We connect the speakers and subwoofer from the cinema to the TV directly: 5 working methods

Have you bought a new TV, but the sound from the built-in speakers is disappointing? Or want to use speakers from an old home theater Sony, Yamaha or LG without a bulky AV receiver? You can connect the speaker system directly to the TV - and we will tell you how to do it correctly so as not to damage the equipment and get high-quality sound.

In this article you will find step-by-step connection diagrams for different types of connectors (HDMI ARC, optical, RCA, 3.5 mm), subwoofer solutions (active and passive), as well as ways to bypass restrictions modern TVs, which often block analog audio output. We will figure out what adapters are needed for Samsung QLED, LG OLED or budget models Xiaomi, and what to do if the sound comes only to 2 speakers from 5.1.

We warn you right away: not all “TV + speakers” combinations will work perfectly. For example, a passive subwoofer without an amplifier cannot be connected directly to a TV - you will need an additional external amplifier or an active subwoofer with its own power supply. But in 80% of cases the problem can be solved with minimal cost. Let's start with preparation.

1. Which speakers and subwoofer can be connected directly to the TV?

Not all home theater speakers are compatible with direct connection. Here are the key criteria:

• 🔊 Active speakers (with built-in amplifier): connect directly to any TV audio output. Examples: systems Logitech Z906, Creative GigaWorks T40.
• 🔌 Passive speakers (no amplifier): Requires an external amplifier or AV receiver. Exception: models with support Powered Subwoofer Output (For example, JBL Cinema SB350).
• 🎚️ Subwoofers:
  • 🔋 Active (with power supply): connect to the subout (Sub Out) or via RCA.
  • ⚡ Passive: needs an amplifier (for example, Behringer A500).
• 📺 TV compatibility: modern models (Samsung QN90C, LG C3) often lack analog audio output. Will need digital to analog converter (DAC) or HDMI splitter.

If your system 5.1 or 7.1 was part of a kit with an AV receiver (for example, Yamaha RX-V485 or Denon AVR-X2700H), then without it you can only use:

• 🔈 Front speakers (left and right) via stereo output.
• 🎵 Subwoofer (if it is active and there is a connector Sub Out on TV).
• 🔊 Center and rear speakers - only through an additional amplifier.

⚠️ Attention: Connecting passive speakers directly to the TV audio output (for example, via 3.5 mm) without an amplifier will result in quiet, distorted sound and may damage the speakers!

2. Connectors on the TV: which one to choose for connection

The type of audio outputs available on your TV will determine which adapters or adapters you'll need. Let's look at each option:

📌 HDMI ARC/eARC

The most modern and high-quality way to transmit sound. Supports multi-channel audio (5.1, 7.1) and formats Dolby Atmos, DTS:X. But there are nuances:

• 🔄 Requires support ARC (Audio Return Channel) or eARC (improved version) on TV and speakers.
• 🔌 Suitable for soundbars (Samsung HW-Q990C) or AV receivers, but not for individual speakers.
• ⚡ Settings: in the TV menu, turn on HDMI Control and select ARC in the sound settings.

📌 Optical output (TOSLINK)

Transmits a lossless digital signal, but is limited by formats Dolby Digital And DTS (no support Atmos or DTS:X via optics). Ideal for:

• 🎧 Sound panels with optical input.
• 🔊 Active speakers with DAC (for example, Audioengine A5+ Wireless).
• 🎵 Subwoofers with an optical input (rare, but found in SVS or Rel).

📌 RCA (tulips) or 3.5 mm (mini-jack)

Analog outputs are the most versatile, but outdated option. Problems:

• ⚠️ Sound quality is worse than digital outputs (noise, interference).
• 🔇 Many new TV (Samsung QLED 2022+, LG OLED C2) do not have a 3.5 mm output.
• 🎛️ To connect 5.1 you will need amplifier with multi-channel input.

📌 Bluetooth

Wireless option for powered speakers or subwoofers with support Bluetooth (For example, JBL Bar 5.1). Cons:

• 📶 Audio delay (lip-sync) up to 100–200 ms.
• 🔋 Limited range (up to 10 meters).
• 🎵 No support for multi-channel audio (stereo only).

If your TV does not have the required connector, use adapters:

• 🔌 HDMI → Optical: For TV without optical output (for example, Orei HDA-935).
• 🎧 Bluetooth transmitter: for TV without Bluetooth (connects to 3.5 mm or optical).
• 🔊 DAC (DAC): To convert optical signal to RCA/3.5mm (such as FiiO D3).

3. Step-by-step instructions: connecting active speakers

If your speakers have a built-in amplifier (for example, Logitech Z623 or Edifier R2000DB), follow this diagram:

🔌 Connection via 3.5 mm or RCA

1. Find the connector on the TV Audio Out (3.5 mm) or RCA Out (white/red tulips).
2. Connect the TV to the speakers with a cable:
   • 🔹 For 3.5 mm: cable 3.5 mm → 3.5 mm or 3.5 mm → RCA.
   • 🔹 For RCA: cable RCA-RCA (if the speakers have a line input).

Настройки → Звук → Выход звука → Внешние динамики (или Audio Out)

📶 Connect via Bluetooth

If your speakers support Bluetooth (for example, Bose Companion 50):

1. Turn on the pairing mode on the speakers (usually the button Pair or Bluetooth).
2. On TV go to:

   Настройки → Подключения → Bluetooth

3. Select speakers from the list of devices.
4. In the TV sound settings, set Sound output → Bluetooth.

🔄 Connection via HDMI ARC

Relevant for sound panels (for example, Sony HT-G700):

1. Connect the TV and soundbar with a cable HDMI (ports must be marked ARC).
2. Turn on HDMI Control And ARC in TV settings:

   Настройки → Звук → Дополнительно → HDMI ARC Mode → Вкл.

3. On the soundbar, select a source HDMI ARC.

⚠️ Attention: If after connecting the sound comes only to one speaker, check the balance in the TV settings (Settings → Sound → Balance) or reconnect the cable - the contact may have come loose.

4. Connect the subwoofer: active vs passive

The subwoofer is a key element for bass, but its connection depends on the type:

🔋 Active subwoofer (with amplifier)

Has its own power supply and can connect directly to the TV if there is a connector Sub Out or LFE.

• 🔌 Via RCA (Sub Out):
  1. Find the connector on the TV Subwoofer Out (sometimes signed as LFE).
  2. Connect it to the input Line In on the subwoofer with cable RCA-RCA.
  3. In TV settings, select Sound output → Subwoofer.

⚡ Passive subwoofer (no amplifier)

Requires external amplifier or AV receiver. Connection options:

• 🎛️ Via amplifier:
  1. Connect the TV to an amplifier (eg Behringer A500) through RCA or Optical.
  2. Connect the amplifier to the subwoofer using a speaker cable (banana or alligator clip).
  3. Adjust the cutoff frequency (Crossover) on the amplifier in the range 80–120 Hz.

If your TV doesn't have Sub Out, but there is Audio Out (RCA), use Y-splitter:

• 🔹 Connect one end to the TV.
• 🔹 Connect the other forked end to the speakers (left/right channel) and the subwoofer (via an amplifier).

5. We solve problems: no sound, delays, distortion

Even if the connection is correct, problems may arise. Let's look at the most common ones:

🔇 No sound at all

Check:

• 🔌 Cables: reconnect them, try a different cable.
• 📻 Sound Source: External output must be selected in the TV settings (Audio Out, HDMI ARC or Optical).
• 🔊 Volume: on speakers/subwoofer and TV should be > 0.
• 🔄 Sound Format: if you use optics, in the TV settings select PCM instead of Dolby Digital (not all columns support compressed formats).

🎵 The sound comes only to 2 speakers out of 5.1

This is normal if you connected your speakers via a stereo output (3.5mm or RCA). Solutions:

• 🔹 Use HDMI ARC or Optical + amplifier 5.1.
• 🔹 Buy soundbar with support for virtual surround sound (for example, Samsung HW-S800B).
• 🔹 Set up sound output on TV as Stereo, not Surround (otherwise the rear channels will be silent).

⏱️ Audio delay (lip-sync)

Relevant for Bluetooth or cheap sound panels. How to fix:

• 📶 Bluetooth: use codec aptX Low Latency (if supported) or switch to a wired connection.
• 🔌 HDMI ARC: turn it on in TV settings Sync Sound or AV Sync Adjustment.
• 🎛️ Optical: The delay is usually minimal, but if there is, check your sound processor settings.

🔊 Noise, crackling or distortion

Most often caused by:

• 🔌 Bad cable: replace with a shielded one (for example, Supra Patch).
• 📶 Interference: Move cables away from power sources or Wi-Fi router.
• 🔋 Lack of power: if the speakers are passive, check if the amplifier has enough power.
• 🎛️ Incorrect settings: turn off audio processing in TV (Sound Mode → Standard).

⚠️ Attention: If the sound is interrupted or lost when connecting via HDMI ARC, update the firmware of your TV and soundbar. In 2023 Samsung And LG released patches to fix bugs with ARC in models QN90B And C2.

6. Alternative methods: if there is no audio output on the TV

Modern TVs (especially budget models Xiaomi, TCL or Hisense) often lack even a 3.5 mm output. Here are the workarounds:

🔌 We use an HDMI splitter with audio output

Devices like Orei HDA-935 allow:

• 🔹 Divide the HDMI signal into video (for TV) and audio (for speakers).
• 🔹 Output sound via Optical or RCA.

Connection diagram:

Источник (приставка/ТВ) → HDMI-сплиттер → HDMI к ТВ + Optical/RCA к колонкам

📶 Bluetooth transmitter

Suitable for TV without Bluetooth. Device examples:

• 🔹 1Mii B06 Pro (connects to Optical or RCA, supports aptX LL).
• 🔹 Avantek APTX (low latency, up to 2 devices simultaneously).

💻 Connect via set-top box or media player

If you have:

• 🎮 Xbox/PlayStation: Output sound through Optical to the speakers.
• 📺 Apple TV/Nvidia Shield: Use them as an intermediary to transmit audio via HDMI or Bluetooth.
• 🖥️ Android TV box: Connect speakers to its audio output.

🔧 TV modification (for advanced)

If you're willing to take the risk, you can:

• 🔹 Add audio output: some TV on Android TV (For example, Sony X90J) allow you to output sound through USB-C using an OTG adapter.
• 🔹 Use Line Out from motherboard: Requires TV disassembly and soldering (not recommended without experience!).

7. Optimal sound settings on your TV

Even after connecting speakers, the sound may not be ideal. Optimize settings:

🎛️ Basic settings

• 🔹 Sound Mode: select Standard or Movie (disable Dynamic or Music - they add unnecessary processing).
• 🔹 Balance: install 0 for left/right channel.
• 🔹 Equalizer: reduce high frequencies (Treble) by 2–3 divisions if the sound is too harsh.

🔊 Subwoofer settings

• 🔹 Cutoff frequency (Crossover): 80–100 Hz for music, 100–120 Hz for movies.
• 🔹 Phase (Phase): if the bass seems washed out, change the phase to 180°.
• 🔹 Volume level: the subwoofer should be 2-3 notches quieter than the front speakers.

📶 Settings for Bluetooth

• 🔹 Codec: select aptX or AAC for better quality.
• 🔹 Delay: manually adjust the synchronization in the TV settings (AV Sync).
• 🔹 Multithreading: if the speakers support Dual Audio, connect them and the subwoofer at the same time.

To test the sound use:

• 🎵 Test tracks: download files with clean frequencies (20 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz) to adjust the equalizer.
• 🎬 Movies with surround sound: scenes from "Gravity" (Dolby Atmos) or "The Matrix" (DTS) will help you evaluate the surround effect.
💡

If your TV supports Dolby Atmos, but there is no speaker, disable this format in the sound settings. Otherwise, the sound will be distorted or lost.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

❓ Is it possible to connect passive speakers from a cinema Sony HT-RT3 directly to TV?
No, passive speakers require an amplifier. In your case you can:
1. Buy a separate amplifier (for example, Yamaha RX-V385) and connect speakers and TV to it.
2. Use the included active subwoofer (if available) and connect it to the TV via Sub Out, and leave the front speakers unused.
❓ Why is there a delay in sound after connecting via HDMI ARC?
The problem is typical for budget soundbars or older TVs. Solutions:
• Update your TV and soundbar firmware.
• In TV settings, enable Game Mode - This reduces the latency of audio processing.
• Try connecting via Optical instead of HDMI ARC.
• If the delay is only in certain applications (for example, Netflix), check the sound settings in the application itself.
❓ How to connect a subwoofer JBL Sub 550P to the TV LG C2, if there is no Sub Out connector?

U LG C2 no