Soundbar TV Compatibility (Samsung, LG TV)


Most tech brands do not make their accessories compatible with other brands in the market. As a result, it is normal to wonder whether your soundbar should be the same brand as your TV. I will help you understand whether your Samsung soundbar will work with LG TV.

So, will a Samsung soundbar work with the LG TV? A Samsung soundbar will work well with an LG TV as both companies use the same coding type for their products, enhancing compatibility. This means that when using your Samsung soundbar with your LG TV, you should get the full sound range from the accessory.

Also, you need not worry about sound quality issues and lag time in this connection. For the best sound transmission and quality, you should use appropriate cables and adapters to connect the devices in wired connections and the correct settings for wireless connections. Connection options will depend on your TV and Soundbar capabilities and connections.

You may get an affordable TV and a soundbar from different brands with outstanding qualities as you shop. This explains why it is common for users to have different electronic brands in their homes.

Samsung and LG are among the top tech brands in the market. Because of their affordable prices and quality, most homes have at least one of these brands. If you own an LG TV, one of your biggest concerns will be whether you can use a Samsung soundbar with your TV, and I will respond to this in the section below.

Your Samsung soundbar will work with the LG TV, as these brands employ the same coding in their products to enhance compatibility. With this similarity, you should enjoy a full sound range, free of sound quality and lag issues from your Samsung soundbar when using it with your LG TV. Using the most appropriate connection in the wireless and wired alternatives is advisable for the best sound. You should pick a connection matching your TV generation and model.

The most common way to connect your Samsung Soundbar to your TV is via cords, including the HDMI, auxiliary cable, or digital optical cable. For the connection to be successful, set your TV and plug the cables into the respective ports on your Soundbar and TV.

Technological advancements have made HDMI cables the most popular cable attachments for soundbars. When connecting your Samsung soundbar to the LG TV using the HDMI, start by plugging in one end of the cable into the OUT HDMI port on the soundbar and the other in one of the HDMI inputs on your TV.

Next, plug another device, say a video game console you want to play on your TV, into the INPUT HDMI port on the soundbar. You can turn on your soundbar and TV, select the HDMI port you plugged into your soundbar, navigate to Source on your TV, and find the soundbar, and the connection should work. Ideally, your soundbar should differentiate between the input and output HDMI ports.

Digital optical cables are another alternative if you want excellent sound with speed. In order to initiate the connection, power on your TV and soundbar. Connect one end of the cable to your TV and the other to the soundbar output, then press the source on your soundbar.

Navigate to the D.I.N setting, which should pop after pressing the source button. Afterwards, go to the settings on your TV home menu, then to the sound settings under the sound menu. While on the sound menu, switch off the TV speaker to ensure that you receive sound through the soundbar.

The last option in the corded connections should be the aux cable. This cable is one of the easiest to connect but will not give the best quality sound. To initiate a connection, plug one end of the cable into the input on the Soundbar and the other into the TV output. Next, turn on the soundbar and TV, and the soundbar should give the sound from your TV.

If your Samsung soundbar is wireless, a connection is possible if your TV has Bluetooth capabilities or via Wi-Fi. Fortunately, most LG Smart TVs feature this, and you can initiate connection with your Samsung Bluetooth soundbar.

To do this, you will turn on pairing mode using your soundbar remote. This way, you can search for your TV for connection. Next, navigate to your TV’s sound settings, and in the menu, go to Sound Out and select LG Sound Sync Bluetooth to find your Bluetooth. You should pair your soundbar and TV and be good to go.

Wi-Fi connection is another alternative to connecting your Soundbar without a cable. For this connection to work, your soundbar and TV should have a Wi-Fi option. Most devices made after 2014 have this feature.

Start by connecting your devices to a similar Wi-Fi signal. For successful syncing, use a phone connected to your Wi-Fi to download the Samsung SmartThings app. Next, press the source button or select the source button using your remote to enable Wi-Fi mode on the soundbar.

On the app, select the plus sign, then click on Add a Device. You can then tap AV and choose your soundbar. Tap Start, Select the Location and wait for your phone to search and settle the rest.

With all the above options in mind, the next concern will be the best connection method. Generally, a HDMI and an optical cable will provide the best quality sound. The HDMI passes the high-resolution audio, making it compatible with different audio formats.

It also passes video signals, and you can plug it into your laptop for other tasks. Bluetooth and aux cable will lose some level of sound quality. However, few people care about the sound quality from the above options and settle on Bluetooth for convenience. Thus, the best connection is one that matches your audio needs.

LG TV soundbar

Soundbars function to improve the quality of sound from your TV. Depending on your TV model, you may or may not need this accessory.

You need a sound bar for your LG TV if you are unsatisfied with its built-in speakers. In this case, getting a soundbar will give a quality room-filling sound. While soundbars serve this purpose, you should note that they feature different builds; not all will work seamlessly with your TV. At the end of the day, we all want quality sound, and if you have a reasonable budget, getting the best Soundbar will give you more benefits.

Soundbars are available in multiple brands and will work with older and newer TV models.  If you are a beginner, you should check the design, sound, connection and set-up. Getting a soundbar also requires you to set a realistic budget and get value for your money. You can review different stores online, taking advantage of deals while being careful of counterfeit products.

After settling on a budget, focus on the soundbar design. Generally, LG TVs are sleek and minimal, and you would not want a soundbar messing with your décor or crowding your space.  Hence, pick a soundbar that fits the space you have set for TV placement, or go for one without an external subwoofer if you have limited space.

Alternatively, mount your soundbar on the wall to free surface space. You can refer to the mounting options on the manual and use the mounting kit if available during purchase.

Where a soundbar becomes necessary, the sound should be a top priority, especially if you are getting one to complement what your TV speakers are offering. Your soundbar should have high-quality sound, sampling rates, and bit depth as a rule of thumb. Going for a soundbar with Dolby DTS or Atmos 3D will elevate your audio quality, especially when watching movies.

You can have subwoofers and sound modes to enhance your soundbar audio further.  Extra speakers give better audio production and sound as you can use each for different functions such as deep bars and volume. On the other hand, audio channels contribute to the experience, with more channels giving you a better experience.

When buying your soundbars, you should also check your connections, as this will determine the type of Soundbar you settle on. Soundbars provide room for digital and analog connections, with the former offering better connections. Most models will have HDMI, digital optical, USB, WIFI, and Bluetooth connections. You can also check if your soundbar allows connection to a receiver for quality sound.

When everything is set, a connection should be easy. It should comprise cable insertions in the correct ports. You will also alter the settings on your soundbar and TV to ensure the TV sound comes through the soundbar.

Why Are Soundbars So Long?

Soundbars are long bars comprising two or more speakers, effectively upgrading your TV sound. These accessories are easy to install and do not have many speakers and wires crowding your sound system. While these devices may not sound as good as separate speakers, they are better than your TV’s built-in speakers, hence worth the investment.

Soundbars are usually long to provide quality sound. A larger soundbar with a powerful design gives the illusion of surround sound. Ideally, if you have a larger TV, you should buy a long soundbar model for a wider stereo image. If your TV is small, you should buy one a few inches shorter than the screen.

Since we measure the length of a TV screen across, your soundbar length should match the length of the TV base for quality sound, even in smaller TVs. For instance, if you have a TV of 47.8 inches, consider a 40 to 50 inches long soundbar.

Most soundbars are 30 inches or longer, and some individuals may shy from buying them depending on the space in their home décor. If this is you, you can consider placing them on the shelf above or below your TV. Alternatively, mount your soundbar on the wall to save on surface space.

When buying a soundbar, you should choose one whose size matches your TV width. Still, you should note that your TV measurement should be from one edge to another. Hence, finding your TV width is necessary to get the right Soundbar. While you can get a smaller soundbar for your TV, it will not give the best experience, which is why a bigger or slightly smaller soundbar is ideal.

A long soundbar guarantees quality sound, but this is not without compatibility with your TV. You can check compatibility through connectivity. Connectivity, in this case, implies the seamless connection between your TV and soundbar in playing the sound.

Hence, while you may be looking for a sound bar long enough for your 55-inch TV, you should factor in the connection options. If you use a modern model, consider HDMI connections, USB, optical ports, and wireless connections. Your choice of the connection options will depend on the sound quality you want.

Also, to note is that soundbars come with two to five speakers in their main enclosure. Some soundbars will also come with drivers angling towards the room while others are on the sides of the bar, all aiming at creating a wider sound environment. If your soundbar model supports Dolby Atmos, it will also have up-firing speakers for a height sense.

Your soundbar will also come with a wireless subwoofer that you can place anywhere in your room. Others have rear satellite speakers that you can add to improve the sound quality. Hence, besides the length, you will need to factor in these accessories when setting up your Soundbar after purchase.

Wrap Up

Soundbars boost your TV’s built-in speakers. As such, if you are dissatisfied with the sound from your TV speakers, you can buy soundbars for a room filling sound. Like any other accessory, you will likely settle for different TV and soundbar brands depending on quality.

If you have an LG TV., you can comfortably use your Samsung soundbar as both brands use similar coding types to enhance compatibility. This way, you will enjoy quality audio free of lags and quality issues depending on your connection.

Finally, as you buy a soundbar, you should consider the length as this will affect the sound quality. A larger soundbar gives the illusion of a surround sound. Hence, your Soundbar should match your TV width or be a few inches shorter or longer for the best sound quality.

Bal Kang

Bal Kang is a technology expert based in the UK, with experience across a number of technology areas from phones, tablets, computers to gaming.

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