Hooking up speakers to a TV

revcom

So I've finally decided that my standard tv speakers sound mediocre enouch that its time to get some real speakers. being pretty incompetent regarding electronics, I thought I'd come here.

I've got a tv as well as an xbox 360 and a cable box. Currently I'm using component cables to connect all of them. Since the TV only has one component slot, the component cables from the xbox 360 and the cable box go to a switcher, and then the switcher goes into into the TV.

Now, if I wanted to get speakers, my understanding is that I would want to hook everything into a reciever, and then plug the reciever into a TV. The speakers would also plug into the reciever. Is that correct? If so, does anyone know of a decent sort of reciever (or speakers for that matter) that are worth looking at?

RUNN1NGMAN

You have the right basic idea. The specifics depend on what kind of receiver you get, but just in the minor details. I don't have one, but I've heard lots of good things about Onkyo receivers, and they have good deals on their website if you keep an eye on it.

matt has a problem

You shouldn't hook a receiver to the TV audio input, especially if it has an amplifier. The way you should do it is run the audio and video (as long as the receiver supports video pass-through) into the receiver from the 360 and cable box, then run video to the TV. If it doesn't support video pass-through (if it's old or whatever), run the audio to the receiver and the video to the switch, then to the TV.

:edit: Actually, scratch that. You don't need audio out from the TV, the audio is already being fed from the cable box to the receiver. All you need to hook to the TV is the video, unless you want audio coming out of both the new speakers you get and the old TV speakers.

revcom

Both video and audio should go from the peripherals to the reciever

Video From the reciever should go to the TV

But since the audio is generated from the peripherals, and there would be speakers attached to the reciever, then there's no reason to have an audio cable going from the TV to reciever?

Thanks

Edit: nvmd, answered

matt has a problem

Yep, that's it. What kind of setup are you thinking of? Just two new speakers on either side of your TV? Or are you looking for a home theater setup, with a center channel, two front and two rear speakers, and a sub?

Ganluan

I bought an Onkyo receiver and speaker system a while ago and have been happy with it. It's not top-of-the-line by any means, but having even an entry-level surround sound system makes a HUGE difference in movies and games.

If you're going surround, make sure you have a plan on how to wire the speakers (or get wireless ones).

revcom

i think just two new speakers by the tv, and maybe a subwoofer if i can fit enough into the wall outlets. I figure I can start with the primary two speakers and reciever and then work my way up from there.

Improvolone

Ganluan wrote: »

I bought an Onkyo receiver and speaker system a while ago and have been happy with it. It's not top-of-the-line by any means, but having even an entry-level surround sound system makes a HUGE difference in movies and games.

If you're going surround, make sure you have a plan on how to wire the speakers (or get wireless ones).

Don't get wireless.
If you don't want full surround, get a 3.1 set up. The center channel is absurdly important. Incredibly so. Make sure you have a center channel. Am I making myself clear here?

Get a good surge protector to plug everything in to.

HeraldS

I'd recommend going for a 5.1 system that comes with a receiver- you get 2x front, center, 2x rear, and a sub. A little more expensive but if you get a newer/ nicer one you probably won't have to upgrade again for a while. The one I have is a Yamaha HTR-6130- plenty of room to hook up multiple systems or whatever in the back. If you're worried about running out of plugs you can get a bigger surge protector w/ 8-10 spots. Some of them come with twist-tie style stickers to easily label all your stuff. What other people have said is correct- full surround sound makes a big difference with games and movies. You'll be happy you made the leap.

edit: Let me emphasize the above poster's point- GET A CENTER SPEAKER! With most movies set up for surround sound the center speaker is the one that covers most of the dialog. Your set up will sound much much better with it.

AtomBomb

As for receiver brands, Yamaha and Onkyo are usually a safe bet.

Ganluan

Improvolone wrote: »

Ganluan wrote: »

I bought an Onkyo receiver and speaker system a while ago and have been happy with it. It's not top-of-the-line by any means, but having even an entry-level surround sound system makes a HUGE difference in movies and games.

If you're going surround, make sure you have a plan on how to wire the speakers (or get wireless ones).

Don't get wireless.
If you don't want full surround, get a 3.1 set up. The center channel is absurdly important. Incredibly so. Make sure you have a center channel. Am I making myself clear here?

Get a good surge protector to plug everything in to.

I haven't used them before - are wireless speakers unreliable?

Improvolone

They are subject to other wireless interference, cost quite a bit more, and you will get significant quality using wired speakers. Also, wireless is kind of a misnomer. The only wires they don't use are receiver to rear speakers. They still need to each be connected to a power source and get plugged in.
Hell, rears are only kind of important. A good 3.1 set up will beat the crap out of an okay 5.1.

Budget is very important here. What are you looking to spend? You want to spend enough to get a receiver that you won't have to upgrade in a few years because it's garbage.

MichaelLC

A cheaper alternative is a sound bar - goes into the TV Audio Out. So it's making the TV the receiver, obviously not as great as a full stereo setup, but only like $200 vs. $500+.

edit: something like this (just an example). Comes with a sub-woofer.

Improvolone

I've seen sound bars that are pretty expensive. I've also seen 5.1s for pretty cheap.