Quick Answer / Summary: TV to amplifier: HDMI ARC/eARC carries surround and lets the TV remote control volume; optical TOSLINK carries stereo or compressed 5.1 but no volume control and no return channel. Then amplifier to speakers: 16-14 AWG depending on length and impedance, 2-core per channel. Enable the TV’s audio output format to match (PCM, bitstream, or passthrough) and set the amplifier’s input to the same source.
A TV-to-amplifier system has two cabling halves: the digital link from the TV and the speaker run from the amplifier. The first decides format and control; the second decides whether the power arrives. This guide covers both.
The Digital Link
HDMI ARC: one cable carries audio from the TV to the amplifier and control back, so the TV remote adjusts volume. eARC adds bandwidth for uncompressed surround. Optical: robust, galvanically isolated, limited to compressed 5.1 or stereo, and no volume control – the amplifier’s remote must be used. Analog 3.5mm from the TV’s headphone jack is the fallback and the noisiest option. Cable quality matters little; the format settings matter a lot.
ARC Needs the Right Port
Only the TV’s ARC/eARC-labelled HDMI input works. A soundbar or amplifier must also support ARC, and CEC must be enabled for volume control.
Optical Still Earns Its Place
Optical’s isolation removes ground noise from a TV on a different circuit – the reason it survives despite lower bandwidth.
Format Settings That Break Systems
Three settings cause most ‘no sound’ calls: the TV set to PCM while the amplifier expects bitstream (or the reverse), the TV’s speaker output left on ‘TV speakers’ instead of ‘external’, and the amplifier’s input assigned to the wrong connector. Check in that order. For surround, the TV must pass the bitstream through rather than decoding it; the amplifier’s display confirms the format. For stereo, PCM is correct and avoids compatibility issues.
The Passthrough Rule
If the amplifier should decode surround, the TV must pass the bitstream untouched. A TV that decodes first sends stereo.
Output Selection
TV menus keep internal speakers active unless told otherwise. Select the external output explicitly.
The Speaker Run
Television systems are usually small: 8 ohm speakers, 5-15 m runs, modest power. 16 AWG covers it; 14 AWG if the amplifier sits in a cabinet with long runs to the fronts. Terminations: banana plugs or bare wire, equal lengths for the front pair, and no strands bridging terminals. Keep the speaker cable away from the TV’s power lead and the HDMI bundle. For a subwoofer, the cable is signal-level (RCA) or speaker-level depending on the sub’s inputs – do not mix the two.
Cabinet Runs
An amplifier inside a media cabinet adds 3-5 m per run and concentrates heat. Ventilate and size the cable for the real length.
Subwoofer Inputs
Line-level RCA or speaker-level terminals – choose one, never both. The wrong choice produces hum or silence.
TV to Amplifier Links
| Link | Carries | Volume Control |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI ARC | Up to compressed 5.1 / eARC surround | TV remote (CEC) |
| Optical | Stereo or compressed 5.1 | Amplifier remote |
| 3.5mm analog | Stereo | Amplifier remote |
| Speaker run | Amplified audio | Amplifier |
Real-World Application Scenarios
A living room uses HDMI ARC so one remote controls volume, with 14 AWG to two 8 ohm speakers at 8 m. An older TV without ARC uses optical, and the amplifier’s remote becomes the volume control. A bedroom system uses the TV’s headphone jack into a small amplifier, accepting the extra noise for simplicity.
Recommended Internal Resources
(1) Product cluster – https://zh-zong.com/productlist/ (anchor: speaker cable and TV audio adapters); (2) FAQ – https://zh-zong.com/faq/ (anchor: ARC and format questions); (3) Contact – https://zh-zong.com/contact/ (anchor: request TV audio cable kits).
Related Reading in This Series
- Amp Speaker System: The Cable Plan for a Multi-Speaker Rig
- Wireless Stereo Amplifier: What Still Needs a Cable
- Powered Amp vs Passive: Which Cable Goes Where
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: ARC or optical for a TV amplifier?
A: ARC if the TV and amplifier both support it – one cable, volume control via CEC. Optical for older gear or when ground noise is a problem.
Q: Why is there no sound after connecting ARC?
A: Check the format (PCM versus bitstream), the TV’s output selection, and whether CEC is enabled. Those three settings cause most failures.
Q: What gauge for TV speakers?
A: 16 AWG for runs under 10 m at 8 ohm; 14 AWG for longer cabinet runs. Termination quality matters more than the gauge step.