Soundbars are the best audio choice for completing your home theater while saving space. However, you might miss the power a surround sound stereo kit produces. Thankfully, you can achieve a complete surround sound experience from your soundbars by adding surround speakers to your setup. So, how do you connect the speakers to your Samsung soundbar?
To use speakers with your soundbar, connect the wireless module to the speakers using the color-coded cables that your speakers came with. Then, connect the wireless module to a power source. In most cases, the Soundbar will automatically connect, but if not, do an ID SET on the Soundbar.
Soundbars usually do not have an “audio out” port. That means we'll have to use a different method to connect the speakers to your soundbar. So, let’s go over the process and cover the issues you might encounter when configuring your soundbar with extra speakers.
Can You Add Surround Speakers to a Samsung Soundbar?
Yes, you can. Some soundbars come with extra speakers, and others may not. Luckily, you can purchase speakers or a rear speaker kit separately to add to your existing sound system. However, make sure you get the one that's compatible with your soundbar.
Otherwise, the setup may become a lot more complex. Even worse, the hardware might not connect at all.
The best option is to find a soundbar with speakers designed to connect to it specifically. Since they're designed to work together, connecting them will be easy. All you need to do is connect the power cable to an electrical outlet.
For rear speaker kits, the task will be a little more complex. Apart from some required assembly, you may need to configure the setup manually. Also, if the LED light keeps blinking after the configuration, you'll have to troubleshoot to find out why.
How to Add Surround-Sound Speakers to a Samsung Soundbar
As mentioned earlier, the surround-sound speakers that come with the Samsung soundbar will connect automatically after you turn them on.
However, this is not the case with rear speakers (which are sold separately). With those, you have to establish the connection manually. Follow the steps below to add extra surround-sound speakers to a standalone Soundbar.
How to Assemble A Surround-Sound Rear Speaker Kit
To begin with, make sure to connect the wires from the speakers to the wireless receiver properly.
Once you've completed this step, you must connect the cables to the corresponding speakers. Essentially, you must match the color of the cables with the back label of the speakers.
The gray cable connects to the speaker with the gray label. Similarly, the blue cable will go to the speaker with the blue label.
Then, the gray plug will go into the gray jack on the wireless receiver. Likewise, the blue plug will connect to the blue jack on the wireless receiver.
While connecting these wires to the speakers, make sure that the red end goes into the red terminal and the black goes into the black terminal of the speakers.
Be extra cautious while connecting the clamps. Use the stripped portion of the wire and not the insulated part.
Lastly, get the power cord for the wireless receiver. The cable’s one end will connect to the wireless receiver, and the end will plug into the power source.
But we aren't done yet. If you see the blue LED indicator light blinking, it’s time to perform an ID SET on the soundbar.
Performing an ID SET On The Soundbar
To fix the blinking light problem, you'll need to perform an ID SET on your soundbar.
- Start with turning off the soundbar. Use the remote to do so. Alternatively, you can also press the Power button, which typically located at the back of the soundbar itself.
- On your soundbar’s remote, press and hold either the ‘volume’ button or the ‘Up’ button. Refer to your soundbar's manual and check the instructions to find out which button to hold.
- Keep holding the button for around 5 to 6 seconds. Doing so will make the “ID SET” message appear on the display of your soundbar.
- Turn on your soundbar once the ID SET appears on its display. Once again, you can use the power button on the remote or press the power button on the back of the soundbar.
- Some Samsung soundbar models are designed to turn back on automatically after the “ID SET” process. For others, you must power the device manually.
Check for the LINK LED indicator light. After you've connected the soundbar with your speakers, this light will stop blinking and remain on, indicating that the soundbar is now in sync with the wireless receiver.
Manage the Speaker’s Controls
We're almost done, but before wrapping up the configuration, let’s discuss how to adjust the volume on the rear speakers.
Thankfully, you won’t need a separate remote to manage your rear speakers. On the contrary, the soundbar remote will work fine for your speakers’ volume too.
This process is a breeze if you already know how to adjust bass or treble on your soundbar. You just need to follow the same steps to adjust the rear speakers’ volume.
Press the ‘Sound Control’ button a few times on your soundbar’s remote. This lets you toggle between the different sound setting options to reach the controls for the rear speakers.
Typically, the rear speaker control options are the last two settings on your soundbar's settings menu. The first one is for turning the rear speakers on/off. Just press the directional arrows on the remote for switching between the on and off options.
The other option is for the volume of the speakers. Once again, you can control this setting with the help of the directional arrows.
At the end of the day, a lot will depend on the speaker model you are using. For any details, you can always consult the device's user manual. You can also check with the manufacturer for any further troubleshooting needs.
Compatible Soundbars with a Samsung Rear Speaker Kit
When buying a rear speaker kit for your Samsung soundbar, check to see whether it's compatible with your device. Usually, the soundbar models supported by the speakers are listed explicitly.
If you're still not sure which speakers to get, here are some recommendations:
SWA-9500S
Unlike other rear speaker kits, the SWA-9500S (on Amazon) does not depend on a wireless receiver module. Rather, it works standalone and connects directly with 2021 soundbar models (with support for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X).
Supported Soundbars:
- HW-Q900A
- HW-Q800A
- HW-Q700A
SWA-9100S
Shipped with a wireless module, the SWA-9100S (on Amazon) is another amazing rear speaker kit you can connect with the Samsung soundbars. It supports 2021 soundbar models and beyond. Hence, if you have a soundbar that dates back before this year, you might want to look for other choices.
In addition, it supports different sound codecs, from 2.0 to 5.1 to Dolby Atmos/DTS:X formats.
Supported Soundbars:
- HW-Q600A supports Dolby Atmos/DTS:X sound format
- HW-A650, HW-S60A, HW-S61A, and HW-S50A support 5.1 channel
- HW-A550 and HW-A450 support 2.0 channel
SWA-9000S
If your soundbar is a little older, you can get the SWA-9000S rear speaker kits. This hardware works with soundbar models released before 2021.
Supported Soundbars
- Among the 2020 models, the speaker is compatible with Q-900T, HW-Q800T and HW-Q70T models flaunting support for Dolby Atmos/DTS:X.
- From 2019 Models, the speaker syncs perfectly with HW-Q80R offering codec support for Dolby Atmos/DTS:X.
- The device is compatible with two Samsung soundbar models from 2018, the HW-N850 with Dolby Atmos/DTS:X sound format and HW-NW700 with 5.1 channels support.
- There are a few Soundbar models from 2017 that are compatible with these speakers. The HW-MS750, HW-MS6500 and HW-MS650 models support 5.1 channel codecs and the HW-MS550 model with 2.0 channel support.
SWA-8500S
The SWA-8500S rear speaker kit (on Amazon) is one of the most versatile choices, supporting a diverse number of Samsung soundbars from 2017 to 2020.
Supported Soundbars
- If your Soundbar model is from 2020, you can connect HW-Q60T, HW-T650, HW-T60M and HW-S60T with 5.1 channel codec support. Plus, a few 2.0 codec soundbars such as HW-T550, HW-T45C, HW-T450 and HW-T40M. Those owning the HW-T47M model must have got these rear speakers in the box itself.
- From 2019 models, you can connect the rear speakers to HW-Q70R and HW-Q7CR with Dolby Atmos/DTS:X codecs. However, the speaker also supports soundbars with other audio formats. HW-Q60R, HW-Q6CR, HW-R650, HW-R60M and HW-R60C have 5.1 channel codecs and HW-R550, HW-R50M, HW-R450 and HW-R40M supports 2.0 codec.
- The HW-R47M model also has a 2.0 sound format. However, you do not need to buy these rear speakers separately with this model as it’s included with the soundbar itself.
- The other models supported are HW-N650 and HW-N550 with 5.1 channel support. Plus, HW-N450 and HW-N400 with 2.0 codec support. These are the 2018 models.
- There is just one model from 2017 that pairs perfectly with the SWA-8500S rear speaker kit. Its 2.0 codec HW-M360 model.
Potential Audio Issues
Although rear speaker kits amplify the sound exponentially, there are certain audio issues you might encounter.
Rear Speaker Going to Sleep Mode
When connected to a TV, the Samsung soundbar and the wireless rear speakers go to sleep after 15 minutes when idle. The same happens when you turn off the TV while the speakers are still on. For power saving, these will switch to the sleep mode.
After turning the TV back on with some models, you may get audio from the soundbar but not from the speakers. In that case, you need to configure the connection between the soundbar and the speakers through the ID SET process manually. You can also try turning the devices off and then back on.
Soundbars with 2.0 Channel Support
Sound devices that only process 2.0 codec support only left and proper channels. However, you can still connect your rear speakers for additional sound effects.
However, you won’t have a separate sound channel for the soundbar when doing so. Simply put, the speaker and the soundbar will play the same effects, just amplifying the sound and not creating a surround sound experience.
In other words, you can only make your hardware setup imitate the sound of 4.1 or 5.1. With two rear speakers added to the sound system, a 2.1 soundbar will process 4.1 sound, and a 3.1 soundbar will provide 5.1 sound.
In some cases, adding these rear speakers may only ruin the audio of your home theatre. Hence, you must do proper research and weigh out the best decision for your home theater.
The easiest hack is to get the surround sound stereo instead of a Soundbar.
Troubleshooting Soundbar with Surround Sound
Some individuals still prefer to add more speakers to the home setup regardless of the complexity. For some home theaters, this addition really pays off!
So, if you are ready to take the effort to put the devices together for a more enveloping sound experience, here are some steps to troubleshoot the wireless receiver connection.
- Do not forget to connect your rear speakers to the wireless module using the included cables. Only your wireless receiver module can wirelessly and not the two speakers.
- Always match the cable colours before connections.
- Never connect the clamp over the wire insulation. The metal wire must touch the metal tab.
And if you're having some issues around the soundbar now, like not getting any sound from it, have a look at our related post on figuring that out.
