What belongs to this set?
Check soundbar, subwoofer, any rear speakers, remote, power supplies, HDMI cable, wall brackets and fixings. Replacement parts may be expensive or unavailable.
Extra product check
Buying a used
soundbar
.
A soundbar may look immaculate while one speaker distorts, the subwoofer fails to pair or HDMI eARC works only on paper. Test the complete set with your TV source and familiar audio.
Take your timeListen for at least fifteen minutes
Bring alongHDMI cable and familiar film and music clips
Pay particular attention toDistortion, pairing, lip sync and completeness
Before you leave
Ask for the exact model and complete set.
Similar model names may mean different generations, fewer connections or different surround speakers. Ask for photos of model labels on soundbar, subwoofer and rear speakers.
Why is it being sold?
Ask about faults, audio dropouts, pairing failures, repairs and high-volume use. Ask whether it has been dropped, wet or stored in a damp room.
Is it compatible with your television?
Check your TV has ARC or eARC and the audio formats both support. TV, soundbar, source and settings must work together.
Does it work without the old account?
Some soundbars use an app, Wi-Fi account or multiroom system. Have the seller remove it from their account and check you can set it up again.
The connection determines what you hear
ARC, eARC and optical
are not the same.
HDMI eARC carries higher-bandwidth audio than older ARC, affecting certain uncompressed surround formats. Optical is a useful fallback but does not support every format and often offers less convenient control.
Test the correct HDMI port
Use the TV's ARC or eARC port and the appropriately labelled soundbar HDMI output. Check sound, volume and power controls still work after a full restart.
Check audio formats
Do not rely solely on a Dolby Atmos logo. Check the manual for accepted signals and whether your TV can pass them through ARC or eARC.
Check HDMI passthrough
If the soundbar has extra HDMI inputs, test your resolution and features. For consoles, 4K, 120 Hz, HDR and variable refresh rate work only if the entire chain supports them.
Try optical and Bluetooth too
Test optical input if needed and pair a phone by Bluetooth. Check range, delay, interruptions and reconnection after switching off.
Inspect the complete set
Six components to check every time.
Casing & grilles
Inspect corners, grille, connection panel and underside for dents, cracks, rust, glue and moisture damage. A dented grille may have hit the speaker behind it.
Every speaker
Listen close to each part at modest volume. Left, centre, right and any height channels should produce sound without rattles, crackles or scraping.
Subwoofer
Check cabinet and driver for damage. The subwoofer should pair quickly, including after unplugging. Listen for hum, clicks, rattles and dropouts with quiet and strong bass.
Rear speakers
Test both separately. Check receiver, power supplies and cables, and wireless stability while walking around the room.
Buttons & display
Test power, volume, source selection and microphone button. Display or status lights should be readable and match input and sound mode.
Remote & app
Try important buttons and adjust volume, subwoofer level and sound modes. Install the official app if needed and check registration and firmware checking work.
Test with familiar sound
Fifteen minutes of listening reveals more than specifications.
Turn off automatic demo modes and start at normal volume. Briefly increase without stressing the system. Listen from a position similar to where you would sit at home.
- 01
Start with speech
Voices should be clear, natural and centred. Voice enhancement may help but should not be needed to understand well-mixed dialogue.
- 02
Listen to left and right
Use music or a channel test. Sides should be similarly loud and clear. A muffled side or shifting stereo image may indicate a faulty driver.
- 03
Test bass and subwoofer
Raise volume gradually. Bass should remain firm and controlled without hum, rattling or repeated subwoofer disconnection.
- 04
Try surround and Atmos
First check the display shows the intended input format. Then listen for convincingly wider, rear or overhead effects; do not expect miracles from virtual channels alone.
- 05
Check lip sync
Watch a close-up of someone speaking. Mouth movements and sound should align. Test both a built-in TV app and an external HDMI source if possible.
- 06
Restart everything
Briefly unplug soundbar and subwoofer. Turn on TV then the sound system. Correct input, connection and volume controls should return without setup again.
!
Do not buy if...
Reasons to walk away.
- 01One channel crackles, distorts, rattles or is much quieter than the others.
- 02Subwoofer or rear speakers keep disconnecting or fail to reconnect after restarting.
- 03HDMI ARC or eARC is intermittent, loses sound or has persistent lip-sync problems.
- 04Essential power supply, remote, wireless receiver or proprietary cables are missing.
- 05Casing smells burnt, becomes very hot locally or shows moisture, impact or repair signs.
- 06The seller refuses testing with different sources, volumes and a full restart.
Checking mode
Tick off points during
your viewing.
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0 of 18
points checked
Your progressTake your time with the list. Working Bluetooth tells you little about HDMI eARC, individual channels or subwoofer stability.
This check helps targeted testing but does not replace a technical inspection. Features depend on the complete chain: source, TV, cable, settings and soundbar. Always check the exact model manuals.
Check the technology
Official information
- HDMI Licensing Administrator — Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) explained
- Dolby — official Dolby Atmos explanation
- Also consult official manuals and support pages for your exact TV and soundbar.