How To Use Old Hi-Fi Speakers With a Modern TV
By Robert Jones · 2026-07-23
Got a pair of cherished old hi-fi speakers gathering dust? Don't let them sit idle. You can absolutely hook them up to your modern television and give your TV sound a proper boost.
## How To Use Old Hi-Fi Speakers With a Modern TV Right, let's have a proper chat about something close to my heart: getting cracking sound from your television using some good old hi-fi speakers. For years, I've seen countless brilliant passive speakers just sat there, unused, when they could be giving flatscreen TVs the sonic performance they truly deserve. Modern TVs, bless 'em, have screens that are mind-blowing, but their built-in speakers? Almost always a bit rubbish, aren't they? I've been in this game for over two decades, testing everything from tiny bookshelf speakers to monster subwoofers. And I can tell you, for pure sound quality, a decent old pair of hi-fi speakers will absolutely wipe the floor with almost any TV's internal audio, and often even entry-level soundbars. So, if you've got some lovely old Mission, KEF, Wharfedale, or whatever else tucked away, let's get 'em singing with your telly. ### Why Bother Using Old Hi-Fi Speakers? Some of you might be thinking, "Why go to the bother? I'll just buy a soundbar." And fair enough, soundbars have their place. But here's the thing: soundbars are almost always a compromise. They're designed to be slim, convenient, and fit under your TV. That means smaller drivers, less cabinet volume, and often a rather 'forced' sound to try and compensate. Your old hi-fi speakers, on the other hand, were built for one thing: proper sound reproduction. They most likely have larger drivers, sturdier cabinets, and proper crossovers. The result? A much richer, more detailed, and far more natural sound. You'll get better dialogue clarity, more impactful special effects, and a proper sense of scale that a thin soundbar just can't deliver. I remember hooking up a pair of old Acoustic Energy AE1s – beautiful little things – to my mum's new Samsung TV about five years ago. She was complaining about not being able to hear the dialogue on her dramas. With a small amplifier and those AE1s, it was like night and day. She could finally hear every whisper, every nuance. That's the sort of difference we're talking about. ### The Core Challenge: Connecting Old to New The main hurdle with using old hi-fi speakers is that they're almost always **passive**. This simply means they need an external amplifier to power them. Your modern TV, meanwhile, doesn't have a built-in amplifier output designed for passive speakers. It sends out a very small 'line-level' audio signal, or a digital signal, or even just routes sound over HDMI. So, the job boils down to two main steps: 1. **Get audio *out* of your modern TV.** 2. **Get that audio *into* an amplifier.** 3. **Connect that amplifier *to* your old passive speakers.** Let's break down each part. ## Getting Audio Out of Your Modern TV Modern TVs have a few primary ways to get audio out. You'll need to check the back of your specific TV, but these are the most common options. ### 1. Optical Digital Audio Out (TOSLINK) This is probably the most common digital audio output you'll find on nearly all modern smart TVs. It's a square port, often with a little flap, and it emits a red light when active. It transmits digital audio signals. * **Pros:** Very common, good quality digital signal, immune to electrical interference. * **Cons:** Requires a separate DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter) or an amplifier with a built-in DAC to convert the digital signal to analogue for your speakers. ### 2. HDMI ARC/eARC HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) and Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) are brilliant. If your TV has an HDMI port labelled "ARC" or "eARC", it means it can send audio back down the HDMI cable to a compatible receiver or soundbar. * **Pros:** Carries high-quality audio, including potentially multi-channel formats (though you'll likely be downmixing to stereo for hi-fi speakers), often allows for TV remote control of volume. * **Cons:** Requires an amplifier or receiver with a compatible HDMI ARC/eARC input. Not all compact stereo amplifiers have this. ### 3. 3.5mm Headphone Jack Some, but not all, modern TVs still include a 3.5mm headphone jack. This provides an analogue stereo output. * **Pros:** Simple, direct analogue connection. You can usually just plug a 3.5mm to RCA cable straight into an amplifier. * **Cons:** Not always present. The sound quality can vary; it's often designed for headphones, not necessarily a full hi-fi chain. Volume is usually controlled by the TV's remote. ### 4. RCA Analogue Audio Out Rare on very new TVs, but you might find red and white RCA jacks labelled "Audio Out" on slightly older smart TVs (say, 5-8 years old). These provide an analogue stereo signal. * **Pros:** Straightforward analogue connection, ideal for older amplifiers without digital inputs. * **Cons:** Decreasingly common on brand new televisions. ## Choosing the Right Amplifier for Your Old Speakers and TV This is the crux of the biscuit, as my dad used to say. You need something to take that audio signal from your TV and boost it enough to power your passive speakers. Here are your main options. ### 1. Stereo Integrated Amplifier This is the classic choice. A dedicated stereo integrated amplifier is designed purely for two-channel audio. They typically have a range of analogue inputs (RCA), and many modern ones now include digital inputs (Optical, Coaxial) and sometimes even HDMI ARC. * **Pros:** Excellent sound quality, often very powerful, solid build, dedicated stereo circuits. If you get one with digital inputs, it simplifies the setup. * **Cons:** Can be quite large, often more expensive than micro-amps. If it lacks digital inputs, you'll need a separate DAC. I've got an old Rotel RA-04 in my office. It's not flashy, but it drives a pair of Q Acoustics 3020s brilliantly. Hooking that up to a TV via a simple optical DAC converter is a doddle and sounds fantastic. ### 2. AV Receiver (Home Cinema Amplifier) If you're thinking of expanding beyond just two speakers later, or already have one, an AV receiver can work. These are designed for multi-channel home cinema, but all of them will operate in a stereo mode. They almost always have multiple HDMI inputs/outputs, including ARC/eARC, and optical inputs. * **Pros:** Very versatile, handles multiple sources, excellent connectivity (especially HDMI), built-in DACs galore, usually plenty of power. * **Cons:** Can be overkill if you only want stereo. Physically large. Can be more complex to set up due to all the features. ### 3. Compact 'Desktop' or 'Mini' Amplifiers (e.g., Class D amps) These have become incredibly popular in recent years, and for good reason. They're small, often very efficient (Class D amplification), and many come with useful connectivity like Bluetooth and digital inputs (optical, USB). Brands like Fosi Audio, Aiyima, Loxjie, and even some mainstream brands offer these. * **Pros:** Tiny footprint, affordable, often have built-in DACs and Bluetooth, surprisingly good sound for their size. * **Cons:** Less power than full-sized integrated amps (though often enough for most speakers in average rooms). Build quality can sometimes be a bit flimsy on the cheapest models. I regularly use a little Fosi Audio BT20A Pro on my test bench. It's tiny, but it's got enough grunt to drive even relatively inefficient bookshelf speakers to decent volumes in my small office and living room. For TV use, where you're not usually pushing concert levels, these are often perfect. ### 4. Stereo Soundbar with Pre-Outs (Less Common) Some higher-end stereo soundbars (very few, mind you) might have RCA pre-outs. This is basically an unamplified signal you could feed into a larger power amplifier or even a stereo integrated amp. Honestly, if you're going this route, you're better off skipping the soundbar altogether and going straight for an integrated amp. ## Connecting Everything Up: Practical Steps Let's assume you've figured out your TV's audio output and picked an amplifier. Here's how to stitch it together. ### Scenario 1: TV Optical Out to Amplifier with Digital In This is perhaps the most common and solid modern setup. 1. Connect an optical TOSLINK cable from your TV's "Optical Out" port to an "Optical In" port on your amplifier. 2. Set your TV's audio output settings to "Optical" or "External Speakers" and often, importantly, to "PCM" (Pulse Code Modulation). Many amps struggle with Dolby Digital or DTS from a TV, especially stereo-only ones. 3. Connect your old hi-fi speakers to the amplifier's speaker terminals using good quality speaker cable (positive to positive, negative to negative). Make sure no stray strands of wire are shorting across terminals. 4. Power everything on. Select the optical input on your amplifier. ### Scenario 2: TV HDMI ARC/eARC to Amplifier with HDMI ARC/eARC This offers the best integration, allowing your TV remote to control the amp's volume. 1. Connect an HDMI cable from your TV's "HDMI ARC" or "eARC" port to the corresponding "HDMI ARC/eARC Out" (or sometimes just "HDMI Out to TV") port on your amplifier. 2. Enable HDMI-CEC (sometimes called Anynet+, Bravia Sync, Viera Link, etc.) on both your TV and amplifier in their respective settings menus. This is what allows for remote control pass-through. 3. Set your TV's audio output to "HDMI ARC" or "External Speakers". 4. Connect your old hi-fi speakers to the amplifier's speaker terminals. 5. Power everything on and select the correct HDMI input on your amplifier. ### Scenario 3: TV 3.5mm Headphone Out to Amplifier RCA In Simple, direct analogue connection. 1. Get a 3.5mm stereo jack to RCA stereo (red/white) cable. 2. Plug the 3.5mm end into your TV's headphone jack. 3. Plug the RCA ends into an available analogue input (e.g., "Aux", "CD", "Line In") on your amplifier. 4. Connect your old hi-fi speakers to the amplifier. 5. Power on, select the correct analogue input. *A note on TV volume:* If using the headphone out, the TV's volume control will likely affect the signal going to the amplifier. You'll need to find a sweet spot – usually 70-80% on the TV – and then control the main viewing volume with your amplifier. ### Scenario 4: TV Optical Out to External DAC, then to Amplifier RCA In Useful if your chosen stereo amplifier lacks digital inputs. 1. Connect an optical TOSLINK cable from your TV's "Optical Out" to the "Optical In" on the external DAC. 2. Connect the DAC's RCA analogue outputs to an available RCA input on your amplifier. 3. Set your TV's audio output to "Optical" and "PCM". 4. Connect your old hi-fi speakers to the amplifier. 5. Power everything on. Select the correct input on both the DAC (if it has multiple) and your amplifier. ## What to Look For When Buying a New Amp for Old Speakers If you're in the market for a new amplifier specifically for this task, here's a quick checklist: * **Inputs:** Prioritise an optical input or HDMI ARC if your TV has them. If not, standard RCA inputs are essential. * **Power Output:** Don't get hung up on massive wattage figures. For most home rooms and average sensitivity speakers, 30-60 watts per channel (RMS) into 8 ohms is more than enough. If your speakers are particularly inefficient (e.g., older sealed-box designs from the 70s/80s), you might want to lean towards the higher end. * **Size/Form Factor:** Do you want a full-size integrated amp, or can you get away with a compact mini-amp? Consider where it will sit. * **Features:** Bluetooth is handy for music streaming from a phone. A headphone jack on the amp itself can be useful. Tone controls (bass/treble) can help tune the sound to your room. * **Budget:** Stereo integrated amps range from a couple of hundred quid to thousands. Mini-amps can be as little as £50-£100. ## Comparison: Common Amplification Options | Feature | Stereo Integrated Amp | AV Receiver (Home Cinema) | Compact Class D Mini-Amp | External DAC + Your Existing Amp | | :------------------ | :----------------------------------------------------- | :----------------------------------------------------- | :----------------------------------------------------- | :----------------------------------------------------- | | **Best Use Case** | Dedicated 2-channel sound, music & TV | Multi-channel setups, many HDMI sources, future proof | Space-saving, simple TV audio upgrade, desktop use | Upgrading TV audio for an older, analogue-only amp | | **Connectivity** | RCA, Phono, Optical (modern), HDMI ARC (some) | Multiple HDMI, Optical, Coaxial, RCA | Bluetooth, RCA, Optical (many), USB (some) | Optical/Coaxial In, RCA Out (to existing amp) | | **Power** | Good, clean stereo power (30-100+ WPC) | Excellent multi-channel & stereo power (50-150+ WPC) | Decent for size (25-50 WPC), efficient Class D | No power, converts digital to analogue for existing amp| | **Sound Quality** | Excellent stereo separation & detail | Very good (stereo downmixed), wide soundstage | Surprisingly good for the money, clean | Depends entirely on DAC & existing amp quality | | **Footprint** | Medium to Large | Large | Very Small | Very Small (DAC only) | | **Cost** | £150 - £1000+ | £300 - £2000+ | £50 - £250 | £30 - £150 (for DAC) | | **Complexity** | Moderate | High (many settings) | Low | Low (two separate devices) | ## My Experience and Honest Verdict I've set up old hi-fi speakers with TVs countless times for friends, family, and myself. The improvement is genuinely astounding, every single time. Flatscreen TVs are brilliant for vision, but they're still rotten for sound. Using proper passive speakers, even a humble pair from 20 years ago, feels like unlocking a whole new dimension to your TV viewing. My personal favourite approach for simplicity and sound quality right now is a good quality compact Class D amplifier with an optical input. Something like a Loxjie A30 or a Fosi Audio BT20A Pro. These little units take up hardly any space, are very affordable, and deliver a sound that will comfortably outperform any soundbar in their price range when paired with decent mission or KEF bookshelf speakers. You simply connect the optical cable from your TV, plug in your speakers, and you're good to go. The sound is clean, detailed, and loud enough for most living rooms. If you've got the space and a bit more budget, a full-size stereo integrated amplifier from a reputable brand (NAD, Cambridge Audio, Marantz, Denon, Rotel) with digital inputs is also a fantastic shout. These will give you even more power and finesse, especially with larger or more demanding speakers. **Just remember the PCM setting on your TV's optical output!** That catches so many people out. And for goodness sake, make sure your speaker wires are connected correctly and aren't shorting. A short can damage your amplifier. ### Pros of Using Old Hi-Fi Speakers with Your TV * **Vastly Superior Sound Quality:** Fuller, richer, more detailed audio than built-in TV speakers or most soundbars. * **Cost-Effective Upgrade:** If you already own the speakers, the main cost is just a suitable amplifier. * **Sustainability:** Giving old, perfectly good gear a new lease of life, rather than sending it to landfill. * **Dialogue Clarity:** Often the biggest improvement, making TV shows and films much more enjoyable. * **Stereo Imaging:** Proper left and right speakers create a wider, more immersive soundstage. ### Cons of Using Old Hi-Fi Speakers with Your TV * **More Clutter:** Requires an extra box (the amplifier) and speaker positioning can be tricky. * **Cabling:** More cables to manage than a single soundbar. * **No Surround Sound (typically):** Unless you go down the full AV receiver route, you're usually limited to stereo. * **Remote Control Juggling:** Might need two remotes (TV and amp) unless you use HDMI ARC/eARC or a universal remote. * **Setup Can Be Daft:** Requires a bit of technical know-how initially, though hopefully, this guide sorts that. ## Verdict: Absolutely Go For It! If you've got them, use them! Repurposing your old hi-fi speakers for TV duty is one of the best value upgrades you can make to your home entertainment. The difference in sound quality is palpable, turning lacklustre TV audio into something truly engaging. Don't let those gems gather dust; inject some proper sound into your living room and give your movies, sports, and dramas the audio they deserve. You won't regret it. ### FAQ ### Can I use my old passive speakers directly with my TV? No, old passive hi-fi speakers always need an external amplifier. Your modern TV doesn't have the necessary amplification built-in to power them directly. You'll need an amplifier or AV receiver to sit between the TV and your speakers. ### What's the best way to connect my TV to an amplifier for old speakers? The best way depends on your TV and amplifier. If both have HDMI ARC/eARC, use that for the easiest control. Otherwise, an optical digital audio cable from your TV to an amplifier with an optical input (or a separate DAC) is a very common and excellent solution. A 3.5mm headphone jack out to RCA in is a simple analogue option if available. ### Do I need a special cable to connect old speakers to a modern amplifier? No special cable is needed for the speakers themselves. You'll use standard speaker cable to connect your passive hi-fi speakers to the amplifier's speaker terminals (red to red, black to black). For the TV to amplifier connection, you'll need the appropriate cable (optical, HDMI, or 3.5mm to RCA) based on your chosen method. ### Will using old speakers drain a lot of power? No, a modern Class D amplifier paired with old hi-fi speakers is actually quite efficient. While an amplifier will use more power than just your TV's internal speakers, the difference is usually not significant enough to impact your electricity bill noticeably during normal viewing. ### Can I use a soundbar instead of an amplifier and old speakers? Yes, you can use a soundbar, and many people do for simplicity. However, for pure sound quality, properly driven old hi-fi speakers will almost always sound significantly better than most soundbars, especially for music and detailed dialogue, due to their superior cabinet volume and driver design. Soundbars are a convenience choice, whereas hi-fi speakers are a performance choice.))