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Connect each source to a compatible input on the powered speakers, then select that input. For a turntable, make sure a phono preamp is in the signal path before a line-level input; for a TV or computer, match the available audio output to an input the speakers support. The right cable alone cannot fix an incompatible signal, and ports and controls vary by model.
Check the inputs before connecting anything
Look at the speaker inputs and the source device’s audio outputs, then match both the connector and the signal type. Common options include stereo RCA, 3.5 mm AUX, optical/Toslink, USB audio, and HDMI ARC/eARC. Not every speaker or source has every connection.
RCA plugs do not automatically mean two devices are compatible: an RCA output may carry a low-level PHONO signal or a line-level signal. A cable changes the connector shape, but it does not amplify or equalize audio. Likewise, a USB socket is not necessarily an audio input. Check the manuals for the exact models.
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Turntable with a built-in preamp
- Check the turntable for a PHONO/LINE switch or confirm its output setting in the manual.
- Set the turntable to LINE when connecting it to a speaker’s ordinary RCA or AUX line input.
- Connect the turntable’s audio outputs to the matching speaker input. Use an RCA cable for RCA inputs, or an appropriate RCA-to-3.5 mm cable if the speaker has AUX.
- Select that input on the speakers and start playback at a moderate volume.
Turntable without a built-in preamp
A PHONO signal needs a phono stage before it reaches a line-level input. If the speakers have a dedicated phono input, connect the turntable there and follow the speaker manual. If not, place an external phono preamp between the turntable and speakers: connect the turntable to the preamp’s PHONO input, then connect the preamp’s line output to the speakers’ RCA or AUX input.
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Fluance Support advises that an external preamp is needed if the speakers lack a phono input and the turntable lacks a built-in preamp. Edifier Support similarly explains that self-powered speakers need a preamp to raise a phono signal to line level; its support article was updated October 7, 2021. An un-preamped turntable connected to a line input may play at very low volume.
If the turntable and phono stage have grounding terminals, consult both manuals for whether and how to connect the ground wire; there is no single grounding procedure that applies to every setup.
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Connect a TV
Choose an output on the TV and a matching input on the speakers. Depending on the models, this may be analog RCA/AUX, optical/Toslink, or HDMI ARC/eARC. Use a port only if it is present and supported at both ends.
Optical connection
- Connect the TV’s optical output to the speakers’ optical input with a Toslink cable.
- Choose Optical on the speakers.
- In the TV’s audio settings, enable external audio output and set the digital audio format to PCM or stereo if the speakers do not support the TV’s Dolby Digital or DTS output.
For example, Fluance says the Ai41 and Ai61 do not support Dolby Digital or DTS and recommends PCM/stereo for optical TV audio. Klipsch gives the same PCM/stereo direction for the R-50PM. These are model-specific instructions, not a universal limitation of powered speakers. Optical volume control also depends on the equipment; you may need to use the speaker remote or adjust a TV setting.
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Analog or HDMI connection
For RCA or AUX, connect the TV’s analog audio output to the matching speaker line input and select that input. For HDMI ARC/eARC, connect the TV’s ARC/eARC port to the speaker system’s corresponding port, then select the appropriate audio output in the TV settings. Both devices must support the chosen connection, and the exact setup and volume-control behavior depend on their manuals.
Connect a computer
Use a computer output that matches an input documented for audio on the speakers:
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- Headphone or line output: Connect the computer’s analog output to the speakers’ AUX or RCA line input with a compatible cable.
- Optical output: If both devices have optical audio, connect them with a Toslink cable and select Optical on the speakers. Many computers do not have an optical output.
- USB audio: Use USB only when the speaker manual identifies that port as a computer-audio input. For instance, Klipsch’s Fives II guide documents USB-C audio for a PC; the shape of a USB port alone does not establish that it accepts sound.
After connecting, select the corresponding speaker input. On the computer, open its sound or audio settings and choose the speaker connection as the output device. Menu names vary by operating system and version.
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Use more than one source
Some powered-speaker systems have inputs for several sources, allowing a TV, turntable, and computer to remain connected. Check the manual to confirm which inputs can be connected at once and how to switch between them. A product guide that lists optical, RCA, USB, and HDMI eARC shows that this combination exists on some systems; it does not mean every speaker pair has those ports.
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Troubleshoot common connection problems
The turntable is very quiet
- Check whether the turntable output is PHONO or LINE and whether a phono stage is active in the turntable, speakers, or an external preamp.
- If the turntable’s built-in preamp feeds a line input, set the turntable to LINE.
- If the turntable outputs PHONO and the speakers have no phono input, add an external phono preamp between them.
The TV is silent over optical
- Confirm Optical is selected on the speakers and external audio output is enabled on the TV.
- Set the TV’s digital output to PCM or stereo if the speakers cannot decode the selected Dolby Digital or DTS format.
- Check that the cable is seated at both ends and that the TV is sending audio through its optical port.
There is no sound from any source
- Check speaker power and cable connections.
- Confirm the selected speaker input matches the connected source.
- Make sure the source device is set to output audio through the connected port.
One channel is missing
Check left and right RCA connections and any cable linking the active and passive speakers. Use the speaker manual for the system’s wiring and polarity instructions; the correct fix depends on the model and connection.
Choose speakers for these devices
List the sources you plan to connect, then compare the actual inputs and requirements rather than relying on a connector photo. Check whether you need:
- A phono input, or a turntable with a built-in preamp or an external preamp.
- Stereo RCA or AUX for analog line-level audio.
- Optical/Toslink for a TV or computer that provides it, plus support for the TV’s audio format.
- USB audio explicitly documented for computer playback.
- HDMI ARC/eARC if you want that connection to the TV.
- Enough inputs for all planned sources, and a clear way to switch between them.
- The speaker-to-speaker wiring or cable the system requires.
Manufacturer examples illustrate why model checks matter: Fluance’s Ai41/Ai61 instructions describe input selection on the active speaker and speaker wire between active and passive units, while the Klipsch Fives II guide documents USB-C PC audio and HDMI eARC alongside other inputs. These features should not be assumed for other models.
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