How to Set Up Home Sound System? | A Simple Walkthrough

Setting up a home sound system comes down to connecting your TV to an ARC/eARC soundbar or receiver, then placing speakers for your room.

Getting better TV sound starts with one connection decision. For most US homes, the simplest path is a TV plus an ARC/eARC-capable soundbar or AV receiver. ARC uses one High Speed HDMI cable, while eARC expands support for higher-bitrate and multichannel audio formats. The right setup transforms movies and music without requiring a degree in audio engineering.

Which Connection Should You Use?

Your TV’s HDMI ports hold the answer. Sony’s documentation explains that ARC sends TV sound from the TV’s HDMI jack to an AV device over HDMI. The newer eARC standard extends ARC and supports object-based audio and multichannel LPCM that ARC cannot carry.

Check your TV and sound system for an HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC. Connect an ARC-compatible audio system from the TV’s HDMI (ARC) IN port to the audio system’s HDMI (ARC) OUT port using a High Speed HDMI cable. If either device lacks ARC, you will need an additional optical or analog audio cable to complete the connection.

Step-by-Step Setup Process

Once the cable is connected, the setup happens in the menus. Sony’s official steps walk through the essentials:

1. Turn on the TV’s ARC/eARC function in the settings menu.
2. Enable HDMI Control or Control for HDMI when required—this is mandatory for ARC to work on many TVs.
3. Open the receiver or speaker system menu and select HDMI Settings → Audio Return Channel.
4. Choose eARC or ARC based on what your TV supports.

When using eARC, the TV’s eARC function must be turned on. When using ARC, the TV’s HDMI Control must be enabled. Missing either toggle is the most common reason a new system produces no sound.

Speaker Placement That Actually Works

Connection done, placement determines how good it sounds. Start with the center channel: place it directly above or below the TV and aim it toward the listener. This anchor carries dialogue, so its position matters most.

Front left and right speakers belong at about 30° off center, with tweeters near ear level when seated. For 5.1 systems, surround speakers sit to the sides or slightly behind the listening position—roughly 90° to 110° or about 120° depending on your layout.

Common mistakes include using the wrong TV input, forgetting to enable ARC/eARC or HDMI control, and placing the center speaker off-axis from the screen. Assuming all cables or ports support ARC/eARC also causes headaches—check the labels before buying new gear. If you are setting up a smaller room, a compact soundbar might fit better than a full 5.1 array; our roundup of the best bedroom sound system options can help you choose.

Match the system to your room’s channel count. A receiver and TV with mismatched capabilities will limit available audio formats, so verify both support the same features before committing. Sony’s support article on ARC and eARC connections walks through compatibility checks in detail.