Jake Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 So I've got hold of some floorstanding speakers off a complete system that is about 10 years old I imagine and what I want to do is connect them to my computer without me having to buy an £80 amp. I was thinking that it can't be that hard, rewired the car system, done some home audio before and just figured it would work on the same sort of standards, but maybe it's just me, but it doesn't. I wired the cables into an existing 3.5mm jack, just as a sort of test, and that didn't seem to work, so could anyone tell me what I need to buy, or do, in order to plug them into my existing 3.5mm soundcard in my computer? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deagledaddy Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 So I've got hold of some floorstanding speakers off a complete system that is about 10 years old I imagine and what I want to do is connect them to my computer without me having to buy an £80 amp. I was thinking that it can't be that hard, rewired the car system, done some home audio before and just figured it would work on the same sort of standards, but maybe it's just me, but it doesn't. I wired the cables into an existing 3.5mm jack, just as a sort of test, and that didn't seem to work, so could anyone tell me what I need to buy, or do, in order to plug them into my existing 3.5mm soundcard in my computer? Thanks in advance ← At a guess you will have to buy a £80 amp :bunny: I say this because the output on your soundcard is not amplified so its incapable of powering speakers straight off. It can only do headphones etc. .. Have you not noticed how nearly all speakers including those attached to monitors have thier own power supply i.e. they are amplified. you need an amp, just ebay it for a cheap one.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
on that? u must be joking Posted July 31, 2005 Report Share Posted July 31, 2005 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...5792177918&rd=1 something like this would do fine. 30 watts per channel doesn't sound like much when you're used to seeing the outputs given at places like Comet, but trust me it would do you fine. I have an old Marantz pm-35 amp with 35 watts per channel driving my speakers, and i've never turned the volume past half way cos it starts to hurt. Then all you need is a 3.5mm jack to dual phono cable to connect the jobbies. Andy. P.S. it's currently at £1. You should easily be able to pick something like this up for a tenner plus another tenner postage so if it gets above this leave it :shifty: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The enchanted broomstick Posted August 1, 2005 Report Share Posted August 1, 2005 Yeah mate you do need an amp, if you notice pc speakers these days come with a power source, ie: plug or batteries. This is because they have a small amplifier built into them that is just the amount required for the speakers to function properly, simply because the output from your pc or anything like a personal cd player, mini disc etc. just doesnt have enough power especially for some big ass floor stand speakers :-" If you have any sort of hi-fi or old stereo similar kicking around you could wire it through that. If you want to know how i can explain. Alternatively if you are feeling a little creative amplifier Just buy this little amplifier module and then you can put out up to 30w rms, its not really too bad seeing as the size, the cost and how easy this product is to use. Might just be the right thing for you? stu (Y) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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