Considering televisions are so expensive, the speaker systems on them are surprisingly poor. The problem is primarily caused by the space available. As TVs become progressively thinner, the speakers themselves have less room to work with, so we end up with a shallow tinny sound.As such, audiophiles and cinephiles have taken to using external soundbars. In many cases, they provide fuller and richer sounds than TV sets are capable of. Plus, you don’t have to spend a fortune on top-end models; there are plenty of mid-range soundbars for audiophiles on a budget.

Better yet, if you have a Roku streaming device, you can even control your soundbar using your Roku TV remote. After all, who wants to deal with two separate remotes all the time? Let’s take a closer look at how to control your soundbar with a Roku remote.

What Are ARC and HDMI-CEC?

Audio Return Channel (ARC) and Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) are both lesser-known features of HDMI technology. Together, they allow for two-way communication between a TV and an external device over an HDMI cable.

If you use ARC over HDMI to connect your soundbar to your TV, Roku can use CEC to control the sound bar’s volume. Your soundbar needs to support ARC for it to be possible. Unfortunately, if you use optical cables to connect the two devices, you’re out of luck.

How to Control Your Soundbar With Roku (Roku TV and Roku Streaming Devices)

The setup process differs depending on whether you have a smart TV with Roku OS (a.k.a. a Roku TV), or you use a Roku streaming stick/Roku box.

If you have a Roku TV follow these instructions to control your soundbar with a Roku remote:

  1. Fire up your TV, open the Roku interface, and head to Home > Settings.
  2. Scroll down and select Audio.
  3. Go to Audio Preferences > Audio Mode.
  4. Select Auto (DTS).
  5. Return to the Audio menu and head to S/PDIF.
  6. Set it to Auto-detect.
  7. Go back to the Audio menu a final time and choose ARC.
  8. Again, set the option to Auto-detect.
  9. Go to Settings > System > CEC.
  10. Mark the checkbox next to ARC (HDMI).

If you’re using a Roku streaming stick or Roku box, you’ll need to do all the above, but also enable the feature on your TV’s settings menu. The process for doing so differs considerably between manufacturers. Consult their help documentation for more information.

No ARC? No Worries

Even if your soundbar doesn’t boast ARC support, you might still be able to control your soundbar with your Roku TV remote if the speaker supports HDMI. Navigate to Settings > System > Control other devices and turn on System Audio Control to test it.

If neither of these two methods works for you, you might be forced to buy a universal remote. The Logitech Harmony Ultimate is one of the best.