A soundbar completes your TV setup — but where should it go? Wall mounting options, cable hiding methods, and tips for Sonos, Samsung, and Bose.
Need this done professionally? We handle it every day.
Book NowBook your professional TV mounting in NYC or New Jersey today.
Should You Wall Mount Your Soundbar?
Wall-mounted TV? Your soundbar should be wall-mounted too. You'll need a mounting bracket (universal or brand-specific — no soundbar comes with one). Mount it 4–6 inches below the TV, centered. Cables can be hidden in-wall on drywall, or with a paintable raceway on plaster/brick/concrete. Professional soundbar mounting is $69 — add it to any TV mounting package.
You finally got a soundbar. Now you're staring at the wall wondering exactly where it goes — or if it even needs to go on the wall at all.
The short answer: if your TV is wall-mounted, your soundbar should be too. It looks intentional and complete. This guide covers your mounting options, how cable hiding works, brand-specific tips for Sonos, Samsung, and Bose, and the most common mistakes to avoid.
Professional soundbar mounting is $69 — you can add it to any TV mounting package right in the booking flow.
Mounting your soundbar directly to the wall gives you the cleanest look — especially when paired with a wall-mounted TV. The soundbar sits flush below the screen, cables can be hidden, and nothing collects dust on furniture.
This is the option we recommend for any wall-mounted TV. The soundbar gets centered, leveled, and wired at the same time as the TV — everything aligned and clean.
If your TV is on a stand (not wall-mounted), keeping the soundbar on the same surface is the simplest option. No drilling, no holes — just place it and plug it in. The downside is messier cables and less visual polish.
A floating shelf mounted below the TV gives you flexibility if you also need space for a streaming device or receiver. It's a good option when your soundbar doesn't have wall mounting holes. But for most setups, mounting the soundbar directly to the wall is cleaner.
Bottom line: Wall-mounted TV = wall-mounted soundbar. TV on a stand = soundbar on the same surface.
Here's what the process looks like — whether you do it yourself or have us handle it for $69.
1. Find your studs. Soundbars are light (5–15 lbs), but you still want at least one screw into a stud for a secure hold. If your studs don't align with both mount points, drywall anchors rated for the soundbar's weight handle the other side.
2. Measure the placement. The soundbar should sit 4–6 inches below your TV screen. Any closer and it can block IR signals from the remote. Centered horizontally under the TV.
3. Mount the bracket. Your soundbar attaches to the wall using a mounting bracket — either a universal soundbar mount or a brand-specific one (more on that below). The bracket goes on the wall first, then the soundbar clicks or hooks onto it.
4. Connect cables. HDMI ARC or optical cable runs from the soundbar to the TV. If you're getting a cable concealment service, the soundbar cables get hidden alongside the TV cables.
That's the general process. The tricky parts are getting the bracket perfectly level, centering it under the TV, and managing cables — which is why most people add soundbar mounting to their TV install.
No soundbar comes with a wall mount bracket — you'll need to buy one separately. You have two options:
Universal mounts work with most soundbar brands and models. They use adjustable arms or a horizontal bar that the soundbar rests on or attaches to. Look for one rated to at least 2x your soundbar's weight.
The main risk: if your soundbar doesn't have dedicated mounting holes on the bottom or back, a universal bracket may not grip it properly. Check your soundbar's manual for mounting hole locations before buying.
Not sure which mount to get? Our recommendation wizard can help you find the right one.
Some brands sell purpose-built wall mounts designed for their specific soundbar models. These are usually the cleanest install — proper alignment every time, no improvising. If your soundbar is a premium model, check whether the manufacturer makes an official mount before going with a generic one.
You can also browse mount options on our recommendations page.
The Sonos Arc is one of the most popular premium soundbars — and it needs a specific mount. Sonos sells an official wall mount bracket designed for the Arc. The Arc is heavy (13 lbs), curved, and doesn't have universal-compatible mounting holes. A universal bracket risks an unstable hold or scratched finish — the official Sonos mount is the way to go.
The Sonos Beam (Gen 1 and Gen 2) is lighter and more forgiving. Sonos also makes a dedicated mount for the Beam. With any Sonos soundbar, make sure you're hitting at least one stud — the extra security is always worth it.
The Sonos Arc Ultra is the newest in the lineup — heavier than the original Arc, so stud mounting is even more important.
Most Samsung soundbars use standard-spaced mounting holes, so universal brackets work well. Samsung also sells optional mounting kits for most of their soundbar lines. Their taller models can be harder to center under the TV if the TV is close to a media console — measure before you drill.
Bose sells dedicated wall mounts for most of their soundbar models. The brand-specific brackets are engineered for each model's weight distribution and cable port layout. Third-party universal brackets work, but confirm cable access isn't blocked by the bracket before mounting.
The two cables you're dealing with: the soundbar's power cord and the HDMI or optical cable connecting it to the TV.
In-wall routing is the cleanest option — but it only works on drywall walls. If you already have your TV's power and HDMI cables routed in-wall, soundbar cables go through the same cavity. This is part of what we do on a TV mounting + cable concealment install.
For plaster, brick, or concrete walls, in-wall routing isn't an option. A paintable cable raceway (plastic channel that mounts to the surface of the wall) is the right solution. Quick to install, paintable to match your wall, and removable without damage — good for renters too.
Cable clips work for a short, low-profile run when the soundbar is close to the TV and the gap is minimal.
If your TV is mounted above a fireplace and you want the soundbar below the TV (above the mantel), here's what to think about:
Heat: Most soundbars aren't rated for high-heat environments. If your fireplace runs frequently, check the operating temperature spec in your soundbar's manual.
Height: TVs above fireplaces are often mounted higher than ideal. The soundbar follows, which means it may not be at ear height. An angled bracket can help direct sound downward toward the seating area.
Depth: Make sure your soundbar wall mount keeps the soundbar from hanging over the mantel edge — you want it flush with or slightly behind the mantel face.
Mounting too close to the TV. Less than 4 inches and the soundbar can block the IR receiver on the TV, making your remote unreliable.
Not using a level. Even a slight tilt is obvious once the soundbar is up. A level takes 30 seconds — skip it and you'll notice it every time you walk into the room.
Using drywall anchors alone for a heavy soundbar. Anything over 8–10 lbs should have at least one screw into a stud. Drywall anchors can hold, but they fail more often.
Buying the wrong bracket. Universal brackets don't always work with Sonos (curved body, no standard holes), and some Bose models have cable ports that get blocked by generic mounts. Check model compatibility first — or browse our recommendations page for tested options.
Can I mount a soundbar above my TV instead of below? Technically yes, but it's not recommended. Sound from above creates a disconnect between audio and the on-screen action. Below-TV mounting is the standard for a reason.
Do all soundbars have wall mounting holes? Most do, but not all. Check the back and bottom of your soundbar for threaded screw holes or keyhole slots. If there are none, you'll need a universal cradle-style bracket that grips the soundbar from below.
How far should a soundbar be from the wall when mounted? The soundbar face should be flush with or slightly in front of the TV face. Don't recess it into a shelf or cabinet — that muffles the sound.
Is it better to mount a soundbar or put it on a shelf? If the TV is wall-mounted, mounting the soundbar is almost always better — it looks cleaner and eliminates a surface. If the TV is on a stand, the TV console surface is fine.
Most people mount their soundbar at the same time as the TV — it's the easiest way to get everything centered, leveled, and wired in one visit. Professional soundbar mounting is $69 — you can add it to any TV mounting package right in the booking flow.
If you're in NYC or NJ, book a TV mounting appointment and add soundbar mounting at checkout. Or check out our soundbar mounting service page for more details.
