Despite what some people are saying hdmi arc and optical support the exact same audio formats and since they re digital neither has an audio advantage.
Optical cable vs hdmi reddit.
When comparing hdmi vs.
Both can pass multi channel audio like dolby digital.
Both are better than analog the red and white cables.
Moreover with optical cables the usage is limited to speakers up to 5 1 while hdmi takes advantage of dolby truehd and dts hd master audio.
Arc can be harder to get working and optical is very simple but needs an extra cable so there s that.
These types of cables work through using a pulsing wave of light to relay audio signals from a source to a receiving device.
A digital optical cable also referred to as an optical cable will produce a reliable and consistent sound.
Both are better than analog the red and white cables.
Both hdmi and optical pass digital audio from one device to another.
Your one stop for all things home theater except soundbars.
Both can pass multi channel audio like dolby digital.
In fact some have claimed that digital optical cables relay slightly better sound than an hdmi cable.
But if you can t it s not the end of the world.
Both cables can.
Both hdmi and optical pass digital audio from one device to another.
The simplest advice is to go with hdmi when you can.