Hey guys. I am using these computer speakers right now. I was recently given this subwoofer box and I would like to add it to my computer audio setup for some extra bass. However, I’m not really sure what would be the best way to go about implementing this. My idea is that maybe I can buy a mini amp like this and use it to power the subwoofer speakers. If I buy a splitter cable like this, is there a way I can tell my computer to output different frequencies to each side as kind of a do-it-yourself 2.1 setup or something?
If you're using a splitter like that, there's no way of differentiating between the subs and the speakers because it's from one output.
You'll want a mono amp to power the sub. Problem is, because the sub is made for cars, the amps are as well. So they're made for relatively high current/low voltage compared to power outlets.
In the absence of a dedicated subwoofer out, a subwoofer can take the left and right channel signals and filter out the bass signals. This is usually done with a bass crossover control on the subwoofer itself. It does not seem your subwoofer has one.
Now your speakers are self amplified (powered speakers). i.e. the plug into the wall. Correct me if this is not the case.
Since your speakers are amplified, they won't work on another amplifier.
An option you could try is to bypass the amplifier of your speakers, but I am assuming it is built into the speakers themselves. You could take them apart to sever the connections, but you are probably better off getting a new set of speakers.
On top of it all, the amplifier you listed probably would give terrible sound. I am not familiar with the engineering behind amplifiers, but generally home theatre receivers are as large as they are( 8X16X16 or so) because of the size necessary for the transformers, and circuitry to give the cleanest sound delivery.
For 5.1, there isn't a lot of higher quality systems out there. I personally went with a 5.1 av receiver ($200+) and a set of monoprice 10565 5.1 speaker set ($200 +$45 speaker wire and subwoofer calbe).
I did originally rule this out, but for completeness:
You could run the splitter cord from your PC and plug your speakers into one Y and the amplifier into the other powering only the sub.
It would work to some degree, but I worry about degradation of the signal and the cross over frequencies between the speakers and the sub not being controlled. Essentially the speakers and subwoofer would be playing the same frequencies which could sound bad (the lower end frequencies that your speakers can handle, and the higher end frequencies that the sub can handle).
Odds are you would be spending money on something you wouldn't be happy with.
Best option would be to shop for a dedicated set of 2.1 speakers that is well reviewed.
Yes, how you described it here is exactly the way I was thinking of doing it. I just thought that maybe I could tell my computer to send different frequencies to each end of the splitter cable. Alternatively, if there isn't a way to do it like this, would there be a soundcard or something I could get for this purpose?
Subwoofers essentially use the signals from the front left and right speakers. The signal is usually split (with non subwoofer frequencies going to the speakers) either on the subwoofer itself, or in the amplifier or receiver.
A sound card won't do any amplifying, since it would only be able to draw that kind of power if you had a 1000watt power supply. Anyway, sound cards split the signals in a way specified by industry standard:
Either using 3.5mm jacks in front/centre/side/rear
or RCA which is a bit more rare and usually only seen on cards meant for people doing work specifically with audio.
Theoretically you could hack the software drivers to send a bass signal from one of the redundant jacks such at the 6 and 7th speaker channels if your sound card is 7.1 compatible, but this is beyond my expertise
You can make it work with some jury rigging, but there is no way of doing it that I would be confortable spending any money on. This is why I recommend just getting a new set of speakers with a subwoofer included. I don't think you would be happy with that 2.1 amplifier, else I would recommend finding a cheap pair of unpowered speakers.
no it would be the same. Aftermarket sound cards don't really do anything more than the soundcards that come with your machine.
I took a closer look at that subwoofer you got. it is a speaker meant for car stereo, and the full range of sound, not just bass
Anyway it has not one, but two inputs. This would work as its own 2 speaker system using an amplifier. I don't know much about car audio, but I assume this is supposed to work with some smaller speakers for a better frequency response.
It also is listed as a 300watt speaker system. The amplifier you list is 2X 40 watts. The speaker system may be too big for that amp.
I cannot find any specifics on that speaker such as the frequency response curve (how good the speakers are at reproducing all frequencies that we can hear), impedance, or any other stat. The only thing I found is that you can buy it at Wallmart for $30.
Since it is designed to run off of left and right channel signals, and not a subwoofer channel, it would replace your current speakers. That being said, I doubt a Walmart special car stereo speaker will sound better than the speakers you have, let alone run off of a small amp.
You could make it work in theory, but I am very hesitant that you would enjoy the end result. I think it is a safe bet (being that it is a car speaker and only $30) that is probably sounds bad. I don't mean to crap on your project, but I think it needs to be said for your consideration before you spend any money on trying to make it work.
I would have recommended that you try it out on a home theatre system, but I don't even know what impedance it is rated for. Most are for 8ohms. If it is something different you could risk damaging the speaker or the amplifier.
The speaker is rated for 100watts RMS, and the amplifier is rated at 2X40 and 1X68(subwoofer channel)? The actual rating of the amp is a bit less though. I looked up a few reviews that claimed 2X7 and 1X28 was closer to the actual RMS rating. The speakers also have a 30Hz-20kHz frequency response rating and I think they are 4ohm speakers, but can't confirm...
You are probably right, it probably wouldn't sound that great if I did hook them up. I just don't have any money to spend on a new setup at the moment, and these were free so I just wondered if they would work somehow.
Hey, thank you for all your input. I appreciate it.
Well you could make it work, its just you may spend money on something you may not like over your current setup. I just wanted to warn you about that.
Personally I would set the money aside, and try and save up for a proper set. There is plenty of time to save up for Black Friday specials at least.
Also for the frequency range: that only really tells you what kind of speaker(s) it is. You want to see the frequency response curves to see the quality of how it reporduces sound. Normally the flatter the line of the chart, the better. Here is more detail on the subject if you want to go shopping for speakers at some point http://www.ecoustics.com/articles/understanding-speaker-frequency-response/
Usually you can search"(Manufacturer) (model number) frequency response curve" and select 'images' when Googling this. The images should be the response curves. Keep in mind that the space between the range in decibels may be larger on some that others, so make sure you evaluate the peaks in a range of 5db or so.
Surprisingly the well reviewed Corsair system seems to have some problems with a couple of dips in the response curve. The Klipsch speakers are probably the best out there (or close to it) so take a look at those too.
Well, I ended up hooking them up to a receiver that my girlfriend salvaged. The receiver outputs 50 watts RMS to each channel, and they don't sound half bad if you keep them at a decent volume level. I do think it would have been a pain to get them hooked up to my PC though...
I think I will just save up for a good 2.1 set like you suggested.
Thanks for the information on frequency response curves as well. I didn't know that's what you were talking about earlier either.
Well the hard part was getting a receiver. Now you would be able to hook up your receiver to PC using a cable with a male 3.5mm jack on one end, and two RCA male on the other. It is still up in the air if it would sound any better than your current system, but if you can find that wire for cheap its worth a try ;)