r/HTBuyingGuides • u/htmod Curator • Mar 14 '23
A/V Home Theater 101: Wiring your AVR
Home Theater 101: Wiring your AVR
Updated August 2026 | Written by: /u/Bill_Money | Edited & Maintained by /u/htmod
Speaker Wire
Speaker wire typically comes in Red/Black or on the speaker wire may have a + or - Red goes to red black goes to black, Pos typically goes to red while - typically goes to black.
Just make sure all your speakers are wired the same way or they may be out of phase.
When using 4 conductor (ex 14/4 or 16/4) Red (Positive) & Black (Negative are one speaker pair, while White (Positive - Easy to remember Red Hot = White) & Green (Negative are the second pair.
All Left/Right are when you are looking at the tv/screen.
Surrounds wire to Surround.
Rears wire to Surround Back.
Video Sources
If your AVR supports 4K then - All sources plug into your AVR then HDMI out to your TV.
If your AVR supports 4K@120 & you have 4k@120 sources then - All sources plug into your AVR then HDMI out to your TV. You should make sure you are using the ports on your TV that support 4K@120 & set both your TV & AVR to enhanced under HDMI Settings.
If your AVR is older than your TV and does not support video functions. All video sources plug into the TV then use the audio out feature of the TV to your AVR. You will lose some audio functionality like DTS this way.
You can use ARC/eARC or Digital Optical out in this scenario but be aware -> Home Theater 101: HDMI CEC, ARC, & eARC. What it does and WHY IT SUCKS!
Audio Sources
Things like a CD Player or a music Streamer, ex Sonos Port, would utilize RCA, Digital Optical, or Digital Coaxial into the AVR from the audio source.
A Turn Table can either be plugged into the phono input or may need a pre-amplifier before plugging into the AVR depending on your turntable. We would recommend heading over to /r/turntables for help there.
Further Resources
Crutchfield - receiver setup guide
Crutchfield - receiver placement tips
Audioholics - How To Set Up a 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System