Connecting external speakers to an LG TV lets you hear the audio at maximum volumes and in better quality. If you have a Bluetooth-enabled speaker, you can connect it wirelessly using the Bluetooth feature. For a wired connection, you can use an RCA, 3.5mm to 3.5mm, Digital Optical Audio, or HDMI (ARC) cable. This article demonstrates several ways to connect external speakers to an LG Smart TV.
Possible Ways to Connect External Speakers to LG TV
Depending on your convenience, you can use any technique to connect your external speakers to an LG TV.
Using Bluetooth
Using Bluetooth on LG TV, you can connect external speakers, soundbars, AirPods, etc.
1. Turn on your external speaker and ensure the Bluetooth is enabled.
2. Click the Settings icon on the home screen once the TV is turned on.
3. Select the Sound menu and choose Sound Out.
4. Click Use Wireless Speaker and select the Bluetooth Device option.
5. Select your device to connect. Once paired, you can listen to the TV audio via speakers.
Use a RCA Cable
On older LG TV models, you can find RCA ports. The RCA cable will mostly come with a combination of red and white and red and black. Plug the RCA cable into the left and right RCA outport ports of your LG TV. Remember that the RCA cable can only play stereo sound and is suitable for connecting 2.1 speakers. Even though if you connect a 5.1 surround speaker, it will play only stereo sound.
1. Connect the RCA cable’s one end to the left and right output ports of an LG TV.
2. Connect the other end of the cable to the analog audio inputs of your speaker or soundbar.
3. Turn on your LG TV, click the Settings icon, and select Sound.
4. Choose Sound Out and select the Use Wired Speaker option.
5. On the next screen, click the Audio Out Device option.
6. If your device has any audio enhancement settings like DTS Neo:6 or Dolby Prologic 11, you can enable them to get the best sound experience.
Use a 3.5mm to 3.5mm Cable
If you can’t find the RCA output port on your LG TV, don’t worry. Purchase a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable to connect your speakers to an LG TV. Besides TV, you can use this cable to connect speakers to a smartphone, tablet, and PC. Like the RCA cable, it can play only stereo sound and is unsuitable for surround speakers. After setting up a connection, go to Sound Out settings, select Use Wired Speaker, and choose Wired Headphones.
Use a Digital Optical Audio Cable
Since you cannot connect the RCA cable directly to the newer LG TV models, you must rely on a Digital Optical Audio cable for the best sound quality. Instead of using the standard coaxial plug, use the square optical plugs.
1. Connect the digital optical cable’s one end to the LG TV’s output port.
2. Connect the cable’s other end to the analog audio input of your speaker.
3. Go to Sound Out settings, click Use Wired Speaker, and choose the Optical Out Device.
4. Once detected, it will display the Optical or OPT message on the TV screen.
From now on, you can listen to the TV audio using external speakers.
Use a HDMI (ARC) Cable
HDMI (ARC) is an amazing option for connecting external speakers, providing higher-quality audio-video signals. It is similar to Optical, but it uses a different cable. If your LG TV has an HDMI ARC label, it functions with both input and output.
1. Connect the HDMI cable’s one end to the TV’s HDMI (ARC) port and the other end to the speaker.
2. Navigate to Sound Out settings and click the Use Wired Speaker option.
3. Select HDMI (ARC) Device on the next menu.
That’s it. Now, the TV audio will play on your external speaker.
Connect Speakers to WiSA SoundSend Certified LG TV Models
LG agreed with WiSA (Wireless Speaker and Audio Association) and developed built-in firmware on selected LG TV models like NanoCell and OLED. WiSA allows users to listen to Hi-Res digital audio in a crystal clear quality. The audio delivered from this source equals 8 powerful speakers in the same room.
Follow these steps to hook up WiSA-certified speakers, such as Bang and Olufsen, Polk Audio, Enclave, Klipsch, Axiim, etc., to your LG TV.
1. Plug the USB dongle of WiSA into your LG TV and power on the speaker.
2. Go to Sound Out settings on LG TV and select Use Wireless Speaker.
3. On the next menu, select WiSA Speakers to listen to the TV audio on that.
This is all about connecting external speakers to an LG Smart TV. For watching movies and TV series in 3D surround quality, enable DOLBY ATMOS on LG TV and enjoy it.