This article covers how to connect a projector to a speaker, along with connections for soundbars, home theater systems, and standalone speakers.
How to connect a projector to a speaker?
Depending on your tools, you can connect a projector to speakers directly or indirectly. Every projector has its own set of inputs and outputs. Commonly, the only speakers used with a basic projector setup are those incorporated into the device or speakers connected directly to the projector. A/V receivers, on the other hand, are typically used in more complex home theater systems to handle the video end and send the audio signal to the speakers.
The most typical methods for attaching a projector to speakers are as follows:
Standalone stereo speakers: For this straightforward solution, a stereo pair is used; powered speakers are frequently used.
A similar choice is a soundbar, simply a group of powered speakers housed in a single piece of equipment.
If your projector is Bluetooth compatible, you can pair it with any Bluetooth speaker.
A/V receiver: This is a trickier choice. The audio receiver connects to your streaming device, DVD or Blu-ray player, or other media device with the speakers, and the receiver outputs video to your projector. There may also be other parts, like an amplifier.
The following connections can be used to link a projector to speakers:
RCA connectors: You can attach stereo speakers to your projector if it has RCA connectors. One cable is required for each speaker. Your projector may also have one composite video input and three component video inputs.
3.5mm stereo audio jack: This jack has been around for many years, is still on many phones and is frequently used for headphones and earbuds. A single 3.5mm TRRS connection can send stereo signals to a sound bar or a pair of standalone speakers.
Optical/TOSLINK: You can use a soundbar with your projector to enjoy surround sound if your projector has an optical or TOSLINK output. This alternative offers better sound quality than an RCA or TRRS connection.
Bluetooth: If your projector supports Bluetooth and you have a Bluetooth-compatible speaker, there are no additional wires or parts to buy. There is a wireless connection. However, compared to the other methods, audio over Bluetooth is often of inferior quality.
How to connect a speaker to a projector
A projector’s stereo speaker connection
You can buy powered speakers if you want to connect your projector to stereo speakers. Speakers that are connected to an amp or an A/V receiver won’t function. To determine what kind of audio connection the speakers use, you must also examine them.
Most of these speakers need a separate left and right channel RCA connection, yet if the speakers are wired together, you might be able to connect with just a single 3.5mm audio cable. If your projector only comes with a 3.5mm audio output and your speakers have RCA inputs, you will need to buy a 3.5mm to 2x RCA stereo audio splitter.
The following describes how to connect a projector to a speaker that is Stereo:
Place your speakers where you want them, then plug them in or put batteries in them.
One of your projector’s audio output options should be connected using an audio cable.
Ensure the end of the audio cable should also be connected to your speakers.
Connect an adaptor to the audio cable if necessary. Each speaker might need its own hookup.
Your projector’s volume should be adjusted.
Some powered speakers feature volume control and must be turned on. Always ensure sure that your speakers are turned on and not muted if you can’t hear anything.
How to Connect Your Soundbar to a Projector
Although you might have an additional connection option, connecting a projector to a soundbar is similar to connecting to stereo speakers. A stereo audio-jack and stereo RCA connectors are frequently seen on soundbars, in addition to an optical alternative like TOSLINK. You should use an optical connection if your soundbar and projector both support it.
Only if your soundbar has an HDMI in and your projector has an HDMI out will this not work.
Here’s how to connect a soundbar and a projector:
Place the sound bar in the desired location, then plug it into power.
One of your projector’s output options should have an audio cord connected to it.
Use an optical connection if at all possible.
The other end of the cable should be connected to your soundbar.
Activate the soundbar.
You may customize the soundbar’s volume to your preferences.
If your projector’s built-in speaker isn’t excellent, turning it off after you connect the soundbar will make it easier to hear.
Receiver and Projector Connection
A/V receivers can be used in a number of different ways with projectors. In a typical arrangement, all your audio and video inputs are connected to the receiver, speakers are connected to the A/V receiver, and the video is sent through HDMI to the projector. In that configuration, the projector and A/V receiver are connected together, but the speakers and projector are not connected directly.
Here are the basic steps for connecting a projector to speakers with an A/V receiver:
Use speaker wire or coaxial cables to connect the receiver to each of your speakers.
Connect any audio and visual sources you plan to use, such as your Macbook, streaming devices, gaming consoles, CD players, DVD players, Blu-ray players, and others, to your receiver.
Connect the HDMI cable to one of the receiver’s video outputs.
Connect the cable’s other end to your projector’s video input.
Set the video output on the A/V receiver to your projector and the source to the chosen input.
Let’s say you wish to connect your input devices directly to the projector or that your projector has built-in apps. The projector and receiver can then be connected through an optical connection or by connecting an HDMI output on the projector to an HDMI input on the receiver. To get sound from your projector to the receiver, if you choose this route, you must set the A/V receiver’s source to the proper auxiliary input.
How to connect a projector to a speaker that is Bluetooth
Connecting a Bluetooth speaker is quick and simple if your projector has that feature. But it can be messed up by other electronics and wireless devices, and the sound quality is usually not as good as when you use a cable.
Here’s how to connect a Bluetooth speaker to your projector:
Open pairing mode on the Bluetooth speaker and turn it on.
Enable Bluetooth on your projector and look for the speaker using the settings menu.
Accept the connection and, if asked, enter the pairing code.
In the future, when both of the devices are turned on, the speaker should automatically connect to the projector.
