This wikiHow teaches you how to connect a surround sound system to a TV.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Setting Up Equipment
Step 1. Check the available speakers
The way the speakers are set will depend on the number of speakers available. The types of settings that are often used include: 2.1, 5.1, and 7.1. The number on the front indicates the number of speakers, and the "1" behind the dot is the subwoofer.
- 2.1 is 2 front speakers and 1 subwoofer.
- 5.1 is 2 front speakers, 1 center speaker, 2 surround speakers and 1 subwoofer.
- 7.1 is 2 speakers front, 1 center, 2 surround, 2 rear and 1 subwoofer.
Step 2. Find out the audio type of the TV
On the side or back of the TV, there is an "Audio Out" (or something similar) section that has at least one of the following types of audio output:
- optics - The port (port) is hexagonal (hexagon). Optical audio is the newest and clearest type of audio. Most modern receivers support this type of output.
- HDMI - The slot is in the shape of a small hexagon. HDMI supports both video and audio, and almost all modern receivers support it.
- AV - The port is round in red and white. This is used for basic audio. AV input is supported by all receivers.
Step 3. Make sure you have an audio receiver
Unlike regular self-powered loudspeakers, most speakers in surround systems cannot project their own sound. The receiver will pick up sound from the television, then send it to loudspeakers that are connected via a cable.
- Most surround sound kits include a receiver. If you are buying a used surround sound device, you may have to buy your own receiver.
- All speakers must be connected to the receiver via an AV cable, but you can connect the receiver to a TV using an optical, AV or HDMI cable. Make sure the audio input on the receiver matches the audio output on the TV.
Step 4. Make sure you have all the cables you need
You'll need a speaker cable to connect all existing speakers, an AV cable (red and white) to connect the speakers to the receiver, and an optical, AV, or HDMI cable to connect the receiver to the TV's audio port.
If you don't have the right cable, you can buy one online or at an electronics store. Online stores usually sell cables at a lower price
Step 5. Read the surround device manual
Each surround system has slightly different instructions for setting up the device that will produce the best setup. While you can follow general instructions for getting good sound from a speaker, the best method for optimizing the device for the perfect sound is to read the manual first.
Step 6. Turn off the TV and unplug the power cord from the wall outlet
If the TV has been turned off and unplugged from the power source, you can continue the process by placing and connecting the speakers.
Part 2 of 3: Placing the Speakers
Step 1. Set up the speakers and their cables before you connect anything
This step is called "blocking", and is useful for optimizing speaker placement without having to stretch cables, move furniture, and other things.
Step 2. Place the subwoofer near the center of the home theater
The sound of the subwoofer is omnidirectional, which can give the same result even though it is placed in different locations. Many people like to place it on the front for easy connection to the receiver.
Even though it is omnidirectional, do not place the subwoofer in a corner or against a wall as it can amplify the bass, which makes it difficult to control
Step 3. Place the front speakers on both sides of the TV
If the speakers are marked " left " and " right ", place the speakers according to the label and the instructions in the manual.
The front speakers must be located an equal distance from both sides of the TV (eg 1 meter from the side of the television)
Step 4. Tilt the front speakers so they are facing the audience
Each speaker should be tilted slightly so that it faces directly into the center of the seating area.
- You should be able to "draw" a symmetrical triangle between the 2 speakers and the center of the seat.
- When the front speakers are raised to level with the ears, the sound quality is dramatically improved.
- If you are setting up a 2.1 surround system, you can now move on to the next section.
Step 5. Place the center channel speaker on top or bottom of the TV
The center channel will bridge the gap between the right and left speakers. This is especially useful when the sound moves from left to right, and keeps the dialogue sound in sync with the mouth movements displayed on the TV screen.
- Tilt the center channel up or down so it faces the viewer.
- Do not place the center channel behind the television because the sound will not be heard.
Step 6. Place the surround channel speakers on the side of the audience area
Two surround speakers must be positioned on either side of the audience area, facing the audience directly. You can place it slightly behind the audience area if you're not using the 7.1 system, as long as it's still aimed directly at the audience.
Surround speakers are what produce the rotating sound effect that the audience feels. These loudspeakers don't transmit as loudly as the front speakers, but they can enhance the effect of the action on the television by producing sound that surrounds the audience
Step 7. Raise the surround channel speakers
Surround speakers should be placed about half a meter above the ear and slightly tilted down so that they are pointed at the audience.
If you set up your device with a 5.1 system, the speaker placement task is complete and you can move on to the next step
Step 8. Place the rear channel speakers behind the audience area
Try to place the 2 rear channel speakers as close to each other as possible to produce a sound bubble effect around the audience.
The rear channel speakers must be the same height as the surround speakers
Part 3 of 3: Connecting Speakers
Step 1. Place the receiver near the TV
The receiver must be placed near the TV and a power outlet so that you can easily connect it.
The receiver also needs a lot of space because it generates heat. So, don't put it in the sideboard
Step 2. Find out how to connect speakers
Most surround sound devices provide a port for each speaker so you can simply plug the appropriate connector into the port.
Some older devices have clips that bare speaker wires can be inserted. To do this, you'll need to peel off the end of the cable using cable stripper pliers, then insert and clamp it on the back of the speaker
Step 3. Extend the cable from each speaker to the receiver
Try to hide the cable when you direct it to the desired location. This is to prevent people or pets from tripping over the wires and attracting the speakers too.
- If possible, place the cable under a rug or stick it to a wall.
- Do not forget to leave a little cable at each end so that the connection is not too tight.
Step 4. Connect the speakers to each other
Connect one end of the speaker cable to the back of the speaker, then connect the speaker to the other in sequence. Each speaker must be connected in a line in the room from one front speaker to the other front speaker.
- You must connect the front speakers to the receiver with an AV cable. Do not connect front speakers to each other using speaker cables.
- Do not perform this process on the subwoofer unless instructed in the manual. The subwoofer is usually plugged directly into the audio receiver.
Step 5. Connect the subwoofer
Most subwoofers are connected to the receiver using a standard AV cable.
- The subwoofer port on the receiver is usually labeled "sub out" or "sub pre-out".
- If there are multiple inputs on the subwoofer, plug the cable into the input that says "LFE in" or the far left input if it doesn't have a label on it.
Step 6. Plug the receiver into a power outlet
The receiver will slowly turn on once you do this, although you will have to wait a few minutes for the receiver to turn on fully if you are setting it up for the first time.
Step 7. Connect the HDMI device to the receiver
Some devices, such as game consoles, DVD players, and cable boxes use the TV's HDMI input as their audio output. So you have to plug this device into the receiver so the sound can be channeled to the surround system. You will need to connect the receiver to the appropriate HDMI input using another cable.
- Most receivers provide a set of “HDMI IN” and “HDMI OUT” ports (eg “IN 1”, “OUT 1”, etc.).
- For example, an HDMI device is plugged into "HDMI IN 1", its HDMI cable must be plugged into the "HDMI OUT 1" port on the receiver, and the "HDMI 1" port on the television itself.
- The same is true for older devices that use an AV cable or composite cable (a series of red, yellow, green, blue, and white wires).
Step 8. Connect the receiver to the television
For best results, use an HDMI connection to connect the television to the HDMI Out port on the receiver.
You can use an old connector (eg AV cable), but the sound quality is not that great. Most modern televisions already support HDMI
Step 9. Plug the power cord into a wall outlet and turn on the television
If everything is connected, you can turn on the television to test the results.
Step 10. Test surround sound
How to configure audio on each television will vary, but you can usually change the audio settings by pressing the button Menu on the remote control, select Audio, and look for the default output section.
- Most new surround sound systems provide an automatic setup process, which requires you to place a connected microphone in the center of the audience area and allow the speakers to read the surrounding sound level.
- If surround sound doesn't feel right, try adjusting the settings for the TV and devices connected to surround sound before you physically adjust the speaker settings.
