Can soundbars be used with receivers?
Andrew Ramirez
Published Mar 08, 2026
Can soundbars be used with receivers?
No matter the brand, there are two types of soundbars: active and passive. They can both connect to a receiver, but a passive soundbar will be more compatible as active ones were not meant to be used this way. This is because active soundbars are designed to be all you need in one device.
Can you combine soundbar with other speakers?
Yes. You can use a soundbar with other speakers but the exact steps will vary depending on a number of factors, such as your soundbar model, your external speakers, the output device’s connectors, and others.
Do soundbars need a receiver?
A sound bar has several speakers and the electronics to power them in one thin enclosure that you connect to your TV—no need for a receiver. Some have a separate subwoofer, usually wireless, and a few have rear speakers to create a full surround-sound system.
How do I connect my soundbar to multiple devices?
One of the easiest ways to hook up a Soundbar to multiple devices is to pair the devices with your TV and then connect the Soundbar to the TV with an HDMI ARC cable. Then, be sure to adjust the settings on your TV so the Soundbar is the preferred speaker option as opposed to the TV speakers.
Can a sound bar be connected to an AV receiver?
Still Want to Connect an Active Soundbar to Your AV Receiver? If your receiver has a pre-out, you can connect your soundbar to the pre-outs using an RCA cable. Your receiver will have an RCA port, while your soundbar will either have an AUX jack or an RCA port, depending on the model you have.
Are there any soundbars that have RCA inputs?
Bluetooth 5.0, HDMI ARC x 3, Optical, Aux and RCA inputs give it everything when it comes to connectivity that a modern soundbar with RCA input would need. With 3 HDMI inputs, it stands as one of the rare soundbar with RCA input models on the market.
How can I hook up my receiver to my soundbar?
Your receiver will have an RCA port, while your soundbar will either have an AUX jack or an RCA port, depending on the model you have. If your receiver doesn’t have pre-outs, you can buy something like the PAC LP3-2 L.O.C. PRO Series 2-Channel Line Output Converter (Amazon) so that you can use the speaker connectors to hook up your soundbar.
What kind of cable do you need for a sound bar?
You will need an RCA to 3.5mm (Aux) or an RCA to RCA cable depending on your receiver and soundbar. Connect the RCA leads to the corresponding pre-out connections on the receiver, then connect the 3.5mm (Aux) or RCA connector (s) to the soundbar.
How to get code for RCA sound bar?
Press Power and aim the remote control at the RCA sound bar Press CH+ until the RCA sound bar turns offNOTE: In the code search mode, the remote control will send IR codes from its library to the device. Press Setup once to lock in the code The Aux key will blink twice
How do you connect a sound bar to a receiver?
You will need an RCA to 3.5mm (Aux) or an RCA to RCA cable depending on your receiver and soundbar. Connect the RCA leads to the corresponding pre-out connections on the receiver, then connect the 3.5mm (Aux) or RCA connector (s) to the soundbar. Note that you may need to enable the pre-out center channel on the receiver.
You will need an RCA to 3.5mm (Aux) or an RCA to RCA cable depending on your receiver and soundbar. Connect the RCA leads to the corresponding pre-out connections on the receiver, then connect the 3.5mm (Aux) or RCA connector (s) to the soundbar.
Do you need a RCA jack for a Roku sound bar?
The RCA jacks on the roku tv are INPUTS, the RCA jacks on your sound bar are also INPUTS, no communication. You need audio OUTPUT on the tv to send sound to the INPUT on the sound bar.