How To Connect/Hook Up Speakers To TV | 13 Methods
By Robert Jones · 2020-11-25
There are many methods available for you to connect speakers to TV.
Right then, let's get stuck into connecting speakers to your telly. It's not always as straightforward as you'd hope, is it? Over the years, I've helped countless mates and readers get their sound sorted, from simple soundbars to full-blown home cinema setups. You see, modern TVs are brilliant for pictures, but the sound? Often an afterthought. So, getting some external speakers hooked up is usually the first step to a proper experience. I've tried just about every method under the sun, from the old red and white RCA cables to the latest HDMI wizardry. Each has its place, and really, the "best" way depends entirely on your TV, your speakers, and what you're trying to achieve. Don't fret though; we'll cover the lot. ## Why Bother with External Speakers? Honestly, it's a bit of a no-brainer. Think about it: a TV is thin. Really thin. There isn't much room in there for decent speaker drivers, is there? Most TVs pack tiny, downward-firing speakers that just don't do justice to films, music, or even just regular telly programmes. You miss out on dialogue clarity, proper bass, and any real sense of immersion. Trust me, once you've heard your favourite show through a half-decent set of external speakers, you'll never go back. I remember setting up a relatively cheap soundbar for my mum last Christmas. She's not bothered about "hi-fi" in the slightest, but even she noticed the difference immediately. "I can actually hear what they're saying, Robert!" she exclaimed. And that, in a nutshell, is why we do it. ## Key Things to Check Before You Start Before you go rummaging through dusty old cables, take five minutes to check what connections your TV actually has. This is key as it'll dictate which methods are even possible. Have a peek at the back or side of your TV for ports like: * **HDMI ARC/eARC:** This is usually your best bet for newer TVs and sound systems. * **Optical (TOSLINK):** A digital connection, very common. * **Coaxial Digital:** Less common than optical, but still around. * **3.5mm Headphone Jack:** Simple, but generally lower quality. * **RCA (Red & White):** The old analogue standard, still found on some TVs. * **Bluetooth:** For wireless connections, if your TV and speakers support it. Also, have a look at your speakers. What inputs do *they* have? Matching these up is half the battle. ## Method 1: HDMI ARC/eARC – My Top Pick for Modern Setups If your TV and sound system both have an HDMI port labelled "ARC" (Audio Return Channel) or "eARC" (enhanced Audio Return Channel), this is almost always the way to go. It's brilliant because a single HDMI cable handles both audio *and* video, and it lets your TV control the sound system (things like volume, turning on/off together). No more juggling multiple remotes! I've been running my main home cinema setup this way for years, and it's just so convenient. Everything powers up at once, and the TV remote handles the volume. Lovely. **Pros:** * Single cable for audio and video * TV remote can control sound system * Supports high-quality audio formats * eARC offers even more bandwidth for uncompressed audio **Cons:** * Only works if both devices have ARC/eARC * Can sometimes be a bit fiddly to set up initially in TV menus ## Method 2: Optical (TOSLINK) – Reliable Digital Audio Optical is a cracking option, especially if your TV doesn't have ARC or your sound system doesn't support it. It's a digital connection, so you get very clean audio. You'll see a square-ish port, often with a little red light peeking out when it's active. I've used optical outputs for plenty of setups, particularly with older soundbars or AV receivers that pre-date good ARC implementations. It just works. **Pros:** * Excellent digital audio quality * Simple to connect * Widely supported on TVs and audio gear **Cons:** * Doesn't transmit video (obviously) * Doesn't allow TV remote control of volume * Optical cables can be a bit fragile; don't bend them too sharply! ## Method 3: Coaxial Digital – The Other Digital Option Similar to optical, coaxial digital also carries a digital audio signal. The connector looks like a single RCA jack, often orange or black. You don't see it as often as optical these days, but it's still around on some kit. Quality-wise, it's on par with optical. Choose whichever digital output your TV has and your audio gear can accept. **Pros:** * Good digital audio quality * Less fragile than optical cables **Cons:** * Less common than optical * Doesn't transmit video * Doesn't allow TV remote control of volume ## Method 4: 3.5mm Headphone Jack – The Basic Analogue Connection Most TVs still have a headphone jack. This is a very simple analogue output. You can use a 3.5mm stereo cable to connect to pretty much any active speaker with a 3.5mm input, or to an amplifier's AUX input. It's not going to give you top-tier audio, mind, especially not surround sound, but for basic stereo it does the job. I've often used this with a pair of powered desktop speakers for a quick upgrade in a spare room. **Pros:** * Universally available * Simple to connect * Good for basic stereo solutions **Cons:** * Analogue quality can be variable * No surround sound support * Often mutes the TV's internal speakers ## Method 5: RCA (Red & White) – The Classic Analogue Ah, the old red and white. These phono connectors have been around forever. If your TV has "Audio Out" RCA jacks and your amplifier or active speakers have RCA inputs, this is a perfectly viable, if somewhat old-fashioned, analogue option. I've used these cables literally hundreds of times over the years. Solid, dependable, but won't wow you on the data front. **Pros:** * Very widely supported on older equipment * Simple analogue connection **Cons:** * Analogue signal, susceptible to interference * No surround sound * Fewer modern TVs have these outputs now ## Method 6: Bluetooth – Wireless Convenience (with caveats) Many modern TVs and speakers support Bluetooth. This offers wireless connection, which is undeniably handy for keeping cables tidy. Simply pair your Bluetooth speakers or headphones with your TV, just like you would with your phone. I've used Bluetooth for casual listening, like having a small portable speaker connected while I'm pottering about in the kitchen. It's great for that. However, for anything critical, I tend to avoid it. There can be a slight delay (latency), and the audio quality isn't quite as good as a wired digital connection because of compression. **Pros:** * Wireless, no cables! * Easy to set up for basic use * Great for headphones or portable speakers **Cons:** * Potential for audio latency (lip-sync issues) * Audio quality can be compressed * Range limitations * Can be less stable than a wired connection ## Method 7: Connecting to an AV Receiver This is where you get into proper home cinema territory. An AV receiver is the brain of your sound system. You'd connect all your sources (Blu-ray player, games console, streaming box) to the receiver, and then run a single HDMI cable from the receiver's "HDMI Out" (the one with ARC/eARC if applicable) to your TV's HDMI ARC input. Your speakers then connect directly to the receiver via speaker wire. This is my preferred method for any serious home cinema setup. It gives you full control, proper surround sound, and often much better amplification than a soundbar. It does mean more boxes and cables, though! **Pros:** * Best audio quality and control * Supports full surround sound setups (5.1, 7.1, Atmos, etc.) * Acts as a central hub for all your media devices * Dedicated amplification for each speaker **Cons:** * More complex to set up * Takes up more space * Can be more expensive ## Method 8: Connecting to a Soundbar Soundbars are incredibly popular for a good reason: they offer a significant upgrade over TV speakers without the faff of a full AV receiver system. Most connect via HDMI ARC, optical, or sometimes Bluetooth. I've installed countless soundbars for people, and they're almost always delighted with the improvement. They're neat, relatively easy to install, and can make a massive difference to dialogue clarity and overall punch. **Pros:** * Much better sound than TV speakers * Compact and tidy * Easy to set up, especially with HDMI ARC * Often includes a wireless subwoofer for decent bass **Cons:** * Can't match the immersion of a true surround sound system * Quality varies widely between models * Less flexible than an AV receiver setup ## Method 9: Using a Digital-to-Analogue Converter (DAC) Sometimes, your TV might only have digital outputs (like optical) but your speakers or amplifier only have analogue inputs (like RCA). In this case, you need a DAC. This clever little box takes the digital signal from your TV and converts it into an analogue one that your older audio gear can understand. I've got a couple of these knocking about my workshop. They're brilliant problem solvers for getting incompatible gear to talk to each other. Cheap ones are fine for basic listening, but you can spend a lot if you're chasing ultimate fidelity. **Pros:** * Connects digital TV outputs to analogue audio inputs * Relatively inexpensive * Breathes new life into older audio equipment **Cons:** * Another box, another cable * Quality of conversion varies with the DAC ## Method 10: Connecting Wired Headphones Want to listen without disturbing anyone? Your TV's 3.5mm headphone jack is your friend. Just plug in your headphones, and usually, the TV's internal speakers will mute. Simple as that. I often do this late at night when I'm catching up on a series and don't want to wake the family. Works a treat. **Pros:** * Private listening * Simple and direct connection * Often provides better sound than TV speakers (with good headphones) **Cons:** * Tethered to the TV by a cable * Can be uncomfortable for long periods ## Method 11: Wireless Headphones (Bluetooth or RF) If you hate the idea of being tethered, wireless headphones are the answer. If your TV has built-in Bluetooth, you can pair them directly. If not, you can get wireless headphone systems that use an RF (radio frequency) transmitter that plugs into your TV's optical or 3.5mm output. I've found RF headphones can sometimes offer a more stable connection and better range than Bluetooth, which is handy if you tend to wander off to the kitchen mid-programme. **Pros:** * Complete freedom of movement * Private listening * RF systems can have good range and stability **Cons:** * Requires charging (Bluetooth) * Potential for latency (Bluetooth) * RF transmitters mean another box ## Method 12: Wi-Fi Multi-room Systems (e.g., Sonos, HEOS) Some smart TVs and sound systems can integrate with Wi-Fi-based multi-room audio systems like Sonos or Denon HEOS. This is a slick way to get TV audio playing through your entire house, or just to a compatible soundbar as part of that ecosystem. I've got a Sonos system running at home, and being able to stream TV audio to the kitchen speakers while I'm making a brew is pretty cool. It's not for everyone, mind, and can be a bit pricier. **Pros:** * Excellent sound quality (often better than Bluetooth) * Can integrate TV audio into a whole-home system * Reliable wireless connection (Wi-Fi) **Cons:** * Requires compatible, often proprietary, equipment * Can be expensive to build a system * More complex initial setup ## Method 13: Using a Stereo Amplifier with Passive Speakers This is getting back to basics. If you've got a good old stereo amplifier and a pair of passive (i.e., not self-powered) speakers, you can connect your TV to the amplifier's input (via RCA, optical with a DAC, or 3.5mm). The amplifier then powers your speakers. I've always got a soft spot for a good stereo setup. If music is as important as movies, this can be a truly fantastic way to go. You just need to make sure your amp has the right inputs. **Pros:** * Often superb stereo sound quality, especially for music * Allows you to use high-quality passive speakers * Good amplification **Cons:** * Requires an amplifier and separate speakers * More wires, more boxes * No built-in surround sound (unless it's a multi-channel amplifier, but then we're back to an AV receiver!) ## My Thoughts and Recommendations Right, after running through all that, you can see there are loads of ways to skin this cat. For most people, my advice boils down to this: * **For simplicity and a big upgrade:** A soundbar connected via HDMI ARC/eARC. It's hard to beat for ease of use and instant gratification. * **For proper home cinema:** An AV receiver with dedicated speakers. Nothing else comes close for immersion and sheer power. * **For a spare room or basic listening:** A pair of active speakers connected via the 3.5mm headphone jack or optical (with a cheap DAC if needed). Quick and effective. * **For private listening:** Absolutely go for wireless headphones if your TV supports it. No cables tripping you up! Don't be afraid to experiment a bit, either. Sometimes the "best" method on paper isn't the most practical for your specific setup. Just remember to check your connections first. ## FAQs About TV Speaker Connections ### Can I connect regular passive speakers directly to my TV? No, generally not. Passive speakers need an amplifier to power them. TVs don't have built-in speaker terminals for passive speakers. You'd need an amplifier or an AV receiver in between the TV and the speakers. ### Why is my TV still playing sound after I've connected external speakers? This often happens, especially with optical or 3.5mm connections. You usually need to go into your TV's audio settings menu and explicitly select the external output (e.g., "Optical Out," "HDMI ARC," or "External Speakers") and disable the internal TV speakers. Every TV is a bit different, so have a rummage through the sound settings. ### What's the difference between HDMI ARC and eARC? ARC (Audio Return Channel) lets you send audio from your TV to a soundbar or receiver over an HDMI cable. eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) does the same but with much higher bandwidth. This means eARC can handle uncompressed, high-bitrate audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, which is brilliant for top-tier home cinema sound. If you've got it, use it! ### I'm getting an audio delay (lip-sync issue) – how do I fix it? This is a common headache, particularly with Bluetooth or some processing in your TV or sound system. First, check your TV's audio settings for a "lip-sync" or "audio delay" adjustment. Many TVs and some soundbars/receivers have this. If that doesn't work, try bypassing any extra audio processing on your TV (set it to "Passthrough" if available). Sometimes, changing the audio format (e.g., from Dolby Digital to PCM) can help too. It can be a bit of trial and error, I'm afraid!