Need to run an idea by some speaker tech savvy people here. Help Please. TY!

[vader1990]

Hi,

I have a few of those "clip-on" surround sound speakers (2 sets of 2), you know the ones you usually connect to an amp? Well, I dont want to buy another amp, but I want to connect them to my desktop (only one set). Can I do the following:

1. Take a composite cable (the red, white, and yellow cable), rip-off the yellow and throw it away.

2. Cut the connectors off of one end of the cable--the red and white connectors; strip the wire, and clip it to the clips on the speakers--the red on one of them, and the white on the other.

3. connect the other end to this converter:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Logitech-5...ms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%
7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

4. Then connect one end to a 3.5mm audio cable, and then that into my desktop?

Another question, since it wont be connected to an amp will I be able to control the volume of the speakers? I know that for certain speakers Vista doesn't let me control the volume, its kind of fail, because my macbook pro, lets me control the volume just fine
I plan to use the other set on my macbook pro, so yeah...

Thanks for the help guys!!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Y...wsDAjello/Welcome2.JPG

To get any sort of decent output, you're going to need some sort of amplification between the computer and the speakers.

My first set of computer speakers was basically like you're describing, but those were the terrible 1994 variety that came with a computer like this
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...eb/Random/MPC%20AD.JPG

I don't know what the specs were on speakers like those to allow for some sort of output on the amount of power coming directly from the computer, but standard 8-ohm stereo speaker type specs aren't going to get you what you want with the setup you're proposing.

You can by a cheap amp with volume control for $40
http://www.parts-express.com/p...cfm?Partnumber=300-380

If the speakers are extremely cheap though, you might as well just spend that $40 on a set of basic computer speakers.

 

[Slick5150]

I'm a little confused as to what you're trying to do, but it sounds like hook unpowered speakers directly to the computer? If so, no, that won't work. The output from the computer is unamplified, meaning no matter how loud you turn the volume up on the PC, you won't hear anything.

You'd either need a powered set of speakers (like these for example), or have an amp/receiver in between the PC and the speakers.

Edit: Bah, beaten by Yoyo of course

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: Slick5150
I'm a little confused as to what you're trying to do, but it sounds like hook unpowered speakers directly to the computer? If so, no, that won't work. The output from the computer is unamplified, meaning no matter how loud you turn the volume up on the PC, you won't hear anything.


Edit: Bah, beaten by Yoyo of course

Actually you can some decent sound from the PC. While I have all my stuff hooked up to the system in my sig, I have an Aurora Enermax KB which has 3.5mm audio passthru and an X-fi soundcard and I connect it to my KB for latenight gaming with headphones and for the most part I use Sony MDR-V700DJ cans and the sound really pumps just utilizing the mixer on the PC. Assuming the speakers the OP is using has a low ohm and low watt rating he may get some decent sound.

 

[vader1990]

i dont know the specs on the top of my head, but i dont think its that much...

also anyone know why they are louder on a macbook pro than a vista computer?