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Q: connecting audio speakers to my newish computer ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   7 Comments )
Question  
Subject: connecting audio speakers to my newish computer
Category: Computers
Asked by: patton_uk-ga
List Price: $7.00
Posted: 04 Jun 2003 03:51 PDT
Expires: 04 Jul 2003 03:51 PDT
Question ID: 212881
How can I connect a pair of my regular audio speakers to my recently
purchased Dell computer? I have the adapter which adds leads to the
back of my computer, but the speakers which are good, still don't
work.  do i need some other software/hardware?

Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 04 Jun 2003 04:22 PDT
Hi patton_uk,

Have you rebooted the computer to give it a chance to find your new hardware? hummer

Clarification of Question by patton_uk-ga on 04 Jun 2003 04:34 PDT
there isn't any new hardware.  the computer has a sound card and came
with speakers.  i am trying to add a pair of extra stereo speakers and
to do that i bought a plug which allows me to connect the comptuers
speakers and has a red and white lead hanging from it.  that's it -

Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 04 Jun 2003 05:37 PDT
Hi again patton-uk,

Sorry for the misunderstanding and thanks for the clarification.

Have you enabled the extra speakers (from 2 to 4) via your soundcards
control panel?  hummer

Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 04 Jun 2003 05:53 PDT
Are the speakers PC speakers? Read this:

Question:
"I bought my dell with the Harmon Kardon Surround Sound Speakers and I
wanted to know that if i bought two extra speakers that aren't
neccessarily computer speakers, is there any way i could hook them up
to my computer?"
Answer:
"It might be theoretically possible, depending on your sound card.
However, I would not recommend this. If your sound card has additional
output ports, you should at least stick with speakers that are
designed to work with a computer sound card."
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_audio&message.id=8915&highlight=extra+speakers#M8915

Clarification of Question by patton_uk-ga on 04 Jun 2003 06:01 PDT
no in fact, i didn't know that was necessary.  i will check that out
momentarily...no luck - i changed it to quadraphonic and it still
doesn't work.  Do you think it might be a power issue?

Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 04 Jun 2003 07:47 PDT
Hi patton_uk. Sorry for the delay. Guess what? I'm having computer
problems of my own and it looks as though I'll have to remove my
modem. I'm sure another researcher will be able to help you - in the
meantime, browse the Dell forum, it is an excellent source of info.

Good luck,
hummer

Clarification of Question by patton_uk-ga on 04 Jun 2003 07:51 PDT
hummer, bummer.  thanks for your help thus far.  i am not in a huge
rush on this, so if you want to come back to me that is ok too. jp

Request for Question Clarification by sgtcory-ga on 04 Jun 2003 09:40 PDT
Hello patton_uk,

Is there anyway you can tell us what type/model of sound card you
have? If you don't know it, you can tell us what type of computer you
have (model number too), and we can figure out the default
configuration.

Thanks in advance -
SgtCory

Clarification of Question by patton_uk-ga on 04 Jun 2003 14:34 PDT
it is a Creative SB Live! Value (WDM) - card.  My comptuer is a DELL
4400 bought in the UK

Request for Question Clarification by efn-ga on 04 Jun 2003 17:49 PDT
I think you need an amplifier.  The signals coming out of the sound
card are "line level," which is not strong enough to drive regular
audio speakers.  That's why PC speakers have built-in amplifiers and
require power.

You can get a box that is just an amplifier, or use any stereo
component that takes line inputs and can drive speakers, such as a
receiver.

As a troubleshooting technique, you can connect the speakers that came
with your computer to the sound card's rear speakers output.  If that
works, you probably just need an amplifier.  If it doesn't work, you
have some problem inside the computer, and you probably need an
amplifier, too.

I am not posting this as an answer because I don't know if it will
solve your problem conclusively, or even help.  If you find it
helpful, please post a clarification saying so, and I will post an
answer.

--efn

Request for Question Clarification by sgtcory-ga on 04 Jun 2003 18:57 PDT
I just noticed that you were talking about 'regular' household
speakers. I apologise for the confusion, as I assumed a normal set of
computer speakers. efn has given the best advice thus far.

Now that I fully understand, I can offer a little more insight :

Normal speakers are driven by an amplifier, and use impedance matching
for nominal output. This simply means that most home speakers are 4 or
8 ohms, and the output impedance of most amplifiers is 4 or 8 ohms.
Matching the output rating of the amp is important as this is where we
we feel and hear optimum results. If there is an impedance mismatch,
you can blow something up from overdriving it with an amplifier, or
will hear very little when it is 'under driven'.

I think the specifications for your sound card is like most other
sound cards in computers, around 10K output impedance - in the same
range as most unamplified computer speaker input impedances. On the
other hand, speakers that come with an amp typically have a 4 or 8 ohm
input impedance to match the output impedance of the amplifier that
comes with it. (amplification and impedance matching can even be a
separate function within the speaker)


You should simply buy a set of amplified computer speakers, because
even if you did want to hypothetically match the impedance of your
speakers with your sound card, you would have an 'underdriven'
condition as I stated earlier, from both the lack of power, and the
impedance mismatch. (mostly from the lack of power, because most
household speakers are much larger and require more *drive*)

I hope this helps more than it confuses ;-)

Regards,
SgtCory
Answer  
Subject: Re: connecting audio speakers to my newish computer
Answered By: wonko-ga on 06 Jun 2003 18:05 PDT
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Hi patton_uk:

The comments are heading in the right direction, but splicing
shouldn't be involved.  I have done this myself for two different
computers, including constructing an audio cable to fit my Atari 800
computer years ago.  Here is what to do:

First, obtain an audio cable with a stereo minijack (1/8 inch) on one
end and RCA plugs (typically white and red) on the other end.  It
sounds like you might have done this, except that whatever you have
sounds like it plugs directly into speakers, which typically do not
have RCA plugs.

You want something that looks like this on its opposing ends:
minijack: http://pix.crutchfield.com/lifestyle/2001/hMonoMiniPlug.jpeg
RCA plug: http://pix.crutchfield.com/lifestyle/2001/hStereoRCAPlugs.jpeg

Another variation on the same theme:
http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/705

RadioShack in the US has inexpensive ones.

Second, with the computer turned off, plug the minijack end of the
audio cable into the appropriate port on the sound card.  The port is
typically labeled Line Out, Output, or Headphones.  If you have Turtle
Beach Santa Cruz sound card, let me know, because it is a bit more
complicated than that because you have to appropriately configure the
Versajack using the Santa Cruz Control Panel software.

Third, you will need to plug the opposite end of the cable with the
RCA plugs into some kind of amplifier (with the amplifier turned off)
since you are seeking to use conventional unpowered speakers.  I
usually use my tuner.  Another option would be to plug the RCA plugs
into a tape deck that is itself plugged into an amplifier.  You can
use any of the inputs on the amplifier except for the one for a
turntable/phonograph.  I use the Auxiliary input myself.  Note that
you don't need a fancy amplifier: I have used the Line In input and
speakers on my boombox on occasion when I needed a portable sound
output solution.

Fourth, with the amplifier still off, connect your speakers to the
amplifier.  This is where the comment on having matched impedance
between the amplifier and the speakers comes into play.  If you have
an amplifier that you have used successfully with the speakers before,
I would go with that.

Fifth, turn on the amplifier, set the volume control to a low level,
and select the source you plugged the computer into previously.

Six, turn on the computer and play some music or otherwise generate
sounds.  Adjust the volume control on the amplifier until you can hear
the sounds through the speakers at a comfortable level.  You may also
be able to control the volume using any volume control features on the
case of the computer If you are using a Headphones output port.

If you don't hear anything from the speakers connected to the
amplifier, try disconnecting the amplifier, after turning it off, and
plugging headphones into the port.  Beware of loud sounds coming from
the headphones!  If you don't hear anything, check the Control Panel
and any additional audio software provided by the sound card
manufacture (the Santa Cruz has its own control panel) to make sure
that the output jack on the sound card is not muted.

I hope these directions enable you to successfully hook up your
speakers to your computer.

Wonko
patton_uk-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars
thank you very much for answering - i came to a similar view about
powering, although less scientifically and I am glad to have that
confirmed.  i'll go out and see if i can find a cheap amp - then i'll
build a little cogen plant under my computer and power up my whole
neighborhood... I think flats in London may be too small for all this
kit!  thank you very much all... jp

Comments  
Subject: Re: connecting audio speakers to my newish computer
From: cmarotta-ga on 04 Jun 2003 12:24 PDT
 
Normally you can not add extra speakers if they are not powered
Subject: Re: connecting audio speakers to my newish computer
From: jashf-ga on 05 Jun 2003 18:58 PDT
 
i just ran into a customer who conncected his mac to his home theater
system by
using the adapter it sounds like you purchased. it is a right and left
y adapter. you will need 2 of them.
using audio cables, (the red and white tipped ones) splice, very
carefully so
you dont damage the inside wiring the audio cables to regular speaker
wire, at the computers end and run speaker wire to a stereo amp or
tuner and resplice the
stereo wire back to audio cables and plug them into an input of your
tuner/amp.
when you want just your computer speakers leave the tuner/amp off and
when you want full sound through both computer and regular stereo
speakers, turn the amp/tuner on to the input choice you plugged into.
This person used the tape input on his tuner. worked nicely but the
splicing part is crucial. good luck and sorry for the lack of
technical terms. not much of an auiophile.
Subject: Re: connecting audio speakers to my newish computer
From: jashf-ga on 06 Jun 2003 18:24 PDT
 
great answer wonko. well explained.
Subject: Re: connecting audio speakers to my newish computer
From: patton_uk-ga on 07 Jun 2003 01:44 PDT
 
Jashf - that is the setup i have now with out the amp.  i'll find one
and see what happens... thanks!  jp
Subject: Re: connecting audio speakers to my newish computer
From: sgtcory-ga on 07 Jun 2003 09:18 PDT
 
This is definitely a good work around. It was never my intention to
say it couldn't be done, rather it's just more simple to buy computer
speakers. (Then again, that's just my opinion and that doesn't answer
your question does it? ;-)

A few things to watch for :

- Keep the speakers away from your monitor and computer. They are
usually not magnetically isolated. Storing them too close can cause
problems with your monitor, hard drive and floppy disks. (can actually
erase them.)

- Use the same outlet to plug in your computer and stereo or amp. This
way the ground potential is the same, and you'll eliminate most 'hiss'
or ac noise. This also reduces the chance of damaging your sound card.

Good answer and good luck with your speakers!

SgtCory
Subject: Re: connecting audio speakers to my newish computer
From: patton_uk-ga on 07 Jun 2003 10:48 PDT
 
Sgt Cory, thank you very much for that - i will keep all of that in
mind - you have added a lot of value here and you didn't even get paid
the $7.  how does that work?  its ok, better stop here because this is
an unpaid question too!  all the best,

john
Subject: Re: connecting audio speakers to my newish computer
From: sgtcory-ga on 07 Jun 2003 17:39 PDT
 
Payment goes to the researcher that gave a great answer. I was however
interested in the answer.

I expect, nor receive no payment. We researchers are just as much an
individual as the people that ask questions, and I was glad I was able
to share my thoughts.

Again - Good luck with your connection!

SgtCory

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