How to Connect Bluetooth Speakers to TV

Not all not TVs come with Bluetooth built-in, but that doesn’t mean you can’t access some of the benefits of Bluetooth audio functionality regardless. If you want to know how to connect Bluetooth speakers to a TV, you’ve got a couple of simple, inexpensive options that are easy to set up. It might be different when you need to connect 4 speakers to a 2 channel amp, but it works almost the same way.

Depending on what level of the audio quality of your best speakers, what you’re looking for, and the ease of setup and price point you’d prefer, these two options are both good for letting you enjoy the benefits of Bluetooth speakers or headphones with your top-rated TV.

Smart TVs

If your TV has Bluetooth connectivity built-in, connecting to external Bluetooth speakers is as simple as making sure they’re powered on and selecting them in your TV’s audio output settings menu. This is as simple as how to connect Chromecast to a TV. If you’re not sure if your TV has Bluetooth built-in, here are a few indicators:

• All designated “Smart” TVs have Bluetooth connectivity built-in
• Any TV that comes with a smart remote should also have Bluetooth built-in

Once you’ve determined if your TV is Bluetooth capable, these general steps should apply to most TVs:

1. Make sure your Bluetooth speakers (or headphones) and TV are both powered on
2. On your TV’s settings menu, select “Sound Settings” or “Advanced Settings”
3. Select “Sound” or “Sound Out/Sound Output”
4. Select your Bluetooth speakers from the list of audio outputs

Keep in mind, that if you’re not hearing any audio and your Bluetooth setup is correct, you’ll need to check the speakers and do additional troubleshooting.

Bluetooth Transmitters

If your TV doesn’t have Bluetooth, you can still connect it to Bluetooth speakers or headphones using a Bluetooth transmitter, which can be found starting for as low as $18 online. You’ll then be connecting the Bluetooth transmitter to a physical audio output on your TV and connecting your Bluetooth speakers to the transmitter wirelessly via Bluetooth signal.

Here you’ll have two options- connect the transmitter to the TV’s AUX audio out port with a stereo RCA or 3.5mm audio jack, or connect the transmitter to the TV’s digital audio/optical audio port with an optical cable. There are advantages and disadvantages to each option:

• Connecting the AUX port with an analog 3.5mm or RCA jack is the easiest, most inexpensive, and given the wide availability of such cables, most convenient option
• Connecting via the digital audio/optical port will provide superior audio to using the AUX port, but optical cables are more expensive, not as widely available, and can be more finicky to connect properly

Currently, Bluetooth transmitters are the only practical and non-cost-prohibitive way to add Bluetooth functionality to non-Bluetooth TVs, but they’re an effective and inexpensive way to connect Bluetooth speakers. You can also check out how to connect a tablet to a tv if you’d like to mirror your tablet.

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