How to Connect Speakers to a Macbook

Last Updated: October 23, 2015

Thanks to the advancements in technology, it got better to listen to music that is easier to get, and of a cleaner quality. Apple MacBook makes it easy to connect to different types of speaker systems. Between surround sound Bluetooth theater systems, to plugging a cable into the headphone jack, there are plenty of ways to connect speakers to a MacBook. The main two ways involve connecting devices wirelessly via Bluetooth, or plugging a speaker in directly through the headphone jack.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Connect Speakers Using Bluetooth

The cleanest way is to pair your laptop to a set of Bluetooth speakers. The MacBook comes with a Bluetooth card installed, so pairing to any Bluetooth headphones or set of speakers is an option.

1
Put your speakers into “Pairing” or “Discoverable” mode. Push and hold the power button on the speakers for about ten seconds. Check with your speaker’s manufacturer documentation for the exact method.
2
Go to “System Preferences.” You can get there by clicking the Apple logo in the upper left of the screen.

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3
Click the “Bluetooth” icon on the dialog box that opens. It’s under "Hardware."
4
Check the box to turn Bluetooth on.
5
Click the “Set Up New Device” button. You should now see the Bluetooth Assistant.
6
Select your speakers from the list and hit the “Continue” button.
7
Press the “Settings” button located at the bottom of the window.
8
Check “Use as Audio Device,” and you should be good to go.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Connect Speakers Using the Headphone Jack

This one has been around for some time. Using the headphone jack is simpler than pairing speakers and MacBook via Bluetooth. However, this method involves wires, and limits the mobility of the normally portable MacBook.

1
Ensure that your speakers auxiliary (AUX) cable is 3.5 mm. If it’s not (1/4” tip, or RCA, for instance), you’ll have to find an adapter that takes whatever the tip of your speaker cable is and changes it into a 3.5 mm tip.
2
Run your cables neatly. Cables today are made to last a lot longer than they used to be. This does not mean they like being bent and tangled.
- It is a small amount, but tangled cables do make it harder for the current to flow through the cable and will reduce the quality of the sound. It is hardly, if noticeable at all, but take care of your cables.
3
Use the speakers. Once plugged in to your MacBook, your speakers should work out of the box. You can mess around in the sound settings to optimize the sound if need be.