Reuse older speakers for better TV sound with the right connections

Old speakers can be reused to improve TV sound, often with little expense, but the connection depends on the speakers’ design and the TV’s audio outputs. The guide explains how to check what equipment you have and choose the right connection.

Active speakers have built-in amplification and typically connect through a 3.5mm or RCA audio cable; passive speakers need a separate amplifier. A TV with analogue audio output may connect directly, while optical output generally requires a digital-to-analogue converter unless the speakers or amplifier accept optical input. HDMI ARC can also be used, though it usually needs more costly equipment. USB ports may power small speakers, but they generally do not carry the audio signal and may provide too little power at higher volumes.