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Question Correct soundbar for Hisense TV

oldtimer114

Prominent
Oct 7, 2024
27
3
585
I have a Hisense model 43A4GV TV that I would like to get a soundbar for. However, the question of connections has come up. The TV has an Optical Audio port (Is this the same as an OPT port?), an HDMI ARC port and a USB1 port. However the manual only mentions the Optical Audio as available for external audio. But it has an ARC port (HDMI 1) as well as a regular HDMI port (HDMI 2). The manual also says the TV has a 3.5mm earphone jack. But I'll be darned if I can find it.
Using only the Optical Audio port severely limits the number of soundbars available to choose from. If I can use the ARC port, that greatly increases my choices.
And what the heck is the USB1 port for? Can you even drive a quality soundbar thru USB1 ?
Hisense offers soundbars but I understand their sound quality is not good for their price range. I'm pretty sure I can do better for the same money.
 
Really? You've had synch issues with any sort of direct connection? Guess I'll have to watch for that.
I thinking my budget is in the $100 to $300 range. I can't imagine anything in the sub $100 would be an improvement in the TV's speakers. I looked at a $50 bar on Amazon and it had all the controls built into one rocker button. No thank you! That's just beggin' to break. And over $300 is really out of my affordable price.
I don't know if I really need a subwoofer or not. I don't stream that much music thru the TV. Got an old, but very good Marantz analog stereo system for that. What I do listen to on the TV are the free web radio apps found on Roku.