Connecting Bookshelf Speakers to TV in 8 Simple Steps

Let’s be honest – the sound quality from most flat screen TVs leaves a lot to be desired. The tiny built-in speakers were an afterthought for set designers focused on slimmer and slimmer panels. But just because your new TV is as thin as a wafer doesn’t mean you have to settle for lackluster audio. Adding an external set of bookshelf speakers can seriously improve your home entertainment experience. But how do you connect bookshelf speakers to TV? Keep reading to find out.

Of course, selecting the right bookshelf speakers and components for your space and budget takes some research. And properly connecting everything for optimal audio takes a bit of effort too. But with the right guidance, upgrading to bookshelf speakers is a very DIY-friendly project.

This step-by-step guide will explain everything you need to know, from choosing your speakers to troubleshooting setup issues. Let’s explore how to get way better sound from your TV with bookshelf speakers.

Picking the Perfect Bookshelf Speakers for Your Needs

The foundation of any speaker setup is the actual speakers themselves. Forget those tiny TV speakers – you’ll want a pair of dedicated bookshelf speaker models designed to deliver full, detailed sound. Here are some factors to consider as you shop:

1. Size

Bookshelf speakers range from 4 inches up to 6 or 8 inches for the woofer diameter. The smaller you go, the less bass response. Larger woofers around 6 inches tend to work well for TV audio. Measure the space around your TV stand to ensure a comfortable fit.

2. Power

You’ll want a set of active (powered) speakers with a built-in amplifier. Passive speakers require an external amp which complicates setup. Active speakers are as simple as plugging them in. Look for at least 20-50 watts per speaker.

3. Inputs

More connection options means more ways to hook the speakers up, so look for RCA, 3.5mm aux, HDMI, optical and Bluetooth inputs. The fewer cables you need, the better.

4. Controls

Handy extras like volume adjustment, treble/bass EQ and remote control support on the speakers themselves makes a difference in ease of use.

5. Brand

Stick with well-known speaker brands with proven reputations. Compare reviews of any models you’re considering before deciding.

Also read: Best Bookshelf Speakers – Top 12 Picks and Buying Guide

6. Budget

You can get very decent bookshelf speakers for $100-300, while true audiophile models run up to $1000 or more per pair. Set a budget and look for the best value.

Take the time upfront to carefully consider what you need in your bookshelf speakers for TV audio. This will ensure you choose an optimal set that gets the job done right.

Choosing the Right Connection Cables and Inputs

Modern flat screen TVs come equipped with a variety of audio output options to hook up external speakers:

• HDMI ARC – If your TV supports Audio Return Channel via HDMI, this allows passing both audio and video signals through a single HDMI cable. It’s convenient as long as both devices are ARC compatible.
• Optical/Toslink – For pure digital audio signal, optical is the way to go. You’ll need both devices to have a Toslink port.
• RCA/Analog – The standard red and white RCA audio cables work for connecting speakers, but sound quality takes a hit versus digital options.
• Bluetooth – A few speaker models support wireless pairing via Bluetooth, but beware potential audio sync issues.
• 5mm Aux – Some budget speakers include the basic 3.5mm aux input, but it’s a lower quality connection.

Whenever possible, go for HDMI ARC or optical cables between your TV and speakers for the clearest sound. But weigh the input options on both your television and the speakers you choose to see what will work for your setup.

How to Connect Bookshelf Speakers to TV

You’ve chosen compatible bookshelf speakers for your TV and have all the right cables. Now comes the fun part – actually plugging it all in! With components powered down, just follow these steps:

1. Position the speakers equidistant from the TV and at ear height when seated. Angle them inward for a surround sound effect.
2. Make sure your TV and speakers are both turned off to avoid any power surges. Safety first!
3. Connect speaker cables between TV outputs and matching speaker inputs. Push firmly so cables are fully inserted.
4. Turn on the TV first, then power on the speakers. This prevents any loud pops.
5. On the speaker system, select the input mode corresponding to how it’s connected. HDMI ARC, Optical, AUX, etc.
6. Jump into your TV audio settings menu and specify the external speakers as the audio output priority rather than default TV speakers.
7. Use speaker remote to gradually increase the volume to a comfortable level. Start low to avoid distortion.
8. Tweak speaker positioning and angles slightly to balance sound. You may need to experiment a bit.

Optimizing Your New Bookshelf Speaker Sound

Basic setup is only step one – optimizing the audio performance requires a few more tweaks:

• Balance the left and right speaker levels so one doesn’t overpower. Centre channel should be slightly louder.
• Enable any audio processing like Dolby surround sound on your TV for a more immersive experience.
• If adding a subwoofer, set speakers to “small” and turn on bass management to let the sub handle low frequencies.
• EQ the bass and treble slightly depending on your room’s acoustics using speaker controls.
• Position speakers away from walls for the best imaging – don’t cram them into a corner.
• Angle the speakers inward toward the “sweet spot” listening position.
• Upgrade speaker cables to oxygen-free copper models with gold plated tips for pure conductivity.
• Isolate speakers from vibration using foam pads or stands. This tightens sound.

Dialing in the perfect audio balance takes some experimenting, but is worth it. Follow these optimization tips and your TV shows will sound fantastic.

Troubleshooting Bookshelf Speakers to TV Connection Problems 

You followed the setup guide meticulously, but still have no audio coming from those shiny new speakers. Before panicking, try these common troubleshooting fixes:

1. Re-check all physical cable connections between TV and speakers. Sometimes they work loose.
2. Test alternate audio inputs on the speakers like optical instead of HDMI ARC. Could be compatibility issues.
3. Confirm the TV sound settings are actually sending audio to the speakers, not defaulting to TV speakers.
4. Factory reset both the TV and speakers to defaults just in case some weird configuration got set incorrectly.
5. Update firmware on both devices – older firmware can disrupt the audio signal hand-shake between components.
6. As a last resort, pull the power and restart everything. Turn TV on first, then speakers.
7. Test the speakers directly with a different audio source like your phone to isolate where the problem lies.

With some logical troubleshooting, you should get to the bottom of any speaker malfunctions pretty quickly. Reach out to manufacturer support if needed – they want you listening happily.

Adding a Subwoofer for Room-Shaking Bass

Your bookshelf speakers may already sound great, but a powered subwoofer adds that visceral bass punch for a true movie theater experience:

• Place the sub centrally, a few feet from the TV stand. Avoid cramming it into a corner which exaggerates bass.
• Connect subwoofer cable from the LFE sub output on speakers to input on the sub. Make sure polarity is correct.
• Set speaker bass management with a crossover around 80 – 120Hz so sub handles the lows.
• Balance sub volume with speaker levels. Start conservative then turn up sub to fill the room.
• Look for a 100 watt, 6-10 inch sub from a reputable brand so it can keep up with your speakers.

Adding a quality sub to your bookshelf speakers really takes the sound to the next level. Just beware of annoying neighbors! Proper subwoofer integration is a skill, but very worth learning.

Elevating Sound with Advanced Home Theater Setups

Connecting basic bookshelf speakers to TV is just the beginning. You can create truly incredible, theater-quality surround sound through strategic speaker configurations and component additions:

• 5.1 – Front left, right, and centre speakers plus left and right surrounds. Add a sub for full 5.1 sound.
• 7.1 – Builds on 5.1 by adding left and right rear surround speakers for greater enveloping audio.
• Dolby Atmos – Ceiling-mounted height speakers plus surrounds project overhead sound like rain or aircraft.
• AV receiver – The central brain to power advanced multi-channel surround systems.
• Floorstanding tower speakers – Larger footprint and drivers than bookshelves for bigger, more immersive sound.
• Dual subwoofers – Having two subs enhances bass performance and smoothing.
• Acoustic treatment – Sound absorbing wall panels tame problematic room reverb.

Final Thoughts

Let’s recap – upgrading your flat screen TV audio with dedicated bookshelf speakers is a very worthwhile endeavor. Choose wisely, connect bookshelf speakers to TV carefully, optimize positioning, add a pounding subwoofer, and over time build out into an advanced surround system.

With detailed, powerful sound replacing hollow TV speakers, you gain a whole new appreciation for movie soundtracks and more immersion into your favorite shows. And suddenly you find yourself noticing intricacies in your music collection you never heard before.

It does take some effort and budget to put together an awesome bookshelf speaker home theater system. But anyone can do it with the right guidance – and your ears will thank you in the end. Drown out the outside world and get lost in pure audio bliss.

 

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