Modern computer devices have long ceased to fulfill only the role of such computers, as it was at the dawn of their development, and are increasingly used in the entertainment industry. Needless to say, this includes listening to music and watching videos. To output sound, of course, speakers are needed. But where in the computer to connect speakers? Despite its apparent simplicity, this question may have several answers. Next, we will try to consider several standard and original solutions.
Types of speakers
So, before deciding on the connection of loudspeakers to computer systems, you should decide which type of speaker system will be used in each particular case. Not only the connection method will depend on this, but also the choice of the appropriate sound card, without which the sound output will simply become impossible.
Among the main types, passive and active systems should be highlighted. The former receive power directly from the computer through a sound card or corresponding ports, while the latter require the use of an independent power source in the form of a separate unit. When choosing, special attention should be paid to the number of speakers, which will directly affect the choice of sound card. It is absolutely obvious that if you have an integrated sound card, you will not be able to connect the speaker system for reproducing spatial sound, including a subwoofer and an additional five or seven speakers, directly.
Sound cards
Thus, it will be necessary to reflect on the acquisition of sound equipment. Integrated cards can be used, but they are suitable, so to speak, only for domestic playback.
If you plan to watch movies or install modern games on your computer, it is better to purchase the appropriate sound card installed in special PCI slots on the motherboard, or use professional or semi-professional external devices. The difference in reproduction will be felt even by an inexperienced listener. But external cards are quite expensive. Nevertheless, you can offer several connection options when you do not have such equipment.
How to connect speakers to a computer: ways
Speaking about the main methods of connecting speakers, we can distinguish several main areas:
- direct connection of speakers directly to the sound card;
- using headphone output;
- wireless connection;
- signal output through an amplifier or music center;
- playback through home DVD or Blu-ray players with surround sound.
Standard connection
So, where to connect the speakers to the computer using the simplest direct connection method? As already clear, for this you can use just the sound card.
It is impossible to make a mistake when choosing the sockets, since all of them, as well as the wires from the computer speakers, are painted in the colors corresponding to the channels. In the case of two columns, things are simplified. How to connect a speaker to a computer? In this case, the instructions may not even be given. Everything is simple! There is absolutely no difference in which particular socket each column will be included. This refers to the right and left channel. Another thing is that it is necessary to maintain the correct connection when connecting an active system with a subwoofer, for which a separate output can be provided on the sound card. The same applies to external sound cards, only they most often connect themselves via USB ports.
Where to connect speakers to a computer: solutions for laptops
Most laptops are equipped with integrated cards, so if you have a system with two speakers, the cable connecting both speakers connects to the headphone jack. But how to connect any speakers to the computer, if for this you have only an audio output for headphones, and the speakers have only bare wires or cables with plugs at the ends?
To do this, you can use a special adapter in the form of a kind of splitter with one input mini-jack plug and two (or three) outputs. From each speaker, connect one wire to the sockets of the right and left channels, and insert the remaining two together into the socket with “zero” (or “ground”).
Using other devices
Now let's see where to connect the speakers to the computer, if you have external devices. In the case of an amplifier, the speakers are connected directly to it, and from the sound card, one cable is output through the audio output. Often audio connectors can be present on graphic accelerators. In this case, for proper connection, you need to read the technical documentation.
When using wireless connections, make sure that the modules responsible for this are active (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi).
If we talk about where to connect the speakers to the computer, referring to household players, there can be many options.
Naturally, in the simplest case, you can use the output from the sound card to the player, using cables for both sound and video. However, it is often possible to make a connection via HDMI. But this option is not always applicable, since on some DVD-devices the HDMI connector can work in only one direction - exclusively as an output, not an input. Here, as an option, you can use the connection of the S / PDIF standard, which will significantly improve the playback quality, but only if such inputs and outputs are available on all used devices.
Some nuances of sound settings
Finally, when connecting speakers, pay special attention to related equipment. So, on laptops there are built-in microphones. Due to the fact that they will be turned on even at half volume, you can get the so-called tip and background in the speakers themselves. Therefore, first set the microphone volume to minimum. Another point is connected to connecting speakers from music centers to computers or laptops. Especially often this problem occurs when using the headphone output. The sound module of a computer with very different output and speaker impedances may either not “swing” them or produce too strong a distorted signal. When pre-setting the sound at the initial stage, do not get carried away using all kinds of DSP effects like the equalizer or activating the spatial environment. First, set up a “clean” sound with the optimal volume level set, and only then experiment.