Using computer speakers with my tv

jcaiello · 08-30-2008, 04:24 PM

Hi, a few years ago I purchased a very nice computer speaker system. I more recently purchased a big screen tv. I want surround sound but I would rather use the system I have now instead of buying a whole new system.

This is the speaker system I have: http://www.klipsch.com/products/disc...ultra-5-1.aspx ( uses 3 miniplugs green,orange and black)

This is the tv I own: Samsung HL-S5687W

Any help is greatly appreciated.

yustr · 08-30-2008, 08:00 PM

The two are not made for each other. The speakers are made to take the output from a typical PC sound card - hence the three mini-plugs. Your only option is to buy a stereo RCA to mini-headphone cable LIKE THIS and use the AV Out - Audio R/L on the TV to the front head phone input on the speaker control unit. It won't be surround so dialog may be muddy as this is normally sent only to the center speaker not all five.

jcaiello · 08-30-2008, 08:20 PM

Alright, I was actually just thinking, could I just buy a 5.1 receiver and plug the speakers into there?

yustr · 08-30-2008, 09:05 PM

The receiver should power the 5 speakers just fine. For the sub to work you'll probably need a single (mono) RCA to mini jack cable - unless there's a regular RCA input on the sub. The problem is the plug on the sub is looking for the base signal at a particular point on the jack - the other point being the signal for the center. (The black rings on the mini jacks separate the different signals.) Idea: just buy a stereo plug like I linked before, that way one of the two sections of the jack will be correct.

So you'd hook up the speakers to the appropriate terminals on the receiver. Then run the RCA-to-mini cable from the "Sub Out" plug on the receiver to the orange center/sub on the sub. It should work. If the sub doesn't work switch to the other plug.

BTW: welcome to TSF. We're glad you found us.

jcaiello · 08-30-2008, 09:15 PM

Thank you very much, you've been a great help

08-30-2008, 04:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
jcaiello Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Using computer speakers with my tv Hi, a few years ago I purchased a very nice computer speaker system. I more recently purchased a big screen tv. I want surround sound but I would rather use the system I have now instead of buying a whole new system. This is the speaker system I have: http://www.klipsch.com/products/disc...ultra-5-1.aspx ( uses 3 miniplugs green,orange and black) This is the tv I own: Samsung HL-S5687W Any help is greatly appreciated.

08-30-2008, 08:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
yustr Asst. Manager, The Conversation Pit Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Connecticut shore Posts: 6,037 OS: XP Pro My System	Re: Using computer speakers with my tv The two are not made for each other. The speakers are made to take the output from a typical PC sound card - hence the three mini-plugs. Your only option is to buy a stereo RCA to mini-headphone cable LIKE THIS and use the AV Out - Audio R/L on the TV to the front head phone input on the speaker control unit. It won't be surround so dialog may be muddy as this is normally sent only to the center speaker not all five. __________________ If there are lawyers or politicians involved, logic may be a very poor tool for reaching a conclusion.

08-30-2008, 08:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
jcaiello Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Re: Using computer speakers with my tv Alright, I was actually just thinking, could I just buy a 5.1 receiver and plug the speakers into there?

08-30-2008, 09:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
yustr Asst. Manager, The Conversation Pit Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Connecticut shore Posts: 6,037 OS: XP Pro My System	Re: Using computer speakers with my tv The receiver should power the 5 speakers just fine. For the sub to work you'll probably need a single (mono) RCA to mini jack cable - unless there's a regular RCA input on the sub. The problem is the plug on the sub is looking for the base signal at a particular point on the jack - the other point being the signal for the center. (The black rings on the mini jacks separate the different signals.) Idea: just buy a stereo plug like I linked before, that way one of the two sections of the jack will be correct. So you'd hook up the speakers to the appropriate terminals on the receiver. Then run the RCA-to-mini cable from the "Sub Out" plug on the receiver to the orange center/sub on the sub. It should work. If the sub doesn't work switch to the other plug. BTW: welcome to TSF. We're glad you found us. __________________ If there are lawyers or politicians involved, logic may be a very poor tool for reaching a conclusion.

08-30-2008, 09:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
jcaiello Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Re: Using computer speakers with my tv Thank you very much, you've been a great help