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You don’t need an AV receiver to add a subwoofer to your TV, but how you do it depends on the outputs your TV has. Some routes work well; others are compromises. Here are your options, best first.
- Best: a soundbar or small powered speakers with a sub output, connected to the TV by HDMI ARC/eARC or optical.
- Direct from the TV: some TVs have a dedicated subwoofer output; use it if yours does.
- Workaround: TV headphone or analogue line out into a sub with stereo inputs. It works, but bass and TV speakers may not blend perfectly.
Check your TV’s outputs
- Subwoofer out (rare, on some models): ideal; connect directly to a powered sub.
- HDMI ARC/eARC: for soundbars and receivers.
- Optical (Toslink): digital; needs a DAC or a device that accepts it.
- 3.5 mm headphone / audio out: analogue; can feed a sub directly.
Option 1: soundbar or powered speakers with a sub output (best)
Connect a soundbar or a pair of powered speakers to the TV via HDMI ARC or optical, then add a sub to their sub output. The soundbar or speakers handle the crossover and volume, so everything moves together on one remote. See subwoofers and soundbars and subwoofers for bookshelf speakers.
Option 2: the TV’s headphone or line output
- Use a 3.5 mm-to-RCA cable from the TV’s audio out to the sub’s left/right line inputs.
- Set the TV’s audio out to “variable” so the sub follows the TV volume (some TVs mute their speakers when headphones are connected; check the menu for a setting that keeps both active).
- Set the sub’s crossover to about 80–120 Hz, as TV speakers are small.
- Adjust phase and level by ear.
Limitations: the TV still sends full-range sound to its own speakers, there’s no proper bass management, and some TVs add delay to one output but not the other. Many people find it a worthwhile improvement anyway, especially with small TVs.
Option 3: optical to analogue converter
If your TV has only optical out, a small DAC converts it to RCA for a sub with line inputs. Note that some TVs output only stereo PCM over optical when set to do so; set the TV’s digital output to PCM.
Which subwoofer works best this way?
Look for stereo line inputs, a variable crossover and phase control. Compact options such as the Edifier T5s, Kanto SUB8 and Dayton Audio CS1000 all work. For bigger rooms, see our budget picks.