The right connection depends on the ports on your soundbar, computer or console, and display. For a PC with a monitor, the most dependable arrangement on supported soundbars is often PC HDMI into the soundbar’s HDMI IN, then the soundbar’s HDMI OUT (ARC/eARC) to the monitor. For a PS5 or Xbox connected to a TV, connect the console to a TV HDMI input and the TV’s ARC/eARC port to the soundbar’s matching ARC/eARC port. USB, optical, AUX, and Bluetooth can work too, but only when the exact devices support that route.
Start by matching the ports
Turn off the soundbar and identify every input and output before buying or moving cables. A gaming soundbar may have some combination of USB or USB-C audio, HDMI IN, HDMI OUT labeled ARC or eARC, optical, AUX, and Bluetooth. Your source may be a PC, PS5, or Xbox, while the display may be a gaming monitor or a TV. The connection has to work across that complete chain; a cable that fits physically is not proof that the devices support audio in that direction.
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| Port or mode | What it can do | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI IN | Accepts audio and, on supported soundbars, video from a PC or console. | The soundbar must pass through the video format and refresh rate your display uses. |
| HDMI OUT (ARC/eARC) | Sends soundbar audio to a TV or monitor and can receive returned audio from a display when ARC/eARC is supported at both ends. | Most PC monitors do not return audio over ARC/eARC. ASUS states this explicitly for its ROG Gjallar setup: “Since most PC monitors do not support ARC/eARC, audio can NOT be sent back to the soundbar through the monitor.” ASUS ROG support explains the limitation. |
| USB or USB-C | Can provide a direct digital audio connection from a computer and, on some models, a console. | Console USB support is model-specific. Do not assume a USB connection that works on a PC will work on a PS5 or Xbox. |
| Optical | Carries digital audio from a source or display with an optical output. | The source and soundbar both need the correct optical ports, and microphone functions may be unavailable. |
| AUX | Accepts analog audio from a headphone or line output. | It carries audio only; it does not carry video or provide a general-purpose console chat link. |
| Bluetooth | Provides wireless audio when the source and soundbar support compatible Bluetooth profiles. | Pairing, delay, microphone behavior, and console support vary by model. A PS5 or Xbox cannot be assumed to pair directly with every Bluetooth soundbar. |
Use an HDMI cable for an HDMI path if you do not already have a suitable one. Check the ports and required video specifications first; the setup information does not establish that every player needs to purchase a cable.
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| Source and display | Documented or practical path | When to choose it | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC and gaming monitor | PC HDMI OUT → soundbar HDMI IN; soundbar HDMI OUT (ARC/eARC) → monitor | The monitor does not return audio and the soundbar supports HDMI video passthrough. | Soundbar video passthrough, monitor input, resolution, refresh rate, HDR and any firmware requirements. |
| PC with USB audio | PC USB or USB-C → soundbar USB input | The soundbar lists USB computer audio and you do not need HDMI video passthrough. | Whether the port is an audio device rather than a charging or service port, plus operating-system output selection. |
| PS5 and TV | PS5 HDMI OUT → TV HDMI input; TV HDMI ARC/eARC → soundbar ARC/eARC | The TV and soundbar have compatible ARC/eARC ports. | That both ends use the ARC/eARC-labeled ports and that TV audio output is set to the external audio system. |
| PS5 with supported USB soundbar | PS5 USB → soundbar USB | The soundbar maker documents PS5 USB audio. | Exact device name and microphone selection in PS5 settings. |
| Xbox Series X/S and TV | Xbox HDMI OUT → TV HDMI input; TV HDMI ARC/eARC → soundbar ARC/eARC | The TV route is supported and keeps the console connected directly to the display. | ARC/eARC ports, TV audio settings, and the soundbar’s selected input. |
| Any source with optical, AUX or Bluetooth | Source or display output → matching soundbar input | Neither HDMI nor USB is available or you prefer a simpler audio-only route. | Exact source output, soundbar input, pairing support, chat support and expected delay. |
Connect a gaming PC
HDMI through the soundbar to a monitor
This is the useful arrangement when your monitor has HDMI for video but cannot send audio back to the soundbar. The product guidance for the ROG Gjallar lists PC HDMI into the soundbar’s HDMI IN and the soundbar’s HDMI OUT (eARC) into the monitor. Its product page also lists USB-C, optical, AUX and Bluetooth connection types. See the ROG Gjallar specifications for the ports on that model.
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- Connect the PC’s HDMI output to the soundbar’s HDMI IN.
- Connect the soundbar’s HDMI OUT, labeled ARC or eARC, to an HDMI input on the monitor.
- Turn on the monitor, soundbar and PC, then select the soundbar’s HDMI input.
- In the operating system’s sound settings, choose the HDMI audio device presented by the soundbar or the connected display.
- Launch a game and confirm both picture and sound. If the picture is missing or falls back to a lower mode, check the soundbar’s supported resolution, HDR and refresh-rate passthrough before changing other settings.
This route puts the soundbar in the video chain. A soundbar that accepts audio over HDMI may not pass every gaming format at every refresh rate, so consult its manual and the monitor’s specifications rather than promising a particular frame rate, surround format or latency.
USB or USB-C from the PC
Use USB when the soundbar identifies itself as a computer audio device and you do not need the soundbar to carry the monitor’s video signal. Connect the cable, select the soundbar as the computer’s output, and select the correct USB input on the soundbar. If the computer shows no new audio device, try another USB port and check whether the soundbar’s port is marked for audio rather than charging or service. USB behavior on consoles is not interchangeable with PC behavior.
Optical, AUX or Bluetooth from the PC
Optical is a digital, audio-only path; connect the computer’s optical output to the soundbar’s optical input and select optical on the soundbar. AUX works from a computer headphone or line output into the soundbar’s AUX input. Bluetooth requires putting the soundbar into pairing mode and choosing it in the computer’s Bluetooth panel. These alternatives avoid HDMI video passthrough, but they can have different microphone, surround, delay and volume-control behavior. Confirm the exact model’s documentation before choosing one for competitive play or voice chat.
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Connect a PS5
PS5 through a TV’s ARC/eARC connection
When the TV and soundbar have compatible ARC or eARC ports, use the TV as the audio return point:
- Connect the PS5 HDMI OUT to a normal HDMI input on the TV.
- Connect the TV HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC to the soundbar HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC.
- Set the soundbar to its TV, ARC or eARC source.
- In the TV’s sound menu, choose the external audio system or ARC/eARC output. Labels differ by TV manufacturer and software version.
- On the PS5, leave the console connected to the TV’s HDMI input and test a game or the system sound. If there is no audio, verify that the TV is actually returning sound through its ARC/eARC port.
This arrangement is documented for the PS5 and the Sound Blaster Katana SE in Creative’s game-console setup guide. The same cable layout is not a universal guarantee for every soundbar; both the TV and soundbar must support the relevant ARC/eARC behavior.
Direct USB audio on a supported PS5 soundbar
A direct USB route can avoid the TV’s audio return path, but it is product-specific. Creative documents it for the Katana SE. With that model, connect the PS5 to the soundbar’s supported USB connection, then select the named USB device on the console:
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- Open Settings > Sound > Audio Output > Output Device.
- Select USB Headset (SB Katana SE).
- Open Settings > Sound > Microphone > Input Device.
- Select USB Headset (SB Katana SE) if you want the connected microphone route.
- Choose the soundbar’s USB source and test game audio and chat separately.
The displayed device name and menu choices are specific to that documented setup. If your soundbar does not appear, do not force the route: return to the model’s PS5 instructions or use the TV ARC/eARC arrangement.
Connect an Xbox
Xbox Series X/S through a TV
For Xbox Series X/S, the documented Katana SE arrangement is the same basic TV return path:
- Connect the Xbox HDMI OUT to an HDMI input on the TV.
- Connect the TV’s ARC/eARC HDMI port to the soundbar’s ARC/eARC port.
- Select the soundbar’s ARC/eARC or TV input.
- Set the TV to output sound to its external audio system, then test the console.
Creative’s guide covers this TV arrangement for Xbox Series X/S. It does not document the same direct USB setup for Xbox that it documents for the PS5, so do not assume that a soundbar’s PS5 USB instructions transfer to Xbox. Check the exact soundbar’s Xbox support before connecting USB.
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Other Xbox audio outputs
If your display or console setup exposes optical, AUX or another supported audio output, connect that output to the matching soundbar input and select it. Xbox menus, TV passthrough behavior and supported audio formats vary by model and software version. Keep the console’s video path separate from the audio path when using an audio-only connection, and verify that the chosen mode supports the headset or microphone functions you need.
Configure the source and soundbar after cabling
- Confirm every plug is fully seated and that the soundbar is powered on.
- Select the soundbar input that matches the physical connection: HDMI IN, ARC/eARC, USB, optical, AUX or Bluetooth.
- Set the PC, PS5, Xbox or TV audio output to the connected audio device. Names and menu paths vary by hardware and software version.
- Play a known system sound before opening a game. This separates a routing problem from a game-specific setting.
- Check volume on the source, TV and soundbar, and make sure none is muted.
- Only after basic stereo audio works, enable optional surround, spatial-audio or bitstream settings that the exact devices document.
A display may show video while the soundbar remains silent if the source is still sending audio to the display speakers or to a different device. Conversely, an ARC/eARC cable can be connected correctly while the soundbar is still set to USB or optical. Always check both ends’ selected source.
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Microphone and voice-chat limitations
Audio output and microphone input are separate compatibility questions. A route that delivers game sound may not carry a built-in microphone, a connected headset microphone or a microphone array.
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- ASUS says the ROG Gjallar’s built-in microphones work in USB or Bluetooth mode, not in HDMI, optical or AUX mode. The limitation is described in the ROG Gjallar FAQ, whose last-update date is shown as August 20, 2026.
- Creative says the Katana SE’s connected headset or microphone array is unsupported over HDMI. A TV ARC/eARC path can therefore provide game audio without providing that model’s microphone function through HDMI.
- On PS5, select the microphone device separately from the output device. The documented Katana SE USB setup uses “USB Headset (SB Katana SE)” for both selections.
- For Xbox or PC, check whether the soundbar presents a recording device in the operating system or console settings. If it does not, use a separately supported headset or microphone rather than assuming the soundbar can provide chat input.
Troubleshoot no audio, missing return audio or failed chat
No sound at all
- Confirm the soundbar is on the correct input and not in Bluetooth pairing or standby mode.
- Confirm the source device is outputting to the connected HDMI, USB, optical or Bluetooth device rather than internal speakers.
- For an optical or AUX connection, verify that the source has the corresponding physical output; an adapter or socket that looks similar may not provide audio.
- Test a system sound or another source. If that works, inspect the game’s own audio-output setting.
- Power-cycle the source, display and soundbar after changing the cable path so HDMI handshakes can be re-established.
The monitor shows a picture but the soundbar is silent
Check whether the monitor supports ARC/eARC. ASUS’s guidance for the ROG Gjallar says most PC monitors do not, so a monitor generally cannot return audio over its HDMI output. Use the documented passthrough arrangement—PC HDMI to soundbar HDMI IN, then soundbar HDMI OUT to the monitor—if your soundbar supports it. Otherwise connect the PC directly to USB, optical or AUX, depending on the ports available.
The console works on the TV but not through the soundbar
- Make sure the cable from the TV goes from the TV’s ARC/eARC-labeled HDMI port to the soundbar’s ARC/eARC-labeled port. A regular TV HDMI input will not necessarily return audio.
- Set the TV’s audio output to its external audio system and select ARC/eARC on the soundbar.
- Check that the console is connected to a TV HDMI input and that the TV is showing the console before testing audio.
- If you are using a direct USB route, verify that the soundbar maker documents that exact console model. The PS5 USB instructions documented for the Katana SE should not be treated as a general Xbox procedure.
Game audio works but the microphone does not
Check the selected connection mode first. On the ROG Gjallar, built-in microphones are limited to USB and Bluetooth, so HDMI, optical and AUX cannot provide them. On the Katana SE, Creative says a connected headset or microphone array is not supported through HDMI. Select a supported USB or Bluetooth mode, or use a separate chat device documented for your console and soundbar.
Video resolution or refresh rate changes after adding the soundbar
An HDMI soundbar sits between the source and display in the PC passthrough arrangement. If the available resolution, HDR mode or refresh rate changes, check the soundbar’s published passthrough capabilities, the monitor’s input settings and the cable specification. Do not assume that an HDMI port labeled ARC/eARC guarantees a particular gaming refresh rate or surround format.
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Bluetooth pairs but feels unsuitable for games
Successful pairing does not establish low latency, microphone support or console compatibility. Check the exact soundbar and source documentation for supported Bluetooth profiles and chat behavior. If delay is noticeable or the console cannot discover the soundbar, use a documented HDMI, USB, optical or AUX route instead.
How to choose between multiple working routes
| Priority | Prefer | Reason | Trade-off to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| One cable path from a console and TV | Console to TV, TV ARC/eARC to soundbar | The TV handles the console picture while returning audio to the soundbar. | Both TV and soundbar must support compatible ARC/eARC ports and settings. |
| PC monitor with no audio return | PC HDMI to soundbar HDMI IN, then soundbar HDMI OUT to monitor | Avoids depending on the monitor to send audio back. | Video passthrough may limit resolution, HDR or refresh rate. |
| Computer audio without video routing | USB or USB-C | Direct digital audio and, on some models, microphone support. | The port and operating-system device must be supported. |
| Simple audio-only connection | Optical or AUX | Leaves video connected directly to the display. | Microphone, surround and control features may be limited. |
| Wireless convenience | Bluetooth | No audio cable between a compatible source and soundbar. | Console discovery, latency and microphone behavior are model-dependent. |
Final compatibility checklist
- Have you identified the soundbar’s actual inputs and outputs, not just the sockets on the source?
- Does the chosen path return audio through ARC/eARC, or does it send audio directly to the soundbar?
- If a soundbar is carrying video, does it support the display’s resolution, HDR and refresh-rate requirements?
- Is the route documented for the exact soundbar and console combination?
- Did you select the matching input on the soundbar and the matching output device on the source or TV?
- If voice chat matters, does the selected mode support the soundbar’s microphone or connected headset?
- Have you avoided assuming that PS5 USB support, Bluetooth pairing or monitor ARC/eARC behavior applies to every model?
There is no universal gaming-soundbar cable layout. Match the ports first, then choose between direct source audio and display-based ARC/eARC, and finally verify microphone and video requirements in the exact product documentation.
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