How to Connect 5.1 Speakers to a TV

HDMI is usually the best choice, especially if you intend to enjoy surround sound with other media devices like Blu-ray and DVD players, gaming consoles and streaming boxes. HDMI carries both audio and video in a single cable and delivers full surround sound.

Digital coaxial is one of two digital alternatives to HDMI. Digital coaxial is an audio-only format that uses an RCA connector similar to those found on composite audio cables. The connector is usually colored orange, with color-coded ports on your TV and/or receiver indicating where to connect it. Digital coaxial transmits audio in 5.1 surround sound and is a good choice if your other media devices are connected to your TV instead of your receiver.

Optical audio is another digital audio-only option, which uses fiber optic cables with special connectors called Toslink. As with digital coaxial cables, optical audio cables deliver 5.1 surround sound and work best when other media devices are connected to your TV. Unlike digital coaxial cables, optical audio connectors and ports usually aren't color-coded.

Composite is the only analog option available, and it is usually the least ideal choice. Composite audio uses two connectors on each end of the cable, one red and one white, and features color-coded ports on your TV and receiver. Composite only delivers stereo sound, meaning that unless your surround system has a multichannel stereo mode, sound only comes from the front left and front right speakers. However, composite audio is generally supported by almost all TV and surround systems, making it an option if your devices don't have any other connection types that match.