In Today’s world, where entertainment and work demand high-quality audio and video output, the need for good-quality soundbars and speakers increased. Speaking of soundbars they are commonly used with TVs and many people wonder whether or not they can use a soundbar with their computer/monitor.
If you already have a soundbar then you know the audio quality differences between both Built-in computers or monitors speakers and soundbar. Soundbars are incredible as they deliver rich sound, but can you connect a soundbar to a monitor?
Yes, you can connect a soundbar to your computer or monitor, provided that your monitor has an audio output port or supports HDMI-ARC or HDMI-CEC. Four different methods exist to connect a soundbar to a computer/monitor: Bluetooth, 3.5mm cable, Optical connection, and HDMI connection.
In this article, we will discuss these four methods in a step-by-step guide so you can easily connect your soundbar to your monitor/computer. So let’s dive deeper into the discussion:
Understanding the Soundbar Connections
When connecting a soundbar to a monitor, there are some essential aspects to consider; let’s discuss them in detail:
Identifying the available ports on the monitor
When you want to connect a soundbar to a computer, the first step is identifying which ports your computer carries.
- A custom-built PC and modern laptop usually have a 3.5mm AUX out port having the same type of connector used for headphones.
- PCs custom-built with expensive sound cards support the digital optical audio port.
- Computer models built-in with Bluetooth features usually support connectivity via Bluetooth.
Selecting the appropriate cable based on available ports
If your computer audio outputs are USB-C, you need several USB-C to 3.5mm jack connectors with a USB connection on one side and a 3.5mm jack on the other. Some of the cables you can go for are listed here:
USB-C to 3.5mm Jack cables:
- JS AUX USB-C to 3.5mm audio Jack cable.
- KOOPAO Type-C USB to 3.5mm AUX Jack.
- Envel Nylon braided USB-C to Jack cable.
3.5 male to male Jack cables:
- Talkwalks AUX cable 3.5mm x2 (6 feet long).
- Amazon basics male to male 3.5mm Jack(2.4m).
- Syncwire 3.5mm Nylon braided AUX cable.
If your computer has a digital optical port, then some recommended and suitable digital optical cables to go for are given below:
- KabelDirekt 10 feet Gold Plated digital optical cable.
- iVANKY digital optical Nylon braided audio cable (6 foot).
- AmazonBasics digital optical cable (3.3 feet).
How do you connect a soundbar to a monitor?
Once you have identified the ports on your computer and selected the appropriate cable now, connecting your soundbar to the monitor is straightforward; you have to follow the step-by-step guide:
Using AUX Out (a 3.5mm Jack)
If your computer or soundbar does not support Bluetooth, then connecting through an AUX cable is a common and effortless method to go for; the step-by-step guide is mentioned below:
- Firstly power on the soundbar.
- Plug one end of the AUX cable (3.5mm jack) into the computer’s sound port, usually present on the front of the desktop unit and the side of the laptop.
- Insert the other end of the cable into the soundbar AUX port.
- Once you have done and the connection is established, the window will automatically play sound through the soundbar.
With HDMI
An HDMI cable is primarily for sending video signals, Right? but you can also send audio signals via HDMI. Here are some steps to follow when connecting your monitor to the soundbar via HDMI cable:
- First, turn on the soundbar and place it near your computer.
- Insert one terminal of the HDMI cable into the soundbar and the other into the computer.
- Now open the audio settings on your computer, and you will find HDMI.
- You are done with it; now you can listen to sound through the soundbar.
Via Bluetooth
When connecting the Bluetooth soundbar to the computer, below are the steps to follow to build a secure connection:
- Firstly, please turn on the Bluetooth soundbar and place it in discovery or pairing mode.
- On your computer, open the windows action center.
- Locate the Bluetooth and turn it on.
- After that, scan for the available devices.
- Select your soundbar from the list of devices; once connected, you can listen to sound through the soundbar.
Using Digital Optical Audio (SPDIF or Optical Cables)
There are more common methods than this method. To connect your soundbar to the monitor via an optical audio cable, follow the step-by-step guide:
- The first step is to turn your soundbar ‘on.’
- Locate the optical port on your soundbar and insert one cable end into that port.
- Insert the other end of the optical cable to your computer in the digital audio out port.
- Once the connection is built, you can listen to music through the soundbar connected to your computer.
Troubleshooting Soundbar-Monitor Connectivity
When it comes to connecting a soundbar and monitor there may be instances where you encounter issues with the soundbar-monitor connectivity. And this all can be frustrating. In order to encounter these issues having familiarity with the most common issues and a little knowledge of how to encounter these issues will be enough to work both devices seamlessly.
Let’s discuss some of the most common issues and how to troubleshoot them.
No Sound
One of the most common issues you might face is there is no sound coming from the soundbar. It might come from the computer and sometime there might be no sound either from the computer or from the soundbar.
This can happen due to incorrect wiring, settings, and incompatible soundbar connections. But the most common cause will be incorrect settings. You probably know that as you connect both the soundbar and monitor you have to change the audio setting. Go to the setting and ensure the soundbar is selected as the default audio output device.
Poor Sound Quality
We purchased a dedicated soundbar to get the best sound quality and what if after connecting the monitor and soundbar you get poor sound quality? Yes, it can happen and the poor soundbar quality, use of poor soundbar components, and poor placement of the soundbar can be the reasons.
To troubleshoot this issue first of all make sure you have a decent soundbar. Next, the placement of the soundbar is right. Position the soundbar in different positions to find out what will work best for you.
Also, make sure the soundbar is set as the default option and adjust the settings adjust the sound settings to optimize the sound quality.
In addition to poor audio quality, the audio lag could also be a reason that can ruin the whole experience and make the sound quality poor. This can happen due to a lack of drivers, outdated drivers, and slow internet speed. To fix this make sure everything is up to date.
Connectivity Issues
Not all soundbars are manufactured the same, they come with different features and connectivity options. And not all soundbars are compatible with all monitors. Compatibility issues occur when the monitor and soundbar have different connection types.
So in this case, all you need to do is make sure both are compatible. If you are not sure then it’s better to revisit the manufacturer’s website to ensure that the soundbar’s audio output is supported by your monitor.
Conclusion
Connecting a soundbar to a monitor is a simple task. All you need to do is make sure you have the correct connectivity options. Speaking of the connectivity options you can use Optical, HDMI, and Aux cables to connect, and if both devices feature Bluetooth you can connect them via Bluetooth as well.
The addition of a soundbar to your computer definitely increases the sound quality and enhances your experience of watching movies as well as playing games.
While connecting both the soundbar and monitor you might face some issues so in order to make things easier for you I also bring some common issues that might cause problems. So you better check these issues as well as follow the tips to make sure everything works well.