How to Hook Up Stereo Speakers to a Computer

You may want stereo quality speakers connected to your computer, especially if you play a lot of music. You can easily connect speakers meant for a stereo to your computer. If your best speakers are already built into your stereo system, you should be able to connect that to the computer as well.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Speakers by Themselves

1. Locate the audio output port on your computer. This will likely be a 3.5-inch or mini port. Compare this to the input cable on the speakers, which should be either a mini or RCA style.

2. Get an extension cable or adapter to connect the two if their connectors do not link. For example, you'll need a male 3.5-inch to female RCA cable if the computer port is 3.5 and the speaker has RCA plugs.

3. Plug the stereo speakers into the computer through the audio output jack. Once you turn up the speakers' volume, the sound should come out with no problem.

Speakers Built Into a Stereo

4. Find the input port in the back of your stereo. This should be labeled as an auxiliary or phono port. Compare it to the sound output port on the computer. (The stereo's port is probably RCA.)

5. Obtain a cable with the correct plugs to connect the two devices. In this case, you are looking for one with two male plugs, since the devices should both use female ports.

6. Set your stereo to "Phono" or "Auxiliary" mode once you have connected it to the computer. If the stereo has power through either an electric plug or an amplifier, the computer's sound should play through it.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need an amplifier to boost the speakers' sound, follow the above steps to connect the speakers to the amplifier and then the amplifier to the computer.

[yenohac]

on 7/15/2009 I meant computer to stereo...

[yenohac]

on 7/15/2009 I have hooked my stereo up to my receiver (mini-plug to RCA) and the music now plays through my stereo and main speakers. I am, however, getting a constant hum over the speakers that gets louder with volume. What can I do to reduce/ eliminate this? The stereo is about 12 feet from the computer, so I have some length to the cable.