RCA - A red circular port and a white circular port. RCA is known as “analog” audio. Optical - A square (sometimes hexagonal) port. Optical audio is known as “digital” audio. Headphone - The standard 3. 5 millimeter jack used for most headphones. You’ll usually see an image of a pair of headphones above this port. HDMI - Typically used for combined audio and video. Some stereo receivers connect via HDMI.
If you’re attaching a soundbar-type stereo system, your speaker set will likely have an optical input. You don’t need to use an audio receiver with a soundbar.
RCA Optical HDMI
This also applies for TVs that only have headphone outputs, as you can buy a headphone-to-RCA adapter.
If you’re connecting more than two speakers, you’ll need to connect the speakers to each other with speaker wire before proceeding.
Connect the white RCA cable to the white port on the back of the left speaker, then plug it into a white port on the back of the receiver. Connect the red RCA cable to the red port on the back of the right speaker, then plug it into a red port below or next to the white port on the back of the receiver.
If your receiver is old enough, you may end up using RCA cables to attach it to the TV instead. If you’re using an adapter (e. g. , for a headphone jack), plug it into your TV before connecting the other ends of the cables here.
You may have to change your TV’s audio output to use the speakers. This is usually accomplished by pressing the Menu button on your TV or remote, navigating to the “Audio” section, and changing the default output from TV speakers to your current output (e. g. , “HDMI”).
