How to connect Marantz receiver to LG OLED
If you want the cleanest setup for movies, gaming, and streaming, the way you connect a Marantz receiver to an LG OLED matters as much as the equipment itself.
The right connection can unlock Dolby Atmos, reduce lip-sync issues, and make switching between TV apps and external sources much easier.
The good news is that LG OLED TVs and Marantz AV receivers are designed to work well together through HDMI ARC or eARC, but a few settings must be correct for everything to function properly.
This guide walks through the hardware connection, the TV and receiver menus, and common fixes when audio does not behave as expected.
What you need before connecting
Before you start, gather the right cables and confirm the ports on both devices.
Most modern Marantz receivers and LG OLED TVs support HDMI ARC or eARC, which is the preferred method for sending TV audio back to the receiver.
- Marantz receiver with an HDMI ARC/eARC-capable output
- LG OLED TV with an HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC
- High-Speed HDMI cable, ideally Ultra High Speed if you use 4K/120Hz or gaming features
- External sources such as a Blu-ray player, Apple TV, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X if applicable
If your Marantz model is newer, it may support eARC, which allows higher-quality audio formats and better synchronization than standard ARC.
LG OLED models from recent years also support eARC on one HDMI port, usually HDMI 2.
Use HDMI ARC or eARC for the best connection
The most reliable method is to connect the receiver and TV with HDMI ARC or eARC.
This allows the LG OLED to send audio back to the Marantz receiver through the same HDMI cable used for video passthrough from the receiver to the TV.
How to connect the cable
- Power off the TV and receiver.
- Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI port on the Marantz receiver labeled ARC or eARC.
- Connect the other end to the LG OLED HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC.
- Turn on both devices.
On many LG OLED TVs, the ARC/eARC port is HDMI 2, but always confirm with the label on the TV chassis or in the manual.
On the Marantz side, use the HDMI OUT port designated for TV connection.
Why ARC and eARC matter
ARC, or Audio Return Channel, lets your TV send audio to the receiver. eARC, or enhanced Audio Return Channel, supports more bandwidth and can pass higher-quality audio such as Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Atmos from compatible apps and devices.
For casual TV viewing, standard ARC may be enough.
For home theater users who care about lossless audio or want the most future-proof setup, eARC is the better choice.
Configure the LG OLED audio settings
After the physical connection, the TV must be set to output audio correctly.
LG’s webOS menu includes several sound options, and the wrong choice can force the TV to use its internal speakers instead of the receiver.
Recommended LG OLED settings
- Set Sound Out to HDMI ARC or External Speaker
- Enable eARC Support if your receiver supports it
- Set Digital Sound Output to Pass Through for maximum format compatibility
- Turn on Simplink (HDMI-CEC) to allow device control over HDMI
Pass Through is useful because it sends the original audio signal to the receiver rather than converting it inside the TV.
This is especially important when you want Dolby Atmos or multi-channel surround sound to remain intact.
If you experience audio delays, check the TV’s lip-sync or AV sync setting.
Some LG OLED models include fine-tuning options that can correct a mismatch between picture and sound.
Set up the Marantz receiver correctly
Your Marantz receiver also needs a few settings adjusted so it can receive audio from the TV and respond to HDMI control commands.
The exact menu names may vary by model, but the core options are consistent across Marantz AV receivers.
Receiver settings to check
- Enable HDMI Control if you want TV remote volume control
- Enable ARC or eARC on the HDMI output
- Set the receiver input to the TV audio input or HDMI ARC source
- Update firmware if the receiver does not detect the TV properly
If the receiver supports multiple audio modes, choose the surround format that matches your speakers and sources.
Many Marantz models can automatically detect Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Atmos, and PCM signals depending on the source device and TV configuration.
Connect external devices through the Marantz receiver
For the most flexible home theater setup, connect external devices such as streaming boxes, game consoles, and disc players to the Marantz receiver first, then send video from the receiver to the LG OLED.
This setup allows the receiver to manage audio decoding while the TV handles picture quality.
Typical signal path:
- Source device to Marantz HDMI input
- Marantz HDMI output to LG OLED HDMI ARC/eARC port
This method is especially useful for devices that output advanced audio formats directly.
It also simplifies switching between sources because the receiver becomes the main hub for your home theater.
How to handle gaming features and 4K/120Hz
Many LG OLED owners connect a Marantz receiver while also wanting gaming features such as VRR, ALLM, and 4K/120Hz.
To keep these features working, make sure the receiver and all HDMI cables support the required bandwidth.
If your Marantz model supports HDMI 2.1 passthrough, you can connect a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X through the receiver and still enjoy advanced gaming features on the LG OLED.
If not, a common workaround is to connect the console directly to the TV and use eARC to send game audio back to the receiver.
When gaming audio is routed through eARC, make sure the TV’s audio output is set to Pass Through and that eARC is enabled on both devices.
This helps preserve surround sound while maintaining low latency.
Common problems and how to fix them
Even a correct physical connection can fail if one setting is off.
These are the most common issues users encounter when learning how to connect Marantz receiver to LG OLED setups.
No sound from the receiver
- Check that the HDMI cable is in the ARC/eARC ports on both devices
- Confirm the LG OLED sound output is set to HDMI ARC or External Speaker
- Make sure HDMI Control and ARC are enabled on the Marantz receiver
- Power-cycle both devices by unplugging them for about 60 seconds
Audio delays or lip-sync issues
- Set LG audio output to Pass Through
- Use the TV’s AV Sync adjustment if available
- Disable unnecessary audio processing in the receiver
Receiver does not turn on with the TV
- Enable Simplink on the LG OLED
- Enable HDMI Control on the Marantz
- Confirm both devices support HDMI-CEC properly
Atmos or surround sound not working
- Verify the app or source actually supports the format
- Check that the TV is not downmixing audio to PCM stereo
- Confirm eARC is enabled if required for higher-bandwidth formats
When to use an optical cable instead
Optical audio can work as a backup if HDMI ARC is unreliable, but it has important limitations.
A Toslink optical cable typically supports stereo PCM and compressed surround formats like Dolby Digital, but it does not carry the full bandwidth needed for eARC features or lossless Atmos audio.
If you only need basic TV sound and HDMI ARC gives you trouble, optical may be acceptable.
For most Marantz and LG OLED owners, however, HDMI ARC or eARC is the better long-term choice.
Best practices for a stable setup
Once everything is connected, a few small habits can keep the system reliable.
HDMI-CEC behavior can vary between brands and firmware versions, so consistency matters.
- Use certified HDMI cables from reputable brands
- Keep both the LG OLED and Marantz receiver updated
- Avoid running the HDMI cable through low-quality splitters or adapters
- Use the receiver as the central hub for audio sources whenever possible
- Recheck ARC/eARC settings after major firmware updates
When configured properly, a Marantz receiver and LG OLED TV create a polished home theater setup with strong audio performance, easy control, and support for modern formats.
The key is choosing the right port, enabling the correct HDMI features, and keeping the TV and receiver settings aligned.
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