Summary
Setting up my soundbar was relatively straightforward: I simply connected it to the TV via Bluetooth, and it worked right away. However, to achieve the best sound, I found that it needed to be optimized to suit my TV—and one setting is especially crucial. The one setting affecting your soundbar’s audio quality The right audio format can make a surprising difference Soundbars typically support various audio formats, so if your TV sends a signal that your soundbar doesn’t handle well, it can cause issues such as latency (a delay between the picture and sound), missing sound effects, or poor audio quality. It can also cause improper decoding of audio formats such as DTS or Dolby Digital, resulting in muffled dialogue or weak bass response—all because the correct setting needs to be toggled! To get the best audio performance from your soundbar, the main setting to adjust is the audio output format in your TV’s audio settings menu. The most common audio formats are PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) and Bitstream. Both formats transmit a digital audio signal to your soundbar, but they work in different ways. PCM vs. Bitstream To put it simply, PCM and Bitstream refer to different methods of transmitting digital audio from your TV or media player. The key difference is where the decoding takes place.
- PCM means your TV decodes the audio before sending it to your soundbar.
- Bitstream sends compressed audio to your soundbar, which decodes it internally. With PCM, your TV does all the hard work. This is usually fine, provided it has a capable audio processor (which my midrange Samsung model doesn’t). Soundbars, on the other hand, are designed specifically for audio, so by selecting Bitstream—or, in my case, “Auto”—you’re likely to get better decoding, especially when using advanced audio formats. When Bitstream is the better choice Let your soundbar do the decoding For most home theater setups, including my own, Bitstream (or Auto) is usually the best option, particularly if your soundbar supports modern surround sound formats.
- Bitstream typically delivers true 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound more effectively from streaming apps and media players.
- Bitstream often provides better audio decoding because some Dolby- and DTS-capable TVs downmix surround sound (convert it to fewer channels) before passing it to the soundbar. Bitstream instead sends the raw signal for the soundbar to process.
Bitstream is required for spatial audio formatssuch as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X to deliver full object-based audio effects. Additionally, if your soundbar supports HDMI ARC or eARC connectivity, Bitstream allows compatible devices to pass surround formats that PCM may not, depending on the connection and hardware involved. When PCM makes more sense Lower latency and broader compatibility Bitstream often works best, but PCM still makes sense in certain setups. If your soundbar doesn’t support advanced formats such as Dolby Atmos, PCM can offer broader compatibility and a more reliable connection. PCM can also help when a TV struggles to process Bitstream properly. In those cases, letting the TV decode the audio before sending it to the soundbar may reduce delay and improve playback. Gamers may also get better results with PCM on an Xbox or PlayStation, since pre-decoded audio can sometimes lower latency without sacrificing quality. As a general rule, try PCM if you don’t use surround sound formats or if Bitstream causes lag, dropouts, or other playback issues. Other settings to improve sound quality Your TV’s audio output format can fix many soundbar problems, but it isn’t the only setting worth checking. Most soundbars include EQ presets for movies, music, sports, and other content, so try a few to see which one suits your room and listening habits best. If dialogue sounds muffled or disappears beneath music and effects, turn on dialogue enhancement. You can also use manual bass and treble controls to tame sound that feels too boomy or too sharp. Switching your TV’s audio output format from PCM to Bitstream (or vice versa) can resolve many performance issues. Still, several other factors also affect sound quality, including the shape of your living space. I now know it’s essential to check a TV’s audio format settings when setting up a soundbar or routing audio from another device, such as a games console. If your current soundbar sounds underwhelming or has performance issues, try switching between PCM and Bitstream (or Auto) to see whether it improves the audio. Toggling this one setting could unlock clearer dialogue, reduce latency, or deliver more dynamic sound—all without changing your existing setup.