Polk Audio Speakers

[Eureka]

Hmm, Polk Audio bookshelf speakers are on sale... can I connect them to the PC using T-Amp, and what other cables/parts that doesn't come with the T-Amp will I need to do that?

Also, will this setup be better than Mx5021.

Norm

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

You'll need speaker wire... it may or may not come with a male/male 1/8" stereo cable for the connection from soundcard to amp.

If you're running off batteries then add those... you'll need a power adapter if you want to run it from a wall outlet.

 

[Eureka]

Can you show me a few links for those? And if I use a power adapter (I'm not planning to carry the T-Amp across town), do I still need AAs?

Norm

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Speaker wire

http://www.cablesforless.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=475

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=109-155

1/8" cable

http://www.cablesforless.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=284

If you get a power adapter you don't need batteries.

 

[Eureka]

So the speakerwire will connect the speakers to the amp, and the 1/8 connects the amp to the sound card?

Also, is there another cheap amp out there that works as well? T-AMP is sold out nearly everywhere.

Norm

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: cevilgenius
1 So the speakerwire will connect the speakers to the amp, and the 1/8 connects the amp to the sound card?

2 Also, is there another cheap amp out there that works as well? T-AMP is sold out nearly everywhere.

Norm

1. yes

2. Not really... there are several cheap digital amps coming out but I don't think there are any out yet that really compete directly.

Some alternatives would be

-a cheap stereo receiver off ebay
-a refurb stereo receiver from ecost or similar
-get a pair of powered bookshelf speakers like Swan m200s

 

[Eureka]

For the m200s, how would they connect onto a sound card? Don't they use speaker wire?

Norm

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: cevilgenius
For the m200s, how would they connect onto a sound card? Don't they use speaker wire?

Norm

The right one connects with an included 1/8" cable like any other set of comptuer speakers. The other speaker connects to the right one via speaker wire.

 

[Eureka]

Looks good then. However, if I'm going to use a subwoofer, do I need to use a y-adapter?

Norm

 

[Tu13erhead]

Hey Jello, gauge speaker wire would you recommend? The stuff that came with my logitechs was VERY thin, so I bought some cheapo Phillips speaker wire (I think 20 gauge, maybe 18) that was a lot thicker than the Logitech stuff. Noticable improvement in sound quality, oddly.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead
Hey Jello, gauge speaker wire would you recommend? The stuff that came with my logitechs was VERY thin, so I bought some cheapo Phillips speaker wire (I think 20 gauge, maybe 18) that was a lot thicker than the Logitech stuff. Noticable improvement in sound quality, oddly.

speaker wire info

The gauge you're going to need is based on the length of the run and the impedence of your speakers.

I changed my speaker wire from the Logitech 24gauge to some really cheap 18gauge because I needed to make some longer runs. I didn't really notice an improvement, but that could have been due to the fact that the Logitech wire was pretty sufficient for the length of the run that was going on.

In general, don't spend a whole lot on it unless you've spent a sufficient amount on your speakers that it might be worth it.

I have generic 12gauge running right now and in my list of possible upgrades speaker wire isn't there

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: cevilgenius
Looks good then. However, if I'm going to use a subwoofer, do I need to use a y-adapter?

Norm

Yeah, you'd need to split off the signal to run to a sub... or if your sub has passthrough on it, then unless I'm mistaken you can just run the 1/8" soundcard output to an RCA adapter, run RCA to the RCA in on the sub, and then take the RCA stereo out on the sub to the input on your speakers.

I haven't tried this personally and I can't test it out right now because my sub only has an LFE in.

If you're thinking about the dayton subs, those have RCA line in and line out. I think you should be able to go through the sub on the way to the speakers.

So, you'd just need the 1/8" to dual RCA cable from the speakers to run to the sub and then run standard RCA from the sub to the speakers.

You'll be able to mess with the sub's crossover to get something that sounds good to you.

Can someone confirm that I haven't forgotten something for a Swan m200 + sub setup?

 

[Excelsior]

That sounds right Jello.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
That sounds right Jello.

:beer:

 

[Eureka]

In any case I won't be getting a subwoofer at the moment... (got laid off from work). Will the M-200s still be better than the MX5021 without a subwoofer?

Norm

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: cevilgenius
In any case I won't be getting a subwoofer at the moment... (got laid off from work). Will the M-200s still be better than the MX5021 without a subwoofer?

Norm

sorry to hear that.

I haven't heard them so I don't know.

The MX5021 would have lower bass extension, but if it was me I'd still get the swans.

 

[Eureka]

Well, MX5021 only goes to about 30hz, and the M-200s 50hz. How much of a difference is there?

Norm

 

[Eureka]

Also, would this work: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002L...172282&n=172563&s=electronics&v=glance

And how well is the subwoofer? Or do you know of any lower-priced ones that can do the job?

Norm

 

[Excelsior]

You would be better off getting this: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-634

And concerning the difference in frequency range..it isn't THAT big...even then, I would rather have higher quality sound and a smaller freq range, than the other way around.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: cevilgenius
Well, MX5021 only goes to about 30hz, and the M-200s 50hz. How much of a difference is there?

Norm

Fairly significant... but if you're planning on getting a sub with the Swans someday, then you'll make up that difference and more.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
You would be better off getting this: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-634

And concerning the difference in frequency range..it isn't THAT big...even then, I would rather have higher quality sound and a smaller freq range, than the other way around.

Yeah, the dayton subs are nice for the money, but I guess the Advent would be a good bet if you can't afford the daytons.

The Advent doesn't have RCA passthrough on it though... so it'll be a little trickier to get working.

More info on it
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdet...&Partnumber=309-022&raid=25&rak=advent

It has speaker wire inputs or a single LFE input.... I'm not sure how you'd use it with the swans.

 

[Eureka]

Okay, I think I'll go with the M-200... plus theaudioinside has a 30 day return . Okay, well, once my speakers are sold (the guy should be coming for them early November).

Also, once how would the Dayton 10" or 12" compare with the Promedia 2.1 or MX5021's sub? The advent's?

Norm

 

[alcoholbob]

Good pick on the Swans.

I've posted the Frequency Response graphs before. The Swans measure as well as most $100 bookshelves, within the +/- 3 db (barely) spec.

The MX5021s...while considered very good for PC speakers, measure like a Dancing Queen.

 

[Eureka]

Originally posted by: AstralliteI've posted the Frequency Response graphs before. The Swans measure as well as most $100 bookshelves, within the +/- 3 db (barely) spec.

The MX5021s...while considered very good for PC speakers, measure like a Dancing Queen.

You just lost me... what do you mean like a Dancing Queen?

Norm

 

[alcoholbob]

Dancing Queen: http://www.pcmag.com/image_popup/0,1871,s=1617&iid=100128,00.asp

: )