Computer - MultiSubs

[MrPirate2882]

Hey I'm new here. I tried to read all the rules & faq's I could. I hope I'm in the right section. & I can be pretty noobish when it comes to understanding electrical circuits. I know nothing about home receivers; etc.

Anyways, I currently have Logitech's Z2300 computer speakers. It's a 2.1 system. I know the amp is in the base which connects to the wall & volume control which then connects to the green computer slot. Both satellites connect to the base also. I know some of you will shudder @ the quality compared to most of the stuff around here... but they were only $86 shipped 1 & 1/2 years ago. I could not stand my laptop speakers or the 2x 5watt satellite & 20 watt bass dell speakers from 1999.

So I have no receiver, decoder, etc. Thus my question emerges, how do I hook up another base to my system? What would I have to buy or convert? Which basses are best to buy (powered, one designed for a car, unpowered, etc.). One base 8'' bass is obviously not enough . I know people recommend hooking up comparable basses... But I would really like my next base to be 12''. I probably will start this after march, when I move into a bigger room. Right now I'm in a 10'x8' room. But I soon will be in a 20'x15' room with most likely no door connected to another room. Thus understandably 1x 8'' bass is not enough for the future.

Thank you!


& If it is at all possible does anyone have recommendations on what to get for the future, because I will probably do some revisions again the following year (add more satelites for a 5.2 or 7.2 system). I am also a poor college student. This is why I would appreciate re-using already purchased speakers in my design & adding more individually rather than buying another set that could be crappy like the z-5500's.

 

[sholling]

If you want a huge improvement for less than $160 look for a set of Klipsch Promedia 2.1. They are without a doubt the best sounding 2.1 computer speakers on the market. A quick google located them at Best Buy $154.

Long term I'd put the following in my shopping list:
1x used 75+ watt 5.1 receiver ($40-60).
1-3pr Behringer B2030P ($130/pr). Start with 1 pair.
1x 12" Dayton subwoofer. You can always add a second later if you need it.

 

[diegs]

Ok, I think you want to add another subwoofer to your existing 2.1 computer speaker setup. Here is one possibility on the cheap.

Part 1: First you need to split the output from your computer, its the green input jack. You'll need a 3.5mm male to 2 3.5mm female splitter (Y cable). Aka a headphone splitter. The male end of the splitter will plug into your green input on the back of your computer and your speaker green cable will plug into one of the female ends of the splitter.

Part 2: Your going to need a stereo male 3.5mm to female rca converter cable. The male 3.5mm end of the converter cable will plug into the empty female 3.5mm splitter connected to your computer and you'll have 2 rca connections open at the other end.

Now your ready to connect a home subwoofer!

Part 3: Acquire a powered home theater subwoofer. Check craigslist, ebay, local adds, online, etc. A powered home theater subwoofer has a built in amp with female rca connectors. You'll need rca stereo cable (male at both ends) to connect the subwoofer to the rca converter cable.

Monoprice is a great online store to buy the cables you need.

 

[MrPirate2882]

Thank you for the quick and thorough responses.

Any ideas on a specific receiver or a company/brand? I assume I buy it used off ebay or something similar?

The behringer speakers seems really nice. What's the major difference between B2030P & B2030A? Would these be used as satellite speakers even though they have 6 3/4'' woofers in them?

I looked at the Dayton Sub. It seems like excellent value. I noticed it only has 150 watts rms is that a lot? My current 8'' long throw says 120 watts rms. It can get pretty loud, but you never really "feel the rumbles." I assume this is because it's only 8'' & the freq. response is 35hz-180hz not 25hz-180hz like the Dayton. I also assume a 2x Dayton's later down the road won't help you "feel" more, just distribute sound more evenly?

I also mostly just guessed I want a 12'' Sub in my first post. This would seem right to you, right? I doubt there is as big of an improvement from 8'' long throw -> 10'' as I am looking for, but that is just a guess. & I am partly an Audiophile. I've been around music a lot, played in symphonic band for 6 years & played instruments since 4th grade (currently 20). So I wouldn't want to sacrifice a base that distorts just for more power. Just curious of my options.

Would splitting my computer audio cable like diegs said damage the signal? or is this common practice?

Thanks again! You guys have been great; your pointing me in the right direction.


Edit (more info):
What I usually do with speakers: 45% Music, 30% Computer Games, 25% Movies. So if my speakers are more geared toward movies or gun shots in first person shooters, it would be better than movie designed speakers.

 

[diegs]

My suggestion is less than ideal, just a quick fix to add a subwoofer to your existing setup. Since you have audiophile tendencies, you are going down a very different and excellent path than I originally thought. I would suggest a new sound card with hdmi or optical out, receiver and speakers. Search around the different sections of this forum for suggestions and advice for each component. Glad to hear you want more than boom!

 

[sholling]

Thank you for the quick and thorough responses.

Any ideas on a specific receiver or a company/brand? I assume I buy it used off ebay or something similar?

Based on your post claiming poor student status used came to mind. I'd look on Craig's List or ebay. Just test anything from Craig's List before paying anybody.

The behringer speakers seems really nice. What's the major difference between B2030P & B2030A? Would these be used as satellite speakers even though they have 6 3/4'' woofers in them?

The B2030P is a conventional unpowered speaker. The B2030A have built in amplifiers and could probably be plugged straight into your PC with an adapter cable. I haven't tried it so I can't say for sure.

The 2030 series are intended for studio use and although a bit big for PC use they will make about finest sounding PC speakers you've ever heard. Unlike many home audio speakers they sound really-really good from 2' away. BTW the B2030P can grow with you and be used for home theater in small to medium sized rooms. Just add another pair for surrounds, and an additional pair for a center and a spare. If you read my home-office setup from my signature you can see that I'm using them for computer speakers. I have another 2 pair on order to give my PC a rockin 5.1 system. FYI the 2030 go low enough that you can set the crossover for 80hz which to me is a lot less distracting than smaller satellites. Any here is a good read.

I looked at the Dayton Sub. It seems like excellent value. I noticed it only has 150 watts rms is that a lot? My current 8'' long throw says 120 watts rms. It can get pretty loud, but you never really "feel the rumbles." I assume this is because it's only 8'' & the freq. response is 35hz-180hz not 25hz-180hz like the Dayton. I also assume a 2x Dayton's later down the road won't help you "feel" more, just distribute sound more evenly?

Again I suggested Daytons because of your poor student status. If you had a bigger budget I'd have steered you to Hsu Research STF-2. Note that the STF-2's power rating is very-very conservative. I was just assuming that your total budget for a receiver, 2 good speakers, and a sub was $300 or less. The STF-2, a pair of B2030P, and a used 5.1 receiver would put you around $600 by the time you added shipping.

I also mostly just guessed I want a 12'' Sub in my first post. This would seem right to you, right? I doubt there is as big of an improvement from 8'' long throw -> 10'' as I am looking for, but that is just a guess. & I am partly an Audiophile. I've been around music a lot, played in symphonic band for 6 years & played instruments since 4th grade (currently 20). So I wouldn't want to sacrifice a base that distorts just for more power. Just curious of my options.

I haven't heard the Daytons but I have heard several from Hsu. I'm only about an hour and a half from them. The Hsu are awesome subs for the money. I'd almost bet way-way better than the Dayton. But you said you're on a tight budget and several on here use Dayton. Here is a review of the smaller Hsu Research STF-1. For the $50 price difference I'd get the more capable STF-2 over the little STF-1.

Would splitting my computer audio cable like diegs said damage the signal? or is this common practice?

I have no idea. I'm a professional computer geek but not an electronics wiz.

Edit (more info):
What I usually do with speakers: 45% Music, 30% Computer Games, 25% Movies. So if my speakers are more geared toward movies or gun shots in first person shooters, it would be better than movie designed speakers.

Hmmm... I use my home-office PC speakers for music (95%) and will be using them for games (5%) but I may have to load up an FPS and test this. Hey it's a good excuse to play a game. My music mix (I'm lots older) is everything from classical to G3 or Jeff beck to acoustic jazz.