How to Set Up a Samsung HW-J8500R Soundbar

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

This guide will walk you through the basic setup of your Samsung HW-J8500R curved soundbar and wireless subwoofer.

Samsung HW-J8500R

2. Initial Setup

Placement and Power

  1. Place your soundbar centered under your television, and the subwoofer nearby (it does not need to be centered).
television with sound bar just in front of it
  1. Connect the power cable to your soundbar.
diagram of bottom of soundbar with power input highlighted
  1. Connect the power cable to your subwoofer.
  2. Install the battery in your remote.
  3. Use a coin to turn the battery cover on the back of the remote.
diagram of using a coin to open battery compartment on remote
  1. Insert the included battery, with the + facing up.
diagram of installing battery
  1. Line up the black dots, then use a coin to turn the battery cover, securing it in place.
diagram of tightening battery compartment with a coin

Audio

Your soundbar can make a connection to your television in 5 different ways.

  • Optical connection
  • Optical works for most televisions and is the most common, and best supported way to make the connection to your soundbar.
  • HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
  • HDMI ARC is not used frequently, but allows you to pass audio over an HDMI cable to your soundbar.
  • HDMI Pass-Thru
  • HDMI pass-thru allows you to enjoy your soundbar with only one device, such as your cable box, or your Blu-Ray player, but only the one device.
  • Aux connection
  • This allows you to use either an RCA-to-minijack or minijack cable to connect to your television.
  • Samsung TV SoundConnect
  • This is specific to higher-end Samsung televisions only.

3. Optical Connection

OpticalOptical allows you to use a simple, single-wire connection from your television to your sound bar to enjoy all your media with your new soundbar automatically.

  1. Connect one end of the optical audio cable to the back of your television, and the other end to the back of your soundbar.
diagram of connecting optical cable to soundbar
  1. Push the Power button on your remote to turn on your soundbar.
remote with power button highlighted
  1. Push Source button on your remote till D.IN is displayed.

4. Internet Connection

Your soundbar can be connected to your home network, allowing you to use the Samsung Wireless Audio Multiroom App on your smartphone to play music to it from anywhere in your home.

You do not have to make this connection now to start using your soundbar for it's main purpose.

5. Install Android App

  1. Launch the Play Store on your smartphone.
play store icon
  1. Select the search bar at the top.
play store search bar
  1. Type in "samsung multiroom" at the top, and select Wireless Audio-Multiroom from the list.
search for app
  1. Select Install.
Wireles Audio-Multiroom app page with install highlighted
  1. Select Open to open the app.
app store page with open highlighted
  1. A message letting you know the app needs extra permissions will appear. Select OK.
information about extra permissions
  1. For Location, select Allow.
location permissions dialog with allow highlighted
  1. For Storage, select Allow.
media access permissions dialog with allow highlighted

6. Wired Connection

  1. Acquire an Ethernet cable.
  2. Take one end of the cable and plug it into your router/modem's Ethernet port.
  3. Plug the other end of the cable into your soundbar's Ethernet port.
  4. Return to the app, and follow the instructions on screen to complete setup.

Ethernet Cable

Ethernet Cable

Ethernet Port

ethernet port

7. Using the Remote

Remote Overview

Remote
Power

PowerTurn your soundbar on or off.SourceChange the input of your soundbar.

Heavy plus sign

Volume UpIncrease the volume.

Mute

MuteMute your soundbar. Push this button again to unmute.

Heavy minus sign

Volume DownDecrease the volume.RepeatRepeats the current song being played over Bluetooth or the Smartphone app.

Skip back

Skip BackSkips back one song when playing music over Bluetooth or the Smartphone app.

play pause

Play/PausePlays or pauses music playing over Bluetooth or the Smartphone app.

skip forward

Skip ForwardSkips forward one song when playing music over Bluetooth or the Smartphone app.Sound EffectSwitches between Standard, Music, and Night Mode sound profiles.3DSoundTurns on or off Surround Sound mode.Sound ControlDirect control of treble and bass settings.Use

Skip back

and

skip forward

to increase and decrease the levels for treble and bass.Use

skip back

and

skip forward

to increase and decrease the delay to the sound.Streaming MusicListen to an Internet Radio station.WooferAdjust the volume of the subwoofer. Use

skip back

and

skip forward

to increase and decrease volume.Anynet

Heavy plus sign

Allows you to use the Anynet+ system to control the soundbar. This is usually only available on higher end Samsung televisions, and only if you are using the HDMI ARC connection.

8. Pair Bluetooth

  1. Press the Source button on the remote.
remote with source highlighted
  1. BT should then be displayed on your soundbar.
diagram of speaker with BT on display

9. Pair Bluetooth Devices

Some Bluetooth accessories are configured with a PIN or a passkey that is often listed in its manual. Check your Bluetooth accessory manual for the correct PIN or passkey.

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar to all Android devices and generations.

Use one of the following connection methods:

  • Method 1 - The Drop Down Menu
  • Method 2 - Settings

Drop down menu

  1. Swipe down from the top of the device screen if it's a phone or up from the bottom of the device screen if it's a tablet to access the menu.
  2. Locate the Bluetooth icon.
Bluetooth icon.
  1. Press and hold the Bluetooth icon.
  2. Swipe the switch to your right to set the Bluetooth accessory in pairing/discovery mode.
  3. A list of nearby devices and previously paired devices will be shown.
  4. In the list of Available Devices, choose the Bluetooth accessory you wish to pair with.
Android bluetooth menu showing the bluetooth switch in the on position and a list of bluetooth devices currently in range.


  1. If you are prompted for a passkey, put it in. If there is no passkey, then your Bluetooth accessory should be paired now.

Android menu settings

  1. Locate and tap the Apps Menu.
Android apps icon.
  1. Locate and tap the Settings icon.
Android Settings icon.
  1. Select the Bluetooth. You may need to select Connections first.
  2. Swipe the switch to your right to set the Bluetooth accessory in pairing/discovery mode.
  3. A list of nearby devices and previously paired devices will be shown.
  4. In the list of Available Devices, choose the Bluetooth accessory you wish to pair with.
Android bluetooth menu showing the bluetooth switch in the on position and a list of bluetooth devices currently in range.
  1. If you are prompted for a passkey, put it in. If there is no passkey, then your Bluetooth accessory should be paired now.

10. Connect Bluetooth

Some Bluetooth accessories are configured with a PIN or a passkey that is often listed in its information manual. Check your Bluetooth accessory documentation for the correct PIN or passkey.

From any iOS device (iPod, iPad, iPhone):

  1. Open Settings
Settings app icon.
  1. Then Bluetooth.
Settings menu with Bluetooth highlighted.
  1. Set the Bluetooth accessory in pairing/discovery mode.
  2. Wait for your iOS device to display the detected Bluetooth accessory.
Bluetooth settings page.
  1. Select the Bluetooth accessory to pair it with the iOS device.
  2. If there is a passkey, put it in.
  3. If there is no passkey then your Bluetooth accessory should be paired now.

11. Connect to Wi-Fi

  1. Select New Setup.
Wireless Multiroom app welcome screen with New Setup highlighted
  1. Select Soundbar at the bottom.
speaker select with soundbar highlighted
  1. Follow the on-screen instructions. Select Yes to continue.
soundbar prompt asking if your speaker is plugged in and in range of wifi with next highlighted
  1. Press the SPK ADD button on back of your speaker. The app will locate it, and automatically set it up on the same Wi-Fi network as your phone.
Finding soundbar

12. Install iOS App

  1. Open the App Store.
App store icon
  1. Search for Wireless Audio: Multiroom, then select Get.
Search for app, and app in list with get button highlighted
  1. Launch the Multiroom app.
Wireless MultiRoom icon highlighted
  1. Select OK to allow the Multiroom app access to your media players.
request for media access permission dialog with ok button highlighted
  1. Carefully read the Privacy Policy, then select Agree when ready.
privacy policy with Agree highlighted

13. Wired Connection

  1. Acquire an Ethernet cable.
  2. Take one end of the cable and plug it into your router/modem's Ethernet port.
  3. Plug the other end of the cable into your soundbar's Ethernet port.
  4. Return to the app, and follow the instructions on screen to complete setup.

Ethernet Cable

Ethernet Cable

Ethernet Port

ethernet port

14. Connect to Wi-Fi

  1. Select New Setup.
Wireless Multiroom app welcome screen with New Setup highlighted
  1. Select Soundbar at the bottom.
speaker select with soundbar highlighted
  1. Follow the on-screen instructions. Select Yes to continue.
soundbar prompt asking if your speaker is plugged in and in range of wifi with next highlighted
  1. Press the SPK ADD button on back of your speaker. The app will locate it, and automatically set it up on the same Wi-Fi network as your phone.
Finding soundbar

15. Using the Remote

Remote Overview

Remote
Power

PowerTurn your soundbar on or off.SourceChange the input of your soundbar.

Heavy plus sign

Volume UpIncrease the volume.

Mute

MuteMute your soundbar. Push this button again to unmute.

Heavy minus sign

Volume DownDecrease the volume.RepeatRepeats the current song being played over Bluetooth or the Smartphone app.

Skip back

Skip BackSkips back one song when playing music over Bluetooth or the Smartphone app.

play pause

Play/PausePlays or pauses music playing over Bluetooth or the Smartphone app.

skip forward

Skip ForwardSkips forward one song when playing music over Bluetooth or the Smartphone app.Sound EffectSwitches between Standard, Music, and Night Mode sound profiles.3DSoundTurns on or off Surround Sound mode.Sound ControlDirect control of treble and bass settings.Use

Skip back

and

skip forward

to increase and decrease the levels for treble and bass.Use

skip back

and

skip forward

to increase and decrease the delay to the sound.Streaming MusicListen to an Internet Radio station.WooferAdjust the volume of the subwoofer. Use

skip back

and

skip forward

to increase and decrease volume.Anynet

Heavy plus sign

Allows you to use the Anynet+ system to control the soundbar. This is usually only available on higher end Samsung televisions, and only if you are using the HDMI ARC connection.

16. Pair Bluetooth

  1. Press the Source button on the remote.
remote with source highlighted
  1. BT should then be displayed on your soundbar.
diagram of speaker with BT on display

17. Pair Bluetooth Devices

Some Bluetooth accessories are configured with a PIN or a passkey that is often listed in its manual. Check your Bluetooth accessory manual for the correct PIN or passkey.

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar to all Android devices and generations.

Use one of the following connection methods:

  • Method 1 - The Drop Down Menu
  • Method 2 - Settings

Drop down menu

  1. Swipe down from the top of the device screen if it's a phone or up from the bottom of the device screen if it's a tablet to access the menu.
  2. Locate the Bluetooth icon.
Bluetooth icon.
  1. Press and hold the Bluetooth icon.
  2. Swipe the switch to your right to set the Bluetooth accessory in pairing/discovery mode.
  3. A list of nearby devices and previously paired devices will be shown.
  4. In the list of Available Devices, choose the Bluetooth accessory you wish to pair with.
Android bluetooth menu showing the bluetooth switch in the on position and a list of bluetooth devices currently in range.


  1. If you are prompted for a passkey, put it in. If there is no passkey, then your Bluetooth accessory should be paired now.

Android menu settings

  1. Locate and tap the Apps Menu.
Android apps icon.
  1. Locate and tap the Settings icon.
Android Settings icon.
  1. Select the Bluetooth. You may need to select Connections first.
  2. Swipe the switch to your right to set the Bluetooth accessory in pairing/discovery mode.
  3. A list of nearby devices and previously paired devices will be shown.
  4. In the list of Available Devices, choose the Bluetooth accessory you wish to pair with.
Android bluetooth menu showing the bluetooth switch in the on position and a list of bluetooth devices currently in range.
  1. If you are prompted for a passkey, put it in. If there is no passkey, then your Bluetooth accessory should be paired now.

18. Connect Bluetooth

Some Bluetooth accessories are configured with a PIN or a passkey that is often listed in its information manual. Check your Bluetooth accessory documentation for the correct PIN or passkey.

From any iOS device (iPod, iPad, iPhone):

  1. Open Settings
Settings app icon.
  1. Then Bluetooth.
Settings menu with Bluetooth highlighted.
  1. Set the Bluetooth accessory in pairing/discovery mode.
  2. Wait for your iOS device to display the detected Bluetooth accessory.
Bluetooth settings page.
  1. Select the Bluetooth accessory to pair it with the iOS device.
  2. If there is a passkey, put it in.
  3. If there is no passkey then your Bluetooth accessory should be paired now.

19. HDMI ARC Connection

HDMI ARCHDMI ARC allows you to use a single HDMI cable from your television to your soundbar. It tends not to be widely available, but is simple provided your television supports it.

  1. Using a High-Speed HDMI with Ethernet cable, connect the cable to the back of your television in the HDMI ARC port, and the HDMI Out (TV ARC) port on your soundbar.
  2. Set your television to use HDMI ARC or SIMPLINK for sound. Consult your television's manual for help locating this setting.
  3. Push the Power button on the remote.
  4. Push Source button on your remote till D.IN is displayed.

20. HDMI Pass-Thru

HDMI Pass-ThruHDMI Pass-Thru is easy to setup, though limited to working for just the one device connected. You can't connect both a cable box and Blu-Ray player, for example. Also, it requires you have 2 HDMI cables to make the connection.

  1. Connect an HDMI cable from your source's output (your cable box, for example), to the HDMI IN port on your sound bar.
  2. Connect a second HDMI cable from the HDMI OUT on the sound bar, to your television.
  3. Push the Power button on the remote.
  4. Push Source button on your remote till HDMI is displayed.

21. Aux Connection

Aux ConnectionAux connection allows you to use RCA or minijack from your television to your soundbar.

  1. Connect either the RCA-to-minijack or minijack-to-minijack audio cable to the back of your television, and the other end to the back of your soundbar.
  2. Push the Power button on your remote to turn on your soundbar.
  3. Push Source button on your remote till AUX is displayed.

22. Samsung TV SoundConnect Connection

Samsung TV SoundConnectSamsung TV SoundConnect is specific to some higher-end Samsung televisions, and allows a wireless connection to your soundbar from your television.

  1. Push the Power button on the remote.
  2. Push Source button on your remote till TV is displayed.
  3. A message on your television will pop up, asking if you want to connect to the sound bar. Select Yes.