Despite advancements in TV picture quality, built-in speakers often fall short in delivering rich, clear sound. Soundbars have become popular accessories to improve audio clarity and dialogue enhancement. However, when you upgrade to a home theater system or other audio solutions, your old soundbar doesn’t need to be discarded. Repurposing it wisely around your home can give it a second life and maximize your investment.
Using an Old Soundbar as PC Speakers
Many desktop PCs lack built-in speakers, unlike laptops, making external audio devices essential. Instead of investing in new bookshelf speakers or headphones, your old TV soundbar can be a fantastic audio source for your computer. It offers easy connectivity through Bluetooth or Aux cables, providing flexibility in placement on or under your desk.
This setup is especially helpful if you prefer a break from headphones during long work or gaming sessions. The compact footprint of a soundbar fits most desks without crowding your workspace, and in larger models, you can discreetly position it under the desk to save valuable monitor space.
Boost Vinyl Listening with a Soundbar
If you own a record player or turntable, consider pairing it with your old soundbar to elevate audio quality. Many turntables come with basic speakers that cannot match the sound richness your soundbar provides. Connecting via RCA or Aux cables creates a more immersive and faithful listening experience without the cost of new dedicated speakers.
Note that if your turntable lacks a built-in pre-amplifier, you might need to add one to properly connect with the soundbar. Some modern record players with Bluetooth support allow purely wireless connections, making it even easier to integrate the soundbar into your vinyl setup.
Enhance Your Smart Home Audio Output
Your old soundbar can serve as the main speaker for your smart home ecosystem, amplifying alerts and music streamed through smart devices. Even if the soundbar lacks built-in Wi-Fi or voice assistant features, connecting it via an Aux cable to smart speakers reroutes audio output to a higher-quality device, filling a room with clearer sound.
This arrangement makes it easier to hear notifications, voice commands, and music anywhere in your home with improved volume and clarity, enriching your smart home experience without upgrading to a new device.
Transform It into a Bluetooth Speaker for Any Room
Soundbars are usually designed to deliver room-filling audio, making them well-suited as wireless Bluetooth speakers for areas like the kitchen, garage, bedroom, or home gym. Even older soundbars without native Bluetooth can be easily upgraded with affordable adapters like Bluetooth receivers that connect to RCA or Aux inputs.
Options like the iFi Audio Zen Air Blue add modern Bluetooth 5.0 support with high-quality codecs for better audio fidelity. Alternatively, you can connect an older MP3 player or similar audio source with a 3.5mm jack to enjoy constant music playback through your soundbar, bypassing phone use.
How to Repurpose Your Old TV Soundbar
- Connect the soundbar to your PC using Bluetooth or an Aux cable for desktop audio.
- Pair it with your record player using RCA or Aux cables, adding a pre-amp if necessary.
- Use it as the central speaker in your smart home by wiring it to smart speakers or hubs.
- Convert it into a room Bluetooth speaker either directly or by adding an external Bluetooth adapter.
Repurposing your old soundbar gives it a meaningful second life while upgrading audio across your home without extra cost. Whether enhancing work setups, vinyl listening, smart home sound, or wireless music spaces, it remains a versatile and valuable device that deserves more than just gathering dust.
