Learn how to hook up powered speakers to a receiver using our simple to use guide!
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You can easily connect your power speakers to a receiver by locating the out and in ports of your receiver. To identify these ports clearly, you will need first to be familiar with the design and structure.
In this article, you will also get to know about the powered speakers and their work. Some people might face difficulties and issues while hooking up the speakers to a receiver.
What Are Power Speakers?
Power speakers are speakers that have an in-built amplifier in them. These speakers will have boosted audio and sound. You will not require to purchase any additional components for boosting the audio, such as an amplifier or a receiver.
These speakers are also known as active speakers or as loudspeakers. There are several advantages of using powered speakers such as:-
Fidelity
Power speakers have a greater power output and a dynamic range. The amplifiers present in these speakers are already matched according to the internal components of your speakers.
You won’t have to match the settings of your speakers to the amplifier if you use these powerful speakers. Otherwise, you would have to manually match the speakers’ driver characteristics like impedance, power handling, and other things.
Cabling
Active speakers need two cables instead of a single cable. These two cables are an AC cable and an audio signal cable. Due to the dual cables, you can easily manage the wires without adjusting everything in a single place.
How To Connect Power Speakers To A Receiver
It is not entirely necessary to connect your power speakers to a receiver. Still, if you want to connect them, you can follow the following steps to establish a secure connection.
- Firstly you need to identify the pre-outs in your receiver. These ports are designed to connect an amplifier to the speakers. The number of these ports on your receiver will decide how many powered speakers you’ll be able to connect to the receiver.
- The next step for you is to identify the correct place for keeping the receiver and the speakers in your home. It is always better to first predict where you will be keeping the speakers before setting up anything. To increase the lifespan of your receiver, you’ll need to keep it in a properly ventilated area. The back of the receiver should also be easily accessible so that you can make the connections. Many people prefer keeping it with the entertainment center or the center of the room.
- Connect the speaker to the pre-out ports after you are done with the placement of the speakers. If you don’t want to keep the cables visible, you can run them across the home and hide them from direct view. Most people recommend that you use wire connectors to connect the receiver and speaker.
This makes sure that your wires never touch each other, due to which you will never experience a short circuit. This is an important safety feature that you should use for your safety and the safety of your speakers.
Investing in a surge protector or a UPS is also a wise decision, especially when using powerful appliances such as a receiver and powered speakers.
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Some More Ways To Connect Powered Speakers To Receivers
There are other alternatives, such as zone 2 lines. These lines are also suitable for connecting your power speakers to a receiver. These lines are designed and are capable of handling two audio sources.
You can also use a mixer along with your receiver. Using a mixer will increase the number of inputs in your receiver. Due to this feature, you can efficiently connect multiple speakers to the receiver. Mixers have a central volume control, and they also offer a different configuration to the users.
Another alternative to connect the speakers is the stereo receiver. It is a device that supports AV inputs along with other inputs. You can use them to play both music as well as movies. Speakers connected to a stereo receiver will be better than your in-built tv speakers.
If you follow the above methods, you are less likely to hurt or damage your power speakers while connected to a receiver. These methods are pretty simple and easy to follow. Make sure you follow them if you want to increase the lifespan of your speakers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1:- Can you hook up any speakers to any receiver?
Ans:- Yes, you can quickly hook up any speaker to any receiver. You need to be careful and consider the ohm load on both your speakers and the recovers.
Matching these levels is essential for the proper functioning of the speakers. If these levels don’t match, you will experience sound distortion and loss of quality of the sound.
Most of the receivers available in the market are compatible with 6 ohms to 8 ohms. This is the most stable range for the receivers. If you use a 6 ohms receiver, it will pull more power from the speakers to sound louder and better.
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Q2:- Do you need a receiver for powered speakers?
Ans:- Yes, every set of speakers works better with an amplifier. You can boost the sound levels and the clarity of the speakers with a receiver. You can also call the standard speakers passive speakers.
On the other hand, you can call powered speakers active speakers. Some active speakers in the market have a built-in amplifier, and these speakers don’t necessarily need a receiver for them. Although, you can use receivers for the speakers if you want to create an immersive experience.
Q3:- How do I hook up speakers to my receiver?
Ans:- You can connect multiple speakers to the receiver connected using a combination of two connections. You can connect these two speakers in series or parallel. Connecting the speakers in series will increase the resistance and load on the receiver.
If you connect the speakers in parallel, the receiver’s load and resistance will be reduced. You can also use the set of speakers with the help of connectors. You can connect the single end of your cable to the amplifier.
Q4:- Can you hook up powered speakers to an amplifier?
Ans:- Yes, you can hook up powered speakers to an amplifier. Although powered speakers are not meant to be used with receivers or amplifiers, you hook them up together to increase the clarity and loudness of the sound.
If the load levels of your amplifier and power speakers don’t match, then it can be harmful to your speakers.
Q5:- What will happen if you connect your powered speakers to an amplifier?
Ans:- If you connect your power speakers to an amplifier or receiver, then you can seriously damage your speakers. Adding more power to power can be pretty dangerous for the internal components of your speakers.
This will increase the load on your speaker, due to which it may malfunction or even stop working. If you want to increase the lifespan of your speakers, then it is the best option to avoid using receivers with powered speakers.
Wrap Up
You don’t necessarily need to hook up powered speakers to a receiver as the powered speakers already have an amplifier inside them.
But you can also add receivers and amplifiers to the speakers to enhance your experience. Due to this, these speakers are also known as active speakers.
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Happy Listening!