Connecting speakers to a gaming monitor can be a very tricky process, especially if you’re a newcomer to gaming. Even experienced gamers may find themselves scratching their heads; it’s an issue we’ve found plenty of people having difficulty with. Fear no more – this guide aims to make the process of connecting speakers to a gaming monitor a less complicated, much simpler process.
Firstly, it’s important to pay attention to any instructions that your monitor setup came with. Different monitors have different types of ports and plugs, so it’s essential that you make sure your speakers are compatible with your gaming monitor. If you’re unsure then it’s best to check the user manual for your specific monitor to be sure. Make sure to double check that the monitor is properly connected to your PC or gaming console.
Depending on what type of monitor you have purchased, there are two likely possibilities. If you have a VGA monitor then the likelihood is that it has a built in audio jack. If your monitor has this then all you need to do is connect your speakers to the monitor’s audio jack.
If your monitor doesn’t come with a built in jack then you will have to connect your speakers to the external source, such as your PC or gaming console. Make sure to check if your external device supports the speakers you have purchased. Sometimes the need to purchase an amplifier or sound card arises when connecting your speakers to an external device as the device might not have the necessary ports to support the speakers you have chosen.
Once you’re sure that all the necessary cables are connected correctly and that the monitor, speakers and external device are compatible then you’re ready to power up the speakers. Make sure to check the settings on the external device and adjust until you get the sound levels desired.
In order to get the cleanest sound a digital connection is usually preferred. This means that if your gaming monitor and/or speakers have a digital interface then it’s worth connecting your monitor and speakers that way as it will provide a cleaner and more immersive sound experience.
Finally, it’s important to remember that connecting your speakers to your monitor is a trial-by-error process. Don’t be disheartened if your first attempts don’t yield the ideal sound – many users find they must go back and tweak settings, cables and sound options to find what works for them. So don’t be afraid to experiment – you’ll eventually find the perfect settings for your gaming experience!
PC Connections
If your PC does not have a dedicated audio jack for speakers then you will need to source an adaptor. You will then need to connect the adaptor to the PC and then connect the speaker cable to the adaptor. Depending on what type of speaker cable you have, it is important to ensure that the cable is compatible with your PC’s port connections and audio specifications.
Furthermore, you need to ensure that the adaptor and the PC are compatible as some PCs may not have the correct ports to accommodate certain adaptors. Once you have connected the adaptor to your PC, and you are certain that it is compatible, you can connect your speakers to the adaptor.
When you are certain that the connections are secure, you can now apply power to your PC and speakers. On the PC you will then have to select the correct audio input device. In order to do this you need to access the Sound settings. Here, you will see all the available audio input devices – PCs, gaming consoles and other external audio sources – and simply select the audio device you want.
You should now be able to hear sound coming from your speakers, although you may need to adjust the audio settings or the volume levels. You can adjust the system volume levels through the PC’s control panel.
Once you have completed this process you should now have a successful connection between your PC and speakers. If you haven’t then it may be necessary to check all the connections once more to ensure that all cables are secure and every device is compatible.
Gaming Console Connections
Many gaming consoles have dedicated ports for connecting external audio devices, such as speakers. This can vary depending on the type of gaming console that you have but it may be necessary to use an audio adapter to bridge the gap between the speakers and the gaming console.
Using an adapter allows you to use a variety of types of audio devices, allowing for a much more flexible experience. To make use of this additional flexibility, though, you will have to check whether the adapter supports the audio device and gaming console that you are using.
Once you have inserted the adapter, you should then be able to connect the speakers to the adapter just as you would connect them to a PC or gaming monitor. After you have completed this step, you should then be able to select the relevant audio device through the settings of your gaming console.
Finally, you can now apply power to the speakers and adjust the audio settings and volume levels with your gaming console’s control panel. You should now be able to clearly hear sound coming from your connected speakers.
Bluetooth Connections
If you are planning to connect your gaming monitor to a Bluetooth enabled speaker then it is important to ensure that both the gaming monitor and speakers have Bluetooth enabled. If both devices have enabled Bluetooth, then you should be able to easily connect the two devices without any additional hardware.
Most gaming monitors come with an advanced Bluetooth connection which allows for easier pairing of devices. It is important to check the user manual for your gaming monitor to ensure that you are able to connect your speakers to the gaming monitor via Bluetooth.
Once you have checked this, you can then begin the pairing process. To do this, you may have to refer to the user manual of your specific gaming monitor. Generally, in order to pair Bluetooth devices, the required steps should be relatively straightforward.
When you have completed the pairing process you may be asked to confirm whether you want to use the speakers as your default audio output device on the gaming monitor. If you click yes then the speakers should now become your default choice for audio output.
It is important to ensure that the volume levels are set correctly and that the speakers are compatible with the gaming monitor’s audio inputs. Once you have completed all these steps you should now be able to hear sound coming from your connected Bluetooth speakers.
HDMI Connections
If your gaming monitor has an HDMI port and your speakers do also – then it should be relatively straightforward to connect the two. Make sure to check the user manual for your gaming monitor to ensure that the HDMI port is compatible with your speakers.
When you are sure that the ports are compatible, you should then be able to connect the two devices. In order to connect the two devices, you need to use an HDMI cable which should come with the monitor. All you need to do is simply plug the cable into the HDMI port of the monitor and the HDMI port of the speakers.
You now need to select the correct audio input device on the gaming monitor. In order to do this you need to access the sound settings on the gaming monitor. Here, you will see all the available audio input devices – HDMI and other external audio sources – and simply select the audio device you want.
You should now be able to hear audio coming from your connected speakers. However, if you are not hearing any sound then it is important to check that the HDMI cable is adequately plugged in and that the connections are secure. Once you have checked the connections, you may need to adjust the sound settings and volume levels of the monitor.
Troubleshooting
If you find that you cannot get sound from your speakers then it is possible that the cables you are using are not suitable for your gaming monitor or speakers. In some cases, you may need to purchase an audio adapter in order to connect the speakers to the gaming monitor. It is important to check the user manual of your gaming monitor and speakers to ensure that the correct cables and ports are being used.
You may also find that the sound quality is not clear or that the volume levels are too low. If this is the case, then you may have to adjust the sound settings on the gaming monitor. This can usually be done by accessing the sound settings and then customizing the sound options.
If you find that the sound is still not clear then it may be necessary to purchase an external amplifier or sound card for the monitor. This is often the case when connecting speakers to an external device, as the device might not have the necessary ports to support the speakers.
You should now be able to get the desired sound from your connected speakers. If, however, you still cannot get sound from the speakers then it may be necessary to refer to the user’s manual of your gaming monitor and/or speakers to look for any additional troubleshooting tips and advice.
