Help with television external speakers

[IglooDame]

It isn't precisely computers, but I thought y'all might be able to help.

I've got a new 24" LCD television that I'm mounting on the wall in my basement in front of my treadmill/exercise area. There's a pair of 3W speakers embedded, and among the many inputs is a single "headphone" 3.5mm audio output jack. I'd like to add a pair of significant speakers to the audio output, but am not sure if #1 I need the speakers to have separate electrical power, and #2 if I can go above the standard PC desktop speakers in wattage/size/output.

Any thoughts?

 

[Zelig]

If you want them to have anything in the way of volume, they'll need separate electrical power.

Easiest way might be to hook up the aux of a stereo system if you're interested in having radio/music hookup in the same location.

 

[Cutlass]

I think virtually all modern TVs have an output for a surround sound system rather than direct speaker outputs. Mine (Sony) has both types out outputs. What jacks does yours have on the back of it?

 

[IglooDame]

Thanks guys. Specs (actually, the television itself) is here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889527001

HDMI: 1 In
PC Input: D-Sub
Headphone: Yes
Composite A/V: 1 In
Component Video: 1 In
S-Video: 1 In

 

[illram]

Get something like this.

I had an old one of these and it is still kicking around, great sound for a little tiny package. When I got it this company put out quality products, not sure if this is the case anymore though. (But this is the type of thing you can do if you don't want to go full-bore and get a stereo/receiver or anything.)

 

[Cutlass]

By the looks of it you just bought a cheap TV that does not have an audio out. Other than the headphone jack. And that jack isn't going to run any significant speakers.

You could attempt to put a set of PC speakers that have their own power supply plugged into that headphone jack and see what results you get. If that doesn't satisfy you, you'll need at least a cheap surround sound system.

 

[shadowplay]

Just connect the TV via the HDMI input (audio and video are integrated into a single connection typically nowadays) to a receiver such as this one, connect the speakers to the receiver, and you should be roses.

I'm more concerned about the TV you bought though... my experience with HDTVs from unknown brands has not been good. Very high failure rates... be warned...

 

[Cutlass]

Do TVs output by HDMI or only input?

 

[shadowplay]

Input... The video source should be connected directly to the receiver, and will then be fed to the TV via the input. The audio doesn't make it to the TV set at all - that will be directly output by the receiver to the speakers you attach to the receiver.

 

[IglooDame]

Yeah, it's a cheapie - for $150, I'm not all that worried.

 

[illram]

That's why the best you should probably do is a good set of PC speakers, preferably with a small sub and separately powered and connected via a simple Y cable or 1/8 jack. Otherwise you're not doing much more than the TV speakers are already doing.

Receivers are expensive.

 

[Zelig]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/RCA+-+F...Gray/1580225.p?id=1218270212201&skuId=1580225

Or just get a stereo, plug into that, and then you can also plug in an mp3 player or do radio if you want.