Even if you don't have a receiver, you can still connect your speakers to your TV. There are many different methods you can use, and the best one will depend on the particular model and features of your speakers.
If you have a passive pair of speakers, for example, you will still need an amplifier in the system. Active speakers, on the other hand, can be connected directly to your TV.
Below, we will list and discuss all of the methods on how to connect speakers to a TV without a receiver.
How do I Connect Speakers to TV Without a Receiver?
You can connect speakers to a TV without a receiver by using either an external amplifier, a digital-to-analog converter, or a solution such as an RCA to 3.5mm adapter. The best method will depend on the model of your TV and speakers, though.
Before we Start – Check the Audio Outputs in your TV
The type and number of audio outputs in your TV will depend on its particular model. There are three main types of outputs you will find in most TVs:
- Analog outputs, such as 3.5mm and RCA.
- Digital outputs, such as HDMI, optical, and coaxial.
- Wireless outputs, such as Bluetooth.
Analog outputs are more commonly used with an external amplifier. That's the case if, for example, you're using a pair of passive speakers that don't have a built-in power unit. If your speakers are active, it's possible to skip the amp and connect them directly to your TV.
You can connect your speakers to your TV using a digital output such as optical or coaxial as well by using a small converter.
If you have wireless or Bluetooth speakers, then these will be the easiest ones to work with, only requiring you to connect them via your TV settings.
Below, we will explain in detail the different methods you can use to connect your speakers to a TV without a receiver. Before we start, make sure to check which audio outputs are available on your TV.
Connecting Speakers to TV Without a Receiver – Possible Methods
Method 1 – Connecting your Speakers to your TV via RCA Output
The RCA output in your TV can be easily spotted by its white and red colors. If your speakers are active and support RCA input, you can connect them directly to the device. This method will give you higher audio fidelity.
If your speakers are passive and don't feature a built-in power unit, you will need an amplifier. These amps are often small in size and work by amplifying the audio signal so it can be reproduced by your speakers.
The example above is an amplifier from Aiyima. It has outstanding quality components and 300W of power.
However, you don't need to spend too much on an amplifier. There are a few good budget options in the market that will suffice for most applications. The most important thing to keep in mind is the amount of power that the amp can produce and whether or not it is compatible with your speakers.
The connection process when using an amplifier is very simple as well. You just need to connect the output of your TV to the RCA input of your amplifier, and the output of the amp to the input of your speakers.
Method 2 – Connecting your Speakers to TV via 3.5mm Output
The 3.5mm output is frequently labeled as “headphones out”. It uses the same small jack that is usually present in headphones and earbuds, however, you can also connect your speakers to it.
The main thing to check here is if your speakers have a 3.5mm input. If that's the case, it is likely that you have an active pair and won't need an external amplifier. Then, you just need an AUX cable like this one:
You can usually get a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable for around $5. This is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to connect your speakers to your TV. Simply plug in your speakers to the headphones out of your device and you should be good to go.
Method 3 – Connecting Speakers to TV with an Optical/Coaxial to RCA Converter (Digital to Analog Converter)
Many TV sets only feature digital audio outputs such as HDMI, optical, and coaxial. If that's your case, then you need a small converter that will take the audio and convert it to an analog signal, which can be sent to your speakers via RCA.
Here is an example of a digital-to-analog converter. It has a small and simple design, with an optical and a coaxial input, and a pair of stereo RCA outputs.
In this method, the TV is connected to the converter either via optical or coaxial cable and the converter output is connected to the speakers or the amplifier via RCA.
It is still worth noting that, if your speakers are passive, you might need an amplifier after the converter. Some amplifier models will feature a digital-to-analog converter as well, but not all.
Method 4 – Connecting your Speakers to TV via Bluetooth
If you have a pair of Bluetooth speakers and a newer TV model, then you can connect them to your TV set quite easily via the settings. The step-by-step will vary, so we recommend you check your TV's owner's manual.
If your TV doesn't have Bluetooth connectivity, you can still connect it to your wireless speaker using an adapter such as the one below:
This adapter will convert the RCA audio signal from your TV into Bluetooth. It works as expected and isn't that expensive if compared to other methods.
Some amplifiers have Bluetooth connectivity as well. In that case, it's the opposite way: an audio signal is sent to the Bluetooth amp and converted via cable to your speakers.
Method 5 – Connecting your speakers to TV with an RCA Adapter
This is an inexpensive method that might work if you have a pair of computer speakers for example. By using an adapter, you can send the audio signal from the RCA output to a 3.5mm output.
These adapters, as shown above, usually go for no more than $5. It is worth noting that this method will only work if you have a pair of active speakers.
Also Read: How to Connect Speaker Wire to TV?
What If the Volume of My TV Can’t Be Adjusted While Using External Audio Outputs?
A common problem with using speakers is that not all TVs will allow you to adjust the volume with the remote control while the sound is connected to an audio output. If that's your case, this might be a problem since it is not very convenient to have to walk to the speaker to adjust the volume.
There are a few solutions to this problem:
- Using an amplifier with a remote. That way you can adjust the volume of the amplifier instead of the TV.
- Using a digital-to-analog converter with a remote control.
- Using an active pair of speakers with a remote control.
- Using a 3.5mm cable with built-in volume control.
Unfortunately, these are the only workarounds. Make sure to check beforehand if your TV allows for volume control while using external audio output, so you can decide which method to use and what you will need to buy.
Also Read: USB Cable Types Explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Passive speakers will often feature only a positive and negative terminal input on each side and no volume control. Active speakers need to be connected to a power outlet, so it's simple to know.
The main thing you must ensure is that the amplifier is powerful enough for your passive speakers. You can find the RMS power specification in your speaker's owner's manual or in the manufacturer's website.
Yes, but you won't need an amplifier in most cases. If your TV has a 3.5mm headphone out, you can connect your headphones directly to the set. If not, you can use an RCA to 3.5mm adapter as we've shown in the article.
Conclusion
There are many methods how to connect speakers to a TV set without a receiver. The right one for your particular case will depend on the audio outputs available on your TV and whether your speakers are passive or active.
While you shouldn't have to spend much money with any of those methods, make sure to check these specifications before you purchase any external component.
Thank you for reading this article. We hope you were able to connect your speakers to your TV. Make sure to check our related guides on our website as well!
