Over the years, speakers have improved to a great degree, with more advanced technology and smart engineering. One such advancement is in connectivity. In the past, speakers had to be connected over bundles of audio cables.
Today, you can wirelessly connect your speakers to your AV receiver or amplifier. In fact, you can even convert wired speakers to wireless speakers. In this article, we will show you how to connect your wireless speakers to your receiver.
There are two common ways you can connect wireless speakers to a receiver. You can use a Bluetooth transmitter/receiver combo with the headphone jack, USB, or composite audio output. You can also connect directly over WiFi.
By using wireless speakers, you can easily connect to your receiver without fumbling over wires. Let’s get to it!
Which Receivers Can Connect To Wireless Speakers?
Before we get into the technicalities of connecting a wireless speaker to your receiver, you must first determine whether your receiver is compatible with the wireless speaker.
In most cases, most receivers work perfectly fine with any wireless speaker. Note that what we are talking about here is really how to connect wireless speakers to a stereo receiver.
To make certain that you get the best results, it is important that you ensure that your receiver has at least one of the following:
- Headphone socket
- USB port
- RCA out
- WiFi capability
- Pre-amp output
Below, we discuss how you can go about connecting your receiver to your wireless speaker by using these methods.
In addition, you should of course ensure that your speakers can connect wirelessly. You can either get a good wireless speaker or convert your wired speakers to wireless.
Ways To Connect Wireless Speakers To A Receiver
using wireless speakers instead of wireless can save you a lot of hassle, especially if you would otherwise need to run the speaker wires under your carpet.
There are two primary ways you can go about connecting your wireless speakers to your receiver. You can either use Bluetooth or WiFi.
While many people believe Bluetooth and WiFi or similar or even the same, the fact is, there are huge differences between these two technologies. However, this does not mean that one technology is better than the other, they simply have different purposes.
This, therefore, means that the best way to determine which technology is ideal for you is by thinking about how you intend to use your wireless speaker.
Bluetooth Connectivity
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless communication technology used to transfer data. Bluetooth technology uses radio signals in the 2.4 to 2.480 GHz bandwidth to exchange data wirelessly.
Of course, you’re already familiar with Bluetooth because it is used in many consumer-grade electronics including smartphones, headphones, home theatre systems, and of course wireless speakers.
Bluetooth is widely used because it is simple. Provided that the two devices are in close range, they can easily connect and communicate.
Now there are three ways to connect your speakers to your receiver via Bluetooth. You can use a Bluetooth transmitter and receiver connected to a headphone socket, USB, or composite out.
Just to explain, a Bluetooth transmitter is simply a signal broadcasting device that is used to connect a non-Bluetooth device with a Bluetooth-enabled device.
On the other hand, a Bluetooth receiver is a signal receiver that is used to connect a Bluetooth device to a non-Bluetooth device.
You can use a WiFi adapter as well to create a wireless signal to connect your receiver and speakers.
You can use a Bluetooth transmitter/receiver that allows 3.5mm headphone AUX connections like the Rainyb Long Range Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver.
1. Connect The Bluetooth Transmitter To The Pre-Amp Out
A receiver’s preamp output or pre-out for short is an output on your receiver that is used for outputting line-level sound signals to an amp to drive powerful speakers.
Line level simply means the highest level signals before amplification. This means the signal is outputted after the preamplifier stage but before the amplifier that powers your speakers. Please note that just because the pre-out produces line-level signals, you shouldn’t confuse pre-out with line out.
If you have an older receiver, finding a pre-out port on the device shouldn’t be a problem. However, we are finding that with newer models, most manufacturers do not include a pre-out port on midrange receivers.
There are some rare ones though. In fact, we have compiles a list of the best receivers with pre-amp out on the market. You can check that out. For example, the Yamaha RX-V667 includes a pre-out port. This is the old version that has been discontinued by Yamaha, but you can sit and find some second-hand models on Amazon or eBay.
How To Connect Wireless Speakers To Your Reciever Pre Out
To connect your wireless speakers to your receiver using the preamp output, you simp;y need to get a Bluetooth transmitter that allows line eve signals.
Examples are the 1Mii B03 Long Range Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter Receiver as well as the Avantree Audikast Plus Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter. You can even get a suitable transmitter compete with surround speakers like the Aperion Zona Wireless Surround speaker system.
2. Connected The Bluetooth Transmitter To The Headphone Socket
To achieve wireless audio connectivity by connecting to the headphone socket, all you need to do is to plug the transmitter into the headphone socket of the receiver.
Once you have done so, just turn on the receiver and that will activate the Bluetooth transmitter. All you need is a transmitter that allows 3.5mm connections like the 1Mii B03 Long Range Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter.
Once the receiver is on, the transmitter is then activated and once the Bluetooth function of your wireless speaker is enabled, you will have a connection. You may have to pair the two devices which may vary from device to device.
3. Connected The Bluetooth Transmitter Using USB
If your AV receiver has both a USB port and a headphone input, you can simply connect the headphone output of the source device to the transmitter’s 3.5mm mini-jack input.
While using this approach, you will need to use a 6.35mm mini-jack adapter. You can one of these Poyiccot 6.35mm 1/4 inch TRS Stereo Jack which you can get on amazon.
Once you have done that, you now need to activate the transmitter by plugging it into the USB port of the receiver. You can use a transmitter like the Homespot Bluetooth Transmitter. Finally, the wireless speaker is then paired via Bluetooth.
4. Connected The Bluetooth Transmitter Using RCA Cables (Composite Audio Output)
You can use good old RCA cables to connect to the composite audio output jack. You’ll find these RCA output ports on the back of most receivers.
To use this method, all you need is an RCA-to-mini-jack audio cable to connect your Bluetooth transmitter. The 1Mii B03 Long Range Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter allows RCA connections as is a good option.
Here is the process:
- On the back of the stereo receiver, connect one end of the RCA cable to the audio-out composite jack.
- On the back of the transmitter, connect the other end of the RCA cable to the audio-in jack.
- That’s it, you will be transmitting a Bluetooth signal at this point.
Then, enable the Bluetooth function of both devices and pair them to enjoy a wireless audio/visual experience.
WiFi Connectivity
There are a few wireless devices that can only connect via WiFi and do not use Bluetooth connectivity. In fact, there are many wireless speakers like this. If this is the case, the wireless device requires a WiFi connection.
Note that while connecting your wireless speaker to WiFi, the wireless speaker does not have to be connected over the internet.
You just need to tap into the available setup – you just need a regular WiFi router. In fact, many people use a different router to connect their WiFi devices like speakers from the router that they use to connect to the internet.
Connecting your wireless speakers to your receiver via WiFi is quite easy. Here is how you can go about it:
- First, ensure that your receiver is broadcasting a WiFi signal.
- Next, connect the devices using WiFi connectivity. Each device is different. So consult the manual.
- Ensure that you don’t have too many WiFi devices around that can cause interference so you can enjoy uninterrupted wireless streaming.
Wireless Adapter
A wireless adapter is a great way to connect your receiver and speakers if the receiver is not WiFi enabled.
For this process, you will connect the devices depending on how your Bluetooth transmitter works:
1. Transmitter with headphone jack: If your transmitter has a headphone jack, just plug the headphone jack into the receiver. A quick example is the TaoTronics Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter:
2. Transmitter with RCA: If your transmitter has a composite or RCA input, you will need an RCA audio Y-cable (like the Poyiccot 1 RCA Male to 2 RCA Male Stereo Audio RCA Splitter Cable) and a receiver with a headphone jack. Simply connect one end of the RCA audio Y-cable set to the “Line In” or “Audio In” ports on the rear of the wireless adapter module. Next, plug the other end of the audio Y-cable set into the headphone jack on the face of the receiver. A good example transmitter is the Isobel Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter..
Now you will be broadcasting wirelessly and ready to connect your speakers to the WiFi signal!
Comparison Between WiFi And Bluetooth Connectivity
When it comes to choosing the method to connect your wireless speaker to your receiver, there are a few factors that you ought to keep in mind.
You ought to assess if you intend to use the wireless speaker on the go or if you will be home-based.
Interference
– Bluetooth
Bluetooth technology is a short-distance technology. This means it can only communicate over short distances.
– WiFi
The good thing about using WiFi technology on the other hand is that the signal travels farther and is less interfered with by any physical barrier such as a wall.
WiFi has a maximum range of 150 meters from your home. Hence the WiFi technology will be of no use when you are many miles away.
Number Of Devices
– Bluetooth
Of course, Bluetooth can only connect a single device at a time because Bluetooth devices are paired.
– WiFi
You are not limited to the number of speakers you can connect to on your WiFi. This means you can have as many speakers in your home and connect the speakers to your receiver at the same time.
Bottom line is, that whichever method you end up choosing solely depends on your needs. Now that you know the methods you can use to connect your wireless speaker to your receiver.
What If My Receiver Cannot Connect Wirelessly?
Can I use wireless speakers with my surround sound receiver? Is my receiver too old, for example?
If you are using an old receiver, you may not be able to connect your wireless speaker wirelessly. However, in most cases, you can still connect the wireless speaker directly in a wired manner.
If your has a Zone 2 output or even a tape-out output if it’s an older receiver, you can do a wired connection. This is similar to how you would connect a regular passive speaker to an amplifier.
Can I Use Wireless Speakers With My Old Receiver?
You can wire Bluetooth speakers and headphones to an older stereo system or TV with an inexpensive Bluetooth Transmitter/Receiver device. Proceed by connecting it to the audio output jacks of the stereo and then pair the speakers to the transmitter.
Connecting Wireless Speakers To Denon Receiver
From the Setup menu, select “General” and go to “Bluetooth Transmitter.” Set the “Transmitter” option to “ON” and select the “Device List” to pair the Bluetooth speakers.
How To Connect Wireless Speakers To Onkyo Receiver
Other than Bluetooth and Wifi, you can also connect wireless speakers to the Onkyo receiver with cables.
This is because several wireless speakers still come with AUX or headphone jacks. If you cannot use the wireless methods above to complete the connection or the wireless option goes wrong, use the ports to connect the speakers to the Onkyo receiver.
Conclusion
Connecting your receiver to a wireless speaker is pretty easy as long as you are familiar with your sound system setup.
This way, you can choose the option that bests suits your needs. If you need more detailed instructions, the detailed procedure is usually found in the user manuals of your AV receiver.
Read them carefully so you can set up your devices correctly and enjoy a wireless audio experience.