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General discussion

Speakers

Sep 4, 2004 3:08PM PDT

This may seem like a dumb question to all of you, but I was wondering if its possible to hook up speakers from a stereo to a computer. Possibly by splicing wires to a jack for the computer?

Discussion is locked

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Re: Speakers
Sep 4, 2004 3:51PM PDT

yes

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Re: Speakers
Sep 4, 2004 4:44PM PDT

Well thanks for the answer but how? What kind of jack would I need? Where can I get one? Which wires conect to which?

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A little more info
Sep 5, 2004 12:40AM PDT

The sound card does not have enough output power to drive speakers directly.[a few yeaers ago some had limited power amplifiers]. Most current speakers are "Amplified" speakers. Simply means that they have an audio power amplifier built in.

If your stereo sytem has jacks for an AUX input [probably RCA jack type] you would simply need a cable that has a jack for the Line Out from the sound card and whatever type connectors the AUX input to the stereo takes.

The audio industry has standardized the signal levels that Line in/Line out. and Aux inputs have or can handle.

If your "Stereo" is a simple boom box, then you need to do much more.

Let us know more about your stereo.

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m Re: A little more info
Sep 5, 2004 2:55AM PDT

Therein lies the problem, as I have only speakers from a stereo, and I was hoping to turn my computer into a sort of stereo.

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sorry, not enough
Sep 5, 2004 5:08AM PDT

sorry, you'll need to get probably a stereo mini to rca cable and run from line out (usually black) jack to aux in of an amplifier, then out to the speakers.

to avoid buying an amp, you can just get some basic free-standing altec lansing or sony computer speakers for cheap, altho my altec lansing ac adaptor created line noise.

or spend your money on some nice headphones. -- fj

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You could tru oit
Sep 5, 2004 5:10AM PDT

but it is unlikely that the volume would be lous enough.

Simply take a cable for the line out of the sound card [Radio Shack] cut the other end off and attach a pair of wires to each speaker, possibly the shield is common to both speakers.

The problem is that the source impedance of the line out is about 1000 Ohms while the speakers are 4 Ohms or less. Maximum power transfer occurs when source impedance equals the load impedance, thus very little hope.

You can buy a set of powered speakers at Wal-Mart for $15 and have your stereo. $25 for a pair with a "sub woofer" [more terminology than "woofer" LOL]

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Re: You could tru oit
Sep 5, 2004 9:18AM PDT

Awesome. Thanks for the ideas.