6.1 Input Jacks - What Are These

[sean789]

I’ve been given my first audio receiver, and I am confused about something. On the back of the receiver, there is a place to connect speakers (front L/R, surround L/R, center, surround center) with standard speaker wire. But, there are also connections for an RCA-plug-type connection marked 6.1 channel input jacks that are also labeled with speaker designations (front L/R, surround L/R, center, surround center). I don’t know what these 6.1 channel input jacks are for…. Does this mean I could have 12 speakers connected to my receiver? I don’t think so, but I can’t find an explanation for these “second set” of speaker connections.

Thanks!

 

[lovinthehd]

I’ve been given my first audio receiver, and I am confused about something. On the back of the receiver, there is a place to connect speakers (front L/R, surround L/R, center, surround center) with standard speaker wire. But, there are also connections for an RCA-plug-type connection marked 6.1 channel input jacks that are also labeled with speaker designations (front L/R, surround L/R, center, surround center). I don’t know what these 6.1 channel input jacks are for…. Does this mean I could have 12 speakers connected to my receiver? I don’t think so, but I can’t find an explanation for these “second set” of speaker connections.

Thanks!

They are inputs, not pre-outs. Used for analog input from a dvd/blu ray player or other sources....

 

[sean789]

They are inputs, not pre-outs. Used for analog input from a dvd/blu ray player or other sources....

thanks. not entirely sure what this means, but i now know that its not another set of speaker inputs... thanks again

 

[BMXTRIX]

I would be somewhat surprised if the explanation for those connections isn't actually in the owner's manual for your receiver.

What is the make/model of the receiver you have acquired?

 

[BMXTRIX]

thanks. not entirely sure what this means, but i now know that its not another set of speaker inputs... thanks again

An A/V receiver doesn't have speaker inputs. It has speaker level outputs. It puts OUT audio to the speakers, it does not get audio in from the speakers. It does get audio in from the sources. This audio coming in from the sources is called line level audio. You get it from things like your cable box, DVD (Blu-ray) player, game systems, etc.

 

[lovinthehd]

thanks. not entirely sure what this means, but i now know that its not another set of speaker inputs... thanks again

Well, some receivers have pre-outs (pre-amplifier outputs) to send speaker output to an external amplifier (or amplified speakers, aka active speakers). Sources like others have expanded upon. In general if not entirely sure....just ask.

 

[lovinthehd]

...on the other hand are they actually labeled inputs? Or are they pre-outs? Really helps as mentioned to know the specific make/model of the receiver....

 

[pewternhrata]

Inputs would be used from a source such as an oppo 105 for example, Google images and you can see the outputs on the back of it. Not all sources have outputs, usually only found on high end gear.
They can be 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 depending on how many channels, what manufacture, model and year of the equipment.
If you had 6.1 outputs on the receiver you could add external amps to power speakers instead of using internal amps in the receiver