You can turn any pair of passive bookshelf speakers into computer speakers. You could use them for excellent sound when you are working or gaming. Bookshelf speakers are larger than many computer speakers. You can wire them to make sure you get the sound you want.
Do you have a computer that needs the best sound quality? You can take bookshelf speakers and put them together. This guide will contain a step-by-step tutorial on how you can set it all up.
This tutorial should be of interest to you since your desktop or laptop could use a bit of an audio upgrade. Once set up, you’ll be able to get sound quality that will be much better than what the computer’s standalone sound system can offer. This is important to follow because you may not get the richest sound quality from such a setup.
Having excellent sound quality when gaming can give you the immersive experience. You’ll be able to take in the sights, sounds, and scenes of your favorite game. Whether you’re playing online multiplayer or a solo mission, you’ll get to experience something like no other.
Let’s take a look now at this in-depth guide so you can create a powerhouse of a sound system for your computer.
Table of Contents
What You Will Need for This Tutorial
In this tutorial, you will need the following:
- A computer (laptop or pc computer)
- Bookshelf speakers
- 3.5 mm to RCA cable
- External desktop amplifier
Step by Step Tutorial on Setting Up Passive Bookshelf Speakers for Your Computer
There are two different types of bookshelf speakers: passive and active. For the first part of this tutorial, we’ll start with how you can connect passive bookshelf speakers. Let’s begin:
1. Connect the speakers to the external amplifier
The first thing you’ll want to do is connect the speakers to your external desktop amplifer. To do this, you’re going to need to connect the left speaker wires into its corresponding terminal into the amplifier. Next, do the same with the right speaker wires.
After this, connect the other ends of the wires into their respective speakers (left wire goes into the left speaker, right into the right speaker). Double check to see if the connections are in the right place before you move onto the next step.
2. Connect the sound system to the PC
With the sound system now connected, your next task will be to connect it to your PC or laptop. For this, you will need to use a 3.5mm RCA plug cable. Connect the RCA cable’s two pins into the amplifier’s left and right channels.
Alternatively, you can utilize the AUX input of the amplifier if you choose to do so. You’ll want to connect the 3.5mm port of the amplifier to the PC’s 3.5mm port. next, take the other end of the RCA cable and connect it to the PC.
Last but not least, connect the power cable to your external amplifier and switch on the power.
3. Test the sound system out
Your final task will be to check to see if the system is properly connected. To do this, you can play a YouTube video or play your favorite song. Either way, you’ll want to make sure that the sound is coming out of the bookshelf speakers you are using for your computer.
You may need to go to your computer’s audio settings and check to see if the output is selected. You may have to switch to the name of the amplifier as your audio’s output since the computer’s desktop speakers are considered the default setting. Once this is switched, you can double check to see if the sound is coming out of it using the same testing method as above.
Connecting Active Bookshelf Speakers to Your Computer
The setup above is used for passive bookshelf speakers. If you have active bookshelf speakers, you will need to follow this step-by-step guide below to set things up. Active bookshelf speakers will have its own power supply because of a built in amplifier that it has.
Let’s take a look now at the following setup instructions:
1. Determine your connectivity options
Active bookshelf speakers can be connected either by Bluetooth, RCA, 3.5mm, or a coaxial among others. If you are looking for an affordable choice, you can consider powered speakers. The setup will depend on the available connection it may have.
So if it’s Bluetooth compatible, you will need to follow the pair setup instructions. Which means you can allow your computer to search for the device while the speakers are in pairing mode. Otherwise, the RCA and 3.5mm setup will be similar to the instructions above.
2. Check to see if your speakers are either passive or active
The best way to determine this is by turning each speaker around. If you see any red and black inputs with binding posts, those are passive bookshelf speakers. Active bookshelf speakers will have audio input ports and a power plug. They will also have adjustment controls for the bass, treble, and volume.
Final Thoughts
Did you like this tutorial? Setting up a better sound system will work wonders for your computer. Especially if you’re setting up bookshelf speakers.
Setting it up is easier than you think. Before you know it, you’ll be able to get the best sound quality possible. It will go well beyond what your PC’s sound card or PC speakers can be able to do.
You’ll want to make sure that your speakers are either passive or active. Because it can determine the type of setup that you will need to follow as listed above. Either way, it’s simple to set up and you can enjoy the sounds of your favorite music, game, and more.
If you liked this tutorial, we’d love to hear from you. Comment below to let us know your experience with this and give us the details on how awesome the sound quality has changed compared to the default setup.
John Fleming is the senior editor for Audiophilez.com, covering everything from headphones to smart speakers. He is a graduate of Music Production and Technology. Before Audiophilez, John began his career as a staff writer for two different magazines, where he became a skilled storyteller across different mediums. When he isn’t writing, he can be found biking, reading books, and playing the piano.