If you’re looking for the best external speakers to use with your projector, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll be discussing some of the best options available on the market today.
We’ll also be providing tips on how to choose the perfect speaker set-up for your needs. So, whether you’re a movie buff or just looking for a way to improve your home entertainment system, read on for some great recommendations.
Best speakers for Projector Top Picks
1. Edifier R980T 4″ Active Bookshelf Speakers
This model works with both analog and Bluetooth connections. It is a 2-way speaker system with two RCA inputs, thereby allowing you to have two source devices simultaneously. It also has an amplifier built into the speaker, giving you the best sound for your projector.
Key Features
- 24 Watts – this power is enough the fill the room with excellent sound. This power is calibrated and paired with the bass port in front of the speakers.
- Classic Wood – the speaker box is 100% wood, and it is an excellent choice because wood controls sound. It reduces acoustic resonance, making the sound better.
- Jacks and Input – the speakers come with RCA cables and 3.5 mm cables. These cables work best if your projector has no Bluetooth capabilities. Just take note that you may need to buy longer cables if your projector is far from the speakers.
- Auxiliary Input – there are two areas where you can connect audio sources. What this means is you can use two audio sources. You may not need this for projectors and slide shows, but there are occasions where you might. For example, you can connect the projector for slides with sounds and then use a computer for other sounds.
The product comes with a year of warranty. You can get parts from the manufacturer, including labor, for free. However, you must ship the item to them if there is a defect.
Pros
- Clear sound
- Bass not overpowering
- Affordable price
- Great build quality
Cons
- Short power cord
- Control switches are located on the back
2. Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
This speaker is probably one of the oldest speaker models out there that can still overpower new models. It came out in 2000, and it is one of the best options for gamers.
It has a subwoofer, and it is capable of producing legendary sounds.
Key Features
- MicroTracTrix Horn Technology – it is a technology that enables the speakers to produce sound with great clarity. It controls the dispersion of the sound. Instead of dispersing the sound waves widely, the sound waves are concentrated where they should be, giving you crisp and clear audio.
- Design – this is a 3-way speaker system; you get a box speaker and two satellite speakers. As such, you have mid-range drives that perfectly blend. You can spread out these three systems to distribute the sound better.
- High Power – the maximum output of the speaker is 260 watts. This is a huge amount of power that can produce 110 decibels in a room. It is like listening to live rock music, which typically ranges between 110 and 114 decibels,
- Easy Set Up – it is a plug-and-play speaker. There is no need to calibrate or configure anything. All you need to do is connect the cables. Once that is done, power it on, and it should work.
The speakers work best for gamers, TV, and projectors. It is also portable, and it is what makes it such a great companion for projector-based presentations. The new model has Bluetooth connectivity, but the older ones only work with cables.
Pros
- Crystal clear audio output
- Performs very well in low range, midrange, and also high frequencies
- Bass sounds great for music and gaming
Cons
- On/off button position at the back of speaker
3. JBL FLIP 5
JBL is one of the pioneers of producing a portable Bluetooth speakers. This particular model comes in different colors, and it is waterproof.
Key Features
- Wireless and 3.5mm– you can connect the speaker via Bluetooth only. Make sure that your projector has Bluetooth connectivity to use this feature. There is also a 3.5 mm stereo jack for wired connections.
- Long Playtime – the battery gives you 12 hours of consistent playback. That is what they advertised, but suffice it to say that the average is nine hours, considering that different volume levels consume different amounts of power.
- Waterproof – the speaker’s waterproof rating is IPX7. There is not enough information about how it is protected from dust, but you can submerge in water one metre deep. It can stay submerged for 30 minutes, and it will still work.
- Multiple Pairing – you can pair multiple JBL speakers with the same audio source. Since the speakers are portable, you can place them in various areas so the viewers get better sound quality from all directions.
Take note that this speaker has no microphone, so you cannot use it for presentations where your audio will come from the presenter.
The Flip 5 is a budget Bluetooth speaker, but it does deliver high-quality sound at 60Hz. It is best used indoors, but not in areas like beaches and public places. Overall, I can say that this is a good buy. JBL is one of those companies that you can trust as far as audio is concerned.
Pros
- Portable size
- Able to use it around water
- Great build quality and heavy duty
- Volume can be turned up high for larger spaces
- Very easy setup
Cons
- USB Cable supplied is a bit short
- Not much use for the app
- It tends to roll very easily because of its shape
4. Platin Milan 5.1 with WiSA SoundSend
Key Features
- Superb Sound Quality – the audio you get is 5.1 surround sound with an uncompressed audio signal. It can decode even theatrical audio formats.
- Compact Design – there are seven components to this audio system, but they are all compact. You do not need to worry about space.
- WiSA Certified – WiSa is the Wireless Speaker and Audio Association. It is a process or standard by which manufacturers ensure that we can watch TV or do gaming without the need for wires. The standard is supported by more than 70 manufacturers.
- Easy Set Up – just plug the speakers into a power outlet and connect them to your projector wirelessly. The system will do an independent set-up of the frequency or network that it uses between your projector and the speakers.
- Undetectable Latency – one common problem with Bluetooth speakers is latency. The latency of Platin is undetectable, as the delay is only 5.2 milliseconds long, thereby creating a perfect lip-sync with your video source.
Despite the number of its satellites, these speakers are easy to operate. It has an app that you can download to an iOS and Android device, and you can control the volume from there.
Pros
- Compact flexible sound system
- Intuitive app set-up
- Clear sound
Cons
- Manual speaker calibration
- No direct-from-device streaming
- Subwoofer is underwhelming
5. SAMSUNG HW-Q60T
This product is a soundbar speaker—it is long, and it fires on both the front and the back. There are also speakers on its side, making it a powerful speaker that produces sound from all angles.
Key Features
- 3D Surround – the speakers have a powerful 3D surround sound system; it uses DTS Virtual X, which can turn your living room into something closely resembling a theatre.
- Acoustic Beam – it is a technology by Samsung where the device can deliver audio and make it sound like it is coming from where the action is going on. In this case, the action will come from the projector or television.
- Connectivity – you can connect the speakers via Bluetooth, and you can do it simultaneously with other devices. For example, you can connect the speakers with a projector and a TV, then switch the audio source between the two anytime you want.
- Display – the soundbar has a display screen on the right panel. You can see which devices are connected to it, and you can also see the volume level and its settings. The display screen is small, so you may have to scroll if you want to see the entire message.
I would recommend this for people who are presenting in a formal or professional set-up. It is best for creatives who are presenting a video or game sample.
It also works best for classes and meetings. As a Samsung product, it is definitely best compatible with Samsung video sources like their televisions.
Pros
- High quality build
- Low profile, won’t block TV infrared eye if mounted on console with TV
- Wireless bass is great
Cons
- Auido output is decent for the price and brand
- Remote is hard to replace batteries
- Volume toggle touchy and easy to mute
Factors to Consider When Buying Speakers for Projectors – Buying Guide
Durability
Speaker for a projector is important. The speaker should be made of high-quality materials so it is resistant to damage and lasts longer. If you are getting a portable speaker, make sure it is water-resistant so you can use it outdoors without worrying about damage to the hardware components.
Portability
When choosing a speaker, it is important to consider how portable it is. Portable speakers are perfect for presentations and office use. They are easy to carry around and set up.
Wired or Wireless
Besides being portable, you also need to consider if the speaker system will be wired or wireless. For a more permanent set-up, look for speakers that are wired to the projector. But if you want more flexibility with how you use your audio or visual set-up or plan to move it around frequently, go for a wireless option.
Cost
It is important to consider both the quality and the cost of a speaker system when making your purchase. You want to find speakers that are high quality but that also fit within your budget.
Speaker Size
You will find different sizes of speakers when you are looking for a speaker system to use with a projector. You can choose a surround sound speaker, a simple speaker, or a home theater speaker. It is always best to choose a speaker that is the right size for the room.
Room Size
You should always think about the size of the room when you are choosing a speaker. For example, if you have a home theater system, you should look for surround sound speakers.
If you have a smaller room, you don’t need giant speakers. It would be better to choose smaller ones.
Audio Quality
Good audio quality makes a movie more immersive. Poor audio quality can be very distracting and make it difficult to enjoy the movie. You want your sound to be well balanced. Bass-boosted speakers are good for music, but they might not work well for movies. Speakers with a crisp sound are good for dialogue, but if the quality is too crisp, it might be hard to hear what people are saying. That’s why balance is important.
The wider the frequency range, the better your speaker will sound. Higher quality speakers that have a good low end (bass) performance are usually more expensive and larger. This is because they use different production methods. Bass requires larger, high-quality speaker cones.
For projectors, anything that is 100 Hz or higher is good. If you want really good bass, the speakers need to go as low as 60 or 40 Hz. High frequencies, or treble, can make your speakers sound muffled. This is why it is important to check the max frequency for each speaker before you buy them. If you want even better bass in your projector setup, you can use an external wireless subwoofer like this one.
Water-resistance
You can’t just settle for any old speakers when you need to use them outside the house. You will want something that’s both water-resistant and has good sound quality because there are many factors in play during an outdoor event or gathering where it might rain unexpectedly.
Speaker Materials
The material used in the speaker driver has a big impact on sound quality. Drivers can be made up of different materials, such as rubber, metal, plastic, or paper. High-quality materials create better sound than low-quality materials. However, drivers in most portable speakers have to compromise between weight and audio quality. So don’t expect high-quality sound from compact devices.
Battery Life
When choosing speakers for projectors, one important consideration is battery life. You need to make sure that you can use the device without it running out mid-projection and also have a long-lasting charge so there’s no interruption during a presentation or viewing a movie.
Bluetooth speakers are powered by batteries making them a great choice for outside events, but it might not be so ideal when you are using them in a fixed projector setup. You need to make sure that the speaker has a power cable or you can use a USB power cable. If you want to use an external speaker with your projector, it’s best to plug it into a wall socket so it can be powered continuously.
Connection Range
Make sure the speaker system you choose has enough range for the room you plan to use it in. If your house is big or if there are walls between the speaker and projector, you might need to get a system with a longer range.
Controls & Remote
The control system is often overlooked by most. The last thing you would want to do is get up to turn up or down the volume while you’re watching a movie. Different speakers have different features, most should have built-in buttons for easy access to the volume control.
Some external speakers use a physical remote control which is great because you can change the settings without having to get up or you can use an app on your phone.
Audio Inputs
Speakers that have flexible audio input can connect to different types of audio devices using a variety of cables. If you don’t always want to use Bluetooth to connect to your speaker, this can be a great feature. Most devices have a 3.5 mm aux input or a connection for RCA audio cables. This means you can connect the device to your speaker without needing an adapter.
Dual speakers allow for a much more realistic sound, which accurately represents the audio’s stereo field. This is important for quality sound, especially when watching movies. In movies, the sounds are often panned around the left and right channels. This makes watching movies in stereo much more immersive than watching in mono.
Some brands of external speakers have a linking mode that lets you connect multiple speakers together. This will let you create a surround sound effect for a fraction of the price of buying a surround sound system.
Power Output
The power output of a speaker defines how loud it will be. This is measured in watts (RMS). Basically, the higher the wattage, the louder the sound will be. It is important to choose the right wattage for your needs depending on where you will be using the projector. For large events or outdoor sessions, you will need a high-wattage speaker. For home usage, it is best to stick to low-wattage speakers as they are more affordable.
Frequency Range
When you are choosing a speaker for your projector, it is important to consider the frequency response. This number tells you how wide the range of sound that the speaker can produce is. Having a wide frequency response will mean that you get great audio quality and that all the details in the sound are heard.
FAQ
What speakers should I use with a projector?
If you want to connect a speaker to your projector, your projector will need a 3.5 mm audio output or a stereo RCA output. The 3.5 mm audio output is more common than the stereo RCA output for projectors.
To use a passive projector speaker, you need to connect it to a stereo receiver or AV receiver with speaker cable. For example, the projector image can be routed via HDMI into the AV receiver. From there, another HDMI can take the image to the projector. The audio will go through the speaker cable and to the speakers.
Active projector speakers are usually found in classrooms and meeting rooms, while passive projector speakers are more common in home cinema setups.
Can you attach speakers to a projector?
You can improve the sound quality when watching a DVD or other video presentation by connecting external speakers to your projector. Most projectors include an Audio Out port that lets you connect standard audio cables to external speakers.
Some projectors have very good onboard speakers. This means that you don’t need to buy a separate hi-fi system. In fact, many projectors come with powerful speakers that can easily cover large spaces. However, not all onboard speakers are created equal. It’s best to always read reviews and figure out if the onboard speakers will be sufficient for your needs.
Can you use a soundbar with a projector?
If you want to connect a soundbar to a projector, the best option is using an HDMI cable. This will give you the best sound quality and support for more than just two audio channels. Your soundbar will need an HDMI or HDMI ARC input port, and your projector will need an HDMI output port.
How do I connect my Bose speaker to my projector?
If you want to connect your soundbar to your media player and projector, you’ll need the audio cable to connect them. With HDMI ARC, you only need the HDMI cable for both the audio and video. Connect the media player to the projector first, then the soundbar.
Do outdoor projectors need speakers?
Most projectors come with built-in speakers. These speakers usually produce decent sound for indoors. However, if you need louder sound for outdoor movie nights or a large audience, you can connect your projector to external speakers.
How do I get sound on my outdoor projector?
Connecting a projector with external speakers is the best way to enjoy outdoor movie nights or large audiences. The sound will be louder than what you get from inbuilt systems, and it also doesn’t irritate people who are sensitive about volume levels.
Do Bluetooth speakers work with projector?
You can use Bluetooth audio devices to output audio from a projector. This can be done with streaming devices or other video sources connected to the projector.
Where should I place my speakers for my projector?
You can place the left and right channel speakers, just to the left and right of the projection screen. You may also find that placing them in the space between the screen edges and walls may provide a better sound. It’s best to avoid placing them right up against the wall or wall corners.
Where should a soundbar be placed on a projector?
Place the soundbar under your projector screen to make them sound better. Soundbars do sound better than the speakers that are built into the projector, but it is still not as good as other options.
How do I get sound from my Epson projector to speakers?
First, find the right cable to connect your external speakers to your projector. This might be a stereo mini-jack-to-pin-jack cable, or another type of cable or adapter. Connect one end of the cable to your external speakers. Next, connect the stereo mini-jack end of the cable to your projector’s Audio Out port.
How do I get sound from my projector to wireless speakers?
Connect the Bluetooth transmitter to your the projector’s connection port. Once you’ve done that, your projector will be able to send audio wirelessly to your speakers. To connect the speakers, use the Bluetooth signal receiver. There are many projectors on the market, but most of them are not wireless-ready. If your projector cannot connect to a Bluetooth device, you can use a Bluetooth transmitter to connect your projector and speaker.
Do projectors have audio out?
Most modern projectors should have audio output connections. To get the sound from the projector to the speakers, you need to connect them together using a wired or wireless connection.
Why is my projector volume so low?
There are a few reasons why you might not be able to hear sound from your projector. The volume might be turned down. Make sure the volume control on the projector is turned up. If you are connected to a source device, like a laptop or phone, make sure the volume on that device is turned up as well. If you’re connected to external speakers through Bluetooth, it’s always a good idea to turn them off and on again to restart the connection if you’re still having issues.
What is AV port on projector?
AV input is a label on a connector that allows you to receive (AV) audio and visual signals from electronic devices.
Conclusion
When it comes to finding the perfect speakers for your needs, there are many options available. It’s important that you know what kind of sound system you want before making a purchase so you can find one with the right features and performance level.
We hope this blog post has helped our readers better understand how to make an informed purchasing decision when it comes to choosing audio equipment. If we’ve missed any questions feel free to reach out in the comments below.