Getting sound from your projector to speakers wirelessly can be a huge hassle. Although there are very effective solutions for wireless video, audio remains a complicated affair. However, there’s one technology that, although originally developed for cell phones, has found a new application in home theater projectors: Bluetooth.
To connect Bluetooth speakers to the projector, simply turn on Bluetooth on both devices and pair them. For projectors without Bluetooth, you can use a Bluetooth adapter. Alternatively, you can connect the Bluetooth speaker directly to the video source (like a computer) using an HDMI cable.
Your projector having Bluetooth would be the best and simplest solution. But, don't worry if it doesn't – there are still some options you can use to get sound from your projector to Bluetooth speakers. So, whichever of the two situations you are in, this guide is your one-stop resource for seamless audio connectivity in any setting.
When Can You Connect a Bluetooth Speaker to a Projector?
The short answer to this question is: when your projector has Bluetooth built-in. But how do you know that? Well, the simplest place to check would be the product page with your projector’s manufacturer. Bluetooth capabilities and audio hardware details, including input/output ports, should be listed in the projector's tech specs.
The next place you can try is in the projector's menu. Access the menu using the projector's remote or buttons and browse the menu options for Bluetooth settings. You might even spot a Bluetooth logo somewhere on the projector itself, but there’s no guarantee.
How to Get Sound From Speakers To Projector Wirelessly
Once you’ve confirmed your projector has Bluetooth built-in, the setup shouldn’t be that different from connecting a Bluetooth speaker to your phone or another device. The only trick might be your projector’s unique flavor of menus and controls.
This is one of those times it’s you may want to pay attention to the user manual because that will surely have directions on how to navigate to the screen that will allow you to control the projector’s Bluetooth system. So go look through one of your junk drawers for the user manual or do a quick Google search.
From there, connecting a projector and Bluetooth speaker is very simple:
- Turn on Bluetooth on the Projector: Access the projector's menu using its remote or buttons and navigate to the Bluetooth settings. Turn on the Bluetooth function.
- Set Speakers to Pairing Mode: Turn on your Bluetooth speakers and set them to pairing mode. This usually involves pressing and holding a Bluetooth or power button until an indicator light blinks.
- Pair the Devices: On your projector's Bluetooth settings, search for available devices. Select your Bluetooth speakers from the list of discovered devices to pair them.
- Confirm Connection: Once connected, you might hear a confirmation sound from the speakers, or see a notification on the projector's display.
Some Troubleshooting for Bluetooth Speaker Connections
If this doesn’t work immediately, recheck the instructions for your projector, and if it still doesn’t work, check if there are any other devices you’ve had connected to that specific Bluetooth speaker and disconnect them.
With troubleshooting out of the way, you should have your speaker connected to the projector, so, go ahead and fire it up and test it. If the audio quality is good enough, then there’s nothing more to do.
If it’s too quiet, or “tinny”, that may indicate that the Bluetooth speaker is of low quality and you might need an upgrade there. Additionally, consider connecting a soundbar to your projector, for an even better audio system. And note that you could even connect a Roku stick to a projector!
Connecting Sound & Vision: Tips For The Best Bluetooth Projectors
Bluetooth in projectors is usually found in portable, budget models. For example, some budget models, like this PURSHE projector (on Amazon), not only have Bluetooth for audio and screen mirroring for video, making it a good choice for streaming from your phone while on the move.
Even some more expensive portable models like the Anker Nebula Capsule (on Amazon) support Bluetooth capability. Still, if you’re trying to have wireless connections in your home theater system, you probably aren’t interested in options that are focused on portability.
Rest assured, though, that there are larger home theater Bluetooth projectors. For instance, the LG Ultra Short Throw LED Home Theater Projector has Bluetooth, but doesn’t have a battery and definitely isn’t designed to be carted around.
This projector is an excellent option for your home theater. Its Bluetooth capability justifies its higher price by simplifying your setup and reducing the need for complex wiring.
But what if your projector doesn't have Bluetooth already built-in? There are various ways to add Bluetooth capabilities to projectors and many other devices.
What If The Projector Doesn’t Have Bluetooth?
If you have a projector that doesn't support Bluetooth, you don't have to buy a new one just for this purpose. There are other options you can use to connect your wireless Bluetooth speakers.
There are Bluetooth adapters made for just this situation, such as the Isobel Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter and Receiver(on Amazon), which connects to the projector’s 3.5mm audio jack and converts the audio signal to Bluetooth.
These devices may not support advanced systems like 7.1 Dolby Atmos, but they’ll get left and right speaker signals (at least) up into the wireless spectrum where your Bluetooth speaker can connect to them.
Connecting devices like this can be tricky without a screen or controls, but following a few steps in the instruction booklet should help you set up your speaker.
Almost all variations of this will involve putting the transmitter into pairing mode and then putting the speaker into pairing mode. When you do this simultaneously with both devices, they should automatically pair together.
Once connected, this setup allows you to use the projector as if it had native Bluetooth capabilities, enabling you to enjoy various content, such as streaming shows on Netflix.
Skipping the Middle Man (Bluetooth from the Video Source)
One last note on the need for a projector with Bluetooth built-in (or rather, the lack of a projector with Bluetooth). Your audio/video source might be coming from many places. A wireless streaming stick, a computer, a video game console, etc.
If you’re dealing with a projector that doesn’t already have Bluetooth built-in, the option above to use a Bluetooth transmitter is OK, but it might be worth your while to check and see if the audio/video source itself already has Bluetooth built-in.
If you’ve got an HDMI signal coming from your computer, for instance, you can probably use the Bluetooth in the computer to connect directly to the Bluetooth speaker, and this may even be a more robust option since you might want to use the computer with the speaker when it’s not connected to the projector.
The same variation on the theme applies to any HDMI source because you can use an HDMI audio extractor (on Amazon) to send the audio source to a Bluetooth transmitter at the video streaming box, instead of at the projector.
At first, this sounds like a real bother…you’re now managing two extra pieces of equipment (the extractor, and the Bluetooth transmitter), but – if you’re going to be using a Bluetooth transmitter at all, you’re going to want to be able to reset it and otherwise access the thing if anything goes wrong.
Because of that, you may be able to make your life easier by putting all this equipment on the ground, not at the projector. So, it’s at least something to consider as you create a plan.
Related Questions
Can You Connect an iPhone to a Projector?
Yes, and it is a very simple process. You can use a lighting adapter to connect a VGA, HDMI, or USB C cable.
Some projectors may even offer a Wi-Fi-based direct connection though. In that case, use either AirPlay or another wireless streaming application (this will often require a device that connects to the projector). For a more detailed guide, look at our article dedicated to connecting an iPhone to a projector.
