
- HDMI 2.1 inputs and output
- HDR10 passthrough
- VRR and ALLM passthrough
- HDCP compatibility
- The number and type of HDMI inputs
If a black screen appears or 120Hz, HDR or VRR disappears, connect the PS5 directly to the TV and use ARC/eARC for audio. PlayStation’s picture and sound troubleshooting specifically recommends bypassing intermediary devices when they cause problems.
What about Dolby Atmos?
Atmos is conditional, not guaranteed by an “Atmos” logo on the soundbar. Sony lists Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support for Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray playback when the PS5 is connected to compatible equipment, and lists formats including Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS formats, AAC and Linear PCM in its PS5 FAQ.
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For games and streaming apps, results depend on the title or app, PS5 output setting, TV and soundbar passthrough, and whether the connection uses ARC or eARC. Samsung’s Atmos guidance describes compatible external devices such as a PS5 using a suitable HDMI chain and bitstream or unencoded output. Do not assume every PS5 game will produce Atmos.
Does the TV need to stay on?
Usually, yes, with TV-first ARC/eARC or optical: the TV is receiving the PS5 signal and forwarding audio. A direct PS5-to-soundbar route may work with the TV off, but only if that particular bar supports the required HDMI standby and passthrough behavior.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting common failures
No sound
- Confirm the bar is powered on and unmuted.
- Select the correct source: HDMI, TV ARC/eARC, Optical or D.IN.
- Check that the cable is in the labeled ARC/eARC ports, not an ordinary HDMI port.
- Verify Settings → Sound → Audio Output on the PS5.
- Set the TV to external speakers or audio system.
- Temporarily set the TV’s digital output and PS5 format to PCM or Linear PCM.
- Power off all devices, reconnect HDMI cables, then turn on the TV, soundbar and PS5.
- Update the PS5, TV and soundbar firmware. Try another HDMI cable.
Picture works but the soundbar is silent
The bar may be on the wrong input, the TV may still be using internal speakers, ARC may be connected to the wrong port, or the selected Dolby/DTS format may be unsupported. If PCM works while Dolby or DTS does not, the issue is probably format support or passthrough.
Sound works but 120Hz or VRR is missing
Bypass the soundbar: connect the PS5 directly to the TV and return audio through eARC or ARC. Avoid making an HDMI splitter or extractor the first fix; these can create HDCP, HDR, VRR, audio-sync and handshake problems.
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“No signal” on the TV
- Connect the PS5 directly to the TV.
- Use the included PS5 HDMI cable and try another TV HDMI input.
- If the bar is being used for passthrough, ensure it is powered on.
- Update the bar’s firmware.
If direct-to-TV works, the soundbar’s passthrough is the likely limitation.
Audio delay or lip-sync problems
Enable the TV’s game mode, disable unnecessary sound processing and adjust the soundbar’s audio-sync control. The exact setting name is model-specific.
TV speakers and soundbar both play
Change the TV audio output to the external audio system or disable simultaneous audio output. Some TVs deliberately offer both outputs at once.
What to look for in a PS5 soundbar
- HDMI IN: Required for direct PS5-to-bar wiring.
- HDMI OUT with ARC/eARC: Required to send sound to and from a compatible TV.
- 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM passthrough: Essential if the PS5 will sit between the console and TV.
- Optical input: Useful with older TVs.
- HDMI-CEC: Enables compatible volume and power coordination.
- Enough HDMI inputs: Consider other consoles, disc players and streaming devices.
A soundbar with only an ARC/eARC output is suitable for TV-first audio but not for accepting the PS5 directly. An AV receiver is a better fit if you need many HDMI inputs, separate speakers and future surround expansion.
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