This article shows you how to connect a home theater system to a television.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare the Equipment
Step 1. Examine the number of loudspeakers you have available
The procedure for wiring a home theater system depends on the number of speakers available. In most cases it is a 2.1, 5.1 and 7.1 system, where the number linked to the whole part represents the total number of loudspeakers, while the number of the decimal part (".1") represents the subwoofer.
- The 2.1 configuration features two front speakers and a subwoofer;
- The 5.1 configuration consists of two front speakers, one center, two side speakers (for surround) and a subwoofer;
- The 7.1 configuration consists of two front speakers, one center, two side speakers, two rear speakers and a subwoofer.
Step 2. Find the type of audio connection available on your TV
Along one of the sides or on the rear panel of the TV there should be the section dedicated to the audio line out called "Audio Out" (or a similar abbreviation) in which there should be at least one of the following types of connection:
- Optics - is characterized by a hexagonal shaped door. It is a modern audio standard that allows for the best possible audio quality and many modern home theater receivers support this type of connection;
- HDMI - is characterized by a thinned rectangular door with the two lower corners rounded. The HDMI connection has the advantage of carrying both the audio signal and the video signal at the same time. To date, virtually all televisions and home theater receivers support the HDMI connection;
- RCA - it is characterized by two circular connectors, one white and one red. They are used only to carry the audio signal and all home theater receivers should support RCA audio input.
Step 3. Make sure you have a home theater receiver
Unlike powered speakers, home theater speakers are passive and therefore cannot produce any sound when used alone. The component called "receiver" is the central unit of the system whose purpose is to receive the audio signal from the television and other connected devices and transmit it to all the loudspeakers present. Basically it is a multichannel receiver very similar to that of normal hi-fi systems.
- Most home theater kits also include a receiver. If you have purchased a second-hand home theater system, it is very likely that it only includes the speakers and connecting cables, so you will also need to purchase a receiver.
- All loudspeakers must be connected to the home theater receiver via AV audio cable, but the TV and all other electronic devices (DVD player, console, etc.) can be connected to the amplifier via optical, HDMI or RCA audio cable. Make sure your home theater receiver's audio inputs support the type of TV audio output you want to use to make the connection.
Step 4. Check that you have all the connecting cables you need
You need the cables to connect the loudspeakers to each other, the RCA audio cables (they have two circular connectors, one white and one red) to connect the loudspeakers to the home theater receiver and an optical cable, HDMI or RCA, to connect the audio output of the TV to the receiver.
If you don't have all the cables you need, you can buy them online or at any electronics store. Online shopping is usually cheaper
Step 5. Read the instruction manual of your home theater system carefully
Each system adopts a connection and configuration procedure slightly different from the others to obtain the best result. Although following the standard procedure you will still be able to get a decent sound from your system, the best way to optimize its operation and achieve perfect audio quality is to read the instruction manual carefully before starting.
Step 6. Turn off the TV and unplug the power cord
After turning off the TV completely disconnect it from the mains. Now you can start placing the speakers in their ideal position and connecting them to the receiver.
Part 2 of 3: Place the Speakers
Step 1. Before making the connections, carefully position both the speakers and the audio cables with which you will connect them to the receiver
This step will help you understand if you can optimize the positioning of all the loudspeakers in the system without having to lengthen the cables, move furniture, etc.
Step 2. Place the subwoofer near the receiver
The subwoofer outputs omnidirectional sound; this means that you will get very similar results regardless of where you decide to place it. Many people choose to place it in front of the ideal listening point so that they can easily connect to the receiver.
Even though the subwoofer is capable of outputting omnidirectional sound, placing it against walls or in the corners of the room will amplify its bass rendering making it difficult to adjust
Step 3. Place the two front speakers on each side of the TV
If each speaker is identified as "left" and "right" ("left" and "right"), be sure to position them correctly according to the instructions in the instruction manual.
The front speakers should be placed at the same distance from the sides of the TV (for example, one meter from the left and right sides of the TV)
Step 4. Angle the front speakers so that they face perfectly towards the optimal listening point
Each speaker should be angled so that it faces the center of the room, where the sofa should be and where you will get the best sound performance.
- If the position of the front speakers is correct, you should be able to draw a perfectly symmetrical triangle using the points where the speakers are placed and where you will sit to listen as vertices.
- To increase the sound quality, place the front speakers higher so they are level with your ears.
- If you have purchased a 2.1 home theater system, at this point you have completed the phase of positioning the loudspeakers and you can then move on to the wiring phase.
Step 5. Place the center speaker exactly above or below the TV
The center channel of the system is used to harmonize and complement the sounds emitted by the front left and right speakers. The center speaker will help when the sound source moves from left to right and vice versa and will keep the sounds in sync with the movements of the actors' lips during the dialogue.
- Angle the center speaker up or down (depending on where you placed it) so that it faces the listening point.
- Do not place the center speaker behind the TV or you will not be able to hear the sounds it makes.
Step 6. Place the side speakers on the left and right side of the listening point
Place them so that they face directly where you will sit in the room to watch the TV. If you are using a 7.1 setup, you should position them slightly further back than the listening point, but still facing the viewer.
This pair of speakers has the task of creating a feeling in the viewer that what they are watching is really happening around them. In this case the range of sounds that will be emitted by these speakers is different from that of the front speakers, but it will serve to emphasize what the viewer is watching on the screen by immersing them fully in the action
Step 7. Raise the side speakers off the ground
Again the speakers should be positioned approximately 50cm higher than the level where the audience's ears are and angled down towards them.
If you have purchased a 5.1 home theater system, at this point you have completed the phase of positioning the loudspeakers and you can then move on to the wiring phase
Step 8. Place the rear speakers behind where you will sit to watch TV
Try to position them as close to each other as possible. In this way a sort of sound "bubble" will be created in which the viewer will be immersed.
The rear speakers should be placed at the same height as the side speakers
Part 3 of 3: Connecting the Speakers
Step 1. Place the receiver near the TV
The home theater system receiver should be placed as close as possible to the TV and the power outlet so that connections can be made easily.
Make sure the receiver has enough free space around it to ensure good ventilation and adequate cooling. It is not ideal to place it inside a normal TV cabinet
Step 2. Examine the speaker connectors
Most home theater receivers come with a specific set of connectors for each speaker, so you'll just need to connect by plugging the cable into the correct audio port.
Some older home theater models adopt the old clamp system for connecting speaker cables where the bare audio cable goes directly to the corresponding terminal. In this case, to perform the wiring, you will need to use a wire stripper to expose a small portion of the copper core of the connection cable and insert it into the corresponding terminal located both on the back of the speaker and on the back of the receiver
Step 3. Pull a connecting cable from each speaker to the receiver
Try to do your best to hide the cables from view so that other people in the room or pets cannot accidentally trip over and drop the speakers.
- If possible, try to run the threads under the carpet or better inside the walls.
- Make sure the cables are long enough so that they don't feel too tight once the connection is established.
Step 4. Connect the speakers together
Connect one end of the cable to a speaker, then connect the other end to another speaker in the correct sequence. All the speakers in the system should be connected together in sequence and form a ring, starting from the first front speaker to get to the other front speaker passing through all the intermediate ones.
- Connect the front speakers to the receiver using an RCA audio cable. Do not connect the front speakers together using the connecting cable.
- Unless otherwise noted in the instruction booklet of your home theater system, exclude the subwoofer from this connection procedure. In most cases this element is driven directly by the home theater system receiver.
Step 5. Connect the subwoofer
Generally, you will need to use a regular RCA audio cable to connect the subwoofer to the receiver.
- Normally, the receiver audio port dedicated to the subwoofer is indicated by the abbreviation "sub out" or "sub pre-out".
- If your subwoofer has multiple inputs, connect using the connector indicated by "LFE in" or the one located furthest to the left if there is no other indication.
Step 6. Plug the receiver into power
After performing this step the receiver will begin the start-up procedure. If this is your first time connecting it, it may take several minutes to complete the initial setup.
Step 7. Connect the audio video devices to the receiver via an HDMI connection
Entertainment devices, such as video game consoles, DVD players, satellite receivers, use the HDMI input ports of the TV to carry the audio signal, so if you want the latter to be managed by your new home theater system you will have to connect them to the receiver via an additional HDMI cable, using the appropriate input ports on the device.
- Most receivers have a number of HDMI input and output ports labeled "HDMI IN" and "HDMI OUT" (for example "IN 1", "OUT 1", etc.).
- For example, if you connected a device to the "HDMI IN 1" port, you will need to use an HDMI cable to connect the receiver's "HDMI OUT 1" port to the TV's "HDMI 1" port.
- The same procedure should also be used for audio video devices that use a component audio video cable connection (characterized by five RCA connectors: one red, one yellow, one green, one blue and one white).
Step 8. Connect the receiver to the TV
For best results, use an HDMI cable to connect an HDMI port on your TV to one of the HDMI out ports on the receiver.
You can also use one of the old video connection standards (for example a component cable), but in this case the video quality would not be optimal. All modern televisions nowadays support HDMI connection
Step 9. Connect the TV to the power and turn it on
After all connections have been made correctly, turn on your TV so you can hear your home theater system in action.
Step 10. Test the implant
Each television has its own procedure for configuring the audio compartment, but normally you will have to press the button Menu on the remote control, select the item Audio or Sound and locate the section on audio output.
- Most new home theater systems have an automatic configuration procedure that involves connecting a microphone to the receiver and placing it in the center of the listening area, so that the receiver can configure the volume levels on its own.
- If the sound generated by the home theater does not seem correct, try changing the configuration settings of the TV and other devices connected to the receiver before changing the position and inclination of the individual speakers.
