How to Connect Bookshelf Speakers
Bookshelf speakers are small speakers that fit on a bookshelf. There are several types and brands of bookshelf speakers available. The type of speakers and the device you wish to connect to the speakers will dictate the way to hook up the speakers.
Materials
- Speaker wire
- Wire stripper or scissors
- Mini jack to RCA splitter (optional)
Method
- Decide which piece of your home entertainment equipment to connect the speakers. You can connect speakers to many televisions, DVD and Blu-ray players, computers, and stereo receiver systems. Each device may have a different in-line plug in jack. Different speaker sets have different output jacks.
- Setup and place the speakers at the positions in the room according to the manufacturer’s suggestions for the best sound quality.
- Connect the speaker wires to the back of the speakers if the speakers are not prewired. Strip the wires to reveal a half-inch of copper wire. Distinguish the brown insulated positive wire from the clear insulated neutral wire. Place the positive wire into the red speaker terminal and the negative wire into the black terminal. Repeat for all bookshelf speakers.
- Connect the wires to the receiver. Most modern receivers have clearly labeled markers to distinguish the placement of the wires for all five speakers. Test the speakers and adjust the settings.
- Purchase a mini jack to RCA splitter if you have prewired speakers. This device allows you to connect mini jack speakers directly to your television, DVD player, or Blu-ray player.