Modern computer technology, as you know, can perform not only user tasks, but also provides tremendous opportunities in the field of entertainment, and all thanks to the incredibly developed gaming and multimedia technologies.
One of the priorities for each user is listening to music and watching videos. But such processes are difficult to imagine without reproducing sound, which requires the presence in the system of soundcards and the corresponding speaker system designed to reproduce sound. On how to install the speakers on a computer, taking into account some nuances, we will discuss further. But first, let's focus on the choice of computer acoustics.
Types of speakers
Before choosing a speaker system for yourself that will connect directly to the computer, you should determine its type. If reproduction of high-quality sound or the use of specialized software for processing audio and video is not provided, you can purchase simple speakers of a passive or active type.
The first type is powered directly from the system unit or laptop via a sound card or USB-connector, the second is powered by its own power supply. And very often a subwoofer is supplied (a separate speaker for reproducing low frequencies).
If you are going to watch movies in high quality, without systems 5.1 or more modern 7.1 you just can not do. By the way, it’s not enough to know how to install speakers on a computer. It should not be forgotten that the loudspeakers themselves or the whole systems can differ in connection types very significantly, not to mention the sound characteristics.
Next, we will proceed from the fact that you have decided on the characteristics of the sound system, and proceed directly to connecting the speakers and their initial configuration.
How to install new speakers on the computer: checking the connection
First of all, pay attention to your sound card and to the plugs of the speakers themselves. If you purchased unpretentious speakers with a USB cable, then there should not be any special problems. You only have to choose the right port (2.0 or 3.0).
In the case of wireless systems on the computer, you must definitely enable the appropriate built-in module for signal transmission (usually Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or an outdated infrared port is used). Here, too, everything is simple.
But far from everyone knows how to install Sven speakers with a wired connection or other similar advanced systems on a computer. However, for starters, you can read the technical documentation that is included in the kit. If not, just see how the speaker cords, inputs and outputs on the sound card are colored.
All of them have certain colors, so, in theory, it will be difficult to make a mistake. But when connecting systems with six or more speakers, special attention should be paid to the location of the speakers in the room, in order to ensure the correct signal output in the future. In most cases, they all have an English designation:
- Left - left;
- Right - right;
- Front - front (frontal);
- Rear - rear;
- Center (Sub) - Center (subwoofer).
Sometimes variations like Rear Left can also be encountered, which corresponds to the position of the “left rear”.
Initial setup of acoustics on computers with integrated sound chips
Now let's see how to install the speakers on the computer when the built-in sound card will be used for playback. Usually one, two or three plugs are used for connection (depending on the type of connection and the number of speakers) or a regular USB cable.
In the case of connecting speakers to a laptop that does not have special outputs, either USB or a headphone jack is usually used.
Its sensitivity is much higher than standard outputs, so special attention will have to be paid to sound settings, for example, so that when the volume is increased, distortion, extraneous noise or interference from the microphone built into the panel does not appear.
Also, before connecting, it is advisable to make sure that the output resistance on the laptop, the resistance and power of the speakers themselves are comparable. Otherwise, you will get either a low sound level or an oversized volume. What good, if the resistance is not matching, the outputs can also fly.
There are usually no problems with the drivers of built-in cards, since they are installed together with the operating system, but to achieve the best effect, it is better to update them using the “Device Manager”, programs for automatically updating drivers or the manufacturer’s official resource on which they can be downloaded and install by yourself.
How to install speakers on a computer with Windows with discrete or external sound cards
There are usually no problems with soundcards of these types either, however, drivers and related software, which can be bundled, play an important role here.
There are all kinds of situations. Here, for example, how to install speakers on a computer with an XP version of Windows by installing the necessary drivers? Many manufacturers are already refusing to support these systems, focusing on newer ones, and it will be quite difficult to find drivers just like that.
In this case, it is best to use programs to automatically search for the necessary control software (for example, Driver Booster).
Manual driver search
If the use of automated utilities does not work, you can refer to the properties of the equipment in the “Device Manager”: on the details tab, find the identifiers DEV and VEN, and then use the longest line, which exactly matches the model of the sound card, find it on the Internet and install the drivers yourself .
Checking and adjusting sound: tips and tricks
How to install the speakers on the computer in terms of connection and mandatory driver checks, figured out a bit. Now we proceed directly to the configuration of the equipment.
First, through the PCM menu on the volume icon in the system tray or through the “Sound” section located in the “Control Panel”, open playback devices, and then select the one you need.
If it is not listed, through PCM, you should enable displays of hidden and currently unused components (for example, HDMI devices, drivers of which can be included in video card sets, for example, NVIDIA).
After that, you can start the sound test by clicking on the appropriate settings button.
If we are talking about how to install speakers on a computer with Windows 7 and above, as an additional option, you can click the properties button and set additional parameters.
It is advisable to get carried away by the environment settings (Enhancements tab) only if you connect systems that correspond to home theaters (similar actions can also be performed in a mixer with advanced parameters). By the way, in specialized mixers you can change the used outputs with switching analog and digital, set the output audio formats, apply additional DSP effects, etc.
In Windows 10, you can use the surround sound capabilities of Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos for audio output (you will need to purchase a second applet or specify a trial period of use).
Additional options for connecting acoustics and sound reproduction
How else can I install speakers on my computer? You should not neglect some additional connection options. So, from a computer or laptop, you can output sound to a DVD-player, playing the role of a home theater, but in this case, you need to pay attention to the connection.
Many consider the best option for HDMI, although you can use S / PDIF. But some video outputs do not support sound transmission, so be extremely careful.