Audio Systems: Speakers to tv

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I have a set of speakers that came with my TV many years ago.  They are simply raw cables that are inserted into the tv and the tv clamps down onto the cable.

I am trying to put those speakers onto another TV.  The TV only has "ports" for lack of better terminology for example if you have headphones and wanted to plug them in.  I believe what I am trying to do is somehow get those raw cables attached to a separate piece (special piece at radio shack) that would then plug into the white and the red ports.

Would that work?  I have been told that it would but then I was told that it wouldn't and would need to purchase a receiver for $99, the reason being that there is no power source.  I'm not looking for audiophile sound just speakers to emit noise enough to resemble how it should sound.

I have heard of attaching an extra set of speakers to a stereo but I couldn't verify any information about attaching them to speakers

thank you

ANSWER: Hi John,

The Red & White ports connectors on the back of the tv not work with unpowered speakers alone. Those are line level outputs, and line level is not a strong enough signal to drive a pair of speakers.

It works like this: line level feeds into an amplifier > amplifier takes line signal and increases it to speaker level > amplifier(speaker level) feeds into speakers


If you look at the back of a receiver - you'll see the line level outputs (which will normally have RCA jacks), and the speaker outputs. you'll notice that the speaker output section will NOT have the same kind of jacks - this is to keep you from plugging a speaker level signal (which is high) into a line level input... that could be VERY damaging to your gear. The reverse of this, plugging a line level output directly into  speakers (which are "looking" for the high output, speaker level signal), will result in almost silence in most cases. You might be able to barely hear something very faintly, but certainly not enough to watch a program. The line level jacks on your TV are also NOT controlled by the volume adjustment.

You'll need a receiver, or a set of powered speakers.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,

I asked a question previously, for which I am going to rate 10.  Thank you!  I have an unrelated but sound question that I thought maybe you could help given your experience with sound. I appreciate any advice, and I can understand if this is not something you would considering answering.

I would like to be able to block out as much noise as I can from entering my room.  I read that in movie theatres they have what are "sound blankets" used on a movie set to block street noise could be helpful.  Not quite sure exactly what they are.  I didn't know if you knew of any tricks in your field such as the one above that could help block out noise.

I appreciate any insight that you have, or any principles that I can follow to make sure noise is kept to a minimum from the outside.

Thank you

Answer
Hello again!

Soundproofing is always a little tricky. Low frequency noise is going to be almost impossible to avoid, as low frequencies pass through walls and floors (like how you can "feel" a big truck, bus, or train driving by without really hearing it).

With that said, you can certainly knock down other frequencies quite a bit. Look for sound/acoustic treatment solutions at places like http://audio-video-supply.markertek.com/search#w=acoustic%20treatment
or
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Acoustic-Treatment/ci/16066/N/4289288040

A google search for "Acoustic treatment" will give you a zillion more options too...

2' - 3" foam rubber cut to fit windows can work really well, and can typically be found rather inexpensively at larger hardware stores like Home Depot. Other things like thick insulation panels can work as well.

You're looking for a rather dense material that can trap/air molecules from moving around (don't worry about "sealing" a room air tight!) If you can create "dead air" pockets, that can help as well. Most professional studios have a double wall system that will have 2 insulated layers with a dead air space between them, and that dead air will dissipate most of the energy that the sound waves are generating.

Well - I hope this gives you some insight and ideas. Cheers!