Current Events > Who's good at home entertainment systems? I have a sound setup conundrum.

(+) Yeah! (+)

It seems like there should be an obvious and simple solution but I don't know what it is.

To put it simply I have a bunch of devices and I want them all to be able to play through my speakers.

Speakers:

• Bose Soundwave

Devices:

• PC
• PS4
• Switch
• LG Smart TV (which all devices are connected to)

Here's where it gets annoying. I figure the simplest solution would be to connect the Soundwave speakers to the TV and play the sound out of any device that way. However, the TV doesn't have bluetooth. The TV has an optical cable, but the Soundwave doesn't. The soundwave has an auxillary port, but the TV doesn't.

Wtf do I do then? I just need a simple way to connect the TV to the speakers.

---

RCA cable, is that it? Man that seems archaic.

---

Yes, RCA is still a common audio connection

So an RCA-to-3.5mill jack would do it I think. The soundwave has an aux on the back, and the tv has RCA.


---

RCA to aux would do it, but you may be better off with an optical adapter.

and thats an RCA output on the tv? not input

We're gonna need some photos of what you're working with here.

Get a receiver.

---

Give me a sec to take pics, lol


---

Actually just quicker to find pics on google. here's the back of the speaker system:

https://www.multiroomtest.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/02/bose_wave_soundtouch_music_system_4_back-1024x682.jpg

And TV:

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/A1k3eWJyT4L._AC_SL1500_.jpg

---

Questionmarktarius posted...

RCA to aux would do it, but you may be better off with an optical adapter.

Is either appreciably better?

---

I don't see where the TV has any outputs.

pinky0926 posted...

Is either appreciably better?

RCA may be tied to the TV's volume, optical usually isn't.
Start with the RCA adapter, I guess. It's usually cheaper, and that's a nice cable to have around.

Buzz Killjoy posted...

Get a receiver.

---

Id also recommend a receiver

audio technology hasnt changed very much over the years so you can buy a used one on a budget

setting up 5.1 audio for my gaming setup was a huge upgrade and well worth the investment

---

Woah sorry, that TV pic is all wrong and nothing like mine. This is better:

https://brain-images-ssl.cdn.dixons.com/8/1/10209818/l_10209818_013.jpg

Connections
- HDMI 1.4 x 1
- Component input x 1
- Composite input x 1
- USB 2.0 x 1
Audio output
- Optical x 1
- RCA x 1

---

A receiver sounds like a nice plan for later but aren't they a bit pricey? I was hoping I could get a $5 fix for the "time to swap my auxillary cable into another device" problem

---

I don't see RCA-out on that.

Questionmarktarius posted...

I don't see RCA-out on that.

Ah, yes thats a fucker isnt it. So the optical adapter would be the choice, barring getting a receiver?

---

there has to be some sort of adapter cable in existence, right?

---

Ok, looks like the only "out" is the optical.

So my plan would be to route all sound to the TV from the PC, PS4 and Nintendo using HDMI cables, and then use an optical cable connected to an adapter into the Bose Soundwave*. Does that make sense?

(*It's actually called a bose wave soundtouch, I've been getting that wrong all topic long lol)


---

pinky0926 posted...

Ah, yes thats a fucker isnt it. So the optical adapter would be the choice, barring getting a receiver?

If there's a headphone jack back there or on the side, it's another option. However that will definitely be tied to the TV's volume controls, which is undesirable when you're piping the sound out to an external system.

This is the sort of thing you'll need, for optical: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C5VZVKD/

Don't think there's a headphone jack. I say "think" because it's really odd to me that the TV doesn't have a single 3.5mill output anywhere, but maybe thats normal these days.

Yeah ^^ That's what I was thinking. Thanks for the help! Should arrive tomorrow on prime so might keep this topic alive to update if it works.

---

pinky0926 posted...

Should arrive tomorrow on prime so might keep this topic alive to update if it works.

You'll also need a RCA->3.5mm adapter/cable or a 3.5mm jumper, to go from that box to the stereo.

Questionmarktarius posted...

You'll also need a RCA->3.5mm adapter/cable or a 3.5mm jumper, to go from that box to the stereo.

Some of these seem to have a 3.5mill headphone port on the output end, couldn't I just plug that straight into the speaker's aux port using a 3.5 mil cable? Or is that what you mean by a jumper

---

pinky0926 posted...

couldn't I just plug that straight into the speaker's aux port?

Yes, but you'll need a 3.5mm jumper.



Make sure it has at least two black rings, or you'll just get mono sound.

I didn't know that about the black rings! Learning much today.


---

pinky0926 posted...

I didn't know that about the black rings! Learning much today.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phone_connector_(audio%29

pinky0926 posted...

I didn't know that about the black rings! Learning much today.

thats a tricky thinmg i learned the hard way a few months ago.

had no idea either

If the TV only has an optical output, then you will probably need a DAC (digital to analog converter).
An optical cable would go into the DAC and then a RCA to 3.5mm (aux) adapter cable would go to the Bose from the DAC.
Amazon right now has an Amazonbasics DAC for like $12 (even comes with an optical cable) and a RCA to 3.5mm adapter cable for around 8 or 9 bucks. So maybe about $25 total. More than $5, but it probably is the quickest-cheapest fix/optimal audio quality solution (if Im understanding the situation correctly, that is).
Hope this helps!

---

TheGoldenEel posted...

Id also recommend a receiver

this. this is exactly what receivers do.

---

KungFuConcerto posted...

If the TV only has an optical output, then you will probably need a DAC (digital to analog converter).
An optical cable would go into the DAC and then a RCA to 3.5mm (aux) adapter cable would go to the Bose from the DAC.
Amazon right now has an Amazonbasics DAC for like $12 (even comes with an optical cable) and a RCA to 3.5mm adapter cable for around 8 or 9 bucks. So maybe about $25 total. More than $5, but it probably is the quickest-cheapest fix/optimal audio quality solution (if Im understanding the situation correctly, that is).
Hope this helps!

(Looks like someone already recommended the external DAC solution. Hope it works out, good luck!)

This is what @Questionmarktarius thought to, but just to clarify - is a RCA->3.5 adapter cable even necessary? The DACs I've looked at have a 3.5 headphone port on the output end, so i just figured i could use a standard 3.5 cable from the DAC to the speaker's aux port.

---

Giant_Aspirin posted...

this. this is exactly what receivers do.

Ideally yes, but I like the idea of a suboptimal $10 solution over a $300+ solution anyday :P

---

pinky0926 posted...

The DACs I've looked at have a 3.5 headphone port on the output end, so i just figured i could use a standard 3.5 cable from the DAC to the speaker's aux port.

If it's got 3.5mm out, you can skip the RCA part.

pinky0926 posted...

Ideally yes, but I like the idea of a suboptimal $10 solution over a $300+ solution anyday :P

For sure, but like I said a few hundred dollars on a receiver and some speakers will last you essentially indefinitely, and it is a notable upgrade to the experience

just something to consider

---

Questionmarktarius posted...

If it's got 3.5mm out, you can skip the RCA part.

Yup. A standard 3.5 to 3.5 should work if your DAC has that as an option.


---

Cool. Ordered the DAC, arrives tomorrow, lets hope it solves it.

TheGoldenEel posted...

For sure, but like I said a few hundred dollars on a receiver and some speakers will last you essentially indefinitely, and it is a notable upgrade to the experience

just something to consider

Definitely considering, but not a purchase I can justify right now. Something I'd like to get though.

---

I recommend Nintendo Entertainment System

---

Or, if you wanna really go all out, try Super Nintendo Entertainment System

---

Success! It worked perfectly. Of course only after I plugged it into a 5v power adapter because stupid me thought it would somehow have power despite only being connected via an optical and 3.5ml cable lolol

---