Modern TVs have become incredibly thin, while sacrificing the quality of the built-in sound. The flat body physically does not allow you to place powerful dynamic heads, which is why dialogue in films often has to be listened to, and explosions sound flat. That is why the question of how to connect ordinary speakers to the TV becomes relevant for many owners of equipment who want to get a full-fledged theatrical experience.
Fortunately, most TV models released over the past 15 years have a set of ports that allow you to output the audio signal to external acoustics. These can be both active computer speakers and passive systems that require an amplifier connection. In this article, we will take a look at all available interfaces, from analog to digital, and help you choose the best way to switch.
Before you start buying cables, you need to carefully examine the back and side panels of your device. It is there that the necessary connectors are hidden, the type of which will dictate the choice of further connection strategy. Port compatibility This is the first thing to check to avoid unnecessary adapters.
Analysis of available interfaces on TV
The first step is always a visual inspection of technical equipment. Manufacturers use different signal transmission standards, and understanding their differences is critical. Digital interfaces such as optical output transmit sound without loss, while analogue interfaces may require quality cables to minimize noise.
Pay attention to the marking of connectors. They are often signed with color or text, making navigation easier. If you can’t find the right port, refer to the model’s instructions, as in ultrabooks some outputs can be combined or hidden.
Here are the main types of connectors you can discover:
- 🔌 RCA (tulips) Classic analog output, usually red and white, is found in old and budget models.
- 🎧 3.5mm Mini-Jack - Similar to the headphone jack, popular in TVs of the middle segment.
- 🔘 Optical (Toslink) - digital optical output, providing high sound quality, the standard for modern TV.
- 📺 HDMI ARC/eARC port for video and audio transmission, allowing you to control the volume of one remote.
⚠️ Attention: Do not attempt to connect passive speakers directly to analog outputs (RCA or 3.5mm) without an amplifier. The TV will not give enough power, and the sound will be barely audible or absent at all.
Having decided on the ports, you can proceed to the choice of the connection method. Each of these has its own advantages depending on the type of acoustic system you have.
Connection via RCA analog connectors and 3.5mm
The simplest and most common way is to use analog interfaces. If you have regular computer speakers powered by USB or network, then the 3.5mm connector option would be ideal. You will need a jack-jack cable or tulip adapter if the acoustics are old.
To connect through RCA (red and white connectors) you will need a cable corresponding to these colors. It is important to observe polarity: the red wire is responsible for the right channel, and the white wire is responsible for the left. The entanglement of channels will disrupt the stereo effect, although the sound will still be.
If the TV only has a 3.5mm output and the speakers have tulips, use an adapter cable. 3.5 mm to 2 RCA. This is a standard situation, and such cables are sold in any electronics store. The sound quality in this case depends on the built-in DAC (digital-analog converter) TV.
The setup process is usually automatic. After the devices are physically connected, the sound must switch. If this does not happen, go to the menu:
Settings → Sound → Sound output → Audio system (or External speakers)Some models require manual activation of the external output in the menu Settings → System → Device Management. Without this procedure, the TV can continue to silence the sound on the built-in speakers.
☑️ Verification of analog connection
Use of digital optical output (S/PDIF)
For better sound and connection to external receivers or DAC (external digital-to-analog converters), optical output is used. Toslink. This interface transmits a digital signal through a light guide, which completely eliminates the influence of electromagnetic tips characteristic of analog cables.
The cable for such a connection has characteristic square connectors with plastic plugs. When connecting, it is important to remove the plugs and insert the cable until the characteristic click. Inside the connector, you will see a glowing red light – this indicates that the signal is being transmitted.
Optical output is often used if you want to connect your TV to an old but high-quality stereo amplifier that doesn’t have HDMI. In this case, a converter is placed between the TV and the amplifier. Optical to RCAIt converts digital stream into analogue.
Advantages of optical connection:
- 🚀 Support for multichannel Dolby Digital sound (depending on the TV model)
- 🛡️ Full protection from interference and tips.
- 🔌 Possibility of connecting to professional acoustics.
⚠️ Attention: The optical cable is fragile inside. Do not bend it at a sharp angle (less than 90 degrees), as the fiberglass may burst and the signal will disappear.
After connecting, do not forget to switch the sound format in the settings of the TV to PCM or AutoIf the columns do not support decoding of complex formats.
Current HDMI ARC and eARC Standards
The most advanced integration method is the use of a protocol. HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) This port allows you to transmit sound from the TV to the receiver or soundbar over the same cable that the video is on. This eliminates the need for separate audio cables.
To function, both devices must support ARC. Usually, such a port on the TV is signed with the corresponding logo. The HDMI cable must be version 1.4 or higher. In the case of eARC (enhanced ARC) requirements for cable are higher, but the bandwidth allows you to transmit (lossless) audio.
The main advantage of HDMI ARC is the ability to control the volume of speakers or soundbad from the TV remote. Technology CEC Synchronizes devices, allowing them to be turned on and off at the same time.
The setting may require activation of the CEC function in the menu. Different manufacturers call it differently:
- Samsung:
Anynet+ - LG:
Simplink - Sony:
Bravia Sync - Philips:
EasyLink
What to do if HDMI ARC is not working?
Often the problem lies in the cable. Replace it with a High Speed HDMI certified one. Also try changing the format of the digital output from “Auto” to “PCM” or “Pass Through” in the settings of the TV.
Wireless connection via Bluetooth
If you don’t want to pull wires across the room, you can use a wireless connection. Most Smart TVs are equipped with a module Bluetooth, which allows you to connect wireless speakers, headphones or soundbars.
The sound quality of Bluetooth depends on the codec used. Standard SBC codecs provide acceptable quality, but can give latency to audio. AptX or AAC codecs are better at transmitting sound, but require support from both devices.
The pairing process is simple: turn on the column search mode, then go to the TV Settings → Sound → List of Bluetooth speakers. Find your device in the list and click "Connect".
However, this method has a significant disadvantage - latency. In movies, this can be manifested by dissynchronization of the lips and voice. For music, this is not critical, but for movies, it is better to use a wired connection or specialized Bluetooth transmitters with low-latency support.
| Type of connection | Sound quality | Convenience | Support for remote control |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI ARC | High. | Maximum. | Yes. |
| Optics (Toslink) | High. | Average. | No (usually) |
| RCA/3.5 mm | Average. | High. | Yes. |
| Bluetooth | Depends on the codec. | High. | Yes. |
Use of external amplifiers and DAC
If you want to connect serious acoustics to your TV (like shelves of Hi-Fi speakers), the TV’s built-in capabilities won’t be enough. Passive speakers require external amplification. In this case, the TV is only a source of the signal.
You will need a stereo amplifier or receiver. The signal from the TV is fed to the input of the amplifier (via optics or RCA), and from the amplifier wires go to the speakers. This gives the greatest increase in quality and power.
External sound can be used to improve the quality of analogue sound DAC (Digital-to-analog converter). It connects via optics or USB and gives a signal to RCA or XLR, which then goes to the amplifier. This allows you to bypass the poor built-in sound card of the TV.
It is important to choose the power of the amplifier under the resistance (impedance) of your speakers. The inconsistency can lead to distortions or even failure of the equipment. Always check the nominal resistance of the speakers (usually 4, 6 or 8 ohms) with the amplifier passport.
Use cables no longer than 3-5 meters long for analog connection to avoid signal loss. For HDMI and optics, the length can be significantly longer without loss of quality.
Customizing the sound and troubleshooting problems
After a physical connection, software configuration is often required. Go to the sound menu and make sure the correct output is selected. Sometimes TV offers a choice between "TV Speaker" and "Audio Out". Choose the second option.
If the sound wheezes or is interrupted, check the output format. In the section Settings → Sound → Additional settings Try changing the format from Auto to PCM. This will switch the decoding to the TV, which often solves compatibility issues with older acoustics.
If there is no sound, check if the sound on the speakers is mute (not turned off). Also make sure the cable sits tightly in the socket - contact oxidation is a common problem with old techniques.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and menu item names may vary depending on the operating system version (WebOS, Tizen, Android TV) and the year of release of the model. If you don’t find an exact match, look for synonyms in the “Sound” or “Support” section.
Proper audio format setting (PCM vs. Auto) solves 90% of audio problems when connecting external systems.
Can I connect the music center to the TV?
Yes, you can, but only through the AUX input (3.5mm or RCA) at the music center. Connect the speakers directly to the wires coming from the center speaker, it is impossible without an amplifier. You will need a 3.5mm-2 RCA (or 2 RCA-2 RCA) cable that connects the TV output to the AUX input at the center.
Why is there no sound when connecting via HDMI?
The most common problem is in the audio output settings on the TV (internal speakers are chosen instead of HDMI) or in the malfunction of the HDMI cable. Make sure the cable supports ARC if you use this protocol and that the receiver is on.
How to improve the sound of your TV without buying expensive speakers?
In addition to connecting external acoustics, you can try to configure the equalizer in the TV menu, activate the Mode "Cinema" or "Clear Voice". It also helps to install the TV not close to the wall to avoid the resonance of the case.
What is an AAC codec and how to turn it on?
AAC is an audio compression format that provides better quality with a smaller file size compared to MP3. In the context of Bluetooth, it is a way of transmitting sound. It is automatically enabled when paired if both devices support this standard.