Connecting Active and Passive Speakers to an AV Receiver: A Comprehensive Guide

Connecting both active powered and passive speakers to an AV receiver can be tricky, especially if you're trying to mix them in a way that maintains proper audio output. This guide provides a step-by-step process for setting up your BO speakers, subwoofer, and passive speakers on a home theater system.

Understanding Active and Passive Speakers

Active or powered speakers are those with built-in amplifiers, making them connect directly to the audio source like your AV receiver. Passive speakers, on the other hand, require an external amplifier, such as the one in your AV receiver, and must be connected to the receiver's speaker outputs.

Current Setup

Your setup currently includes active speakers connected via a 3.5mm phone jack and subwoofer also connected through the phone jack to the receiver. The TV audio is connected via an optical cable to the AV receiver, which is working great. However, audio has been lost when trying to connect passive 5.1 speakers.

Connecting Passive Speakers

Let’s troubleshoot and properly set up your passive speakers to avoid losing audio. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth connection:

Disconnect Active Speakers

Connect Passive Speakers

Disconnect the active BO speakers from the AV receiver to avoid any conflicts. Connect the passive speakers to the speaker outputs on the AV receiver. Ensure positive and negative terminals are connected correctly.

Re-connect Active Speakers

After connecting the passive speakers, reconnect the active speakers. Since the active speakers are already amplified, connect them to the appropriate output on the AV receiver, such as line-out or pre-out if available. Use a Y-splitter if necessary, ensuring impedance compatibility to avoid damage.

Configure Your AV Receiver

Audio Settings and Speaker Configuration

Ensure your AV receiver is configured to recognize and support both types of speakers. Configure settings for multi-channel output, specifying the types of speakers (small, large) if necessary.

Check for Audio Loss

Volume Levels and Source Selection

Check volume settings for both active and passive speakers to ensure they are adjusted correctly. Select the correct audio source on the AV receiver for testing audio playback.

Testing

Play Audio and Adjust Settings

Test the audio by playing through your AV receiver. Adjust the volume and settings as necessary to achieve the desired output. Troubleshooting Tips for Ensuring the Correct Connection:

Double-check all physical connections. Verify AV receiver output mode is correctly set. Test the passive speakers individually for functionality. Check for impedance compatibility.

Following these steps should allow you to successfully connect both active and passive speakers to your AV receiver without losing audio. If issues persist, consult the AV receiver manual for specific solutions.