creating a volume control

MrRobotics

MrRobotics

Enthusiast
My speakers volume control is on the back. I was wondering what I need to buy in order to have a separate control for the front?
 
WaynePflughaupt

WaynePflughaupt

Audioholic Samurai
“Connect?” You won’t find any kind of plug-in option. It will require opening up the speaker and doing all sorts of modifications that I’m sure you aren’t qualified to do.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
 
MrRobotics

MrRobotics

Enthusiast
“Connect?” You won’t find any kind of plug-in option. It will require opening up the speaker and doing all sorts of modifications that I’m sure you aren’t qualified to do.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
Bummer. :( Will just have to live with it than. Thank you!
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
Bummer. :( Will just have to live with it than. Thank you!
Well not really. How much do you want to spend? The big question is what are you driving them from now?

Those are active powered studio monitors designed to be driven from a mix panel. which would have an output master volume control or dedicated volume to the studio monitors.

So if you are using them from a device without its own volume control, then you need a pre amplifier as an interface. Since the runs are relatively long then you need a preamp with balanced outputs.

Final advice depends on full disclosure of your system and what you use it for. We need to know in detail about all equipment ahead of the speakers. I assume there are two speakers involved. The controls on the back are not really intended to be used as volume controls as such. There is a gain control and 'volume on each speaker. These are really intended to optimally set the gain structure to optimize performance from whatever you are driving them from.
 
MrRobotics

MrRobotics

Enthusiast
Well not really. How much do you want to spend? The big question is what are you driving them from now?

Those are active powered studio monitors designed to be driven from a mix panel. which would have an output master volume control or dedicated volume to the studio monitors.

So if you are using them from a device without its own volume control, then you need a pre amplifier as an interface. Since the runs are relatively long then you need a preamp with balanced outputs.

Final advice depends on full disclosure of your system and what you use it for. We need to know in detail about all equipment ahead of the speakers. I assume there are two speakers involved. The controls on the back are not really intended to be used as volume controls as such. There is a gain control and 'volume on each speaker. These are really intended to optimally set the gain structure to optimize performance from whatever you are driving them from.
The speakers connect directly to the computer tower, so what you said above makes sense. I need a pre amplifier. Is there any specific type of pre amp I need? (I don't mean brand but minimum specs needed.)
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
The speakers connect directly to the computer tower, so what you said above makes sense. I need a pre amplifier. Is there any specific type of pre amp I need? (I don't mean brand but minimum specs needed.)
Again, not enough information. I need to know the sound card you are suing and its specs, and what output you are using. Does you computer have digital outputs? Is this audio only, or do you use it for video as well? If audio only and it has digital outs, either SPDIF RCA or optical Toslink then I think we need to find you a pre/amp DAC with balanced outs.
 
MrRobotics

MrRobotics

Enthusiast
Bare with me as I don't really understand this. I'm using the line-out port from the computer to the speakers. All I know on the soundcard is it says 5-in-1 slot but doesn't give me the specific name. Realtek ALC3820 Integrated 5.1 channel Intel High Definition Audio is all I could find.
 
MrRobotics

MrRobotics

Enthusiast
Not sure it helps but it has a HDMI and VGA connections. The latter is for my monitor.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
There should be a volume control via the computer. What software are you using to play content?
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
Not sure it helps but it has a HDMI and VGA connections. The latter is for my monitor.
Does it have a USB port that can be used for audio? Your best bet would be a USB/DAC combined with a balanced output from its preamp. I think Focusrite likely have a product that would fit the bill and improve your SQ.
 
MrRobotics

MrRobotics

Enthusiast
Does it have a USB port that can be used for audio? Your best bet would be a USB/DAC combined with a balanced output from its preamp. I think Focusrite likely have a product that would fit the bill and improve your SQ.
There are four USB 2.0 ports. The manual doesn't say if they can be used for audio. All I know is that 1/8" TRS connector is what goes into the line-out audio to the speakers.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
There are four USB 2.0 ports. The manual doesn't say if they can be used for audio. All I know is that 1/8" TRS connector is what goes into the line-out audio to the speakers.
If you had a dac that could accommodate usb connection I don't see why they wouldn't work....and it might be an audible improvement, it might not.
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
There are four USB 2.0 ports. The manual doesn't say if they can be used for audio. All I know is that 1/8" TRS connector is what goes into the line-out audio to the speakers.
I think this unit would give you better sound quality, and be a significant upgrade. I try and avoid analog audio outs from computers, especially when the sound card is in the computer. This will give balanced connections out to your speakers which is optimal.

View on Focusrite site.
 
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speakerman39

speakerman39

Audioholic Overlord
My speakers volume control is on the back. I was wondering what I need to buy in order to have a separate control for the front?
I used the Lexicon Alpha when I connected my JBL 305's directly to me Dell desktop. They sounded very good that way. Have also owned (2) other usb interfaces and the Lexicon sounded noticeably better inmho.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Alpha--lexicon-alpha

The Lexicon Alpha has a separate volume control too. Found it to be quite useful as well.


Just curious as to how you have your 305's placed? The reason that I ask is b/c once I placed mine on stands and on Mo-Pads they sounded even better.


Cheers,

Phil
 
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MrRobotics

MrRobotics

Enthusiast
Just curious as to how you have your 305's placed? The reason that I ask is b/c once I placed mine on stands and on Mo-Pads they sounded even better.
I just followed the instructions. Have them at a 30 degree angle on my desktop. No pads.
 
speakerman39

speakerman39

Audioholic Overlord
I just followed the instructions. Have them at a 30 degree angle on my desktop. No pads.
Getting off of your desk and on stands or Mo-Pads will improve their sound. A good friend on mine is now using the Iso-Accoustic stands with his monitors and claims that they sound even better. Looking into that as we speak. Thanks!


Cheers,

Phil
 
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