How to hook up speakers to my computer?

**Guyver** · 09-17-13, 12:22 AM

Originally Posted by Knee of Justice

That looks good, but im looking for something a little cheaper. Price range for me is from 100 to 200 bucks that would still work well with my speakers.

If I get that plus RCA patch cables/ speaker wire will I have everything I need?

Well, if you buy a receiver...is space gonna be an issue? It was for me...grrr. You'll need a subwoofer eventually ...those speakers by themselves won't cut it (imo)....make sure the amp/receiver you buy has a sub out. Yes, you'll just need patch cables and speaker wire.

EDIT:
...and you won't be able to buy a receiver for $100 unless it's used...which, is not bad thing, but still.

**Nuckle** · 09-17-13, 12:30 AM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DENON-AVR-15...-/130993220127

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**Guyver** · 09-17-13, 12:54 AM

Originally Posted by Nuckle

Denon AVR 1513 5 1 Channel 3D Pass Through Home Theater Receiver 883795002226 | eBay

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Noice...when I said used, I'd forgotten about refurb....lol.

**dex71** · 09-17-13, 05:08 AM

If you buy a new receiver, don't buy a Denon.

If you buy a used receiver, then definately don't buy a Denon.

They have a great sound when they are working, but also have a history of using terribly cheap transformers in them, and dragging their feet when it comes to service. Horrible to the point that my wholesaler had to drop their entire line. I personally had trouble with one of my Denons (main transformer...4 months for Denon to ship the part and $400 out of my pocket for a receiver that was 1 week out of warranty...then it lasted another year before it fried another one).

If you want bulletproof, get a Yamaha or a Marantz.

Best use of a Denon:

12 ga. shotty, .357 Mag, and 300 Ultra Mag.

**Knee of Justice** · 09-17-13, 05:13 AM

Originally Posted by dex71

If you buy a new receiver, don't buy a Denon.

If you buy a used receiver, then definately don't buy a Denon.

They have a great sound when they are working, but also have a history of using terribly cheap transformers in them, and dragging their feet when it comes to service. Horrible to the point that my wholesaler had to drop their entire line. I personally had trouble with one of my Denons (main transformer...4 months for Denon to ship the part and $400 out of my pocket for a receiver that was 1 week out of warranty...then it lasted another year before it fried another one).

If you want bulletproof, get a Yamaha or a Marantz.

Best use of a Denon:

12 ga. shotty, .357 Mag, and 300 Ultra Mag.

Is there a better receiver/amp to get that works with my speakers, or is it just basically the more watts the better? As in, what would be a good fit for what I have?

**dex71** · 09-17-13, 05:19 AM

Any receiver should work pretty well for you. They are small speakers, so any 100Watt x 2 Channel amp will make them sing.

If you want new, I'd just go to Best Buy. If you are fine with used, then a pawn shop might get you a little more bang for your buck.

**deputyfestus** · 09-17-13, 06:39 AM

This is similar to the pc sys I've had for prob 10 yrs sound just as good as the day I bought them.

Amazon.com: Logitech Surround Sound Speaker System Z906 (980-000467): Electronics

edit, and the sub makes a nice footrest.

**Bunni** · 09-17-13, 07:11 AM

You'll need a way to power them (e.g. reciever or manually patch em). If you go the reciever route you'll have a lot of options on how to hook them up to your pc (comp, 3.5mm, 6.35mm, optic, hdmi (yes), etc). You'll probably have to have a decent soundcard with a 5" drive bay extension panel for most of the options (you might have hdmi or optic, MIGHT). I'd recommend a reciever, if you manually patch it can be easy to blow a speaker if you listen to loud music. If you can, go hdmi, or optic, the others are prone to noise.

Tablet-

**AetheLove** · 09-17-13, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Knee of Justice

That looks good, but im looking for something a little cheaper. Price range for me is from 100 to 200 bucks that would still work well with my speakers.

If I get that plus RCA patch cables/ speaker wire will I have everything I need?

You want to use them as computer speakers, right?

The cheapest way to go is to get a small integrated amplifier that does stereo.

The two amps you posted (the Roland, and something else) are not what you want. Those are musical instrument amps.

You don't need an AV Receiver. An AV Receiver (generally) has:

* a Tuner (which you don't need, unless you want to listen to the radio).
* a pre-amp stage that has inputs for multiple sources - CD players, DVD players, multiple HDMI feeds, Cable/Satellite feeds, MP3/iPod/iPhone. You have ONE source; your computer.
* outputs for 5.1 sound (six speakers), 7.1 sound (8 speakers) and/or multiple sets of stereo speakers. You have 2 stereo speakers.
* a power-amp stage that is intended to fill a room with sound. You're going to be sitting 2-3 feet away from these speakers.

You don't need any of that. None of that stuff is bad to have, and if these two speakers are your start on building a huge AV system then maybe you want that, but it doesn't sound like you need it.

You need something that will take the stereo audio signal from the back of your computer, amplify it, let you adjust volume, and send it to those speakers.

Something like this:

Dayton Audio DTA-100a Class-T Digital Amplifier 50 WPC

That's got one stereo RCA input. It powers one set of stereo speakers. It has a volume knob. That's all you need. It also has a headphone jack, and an auxiliary input (for an MP3 player or iPod). It also comes with almost all the cables you'll need.

It's small. An AV Receiver is big. I don't know what your computer desk looks like, but a big AV receiver won't fit on mine.

You'll have to get speaker wire. If these speakers are going to sit on either side of your monitor then you'll need less than 10 feet. It's cheap. I'd also get an RCA-to-Stereo Mini cable (even though it looks like you could patch together the included parts to make one).

I don't know for sure if that little T-amp is appropriate for the speakers you have. But the people at Parts Express do. I've bought stuff there before, and found them helpful by email or on the phone. They can tell you if that amp will drive those speakers, of if you should get something more (or less) powerful.

... like this amp:

Dayton Audio APA150 150W Power Amplifier 300-812

There are alternatives.

For example, you can go the hipster route and get some retro gear. Look on Craig's List or in a local audio shop that does trade-ins and has used gear (or pawn shop) for a used integrated amp (or receiver) from the 70s or 80s.

Cheers,

AetheLove

**Knee of Justice** · 09-17-13, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by Bunni

You'll need a way to power them (e.g. reciever or manually patch em). If you go the reciever route you'll have a lot of options on how to hook them up to your pc (comp, 3.5mm, 6.35mm, optic, hdmi (yes), etc). You'll probably have to have a decent soundcard with a 5" drive bay extension panel for most of the options (you might have hdmi or optic, MIGHT). I'd recommend a reciever, if you manually patch it can be easy to blow a speaker if you listen to loud music. If you can, go hdmi, or optic, the others are prone to noise.

Tablet-

I'll go to best buy today and bring in the speaker. Thanks for everyone being so helpful. thats why I love this community