Speaker to TV help

[XoriPori]

Hi I am starting off slow but i just got a Polk audio CS1 center channel speaker for my television but realized that i cannot connect to the tv. The speaker requires wire while the television only supports RCA. What are some possible options i can do?

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

The CS1 is not self-powered, so you need to amplify the signal that is coming from the TV. Do you have a receiver or amplifier around the house that you can use? If so, I'd recommend that you inquire here or elsewhere as to how to use it - I'm not trying to be patronizing at all, but your question implies to me that you aren't very familiar with hooking up a system to your TV. It's actually very easy once you know what you are doing, but you do want to be careful because it involves electrical equipment.

 

[XoriPori]

sadly enough i don't have any amps or receivers around. Do you have any suggestions for any that arent overpriced? I'll also be looking for some in the mean time

 

[Adam]

Hi. There are plenty of receivers that I'd say are not overpriced. It just depends on what features that you want.

What are your goals, and what is your budget? Did you just want to hook up that one speaker to your TV, or do you want to eventually expand to more speakers?

You might need something with a volume control, depending on which TV you have (some TVs can control the volume of their audio output jacks, and some can't). If you let us know the model of your TV, we can help you figure that out. Receivers will always have a volume control, but not all amplifiers do.

 

[XoriPori]

I'm hoping for a budget under $300 and if possible any lower. Depending on the case I would probably just want to hook up to that one speaker for now. I don't think i'll be buying any more speakers anytime soon unless needed. My tv is a 26 inch 720p HD LCD Toshiba 26AV502R. Thanks for all your help so far

 

[Adam]

$300 is more than enough to get you going, so no worries there.

Just curious - can you still return the CS1? That's a fine speaker, but after discussing your options here, you may decide to go in a different direction (such as perhaps two small front speakers instead of one).

It's time for me to go to bed, but I'll be back tomorrow, and there are plenty of very helpful people here. If you don't get any responses right away, please check back tomorrow. Have a great night!

 

[XoriPori]

Nope it cant be returned but that doesn't really matter to me as long as i can use the speakers with the help of this forum

 

[markw]

Hi I am starting off slow but i just got a Polk audio CS1 center channel speaker for my television but realized that i cannot connect to the tv. The speaker requires wire while the television only supports RCA. What are some possible options i can do?

What is that RCA jack labelled and what color is it? All together, how many RCA jacks are there, what are they labelled, and what colors are they?

Yes, there's a reason for these question.

 

[XoriPori]

From what i see I assume its the red and white output labeled audio out variable and could i end up using the digital audio output right above it? Other plugs i don't think i have to worry about.

 

[markw]

OK then, the red and white RCA plugs are analog audio outputs for the right and left channels of a stereo signal. No center channel. Both will require an amplifier.

Fot a center channel you might be able to use that "digital" RCA output if, in fact, that is what it is.

You'll need to feed it to a home theatre receiver with a HT processor to derive the signals and send them to individual amps, which are included in the receiver. Then you will have the full compliment of channels, including a aubwoofer, to choose from, including the center only.

Given my druthers, I'd go for a stereo setup with two speakers and a small amp/receiver if $$ is an object.

 

[lsiberian]

If your looking for a cheap receiver. The HK AVR 247 goes for around 205 shipped of ebay. It comes straight from the factory.

 

[XoriPori]

I appreciate all the help you guys are giving me and the price for the HK AVR just rose to 244 now i think i'll keep an eye on that and other receivers/amps and speakers out there.