Sonos speakers are popular for their high-quality audio and wireless capabilities. Connecting them to your TV can significantly enhance your viewing experience, whether for movies, shows, or gaming. This guide explains how to connect Sonos speakers to your TV using various methods, including the recommended Sonos soundbar setup and alternatives like Bluetooth, line-in, and AirPlay. Each method is detailed with step-by-step instructions, pros, cons, and troubleshooting tips to ensure you get the best audio experience. All information is accurate as of June 28, 2025, based on the latest Sonos products and features.
Why Connect Sonos Speakers to Your TV?
Sonos speakers offer superior sound quality compared to most TV speakers, providing clear dialogue, rich bass, and immersive surround sound. They are wireless, easy to set up, and can be controlled via the Sonos app. Connecting your Sonos speakers to your TV allows you to:
- Enjoy cinematic audio for movies and shows.
- Stream music and TV audio to multiple rooms.
- Create a surround sound system with additional Sonos speakers.
However, not all Sonos speakers can connect directly to a TV. Some require a soundbar or specific TV features like Bluetooth or AirPlay. Below, we explore the best methods to connect your Sonos speakers to your TV.
Method 1: Using a Sonos Soundbar (Recommended)
The most reliable and high-quality way to connect Sonos speakers to your TV is by using a Sonos soundbar, such as the Sonos Arc, Beam, Ray, or Arc Ultra. These soundbars are designed specifically for TV audio and support HDMI ARC or optical connections. You can also add other Sonos speakers for a surround sound setup.
Which Sonos Soundbars to Choose?
| Soundbar Model | Best For | Connection Type | Dolby Atmos Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonos Arc | Large rooms, premium audio | HDMI ARC/eARC | Yes |
| Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | Small to medium rooms | HDMI ARC/eARC | Yes |
| Sonos Ray | Budget-friendly, small spaces | Optical | No |
| Sonos Arc Ultra | Large rooms, advanced audio | HDMI ARC/eARC | Yes |
Steps to Connect a Sonos Soundbar
- Select a Soundbar: Choose a Sonos soundbar based on your room size and budget. For example, the Sonos Arc is ideal for larger rooms with Dolby Atmos support.
- Connect to TV:
- HDMI ARC: Plug one end of the included HDMI cable into the soundbar’s HDMI port and the other into your TV’s HDMI ARC port. Ensure your TV supports HDMI ARC for features like CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) and voice assistant integration.
- Optical: If your TV lacks HDMI ARC, use the optical audio adapter (included with Arc and Beam) to connect to the TV’s digital optical audio output. Note that optical connections don’t support CEC or voice control.
- Power Up: Connect the soundbar to a power outlet.
- Set Up with Sonos App: Download the Sonos app on your iOS or Android device. Open the app, sign in, and select “Add” to set up a new system or go to Settings > Add Speaker or Component for an existing system. Follow the in-app instructions to connect the soundbar to your Wi-Fi network.
- Test Audio: Play content on your TV and ensure the sound comes through the soundbar. Adjust volume using the Sonos app or your TV remote if CEC is enabled.
Adding Surround Speakers
To create a surround sound experience, add compatible Sonos speakers as rear surrounds. Compatible models include Sonos One, One SL, Era 100, Era 300, and Five, but both surround speakers must be the same model or related (e.g., One and One SL).
Steps to Add Surrounds:
- Ensure the surround speakers are set up in the Sonos app as separate rooms and are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open the Sonos app, go to Settings > Room Settings, and select the room with your soundbar.
- Tap “Add Surrounds” and follow the prompts to pair the speakers.
- Place the surround speakers 8-12 feet apart, behind and to the left and right of your seating area, in the same orientation (vertical or horizontal).
Pros:
- High-quality, immersive audio with Dolby Atmos support (Arc, Beam Gen 2, Arc Ultra).
- Seamless integration with TV via HDMI ARC.
- Easy to expand with additional Sonos speakers for surround sound.
Cons:
- Requires a soundbar purchase if you don’t already own one.
- Optical connections limit some features like voice control.
For TV audio issues, see our guide on Fixing TV No Picture.
Method 2: Connecting via Bluetooth
Some Sonos speakers, such as the Sonos Move, Roam, and Era 100, support Bluetooth, allowing direct connection to a TV with Bluetooth audio output. This method is suitable for casual listening but may have limitations.
Which Sonos Speakers Support Bluetooth?
| Speaker Model | Bluetooth Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sonos Move | Yes | Portable, ideal for flexible placement |
| Sonos Roam | Yes | Compact, good for small spaces |
| Sonos Era 100 | Yes | Versatile for standalone or surround use |
Steps to Connect via Bluetooth
- Check TV Compatibility: Confirm your TV supports Bluetooth audio output. Check your TV’s manual or settings menu (e.g., Settings > Sound > Bluetooth). Not all TVs, especially older models, support this.
- Put Sonos Speaker in Pairing Mode:
- For Sonos Move: Press and hold the Bluetooth button on the back until the light flashes blue.
- For Sonos Roam or Era 100: Press the Bluetooth button until the light flashes blue.
- Pair from TV: Go to your TV’s Bluetooth settings, search for devices, and select your Sonos speaker.
- Set Audio Output: In your TV’s audio settings, choose the Bluetooth speaker as the output.
- Test Connection: Play content on your TV to ensure audio plays through the Sonos speaker.
Pros:
- Wireless and easy to set up.
- No additional hardware needed if your TV supports Bluetooth.
Cons:
- Potential audio latency, causing lip-sync issues.
- Not all TVs support Bluetooth audio output.
- Limited to specific Sonos models.
Learn how to check if your TV has Bluetooth in our guide on Checking TV Bluetooth.
Method 3: Using Line-In Connection
Sonos speakers like the Sonos Five and Port have line-in ports, allowing you to connect them to your TV’s audio output using an analog or digital cable. This method is useful if you already own these speakers but may introduce audio delays.
Which Sonos Speakers Support Line-In?
| Speaker Model | Line-In Port | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sonos Five | 3.5mm | High-quality audio, suitable for standalone use |
| Sonos Port | RCA, coaxial | Designed to connect legacy audio devices |
Steps to Connect via Line-In
- Identify TV Audio Output: Check your TV for analog (RCA or 3.5mm) or optical audio output. Most TVs have one of these.
- Connect Cables:
- Analog: Use a 3.5mm-to-3.5mm or 3.5mm-to-RCA cable to connect the TV’s audio output to the Sonos Five’s line-in port or Sonos Port’s RCA input.
- Optical: If your TV has optical output, use an optical-to-analog converter or optical-to-coaxial converter for the Sonos Port.
- Select Line-In in Sonos App: Open the Sonos app, go to System view, select the room with the line-in speaker, and choose “Line-In” as the source.
- Adjust Audio Delay: To minimize delay, go to Settings > Room Settings > Line-In > Audio Delay, and set to “Low” (75ms). You may also need to adjust your TV’s audio delay settings to sync with the video.
Pros:
- Uses existing Sonos speakers without needing a soundbar.
- High-quality audio with uncompressed settings.
Cons:
- Minimum 75ms delay, which may cause lip-sync issues.
- May require additional converters for optical outputs.
For TV audio troubleshooting, check our guide on Fixing LG TV Sound Issues.
Method 4: Using Apple TV with AirPlay
If you have an Apple TV, you can send TV audio to Sonos speakers that support AirPlay 2, such as Sonos One, Beam, Move, Arc, Five, or Era 100, while displaying video on your TV.
Steps to Connect via Apple TV
- Connect Apple TV to TV: Use an HDMI cable to connect your Apple TV to your TV’s HDMI port.
- Set Audio Output: On the Apple TV, go to Settings > Video and Audio > Audio Output, and select your Sonos speaker from the AirPlay devices list.
- Play Content: Play content on the Apple TV. The video will display on the TV, and the audio will play through the Sonos speaker.
- Ensure Compatibility: Confirm your Sonos speaker supports AirPlay 2. Older models like Play:1 or Play:3 require an AirPlay 2-enabled Sonos speaker in the system to work.
Pros:
- Low-latency audio streaming with AirPlay 2.
- Works with multiple Sonos speakers for multi-room audio.
Cons:
- Requires an Apple TV and AirPlay 2-compatible Sonos speakers.
- Setup may be complex for non-Apple users.
Learn how to connect other devices to your TV in our guide on Connecting Alexa to LG TV.
Method 5: Streaming from Source Device via AirPlay
If you’re streaming content from an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, or Mac) to your TV via AirPlay, you can send the audio to a Sonos speaker separately. This method depends on the app and device.
Steps to Connect via AirPlay
- Play Video on Apple Device: Open a video app (e.g., YouTube) on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- Select AirPlay for Video: Tap the AirPlay icon in the app and choose your TV to stream the video.
- Select AirPlay for Audio: Open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right on iPhone X or later), tap the AirPlay audio button, and select your Sonos speaker.
- Test Playback: Ensure the video plays on the TV and audio plays through the Sonos speaker.
Note: Not all apps support separate audio and video AirPlay destinations. For example, YouTube may allow this, but other apps might send both to the TV.
Pros:
- Flexible for Apple device users.
- No additional hardware needed beyond AirPlay-compatible devices.
Cons:
- App-dependent functionality.
- Requires AirPlay 2-compatible Sonos speakers.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Connecting Sonos speakers to your TV can sometimes lead to issues. Here are solutions to common problems:
- Audio Delay with Line-In: Set the Audio Delay to “Low” (75ms) in the Sonos app under Settings > Room Settings > Line-In. Adjust your TV’s audio delay settings to sync with the video.
- Bluetooth Connection Problems: Ensure the Sonos speaker is in pairing mode (flashing blue light) and your TV supports Bluetooth audio output. Reset the Bluetooth connection by unpairing and re-pairing the devices.
- Compatibility Issues: Verify your Sonos speaker supports the chosen connection method. For example, Sonos One cannot connect directly to a TV without a soundbar.
- Software Updates: Keep the Sonos app and speaker firmware up to date. Check for updates in the Sonos app under Settings > System Updates.
- HDMI ARC Issues: If the soundbar doesn’t work via HDMI ARC, ensure the TV’s HDMI ARC port is enabled and CEC is turned on. Check the Sonos support page for troubleshooting.
For more TV troubleshooting, see our guide on Fixing Samsung TV Black Screen.
Choosing the Right Method for Your Setup
The best method depends on your Sonos speaker model, TV capabilities, and audio goals:
- Full Home Theater: Use a Sonos soundbar with surround speakers for the best experience, especially for movies and gaming.
- Casual Audio Boost: Bluetooth or line-in connections are simpler if you only need better TV sound without a soundbar.
- Apple Ecosystem: AirPlay methods work well if you use Apple TV or Apple devices.
| Method | Best For | Requirements | Potential Issues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soundbar | Home theater, high-quality audio | Sonos soundbar, HDMI ARC/optical TV | Cost of soundbar |
| Bluetooth | Casual listening, portable setups | Bluetooth-enabled TV and Sonos speaker | Latency, limited TV support |
| Line-In | Existing Sonos Five/Port owners | TV with analog/optical output | Audio delay (75ms minimum) |
| Apple TV AirPlay | Apple users, multi-room audio | Apple TV, AirPlay 2 Sonos speakers | Requires Apple TV |
| Source Device AirPlay | Apple device streaming | AirPlay 2 Sonos speakers, compatible app | App-dependent functionality |
Conclusion
Connecting Sonos speakers to your TV can transform your audio experience, delivering clear, immersive sound. The recommended method is using a Sonos soundbar for seamless integration and superior quality, especially with HDMI ARC and surround speakers. Alternatives like Bluetooth, line-in, or AirPlay offer flexibility for different setups but may have limitations like audio delays or compatibility issues. Use the Sonos app to simplify setup and troubleshoot issues. Choose the method that matches your equipment and enjoy enhanced TV audio with Sonos.
