It is very convenient to listen to music or watch a movie on a personal PC. The absence of annoying advertisements and the ability to stop the viewing of the film at any time is a significant advantage over television viewing. Yes and availability special programs allows you to communicate with friends and family at any time of the day. But in order to be able to transmit sound, the computer must be equipped with speakers. For non-technical users, it is sometimes very difficult to connect audio equipment. In this article, we will look at how to connect speakers to a computer without an amplifier.
The presence of two RCA inputs, the so-called tulips, at the speakers, allows you to connect using a Mini jack audio cable (3.5 mm jack) to 2 RCA. Mini jacks must be connected to a sound card with a green output when using them as front speakers or as a stereo pair. Or you can use a 2 RCA-2 RCA audio cable and a mini jack adapter that operates on 2 RCA inputs.
Each speaker has 2 terminals. In this case, you can fully use the cable from any headphones with mini Jack 3.5 mm. For this:
- Carefully cut off the speakers and carefully strip the wire.
- After that, connect the stripped ends to the terminals, and the mini Jack to the sound card.
Important! If you want to find a use for a decent music center, it is best to purchase an inexpensive stereo amplifier that will justify your investment.
With this method of connecting the speakers to a computer, you will not be able to achieve a high-quality sound effect due to the low power rating - the output will be only a few watts. But this option is quite justified, since in any case, for the passive speaker to function, an amplifier must be connected. Otherwise, the speakers would simply gather dust on the shelves or, as unnecessary, they would have to be thrown into the trash bin.
How to connect active 5.1 speakers to a computer?
Before you start connecting speakers to your computer, you need to carefully study the capabilities of your audio card. To do this, you need to figure out how many inputs your PC sound card has. Once you know the number of “jacks” from your computer, you can connect. When connecting 5.1 speakers, you will have to use several jacks.
How to connect old active speakers to a computer without an amplifier:
- We choose a green cable from the speakers, which is a signal one.
- We connect it to the audio output connector, which is located on the back of the system unit and has exactly the same green tint.
- We turn on the computer.
- We turn on the speakers to the network and check the sound.
Important! If there are no sound levers in the speakers, then on the control panel you should find the subsection that is responsible for audio devices and sounds.
- After that, turn on the "sound".
- Already in the panel we adjust the volume.
How to connect active 5.1 speakers to an old computer?
If your PC is an old modification and a little outdated, then the connection process is slightly different from the previous method. To connect active 5.1 speakers, you need to perform the following actions:
- We connect the cables to the connectors. To do this, the volume control module must be guided by colors.
- We connect the power supply, subwoofer, speakers, while paying attention to the polarity of the connectors.
- We connect cables of the appropriate color to the connectors of the computer.
- Connect the front speaker cable to the green output.
- Connect the rear speaker cables to the blue connector.
- Connect the subwoofer cable to the pink input.
- If necessary, connect a microphone to the pink connector.
- We set up the computer by choosing the six-channel mode.
How do I connect a speaker system to my computer?
In principle, connecting ordinary speakers to a computer is not difficult, but connecting a speaker system can cause many difficulties for many users. V a similar situation there are several methods for solving this problem.
How to connect speakers to a computer without an amplifier? - First you need to determine the number of outputs or sockets that the sound card has in your computer.
7.1 System For modern built-in sound cards, there is a possibility of using 7.1 acoustics, which are marked on the motherboard with colored sockets.
Each color has its own purpose:
- green output related to front or so-called front speakers;
- orange plug supports center channel and subwoofer;
- black jack - for rear or rear speakers;
- the gray output is directed to the side speakers, or they are also called surround speakers;
- the blue tint jack is used for line input, which can be used, for example, for a player, electric acoustic guitar;
- the pink output is for microphone operation.
System 5.1
To connect 5.1 speakers of the speaker system, you will have to use several jacks that have the corresponding shades - green, orange and black. Here's how to connect passive speakers and a 5.1 subwoofer from an acoustic center to your computer:
- On the back of the system unit, we connect the cable with a green plug to the audio output connector, which is also green.
- Focusing on the colors, we connect the rest of the cables to the corresponding connectors on the control module sound card.
Important! In the process of connecting the cable to the sound card, the program displays which type of speaker corresponds to a particular socket. As a result, all three of the aforementioned connectors must be used.
- We connect the subwoofer and speakers with an RCA-RCA cable, while one end of the cable is connected to the subwoofer, since most often there is an amplifier in it. We connect the other end to the corresponding speaker.
Important! To make sure you're not mistaken, each RCA output on the subwoofer is labeled based on the speaker type.
- We set up the computer, while choosing the six-channel mode and use the sound card driver application, the Windows sound control panel.
Important! If you have a 7.1 speaker system, you will have to additionally use the gray connector on the motherboard to use the side speakers.
- As a last resort, you can use the instructions for the motherboard, especially when you have to connect the headphone and microphone jacks on the front panel of the system unit of a computer device.
Connecting speakers to a computer via S / PDIF (digital output)
When you connect 5.1 speakers via SPDIF, you will need to prepare an SPDIF cable. For this purpose, you can use both optical and coaxial cable:
For coaxial - SPDIF inputs and outputs are made on RCA connectors. The digital signal is transmitted over a conventional cable with appropriate connectors. A device that receives interference pulses filters them out, but there is still a chance of losing some of the data.
Optical SPDIF adopts optical cable for data transmission. Inputs and outputs are made on Toslink type connectors, which are closed with plugs. Their presence helps to very quickly determine the type of interface. In addition, Creative sound cards also use an optical interface using a mini Toslink cable. The optical cable does not respond to magnetic fields since the data is transmitted in the form of pulses of light. Therefore, there is an opinion that the optical interface for digital data transmission has much better protection against external influence than the coaxial. Satellite Receivers it is the optical type of the SPDIF interface that is used.
Important! When choosing the type of connection, it is necessary to take into account the type of interface for connection external sources signal on the amplifier housing of the used speaker system. To do this, you need to use the cable to the digital output on the motherboard and connect it to the desired digital input connector on the speaker system. In the interface of the audio card, you should change the output port, while changing analog signal on digital. Unless, of course, the driver has the ability to determine the connection to the digital output himself.
How to connect speakers for games?
How to connect passive speakers to a computer without an amplifier? Games are able to output sound directly, without using various compression. Therefore, from playing on S / PDIF, there is still no way to create a larger stereo sound.
To fix this problem, you need to purchase a sound card capable of supporting Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect. These technologies have the ability to instantly encode multi-channel 5.1 or 7.1 game audio into a Dolby Digital or DTS digital signal and transmit directly via S / PDIF. In the practical operation of one of the described technologies, the entire sound played at the analog outputs is re-encoded and sent to digital S / PDIF.
Consider how to get 5.1 sound from any source, for this:
- In the sound card settings, select one of the presented 5.1 audio encoding technologies: Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect.
- In the settings panel Windows Sound we select the analog outputs of the sound card as the main device.
User misconceptions
Not owning the necessary information, some users have misconceptions that can significantly complicate the process of using the speakers. Let's consider the most common:
At the end of the game, it is necessary to switch to the initial state for correct work... If one of the on-the-fly encoding technologies is always on, then you will not be able to view and listen to files with multichannel sound. Since they are encoded, they need to be output directly to S / PDIF anyway.
Important! In fact, you shouldn't switch anything. When watching a movie in stereo, it unfolds to 5.1. When you watch a video with a DTS or Dolby track, then there is a perfect decomposition of the sound into channels. This situation can be seen very well even on a player that has the ability to switch audio tracks, for example, The KMPlayer.
The process of on-the-fly encoding of a stereo signal from an mp3 file using DTS Connect or Dolby Digital Live is several times inferior to the hardware decomposition of such sound on a receiver or on speakers.
Important! This is not true. When connected to the receiver acoustics of the same quality, no significant difference is observed. The main thing is to adhere to the following condition, under which you would not forget to turn off the options in the THX Studio Pro settings or in a similar “equalizer” of the sound card. Otherwise, various effects are created, for example, the voice may stand out on the general background picture sound. In addition, the sound card plays an important role. Creative Titanium HD does a great job with this.
How do I connect powered speakers to my TV?
How to connect speakers without an amplifier not only to a computer, but also to a TV? There is nothing difficult about connecting speakers to your TV. To do this, use two RCA-RCA cables or tulip-tulip. First you need to determine if there are RCA inputs on the back of your speakers. The presence of RCA inputs allows one end of the cable to be connected to the L and R outputs, and the other to the speakers.
Important! If the speakers have only one cable with a mini Jack at the end, then the connection is made to the headphone jack on the TV.
In the case of connecting a music center, an RCA-RCA cable is also used, which is connected to the L and R outputs of the television device. After that, the AUX mode is set on the music center, the RCA cable is connected to the AUX input located on the back of the music device.
Important! If your TV has a sound output that looks like a mini Jack socket, which is usually black, you will have to use a mini Jack-2 RCA adapter cable.
Video
In this article, we have covered all possible options speaker connections. We hope that now you have no questions left about this, and for any purpose you can get high-quality sound.
Any modern user of a stationary PC or laptop, of course, uses his device not only to work with some documents or software, but also for entertainment (listening to music, watching videos, playing games, etc.). Naturally, on the same stationary terminal, the built-in system speaker for sound reproduction is not suitable.
An external speaker system must be connected to any computer device to obtain high-quality sound. But how do you connect speakers to a Windows computer on board? This question may seem quite simple to many, they say, what's so difficult? Plugged the plugs into the jacks - and that's it. In fact, there can be a lot of connection problems. It is not enough to add acoustics. It is necessary that it also sounded! How to do this will be discussed further.
The main types of speakers, sound cards and how to connect them
To begin with, let's briefly dwell on the main and sound cards, since it is from this that the type of connection or speaker setting can depend to a very high degree. Typically, for PCs and laptops, either passive or active speakers are used.
The first type is the most primitive. It needs to be powered separately. But when connecting such systems, at best, you will only get stereo sound. Active systems with a separate power supply, in addition to the main speakers, can also include a subwoofer (a special speaker for playing low frequencies). It is she who is powered. In addition, on some models you can find microphone jacks, which saves the user from using the built-in microphone on a laptop or directly connecting the device to a sound card.
V recent times especially popular have become wireless for connection of which special radio modules Bluetooth are used.
Among sound cards (devices for outputting sound to speakers), you can find three main types: integrated, installed on the motherboard and external (most often connected via USB).
Note: it is not necessary to connect the acoustics directly to the signal source (sound card). You can also use intermediate devices such as amplifiers, DVD players, stereo systems, etc.
How to connect speakers to a computer: a standard diagram
Now let's move on directly to connecting the acoustics to computer system... How to connect speakers to a computer according to the standard scheme? Elementary!
You just need to insert the plugs into the corresponding jacks on the soundcard. It is almost impossible to make a mistake with the connection, since the inputs and outputs on the sound card, as well as the speaker plugs, are colored in the corresponding colors.
Connecting speakers to laptops
In laptops, due to the fact that most models are equipped exclusively with integrated sound cards, direct speaker connection can be made through the headphone output.
However, in this case, special attention should be paid to the correspondence of the output impedances on the laptop and the speakers themselves. If they do not fit together, you will get either too weak a sound when the speakers will not "swing", or too high volume with locking.
However, if we talk about how to connect speakers to a computer in the form of a laptop, optimal options can be considered the use of external sound cards with a standard connection scheme or wireless systems... But in this case, the laptop must have a Bluetooth module with correctly installed drivers for it (their absence or obsolescence often leads to the fact that the sound disappears). How to connect a bluetooth speaker to a computer or laptop? Here, too, everything is simple.
On both devices, it is first enabled through the menu of the icon displayed in the system tray, a search is performed wireless speaker and then the found device is simply selected. Module range wireless may be limited, so do not place the speakers too far from the computer terminal.
Using an external microphone when connected to active speakers
Now let's see how to connect a microphone to the computer speakers. This can be done directly only if the columns themselves have such an entrance. Otherwise, you will have to include the microphone either in the soundcard or in USB port, or through an intermediate device. But we assume that there is an input and a microphone is connected. Immediately set its volume to about half of the maximum, since if the input signal level is too high, interference may occur (whistling or extraneous noise will appear in the speakers). In addition, it is recommended to set half the volume even if you use karaoke or record voice.
There is no sound on the computer: how to connect the speakers so that it appears?
Now let's move on to the main problems. The acoustics seem to be attached. So why is there no sound? How to connect speakers to a computer, because everything was done correctly? First, pay attention to the overall volume level. If it is set to minimum or the volume is muted, turn it up at full volume.
If there is no sound when using some communication program like Skype or in the browser, check the settings of the application itself, and after calling the mixing console, make sure that it contains volume controls for the indicated programs, and then set the desired sound level. Finally, on laptops, try changing the volume by pressing special buttons on the keyboard pad or a keyboard shortcut.
If you are using audio editors, music studios or sequencers, make sure you have ASIO4ALL drivers or accompanying virtual devices installed, and at the same time check if they are selected as the main ones in the parameters of the applications themselves.
Basic settings and some important parameters
So, how to connect speakers to a computer seems to be clear. Now a few more words about the settings. Through the "Control Panel" or through the menu of the volume icon in the tray, call the settings section and go to the tab of playback devices. Make sure the sound card is active and the properties indicate that the device is turned on (in use).
Go to the levels tab and check the volume there. Just in case, turn off all surround modules (effects) and set the desired signal gain level. In principle, you can use listening to a test sound or perform a system test for the selected device. Finally, check the status of the soundcard drivers, and if necessary, reinstall or update them using either system tools or third-party software such as Driver Booster (you need an Internet connection).
And one more aspect related to how to connect speakers to a computer. Some virtual mixers like ASUS have the ability to switch between different types sound output. Set the desired connection type there (digital, analog, S / PDIF). If there is no sound in the video, pay special attention to the required codecs and decoders. If nothing helps at all, go to the BIOS settings and check if the soundcard is enabled in these options.
The use of full-fledged sound on a computer is simply necessary for most games or watching a movie, video clip. To fully enjoy the stereo effect, and if you have an appropriate audio system for all the effects, you need to correctly position and connect the speakers to your computer. Today offers on the market of audio systems for the computer are the widest. From a conventional stereo system with two small speakers to powerful 5.1 or 7.1 configurations. The choice of system is a matter of taste, free space and wallet, and we will consider connection issues below.
To achieve the best sound, the columns need to be placed correctly. For a typical configuration of three speakers, there is no difficulty, right, left and a subwoofer in the middle. It is more difficult already with the 5.1 system, here it is necessary strict compliance scheme. Below are a few pictures illustrating the required arrangement.
As you can see from the above diagrams, it is not an easy question to correctly place the columns, but half of the success depends on it. The second half is the connection and depends primarily on the installed drivers. Click on My computer, Control, Device Manager, Sound devices
and further Properties audio devices. By going to the bookmark Driver, see information about Driver supplier if specified Microsoft standard, then you need to reinstall it from the driver disk to the motherboard. The standard driver does not allow full use of the audio system. 
If everything is installed correctly, in Control panels there will be an icon for configuring audio. Examples are presented below. 
Driver vendors not only show the jacks and function, but also provide speaker layouts. Now you need to select the desired configuration from the drop-down list and the order of connection and location will be displayed in the window. Here, after connecting, it will be possible to conduct a test in which a signal is sent to the speaker and its image is highlighted in the picture. A handy function for finding connection errors in systems with a large number of speakers.
Cables are directly connected to the jacks located on the rear panel of the system unit. The colors of the slots correspond to the illustration in the driver window. 
Almost all modern motherboards have a digital audio jack - SPDIF or S / DIF. If your audio system supports such a connection, that is, it has a built-in decoder, use this option. The output uses an optical connection, this provides low level noise in the signal and eliminates interference at the output. Appearance The jack and connection cord are shown below. 
If the motherboard does not have an extended connection and there are only three slots on the rear panel, but you want to use a 5.1 or 7.1 system, you need to install a sound card. They come with their own software, description and instructions. The sound card makes it possible to build up the "gland of muscles", complementing the capabilities of the equipment. Examples of sound cards are shown below. 
In addition to good video quality, when watching, for example, a movie on a computer, audio characteristics, that is, sound, will be no less important, and therefore it is important to know how to connect speakers to a computer and configure them correctly. Let's talk about this.
Connect speakers to a computer: general points
- Connecting an audio system begins by identifying the capabilities motherboard Your computer, in other words, with counting the jacks (output and input) for the system. Their maximum number is six, the minimum can be three.
- Every audio system should include instructions to follow when connecting speakers, but what if they are old speakers? They must be connected to a computer according to general rules. Usually the signal cable from the speakers is colored green, the corresponding color (green) and the audio output on the panel of your system unit (usually on the rear panel). You just need to plug the cable into the desired connector, that is, the corresponding color (for example, for microphones, the pink color of the cable and output is usually recognized).
- Go to Control Panel in the Start Menu. Further, logically, look for Sound and audio devices (in the corresponding Sound column) or Sound Effects Manager (depending on which windows you have, but the essence is the same - sound settings).
- Adjust the sound in the settings, check the volume and other parameters.
Connect 5.1 speakers
- You can connect to a computer and a more advanced audio system - 5.1 or even 7.1. If there are only three outputs, then for the 7.1 system. you will have to use a sound card (sold separately).
- The essence of connecting 5.1 speakers is generally the same as when connecting a simple audio system. When connecting, you need to focus on colors.
- Observe the polarity of the connectors when connecting power, subwoofer, speakers. All connectors must be engaged.
- Columns of the 5.1 system have a strict definition of their location. There are front, rear and center speakers. This must be taken into account when connecting and distributing speakers around the room, it is the correct location that will provide high-quality surround sound. For example, the front speaker cable plugs into the green connector; the rear speakers are connected to the blue (or black) connector.
- The subwoofer connects to the pink jack where the microphone is usually connected. This is the inconvenience, if it becomes necessary to connect a microphone, you will have to disconnect the entire audio system.
- In the sound settings (in the Control Panel, as mentioned above), you need to select the six channel mode.
- In the settings, you can not only adjust the volume setting. The manager of sound effects (that's why they are effects) will allow you to select, for example, the desired timbre using the Equalizer; depending on the source (DVD, studio, CD), you can select the sound quality; pick up various Sound Effects depending on the situation.
- Sound settings can be opened when the speakers are connected. Some motherboards are configured so that when the cable is connected to the socket, a special window is displayed each time, where it is asked to confirm the connection of one or another channel (right, left, rear, etc.). In accordance with this scheme, you can confirm the connection or change the functions.
Many PCs are already equipped with speakers, but usually poor sound quality and volume forces users to purchase separate speakers or even speakers.
Below is a guide on how to independently and at the same time correctly connect this equipment to a computer running in the operating room. Windows system 7.
Variants
Currently on sale, in addition to ordinary computer speakers, there is also a huge variety acoustic systems... However, if in the first option there are rarely difficulties with connection, then in the second there are some nuances.
The main thing is, before purchasing the speakers, the user should definitely clarify specifications the audio card installed in the PC.
In addition to the standard pair of stereo speakers, the following options are very popular among computer owners:
- Normal connection of a pair of speakers;
- Connected to a PC via a USB connection;
- Via bluetooth;
- Acoustic system (5.1, 7.1).
Standard Option
An ordinary stationary PC or laptop is always equipped with a special green connector (regardless of the manufacturer of the computer and its components, the color is always the same, that is, it complies with the global standard), into which the plug from the speakers is inserted.
Thus, in the case of using a pair of speakers of the system 2.0 or even bundled with them with a subwoofer, then the wire from them should simply be connected to the green connector of the sound card.
The procedure consists of the following steps:
In most cases, the "Seven" immediately after connecting the speakers displays a message on the monitor about the found new equipment. The user is only required to take advantage of this automatic alert and configure the sound.
Sometimes Windows 7 does not see the column and does not display the above menu on the screen. In this case, you must independently perform the following several steps:
Connecting speakers to a PC via USB
Before connecting, be sure to install drivers for sound-reproducing equipment.
If the set with the device contains a disc with software, then install its optical drive, install the software.
Otherwise, in the absence of a disk, you will first have to find suitable drivers in global network and after downloading them, install.
Then restart the computer, and only after that it will be possible, by connecting the device to one of the USB ports, to start adjusting the sound.
If the software was installed correctly, then the OS in automatic mode recognizes the new hardware and it is ready for use.
Via bluetooth
If your computer has a bluetooth adapter, you can also choose the convenient "wireless" option. To do this, you only need to follow a few steps:
- Click on the button to turn on the speakers. Usually, a lighted light on the speaker case indicates a successful start;
- Next, activate the bluetooth adapter in the computer and wait for the completion of the search process for bluetooth equipment;
- Then, in the list of devices, click on the name of the columns and click "connect";
- Ready. If everything is done correctly, then a light bulb usually starts blinking on the speakers or it changes its color.
Of course, owners of more advanced speaker systems with multiple speakers, for example, 5.1 or 7.1, will have a little more difficulty. At the same time, just one standard line-in to the PC is no longer enough.
Speaking in simple words, if you plan to use 5.1 equipment, then in addition to the green connector, there should be two more: orange and black. And if you have "7.1" you will have to purchase an external audio card.
But the connection algorithm will be almost the same, the main thing is, after completing the wired connection of the speakers to each other and to the PC sound card, do not forget to supply power to the speakers through the outlet and turn them on by pressing a special button.
