How to Make Your Soundbar Louder

Coby McKinley Profile image

Written by:

Updated September 29, 2022

If you have a premium speaker, you may wonder how to make your soundbar louder. The audio output from a good soundbar should provide excellent sound quality for a theater space or living room. That said, soundbars and other audio equipment can experience connectivity issues that make your maximum volume seem weak. So, if your soundbar volume is quiet, read this guide to learn how to make your soundbar louder.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Ensure your TV is outputting the audio signal through the soundbar.
  • Clear objects away from your soundbar and ensure you’ve correctly connected the power and audio cables.
  • Check the soundbar manufacturer’s website for a firmware upgrade to fix occasional software bugs that might affect your volume levels.

External speakers should deliver a consistent audio experience, whether there are loud sounds or quiet dialogue. If you’re curious why your soundbar keeps turning off, you should consider learning what HDMI ARC means to start troubleshooting the problem. Additionally, you should study your preferred speaker’s advanced settings to understand why is there no sound coming from your soundbar.

Insider Tip

If you use a Bluetooth speaker system, keep it away from Wi-Fi routers to avoid interrupting your audio source.

Why Does My Soundbar Sound Low?

A soundbar should deliver a rich sound experience that balances loud sounds with soft tones. Ideally, you should enjoy sound quality and clarity that surpasses your default TV speakers. Unfortunately, connectivity issues, low-quality cables, and sound settings can keep your soundbar volume from getting loud enough. Keep reading to understand the simple fixes to a quiet issue on a soundbar.

Audio Settings

Ensure you are utilizing the soundbar instead of the internal TV speakers. Go to your TV’s audio settings and check that the soundbar is the output device. Additionally, deactivate night mode on your soundbar to enable higher volumes.

Not Enough Speaker Channels

Your soundbar needs adequate speaker channels to deliver room-filling sound levels, especially if you have a large home theater space. A stereo set offers two audio channels (left and right), while a 5.1 Dolby Digital sound system features five speakers and a woofer. If it doesn’t have enough channels for your viewing space, your soundbar won’t be as loud as you may like.

Loose Cable Connection

Users with a wired soundbar should ensure their optical cable is securely installed in the soundbar and TV. A weak or loose connection will result in low volume levels, even at the maximum settings. Additionally, check for signs of damage to the audio cable, especially if you have pets.

Warning

Do not adjust the soundbar’s equalizer settings unless you understand how the levels impact the distribution of sound. Incorrect calibration can unintentionally dull certain sound levels.

Weak Power Source

Ensure your soundbar has a consistent power source to prevent bursts of noise and low volume levels. Connect your soundbar with a power plug or to your TV or wall via USB power and ensure they are securely in place.

Lackluster Speaker Setup

If you have objects in front of your soundbar or you’ve placed the soundbar behind your TV, the blocked soundwaves cannot project to the audience. Move your soundbar in front of your TV and clear clutter away from its surrounding area.

STAT: A 2019 Pew Research Center poll showed that 25% of Americans use a smart speaker setup in their home. (source)

Needs a Firmware Upgrade

While it is rare, outdated soundbar software can impact your sound levels. Go to the manufacturer’s website and see if there’s an available firmware upgrade.

How to Make Your Soundbar Louder FAQs

How do I reset my Samsung soundbar?

You can perform a factory reset on your Samsung soundbar by turning the soundbar off and holding the Play/Pause button. Release the button once you see INIT OK on the always-on display. If your system still doesn’t work, disconnect the power plug and reconnect it to its power source after a few minutes.

What is an active soundbar?

An active soundbar uses internally-powered speakers instead of relying on additional equipment like a receiver or preamp. In terms of modern technology, active soundbar configurations are the most common type of soundbar setup.

Can I use Dolby Atmos on a soundbar?

While most soundbars support Dolby Digital, only top-tier models support Dolby Atmos. Soundbars that support Dolby Atmos feature additional speakers that point upward to deliver verticality to the soundscape. The upward-facing speakers bounce the sound from the ceiling and toward the audience.
Coby McKinley Profile image