Mac Studio M4 Max HDMI audio not working with Bose soundbar

Question

Mac Studio M4 Max HDMI audio not working with Bose soundbar

I have a 2025 Studio M4 Max and am trying to use the HDMI output for an audio only connection to my Bose soundbar. I've gotten it to work before on my older M2 Ultra through an HDMI switch but I can't get this to work on the M4 Max.

I've tried connecting directly from the Studio HDMI output to the Bose soundbar HDMI input but the device doesn't appear in the sound settings. I've also tried to run through an HDMI switch with the same result. I've also tried a USB-C to HDMI cable with no luck.

Am I missing something?

Mac Studio, macOS 26.5

Posted on Jul 5, 2026 11:32 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 5, 2026 7:13 PM in response to jessefromtorrance

The Mac does not rely on Windows-like side-loaded "Drivers" which are actually packages of resolutions and settings for a specific display. Instead, it goes straight to the immutable source -- it asks the display itself.

To get a Mac display to become active, you need the Mac to query the display, and the display to answer with its name and capabilities. Otherwise, the display will not be shown as present, and no data will be sent to the display. "No signal detected" is generated by the DISPLAY, not by the Mac.

This query is only sent at certain times:

• at startup

• at wake from sleep — so momentarily sleeping and waking your Mac may work

• at insertion of the Mac-end of the display-cable, provided everything on that cable is ready-to-go

• hold the Option key while you click on the (Detect Display) button that will appear in Displays preferences (from another display)

If your Bose speakers do not respond to that query, they will not be seen as present, and nothing will be set to them.

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