Connecting a TV to a proper sound system used to mean buying a soundbar, an amplifier and a pair of passive speakers, with three separate devices and three separate remotes. Active speakers with HDMI ARC solve that with a single connection: one cable between the TV and the speakers, no separate amplifier and no extra boxes. This guide explains what HDMI ARC is, why it makes sense to swap a soundbar for active speakers and presents the models available at my HI-FI HOUSE.
What HDMI ARC (and eARC) does
ARC stands for Audio Return Channel. It is the feature that lets the HDMI cable already connecting the TV to another device carry sound back in the opposite direction. Instead of needing a separate optical or RCA cable just for audio, the same HDMI port on the TV sends the sound from its internal channels, from streaming apps and from any source plugged into the TV straight to the speakers.
eARC is the newer version of the same idea, with more bandwidth. That allows higher quality audio formats and less compression in the signal, while keeping picture and sound in sync without extra effort. To use ARC or eARC, just connect a single HDMI cable to the port labeled ARC or eARC on the TV, turn on CEC in the settings and use the TV's own remote to raise or lower the speakers' volume.
Active speakers or a soundbar
An active speaker has the amplifier built into the cabinet itself. There is no need to buy a separate amplifier or pick out speaker cables: connect the speakers to the TV through the HDMI ARC input, plug them into power and the system is ready to play. A soundbar solves the same problem in a similar way, but usually with small drivers packed into a long single box and little room for the system to grow.
A pair of active speakers with HDMI ARC tends to bring larger drivers, more power and a wider stereo image, because the sound comes from two separated points instead of one block under the screen. And since the amplifier already lives inside, there is room left for other inputs: Bluetooth for a phone, a phono input for a turntable, USB-C for a computer and a subwoofer output for when extra bass is needed. It is the difference between buying a closed solution just for the TV and building a full sound system that also gets used to listen to music every day.
The models at my HI-FI HOUSE
Vestlyd M6C Active
The Vestlyd M6C Active are compact active speakers with four channel amplification at 75 W each, in class D, one channel per driver. Frequency response runs from 43 Hz to 24 kHz and the coaxial titanium tweeter sits above a 6.5 inch woofer. They connect to the TV through HDMI eARC, to a phone through Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD, to a computer through USB-C and to a turntable through the phono MM input, with a dedicated subwoofer output. They come with a remote control and three sound profiles, for music, movie and neutral. Price per pair: 899 €.
Vestlyd M8C Active
The Vestlyd M8C Active share the same architecture as the M6C, but with 8 inch woofers and a frequency response from 36 Hz to 24 kHz, enough to skip a separate subwoofer in most rooms. They keep the four channel amplification at 75 W, the HDMI eARC, the Bluetooth 5.1, the USB-C and the phono MM input. This is the option for anyone who wants more low end body without adding a third box to the room. Price per pair: 1149 €.
Vulkkano T50 ARC
The Vulkkano T50 ARC is the most affordable entry on this list: 50 W of power, Bluetooth 5.0, a direct HDMI ARC connection to the TV and a subwoofer output, in a brown finish. It works well for a bedroom, an office or a small room where filling the space with heavy power is not the goal. Price: 119 €.
Vulkkano SUB 8
The Vulkkano SUB 8 is an active subwoofer with an 8 inch driver and 80 W RMS, designed to complement systems such as the T50 ARC when a room calls for more bass. The crossover adjusts between 40 Hz and 250 Hz to tune the response to the space. The auxiliary output lets it connect with other equipment. Price: 129 €.
Tangent Ampster BT III
Anyone who already has a pair of passive speakers at home does not need to replace them to gain HDMI ARC. The Tangent Ampster BT III is a compact amplifier with an HDMI ARC and CEC input, Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD and a phono MM input for a turntable, with 2 × 50 W at 4 ohms to drive a pair of bookshelf speakers. It turns itself on when it receives a signal and drops into standby below 0.5 W when not in use. It is the right alternative for anyone who wants to keep the passive speakers they already own. Price: 199 €.
Vulkkano TD10 + A4 ARC MKII System
The Vulkkano TD10 + A4 ARC MKII system pairs a turntable with a built-in phono preamp with the A4 ARC MKII active speakers. The A4 ARC MKII deliver 60 W RMS, a silk dome tweeter, a 4 inch woofer and Bluetooth, RCA, optical, USB-C and HDMI ARC inputs, with a subwoofer output. Together they are the most direct way to connect a TV, a phone and vinyl to the same pair of speakers, with no amplifier and no extra cables. System price: 249 €, with the two products worth 298 € bought separately.
| Model | Connections | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Vestlyd M6C Active | HDMI eARC, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C, phono MM, subwoofer output | 899 € |
| Vestlyd M8C Active | HDMI eARC, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C, phono MM, subwoofer output | 1149 € |
| Vulkkano T50 ARC | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, subwoofer output | 119 € |
| Vulkkano SUB 8 | Auxiliary output, adjustable crossover | 129 € |
| Tangent Ampster BT III | HDMI ARC/CEC, Bluetooth 5.1 aptX HD, phono MM | 199 € |
| Vulkkano TD10 + A4 ARC MKII System | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, USB-C, RCA, optical, subwoofer output | 249 € |
All the models can be seen in the active speakers collection, with the finishes and photos of each version.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy an amplifier to use active speakers with HDMI ARC?
No. The amplifier is already built into each speaker. Just connect the HDMI cable to the ARC or eARC port on the TV and plug the speakers into power for the system to work.
What is the practical difference between ARC and eARC?
eARC has more bandwidth than ARC, which allows more demanding audio formats to pass through with less compression. It is worth checking which of the two ports the TV has available, since not every TV model includes eARC.
Do these speakers also work for listening to music and vinyl day to day?
Yes. Besides the TV connection, the models presented here bring Bluetooth for a phone and, in most cases, a phono input for a turntable or USB-C for a computer, which makes them an everyday sound system rather than just a TV accessory.
To better understand the differences between the two approaches, it is also worth reading Soundbar or Speakers for the TV and Active or Passive Speakers, two guides that go deeper into each side of this choice.