It may seem like there is no way to use a television’s headphone jack without muting the sound, but it is easy to get the sound to play through the headphones and speakers at the same time. Most televisions are designed to have speakers turn off when headphones are connected, as this is the way many people use headphones, but there is a way to avoid this. Generally you would do this if two people want to listen at a different volume.
Step 1
Find a good speaker position near your TV. Arrange the speakers so that the left, right, and your listening positions form a triangle with the sides approximately equal. Adjust the height so that the tweeters are approximately the same height as your ears.
Step 2
Find the headphone jack on your TV. Plug your 3.5mm stereo jack adapter into 2 3.5mm stereo jacks into the headphone jack. Plug your speaker cable into one of the jacks on the adapter. Use a different cable if you have a separate amplifier: Plug the RCA connectors of your 3.5mm mini connector to RCA converter cable into the “CD In” jack or another line level input, and then Plug the 3.5mm mini plug into one of the jacks on the adapter.
Step 3
Plug your headphones into the other jack on the adapter. Turn on your speakers and your amp (in case you have one). Make sure the volume isn’t too loud, then turn on your TV. Verify that the sound is coming from the speakers and headphones. Adjust the volume of the speakers to the level you want. Arrange the final position of the speakers to find the best listening position by adjusting among the three position ideas suggested in step 1.
All speakers require a small amount of electricity to transmit the audio signal and be powerful enough to reach a satisfactory volume. Some speakers, like the small ones used in computing, contain amplifiers that control the unit. Most large stereo and home theater speakers must be connected to a wired amplifier or receiver to receive the audio signal. Connecting the speakers takes just a few minutes, using simple tools.
Step 1
Place the speakers in your preferred location, usually in pairs, to build a good stereo setup.
Step 2
Cut a length of cable to connect each speaker to the back of the amplifier or receiver, then strip about half an inch (1 cm) at the ends of both cables.
Step 3
Lift up the black and red hooks on the back of each speaker to find a small hole below them where you will insert the cables. Insert the red wire under the red hook. The other wire connects to the terminal under the black hook.
Step 4
Connect the other ends of the cables to the terminals of the amplifier or receiver in the same way, taking the trouble to connect the cables of the left speaker to the terminals of the left audio channel of the amplifier or receiver.
Step 5
Connect the amplifier or receiver to electricity, reproduce some signal, such as the FM radio, and adjust the volume to a comfortable level for the ear.
