A subwoofer is a great way to improve the sound quality of your TV. It can add extra bass and a deeper feel to your audio, giving you more of an immersive experience.
Most modern TVs have a standard set of audio “out” ports (meaning the sound is coming from your TV, out to a speaker, and into the room), right alongside the HDMI and video ports on the back or side. These audio connections are usually easy to hook up, and can be a great way to upgrade your TV’s audio quality.
There are a few different ways to connect your subwoofer, depending on the type of sound you want and how much space you have around your TV. You can use a wired connection, or you can use a wireless device. The latter can be more convenient, but it will take a little extra work to set up.
One of the easiest ways to connect your subwoofer is to plug it into the RCA output port on the back of your TV, which will send stereo sound. This is not the best choice if you are looking for surround sound, as it only offers two channels of audio.
If you need a more sophisticated way to connect your TV and subwoofer, check for an HDMI ARC-labeled input on the back of your television. This is usually found on the HDMI 5 or HDMI 6 ports, and it’s a convenient option to have if you have a soundbar/subwoofer pair.
RCA cables are another common way to connect your TV and speaker system, and it’s the easiest way to do so with a basic set of speakers. These cable systems carry 2 channels of stereo audio, so they’re great for basic sound and 2.1-speaker setups, but aren’t a good choice for surround sound.
You can find an RCA cable at any home improvement store or electronics supply shop. They’re usually a pair of red and white cables that go from the TV’s audio output ports to an input on a speaker or subwoofer unit.
In most cases, you will also need a digital coax converter. This is usually a small device that looks like a jack that you plug the audio cable into. It’s usually made of metal and can be used to convert digital coax to HDMI for more versatile connections.
If your subwoofer uses a RCA-based signal, you should connect the converter to the subwoofer’s RCA output. This can be a simple process, but it’s always best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific model.
Some models may also feature a built-in amplifier, so you don’t need to buy an additional receiver. This type of setup is best for people who are trying to save money, but it can also reduce the sound quality of your subwoofer.
A Powered Subwoofer
Most subwoofers come equipped with both speaker level and RCA jacks. These jacks can be connected to a receiver’s stereo outputs, but some models are designed with a mono (monaural) output that combines both left and right signals for a more powerful and accurate sound.