KevinB

@Kailey If your soundbar died because of a failed firmware update it usually can be fixed by trying the update again: https://www.klipsch.ca/firmware These are the instructions for the BAR 48. If you still can't install the firmware, your device may be defective. Either return it or open a Support Request with Klipsch tech support.

@Filippo I haven't used the BAR 40 soundbar but I do have a BAR 48. Do you have another device that you can connect to your TV via the optical cable? Does it also experience the same behavior observed with your BAR 40? If so, the cable or the TV itself is likely at fault. If not, it is likely the soundbar. You could try a different cable just to eliminate it as the the cause. Also, you should check to see if your BAR 40 has a firmware update available: Bar 40 Firmware Update If you still cannot resolve the issue, I would return the unit and try a different one.

@Shann-85 Of course and the new firmware definitely helps with the sound levels from the Surround 3 speakers when listening to a Dolby Digital source.

@cjhaines1972 Read through this thread to get a sense of what you are facing: BAR 48 Surround volume at max but can barely hear them

@Buke If you plan to keep your BAR 48: REGISTER YOUR KLIPSCH PRODUCT Update your BAR 48 firmware. Open a Klipsch PRODUCT SUPPORT request and report your issues. The firmware update does address a number of issues found in the original firmware and does improve the volume of the Surround 3 speakers. So far, no other fixes have been forthcoming but the more customers who report issues the higher priority those issues will have relative to other issues. Should you want a warranty replacement at some point, you will have to open a support request anyway. Hopefully all the reported issues can be resolved with new firmware but if that is not the case we may require a warranty replacement once new devices are in production. In the mean time, your best bet is to return your device to the retailer from whom you purchased it. Some customers have also reported hardware defects. Sometimes replacements have resolved some hardware issues; other times replacements have had different defects. In any case, there are still the firmware issues that need to be resolved. I hate to say it but, at this point, your best option might be to consider a different brand! 😞

I haven't heard about this one before and it doesn't sound (no pun intended) like a firmware issue. If you can't determine the source of the noise I would seriously consider returning the unit for a new one while you still can. Does that burst of static correct itself or do you have to do something to resolve it? Tell me about your TV: make, model, age, how the BAR 48 is connected. Do you notice any static when switching from screen share to TV when using the TV speakers? Do you experience the same behavior when switching the BAR 48 inputs between the various input sources? What audio output format have you set on your TV: PCM? Dolby Digital?

@Tahonian I'm glad that helped. The fact that you only purchased your unit a couple of weeks ago tells me that there is still a lot old stock in vendor's current inventory. I have reported a dozen issues to Klipsch tech support since I installed the latest firmware so don't be surprised when you encounter new issues yourself. Klipsch has provided no information at all regarding when newer firmware might become available and will not comment about the progress (or lack thereof) they are making on the issues I have reported. We deserve better!

Go to the firmware page. Go to the bottom where it says: AVAILABLE FIRMWARE UPDATES: Select BAR 48 Sound Bar + Wireless Subwoofer from the drop-down (first box) Enter your serial number into the second box Click the SEARCH button If your device already has the latest firmware you will be told otherwise information about the latest firmware will be displayed.

@Dutchjes The first thing you must do is make sure your BAR 48 has the latest firmware installed. There are so many issues with this device that I can't begin to describe them here... but I have elsewhere. Search for "BAR 48" (with quotes) from the search box in the main header using these these search options: Everywhere Any of my search term words Content titles and body Read through the results. If you have any specific questions, post them here and I'll try to answer them..

@KingJames According to the firmware notes this update added a new mode: There is absolutely no information about what this does. Klipsch tech support told me that at some point their website would be updated with the details. The BAR 48 receives TV audio input from the HDMI ARC channel. Perhaps this new mode allows an external player to be connected the the BAR 48 via a standard HDMI connection? If course, this is just speculation but you may want to experiment.

@KingJames I'm glad that helped. Did you purchase the SURROUND 3 SPEAKERS - SOUND BAR SURROUND SOUND SPEAKERS with your BAR 48? You mentioned you have an Apple TV. You can download this app to your Apple TV. It's a great way to test your speakers. Surround Speaker Check

@Knowell4762 Most of the BAR 48 discussions are in the Home Theater forum. I suggest you search for "bar 48" in titles and content to find them. Did you ever get your issues resolved?

@Jordan569 I just saw this post... Based on the issues that plague the BAR 48 I would definitely wait a few months after the BAR 54 becomes available before purchasing one. Be sure to check this forum to see what issues others may have encountered.

Did you ever figure out how to do this?

@USNRET Hopefully he still speaks to you... 😉

@billybob I can't speak to other Klipsch products as I only have experience with the BAR 48. One of the factors influencing my purchase was the Klipsch brand reputation. Unfortunately, it appears that this product was rushed to market with little or no quality assurance scrutiny. Unless there is a hardware defect, and this product has its share of those, firmware updates are the way to correct issues and add functionality. The BAR 48 5.1 SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM has had one firmware update that was released 12/13/2019. It resolved or partially resolved some of the reported issues: This is the only information available from Klipsch regarding product issues or fixes. This is not a minor update. I consider it to be mandatory. Even with this update I have reported almost a dozen other issues. 😞

@dtel The BAR 48 is a relatively new product that has more than its share of issues. I've been trying to help those who have recently acquired a BAR 48 and are trying to deal with its many issues. Most of that activity is taking place in the Home Theater forum. That is what I would call an understatement! 😞

@KingJames I just came across this thread now. While this issue affects your subwoofer, most of the other BAR 48 posts are in the Home Theater forum which states: "Talk about Klipsch Home Theater products and setups including Floorstanders, Bookshelf Speakers, Soundbars and more here!". Initially there was quite a bit of activity as there was no information at all provided by Klipsch about BAR 48 issues and the forums were the only place available to seek help. This thread in particular has had more than 43,000 views. BAR 48 Surround volume at max but can barely hear them Since most of the BAR 48 issues have been raised in various threads already. and there is still no additional information from Klipsch about efforts to resolve them, I suspect most customers are getting all available information from existing posts.

@KingJames I'd like to offer a few words of wisdom but there is far too much to say. 😞 Search this forum for "BAR 48". There are about ten threads that pretty much sum up everyone's experience with this product. The first thing you must do is update the firmware. I have my BAR 48 connected to my Samsung Q70 TV via the HDMI ARC connection. Almost immediately I began to experience issues. Over the past two months I have reported about a dozen issues to Klipsch. All they will say is that they are working on them. When I asked what options I had I was told. Klipsch cannot provide refunds. I should return the product where I purchased it for a replacement or a refund. Under the Klipsch warranty Klipsch will replace the product but, since most of the issues everyone is experiencing are design defects that are yet to be resolved, any warranty replacement is likely to experience the same issues. My best advice at this point in time is to return the soundbar for a different brand. Consumers Reports has a good review of current soundbars including a few Klipsch models. I would start there.

@pd2002 I have noticed the same issue with mine. The only way to reconnect is to remove power from the subwoofer as you described. I have added this to the list of issues I have reported to Klipsch tech support. It's been two months now since I began reporting issues and the only response I have received is that they are working on them. 😞 Once I learn something, I'll update these threads.

@pd2002 Hi Patrick, I can think of two possible reasons why this is happening; The firmware update didn't complete successfully. Your hardware is defective. Your BAR 48 may be from very old stock that experienced this issue before Klipsch revised the hardware. Try to update your firmware again and watch the lights on the bar to see if it installed successfully. If that doesn't resolve your issue you can either Return the unit. Open a support request with Klipsch here: https://support.klipschgroupinc.com/hc/en-us

@Brob412 There are many issues with the original firmware. Before trying to resolve specific issues you need to ensure the latest firmware is installed. Go here: Bar 48 Firmware Update. Follow the instructions and enter your BAR 48 serial number. If you already have the latest version installed you will be told. If you do not and you can't use your MacBook Pro, use someone else's computer and follow these V83a/V23 Update Instructions to download the firmware and install the app.bin file to a USB thumb drive. If you still encounter issues after having installed the latest firmware I will try to help you resolve them.

@Brob412 Do you have the latest firmware installed?

@Brob412 I'm sorry to hear you are having issues. The first thing to do, if you have not already done so, is to install the latest firmware: Bar 48 Firmware Update Next, take a look at this VIZIO support article: Connecting a sound bar with ARC If your TV has an option to select the audio output format, select Dolby Digital rather than PCM. Are you using the rear Surround 3 speakers with yout BAR 48?

@Jaysin86 If you read through this forum you will see that the BAR 48 has more than its share of issues. The first thing to do is ensure you have updated your BAR 48 firmware. At this time firmware v23/v83a is available depending on your devices serial number. There are a number of reasons why you may experience this behavior including: You may have a defective speaker. Some external device may be causing interference to your Bluetooth signal. The Bluetooth adapter may be defective. The BAR 48 itself may be defective. The first thing I would do is swap the left/right surround speakers, change the channel on each, and see what happens. If it still happens on the right speaker it is likely not the speaker. If the scratching noise stays with the same speaker then it is likely a speaker issue.