Some monitors come with built-in speakers or ordinary computer speakers that might not sound exhilarating. In this case you might have an urge to look for better external speakers to improve the audio of music or gaming scenes. Whether you have a computer monitor or a gaming monitor you can easily connect external speakers to it.
How to connect speaker to monitor? well there are a number of ways, some are simple and straightforward like simply inserting speaker cables into the back of the CPU audio port. Others might need you to purchase few additional equipment and cables to complete the connection. Different speaker brands and monitors will need different type of setup.
If you ask me ‘how to connect speaker to monitor’ in the easiest way, the answer will be to use Bluetooth speakers. This way you can eliminate messy wires. Bluetooth speakers are quite powerful and hold quality in them. Also, there are some speakers designed specifically for computer or monitor use. You can also check them out.
How to connect a speaker to your monitor: Different methods of connection
Let’s have a look of different ways of connecting speakers to monitor.
Directly
External speakers can be directly connected to the monitor, that is, to the back of the PC. The most common connection is using 3.5mm cable as mentioned below.
Via cable
The most common method of hooking up speakers to PC or monitor is via cables.
5mm cable:
Using 3.5mm cable is a common method of connecting external speakers to a monitor. if your speaker supports 3.5mm cable, then simply insert one end of the speaker to the audio port of the PC. On the back of the CPU you will see several colored ports, green is usually for audio or you can check for Audio out.
Since in most cases you will be using a pair of speakers, a 3.5mm male to 2-port 3.5mm female Y splitter like the Syncwire Headphone Splitter. Connect 3.5mm male end of the Y-splitter into the monitor and insert two 3.5mm ends into the two 3.5mm female ports from the left and right speakers.
USB:
If you want to connect independent speakers to the monitor or PC with USB, you can easily do with an affordable adapter. Use a Sabrent USB adaptor and connect the USB end in the USB device. Then connect the speakers to the into the audio port with 3.5mm cables.
HDMI
In your DIY method on how to connect speakers to monitor with HDMI, this part of the section will help you. HDMI are great ways to connect speakers to monitors. This is because they allow both audio and video signals through a single cable. If you have a laptop with built-in speakers and want to transfer the laptop screen to the monitor, you need HDMI cable.
Simply connect one side of the HDMI cable into laptop or gaming console, and another end to the monitor. then if the monitor has Aux ports, use Aux cable to connect one ends to the external speakers and other end to the output jack of the monitor. you can use Amazon basics Aux cable .
If you are wondering, how to connect speakers to monitor without audio jack? In case the monitor doesn’t have audio output ports, use HDMI audio extractor like the Avedio Links . Here, use Aux cable to connect the speakers into the Audio output L/R ports. Then connect Laptop or monitor through HDMI In.
The device supports single input so if you think you have multiple inputs, you can use a HDMI switch. An example of using HDMI Audio extractor is explained below with JBL speakers.
Wireless
Connecting speakers wirelessly is much easier than inserting several audio cables
Bluetooth speaker
How to connect a Bluetooth speaker to a monitor? enable Bluetooth on your monitor or PC by clicking on Settings>device. Use the Bluetooth speaker user manual to learn the instructions of pairing. The method may vary slightly from one model to another. Once monitor searches for available devices, choose the speaker name and model.
Adapter
In case the PC doesn’t support Bluetooth, buy a usb to Bluetooth adapter . with this you can connect gaming consoles and listen audio through monitor’s external speakers.
Multiple speaker connection:
Make sure your PC soundcard will support multiple speakers. Then, make sure to match colors and cables. After each connection method we explained, turn on PC or monitor and speakers. Then slowly increase the volume, go through pop-up instructions and play some song for testing purpose. Multiple speaker connection like a pair of speakers along with a subwoofer connection to a monitor is rarely seen in home sound systems.
If you are professional and perform recording, mixing and etc and need to connect 2 pair of speakers and a sub, or other, use device like Mackie Big Knob Studio+ Monitor Controller and Interface or Behringer Mini Mon mon800 .
Connecting different speakers and soundbars to monitor:
In this section we will cover how to connect different speaker models to monitor.
Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
Klipsch Pro Media 2.1 are computer speakers. The two speakers connect into the woofer, and the subwoofer plugs into either the audio source or monitors which makes its way through the back of the computer. If you are using control satellite preamp, connect it to the PC with mini plug. Connect the speakers to the sub. Make sure to follow and match color codes.
Then use DIN plug to build connection between satellite preamp and sub. Turn on speakers and monitor and test by playing audio. you can also connect headphones to it.
KRK Rokit 5
KRK rokit 5 speakers can be purchased in a package where you will get Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 audio interface. How to connect Krk Rokit 5 to Focusrite and how to connect Krk Rokit 5 to PC? We will cover it here. Use USB cable to connect PC/monitor/Laptop to the Focusrite. Then use 1/4” TRS balanced jack, like the Hosa CSS 10 cables , to connect KRK Rokit 5 speakers to the Line output ports on the front panel of the Focusrite.
Along with connecting speakers, the Focusrite can be used for different purposes as shown. In case you are using other passive speakers, you need additional stereo amplifier between the Focusrite Scarlet and the speakers.
Do you want to know, how to connect Yamaha HS8 subwoofer? Well, you can use a Focusrite Scarlet Solo , then you can connect them to studio monitors. You can use headphone jack to RCA converter. Then simply connect the headphone side on the PC or monitor headphone jack and the RCA cables to the back of the speakers.
JBL speakers
Here we have considered JBL speakers and will illustrate how to connect JBL speaker to monitor. if you are using HDMI Audio extractor, then connect the monitor into the HDMI input port. You can also connect gaming consoles like PS4 or Xbox into the HDMI input. Then use appropriate cable like RCA to Aux or 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable to connect the speakers into the audio extractor.
Soundbar
How to connect monitor to soundbar? Well for this find out the type of ports the monitor has. Whether it has a 3.5mm AUX out port, an HDMI port, or optical port. Then find a match for the soundbar and use appropriate cables. You can also use Bluetooth soundbar and if the PC supports it, you can easily connect it wirelessly.
For 3.5mm compatible ports use a 3.5mm to 3.5mm wire to connect between monitor and soundbar. In case the PC has USB-C port, you can use a USB-C-to 3.5mm cable like this one USB C to 3.5mm Audio Aux Cable, Mxcudu .
Different monitors and speaker connection:
You may have a monitor or a gaming monitor. the type of ports the monitor has will change the connection scenario. We will discuss some of the best monitors and their connection.
Dell monitor
If you want to know how to connect speakers to a dell monitor, then read along. Use HDMI cable to connect the speakers. But check whether the speakers are HDMI compatible. Dell monitors usually have HDMI ports instead of headphone jack. Go to the desktop and then go to Sound option found at the lower right side of the desktop screen. Then select Speakers/headphone. Increase the volume and play some tracks for testing.
In addition to that, you will be able to connect home theaters and any other speaker to your monitor almost effortlessly. And I believe this is another great answer to the question if one can do just fine with a monitor without having to connect external speakers
Gaming monitor
Some of the best gaming monitors are BenQ and Asus. How to connect speakers to a gaming monitor? well you can connect the gaming console like PS4 to the monitor, then connect speakers to the console. You will definitely need set of different cables. If the monitor supports HDMI, then use HDMI cable to connect monitor with the console.
Connect one end of the AV cable to PS3 or other gaming console, then use the white and red ports as they are for audio. insert the red and white ports into a rca female to 3.5mm male converter like the UGREEN 3.5mm Male to 2 RCA Female Stereo Audio Cable . Then if you speakers support 3.5mm cable, simply insert them.
Parting words:
If your monitor has built-in speakers, you can use them or in other instances, you can use external speakers. The thing with external speakers is that they have better sound mostly and can make the volume louder. Many monitor’s built-in speakers are not that great, and the sound they make is tiny as well, and they do not get loud as external speakers do.
So, if you come across the question of how to connect speaker to monitor, then this article will help you. The first task is to check the available audio ports of the monitor and the back of the speaker. Then find out the appropriate cables, adapter or converters. Most of these additional accessories are cheap and widely available.
Lastly, to get the best possible sound, make sure the cable is not faulty and you also need to shop for the best monitor speakers or desktop speakers. In some cases, there might be multiple ways of connection. In that case choose the affordable and easy one. Setup of these connections are simple and straightforward.
FAQ
This FAQ is here to solve some of the most asked question regarding connecting speaker to the computer.
Which one is the easiest way to connect speaker to monitor?
Well, wireless Bluetooth connection and 3.5mm cable connect are hassle-free, common and quite easy.
What type of speakers should I use?
You aren’t obligated to buy specific speakers. But if you do your research you will see there are dedicated speaker models designed for near field listening or desktop use. Based on your space on the desktop table, choose one of them. Audioengine has some desktop speakers. It is best to go for powered speakers to eliminate the hassle of adding an amplifier.
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