Owners of modern TVs often face a situation where the image quality is pleasing, and the built-in speakers leave much to be desired. Thin housings do not allow you to accommodate powerful acoustic systems, so the sound becomes flat and devoid of bass. In such cases, the ideal solution is external acoustics, and the Xiaomi soundbar is one of the best options on the market due to the ratio of price and quality.
Many users mistakenly believe that a Bluetooth wireless connection is always the best choice, but for watching high-resolution movies or playing on consoles, signal delay and compression of audio codecs can be critical, which is why wired connectivity remains the gold standard for getting clean, synchronized sound without artifacts.
In this guide, we will take a closer look at all the ways you can connect devices with wires, learn which cable to choose for your TV model, how to set up the audio output correctly in Android TV or MIUI for TV, and how to avoid common switching errors.
Preparation of equipment and choice of interface
Before you start physical switching, you need to audit the existing equipment. You will need the soundbar, TV and the corresponding cable. It is important to understand that different models of Xiaomi Soundbar (for example, the basic version 2.0 or the advanced 3.1 with a subwoofer) may have a different set of ports on the back.
Take a close look at the back of your TV. We're interested in signature connectors. HDMI (ARC), Optical (or Digital Out) and AUX (Presence of the letter ARC (Audio Return Channel, near the HDMI-port is a key factor for maximum usability, as it allows you to control the soundbar volume from the TV remote.
⚠️ Note: Do not use old cables. HDMI, They're bought over 10 years ago, for multichannel audio and function. ARC Standard cables may be required HDMI High Speed with Ethernet, otherwise you will encounter a crack or no signal.
If your TV is a budget segment and only has one HDMI-In the specification of the device, this information is usually specified in small print. ARC It is not critical, but it will deprive you of the ability to control the sound with one remote control.
Connecting via HDMI ARC: the best option
The HDMI ARC interface is considered the preferred way to connect, allowing high-quality audio, including Dolby Digital formats, and synchronizing control, so that when you connect, turning on your TV automatically activates the soundbar, and adjusting volume from your native TV remote.
To implement this scheme, you will need an HDMI cable, insert one end of the cable into the HDMI port (ARC) on the TV, and the other into the corresponding socket on the Xiaomi soundbar, and then you need to go to the TV sound settings after the physical connection.
In the settings menu, look for the Sound or Audio section. In the "Output" or "Audio system" option, select HDMI ARC or External speakers. It is also recommended to activate the CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) function, which on Xiaomi TVs can be called MI Remote Control or simply Device Management.
☑️ Checking the settings HDMI ARC
Often users forget the moment: when connecting via HDMI ARC, the volume of the TV itself must be twisted to the maximum, and the sound level must be adjusted with the soundbar remote (or buttons on it) if the TV remote does not intercept control, this is due to the fact that the signal is transmitted digitally, and the internal adjustment of the TV can distort it.
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If the sound appears but disappears after a few seconds, try changing the HDMI format from Auto to PCM or Dolby Digital manually.
Use of Optical Cable (S/PDIF)
Toslink’s optical interface (S/PDIF) is the second most popular and quality way to connect, transmitting a digital signal through light pulses, completely eliminating the effects of electromagnetic surges that can occur when using long copper cables near power supplies.
You'll need an optical cable to connect, and note that the ends of these cables often have plastic plugs that protect the end from dust, and you have to remove them before inserting them, and the connector is shaped like a plug, and when inserted into the Optical Out port, it gives a slight click thanks to an internal spring-loaded mechanism.
| Parameter | HDMI ARC | Optical (Toslink) | AUX (3.5 mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound quality | High (Lossless) | High (Compressed) | Average (analogue) |
| Control from the remote | Yes (via CEC) | Partially (depends on TV) | No (needs soundbar remote) |
| Support for Dolby Digital | Yes. | Yes. | No. |
| Video transmission | Yes. | No. | No. |
After connecting the cable in the TV menu, you should choose the sound source Optical output or Digital Out. The advantage of this method is versatility: an optical port is available on almost any TV released in the last 15 years, even on very old models where HDMI has not yet supported audio channels.
⚠️ Note: Optical cable does not transmit a control signal (CEC). This means you’ll likely have to use two remotes: one for your TV, the other for your Xiaomi soundbar to adjust volume.
Analog connection via AUX 3.5 mm
If your TV is not equipped with digital outputs or they are busy with other equipment, there is a classic analogue version. 3.5 mm connector (Mini-Jack) is present on the vast majority of audio devices. Xiaomi soundbars often require a cable type "3.5 mm by 3.5 mm" or "3.5 mm by RCA", depending on the acoustic model.
The cable must be inserted into the socket of the Headphone or Audio Out on the TV and into the AUX IN port on the soundbar. Once connected, switch the soundbar mode with the Mode button or through the Mi Home app to AUX mode.
The main drawback of analog connection is the conversion of the digital signal of the TV to analog inside the TV, which can lead to background noise, hissing or hum. In addition, the sound quality is limited by the capabilities of the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) of the TV, which is often mediocre.
How to improve sound through AUX?
When using analog cable, volume control is completely switched to the soundbar. Headphone access on the TV when connecting external acoustics is usually turned off automatically, but some models require manual switching of output in the settings.
Adjusting the sound in the TV system
Once connected physically, it’s important to set up the software part correctly. On Android TVs (which are equipped with many Xiaomi and Redmi models), the path to settings usually looks like this: Settings (cogs) → Device settings → Sound.
Inside the audio menu, find Digital Output Format. Auto, PCM, and Pass-through (or Dolby Digital) options are available. For the Xiaomi soundbar, PCM is often the best choice if you watch regular TV, or Dolby Digital if you play surround sound-enabled content through embedded apps.
You can choose modes like Movie, Music or News from the Advanced Settings menu. For Xiaomi soundbars, Movie often adds artificial reverb that can blur dialogue, so you should choose Standard or News mode for news and TV shows.
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The right setup of the digital output format (PCM vs. Dolby) is critical: the wrong choice will lead to no sound or severe distortion of voices.
Elimination and delay of sound
One of the common problems with wired connectivity is desynchronizing audio and video when the sound is behind or ahead of the picture, a phenomenon known as Input Lag in audio, often occurs when processing digital signals. If you notice that the movement of actors' lips does not match the words, check the settings.
In the audio settings section, look for the audio sync or audio delay option. With the slider, you can move the audio stream a few milliseconds forward or backwards to achieve a perfect match. On Xiaomi TVs, this feature can be called AV Sync.
Another common problem is quiet sound even at maximum volume, which is common when using adapters or long AUX cables. Make sure that the settings on the TV turn off the Safe Volume Limit or similar options that can programmatically lower the signal level.
⚠️ Warning: If the soundbar makes a loud bang when you turn on the TV, it is a sign of poor grounding or poor quality cable.