Why does my expensive soundbar sound worse than my TV speakers?

Almost always because the TV is outputting a downmixed stereo signal via its HDMI ARC port rather than passing the full Dolby Digital or Atmos audio stream. The TV audio output settings and the soundbar input settings must both be configured correctly. We sort this as part of the setup.

Do you set up full surround sound systems as well as soundbars?

Yes. We configure AV receivers with 5.1, 7.1, Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 and larger speaker layouts, including automated calibration using the receiver's built-in system (Audyssey, YPAO, MCACC) and manual fine-tuning.

Can you hide the soundbar cables completely?

Yes. HDMI, optical and speaker cables can be routed in-wall or under floor on most properties. We assess the cabling options during the setup visit and provide a cost if you want full concealment.

Soundbar & Home Cinema Setup by AV Engineers

Name: Everest Aerials & Satellites
Address: GB
Telephone: 0800 046 7879
Price range: ££
Rating: 4.8

Soundbar & Home Cinema Setup — Everest Aerials & Satellites

Most soundbars underperform not because of their quality but because of how they are set up. HDMI ARC settings incorrectly configured, Dolby Atmos passthrough disabled on the TV, subwoofer positioned in a room corner for convenience rather than acoustics — all common, all easy to fix with the right knowledge.

✔ Same-day service available | ✔ Up to 5-year guarantee | ✔ 4.8/5 from 1,200+ reviews | ✔ No call-out fee

All work is carried out by fully qualified, DBS-checked engineers. Backed by up to a 5-year workmanship guarantee. Call 0800 046 7879 for a free quote.

What Is Included in Your Soundbar & Home Cinema Setup

HDMI ARC or eARC connection and audio output configuration on your TV
Dolby Atmos, DTS:X or Dolby Digital passthrough setup where supported
Subwoofer placement and crossover/level calibration for your room
Soundbar or AV receiver input source programming and universal remote setup
Streaming service audio format optimisation (Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+)
Optional speaker cable routing for rear or height channels
Cable concealment as required

How It Works — Soundbar & Home Cinema Setup by AV Engineers

Room Assessment & AV Planning
Our AV engineer assesses your room's dimensions, acoustic characteristics, seating layout, and existing TV position to recommend the optimal soundbar or surround sound configuration, speaker placement, and cable routing before any work begins.
Screen, Soundbar & Speaker Mounting
TVs, projectors, soundbars, and speakers are mounted at the correct positions for your layout. In-ceiling and in-wall speakers are fitted where required, with all rear speaker cables routed invisibly through walls or under floors.
AV Configuration, HDMI Setup & Speaker Calibration
We configure HDMI ARC or eARC, set up Dolby Atmos or DTS:X where applicable, run the automatic speaker calibration routine for your specific room acoustics, and verify all audio formats are processing correctly.
Full System Demonstration Before We Leave
Every feature of your new AV system is demonstrated — switching inputs, selecting audio modes, using the companion app, and accessing streaming services — and a guarantee is issued on all installation work.

Common Problems We Solve — Soundbar & Home Cinema Setup

Expensive soundbar fitted but barely sounds better than the TV: HDMI ARC or eARC configured correctly and speaker output calibrated for the specific room
Surround sound equipment bought but never properly connected or set up: Full system setup, Dolby Atmos configured, and speakers calibrated — demonstrated before we leave
Rear speaker cables visible running across the floor: Rear cables routed through the wall or under the floor — completely hidden from view
Projector and screen installed but the audio system has not been matched: Compatible audio system specified, installed, and calibrated for the room size and projection setup
Multiple HDMI sources not switching between inputs correctly: AV receiver or HDMI matrix configured so every source switches correctly from a single control
New TV purchased but existing soundbar no longer connects properly: HDMI ARC, eARC, or optical connection reconfigured for the new TV — all audio formats tested

UK Transmitter Coverage — How Signal Conditions Affect Soundbar & Home Cinema Setup

Signal strength and quality varies significantly across the UK depending on your distance from the local Freeview transmitter, local terrain, and property type. Our engineers understand the transmitter landscape for your specific location — and specify equipment accordingly rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

Region	Primary transmitter	Typical signal	Local detail
London & South East	Crystal Palace	good to strong	Strong signal across Greater London; Hannington serves Berkshire/Surrey; Oxford transmitter covers Oxfordshire.
South West	Mendip	good to strong	Mendip serves Bristol, Bath and Somerset; Stockland Hill covers Devon; Caradon Hill serves Plymouth and Cornwall.
East of England	Sandy Heath	good to strong	Sandy Heath serves Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex; Tacolneston covers Norfolk and much of Suffolk.
East Midlands	Waltham	strong	Waltham transmitter delivers strong signal across Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire; Belmont covers Lincolnshire.
West Midlands	Sutton Coldfield	excellent	Sutton Coldfield is one of the UK's most powerful transmitters — outstanding signal across the entire region; Ridge Hill supplements Herefordshire.
North West	Winter Hill	strong	Winter Hill on the West Pennine Moors delivers one of the UK's strongest Freeview signals across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside.
Yorkshire & The Humber	Emley Moor	strong	Emley Moor's 330m mast gives outstanding coverage across virtually all of Yorkshire; Belmont serves the Humber and East Yorkshire areas.
North East	Pontop Pike	good to strong	Pontop Pike covers Tyne & Wear and County Durham; Bilsdale serves Teesside, North Yorkshire and the Moors.
Wales	Wenvoe	good	Wenvoe serves South Wales; Moel-y-Parc covers North Wales; relay stations supplement coverage in mountainous mid-Wales.
Scotland	Black Hill	good to strong	Black Hill covers Glasgow; Craigkelly serves Edinburgh; Durris covers Aberdeen; Angus transmitter serves Dundee and Tayside.

Our engineers carry signal metres to every job and measure actual signal strength and quality at your specific property before recommending any equipment. Find your local area page for transmitter-specific detail for your town.

Your Home Cinema, Calibrated and Ready — Not Just Plugged In

An expensive soundbar mounted to a wall but connected incorrectly won't deliver the sound it's capable of. Our AV engineers configure HDMI ARC or eARC, calibrate speaker levels for your specific room acoustics, set up Dolby Atmos where supported, and run a full demonstration before leaving. Whether you supply the equipment or want us to, we leave you with a home cinema that sounds as good as it should.

HDMI ARC and eARC configured correctly
Dolby Atmos calibrated for your room
Full demonstration before we leave
Supply and fit or install-only service
All brands: Sonos, Bose, Samsung, LG

How We Work — Soundbar & Home Cinema Setup

Step 1: We connect the soundbar or AV receiver via HDMI ARC/eARC and correctly configure the TV audio output — the most commonly misconfigured setting in home cinema setups
Step 2: Dolby Atmos or DTS passthrough is enabled on both the TV and soundbar if the hardware supports it (many are capable but shipped with this disabled)
Step 3: The subwoofer is positioned and the crossover frequency and level set to match your room dimensions and listening position
Step 4: We demonstrate the difference and confirm all sources — TV broadcast, streaming, disc — are playing at full audio quality

Soundbar & Home Cinema Setup Cost

Soundbar installation and full setup from £80. AV receiver installation with up to 5.1 speaker connection and automated calibration from £150. Full home cinema setup including projector or large-screen display, receiver, speakers and calibration quoted on survey.

Frequently Asked Questions — Soundbar & Home Cinema Setup

Why does my expensive soundbar sound worse than my TV speakers?: Almost always because the TV is outputting a downmixed stereo signal via its HDMI ARC port rather than passing the full Dolby Digital or Atmos audio stream. The TV audio output settings and the soundbar input settings must both be configured correctly. We sort this as part of the setup.
Do you set up full surround sound systems as well as soundbars?: Yes. We configure AV receivers with 5.1, 7.1, Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 and larger speaker layouts, including automated calibration using the receiver's built-in system (Audyssey, YPAO, MCACC) and manual fine-tuning.
Can you hide the soundbar cables completely?: Yes. HDMI, optical and speaker cables can be routed in-wall or under floor on most properties. We assess the cabling options during the setup visit and provide a cost if you want full concealment.

Qualifications & Accreditations

CAI Approved Contractor — Confederation of Aerial Industries certified engineers
Which? Trusted Trader — independently assessed and approved
Checkatrade Verified Member — background-checked with monitored customer ratings
NICEIC Approved — all electrical installation work completed to BS 7671 wiring regulations
DBS Checked Engineers — every engineer is fully DBS-cleared before entering your home
Up to 5-Year Workmanship Guarantee — one of the longest guarantees in the industry
£5m Public Liability Insurance — fully insured on every domestic and commercial job
Established 1998 — over 25 years trading as a reputable, family-run business

What Our Customers Say

Rated 4.8 out of 5 from over 1,200 verified reviews on Google, Trustpilot and Checkatrade.

★★★★★ Jennifer L.

"Brilliant company. Very transparent pricing, no hidden costs, and the engineer went above and beyond to sort out a tricky cable route through our Victorian property."

★★★★★ Robert C.

"Outstanding. I've used several aerial companies over the years and this is the best by far. On time, great quality work, and the guarantee gives real peace of mind."

★★★★★ Alison W.

"Had my Starlink installed professionally. The engineer found the perfect position for maximum signal and the setup was spotless. Internet speeds are incredible."

Related Guides & Advice

Home Cinema and Soundbar Setup: Why Most Systems Sound Worse Than They Should
Common home cinema setup mistakes and how to get the best audio from your TV and soundbar.

Soundbar & Home Cinema Setup — Popular Areas

View all areas we cover →

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Get a Free Quote

Call us free on 0800 046 7879 or use our online quote form. Same-day service available in most areas. No call-out fee — ever.