You’re probably talking about TosLink cables (what else could you be talking about?).
They have the bandwidth to carry two channels of uncompressed digital audio. Which is what they were designed for.
If you’re using one to carry 5.1 or 7.1 audio from your TV to your soundbar, it’s compressed. An HDMI cable can carry that uncompressed. And so could an Ethernet cable.
You’re probably talking about TosLink cables (what else could you be talking about?).
They have the bandwidth to carry two channels of uncompressed digital audio. Which is what they were designed for.
If you’re using one to carry 5.1 or 7.1 audio from your TV to your soundbar, it’s compressed. An HDMI cable can carry that uncompressed. And so could an Ethernet cable.