How to connect powered speakers to a receiver
If the receiver has PRE OUT or ZONE 2 PRE OUT jacks, an RCA cable from those to the speakers is all you need. If not, a line output converter turns the speaker terminals’ signal down to line level. Never wire speaker terminals straight into a powered speaker’s input.
Yes. You need a converter.
What you need
- Speaker wire Look for: 16 AWG for most home speakers under 50 ft (see the gauge calculator)
- Line output converter Look for: Line output converter (speaker level to RCA)
- RCA stereo audio cable Look for: Red/white RCA male to male
Connect it like this
- AV receiverSpeaker terminals out
- Speaker wire
- Line output converterSpeaker terminals in, RCA stereo audio out
- RCA stereo audio cable
- Powered speakers (plug into the wall)RCA stereo audio in
What to know
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost
- About $30–$70 if you buy everything new
- Sound
- Full quality
- Lag
- None noticeable
- Extra power
- No
Why this works
Speaker terminals and RCA stereo audio use different signal formats, so a Line output converter converts between them.
Good to know
- Connect the TV to the receiver’s HDMI OUT (ARC/eARC) port so TV apps also play through the receiver.
Your gear a little different? Answer a couple of questions about your own ports.
Check my exact setup