Hook up M-audio bx5a to Polk psw505 to laptop

[theromanone]

How would I do this? Am in a time crunch, trying to do this without an amp. Thanks!

 

[Crackerballer]

Looking at the back of the speakers, there is no out for the sub. You need a DAC or different speakers.

 

[its phillip]

i think he could use a splitter and just send a full range signal to both. it's not the best solution, but it would work. i could be wrong of course

 

[Crackerballer]

Yea that would be the cheapest for sure. OP are you just using the 3.5mm computer output?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

How would I do this? Am in a time crunch, trying to do this without an amp. Thanks!

You don't need an amp in any case, but last time I checked bx5a do not have unbalanced input. you could use a converter cable, but it is not always best solution due to ground loops.

Instead of running full bandwidth signal to both monitors and sub you'd be better of with crossover.
And like mentioned above - you might want to have a dac too..

so all put together one of better solutions would be probably MSC1 control from JBL Pro - it also included calibrating microphone and adjustable crossover, dac and balanced outputs

JBL MSC1 MSC 1 Studio Monitor System Controller w/ RMC on eBay!

 

[theromanone]

$239!?!? Thanks, I was looking for a nice $10 cable solution, maybe when I get a bigger place though, much bigger

and Yes, the line-in is a 3.5.

Anything on on amazon I could buy and "set it and forget it"?

IE, what do you mean splitter..? What part, what side would, I connect into what part? So far I just have an XLR cable that has two male heads going into each m-audio bx5a and the other end an AUX male going into the laptop.

 

[theromanone]

Also, there is a red and white "filtered" input on the back of the sub. I could run a cable that has the 3.5 at one end for the laptop, but not sure what size the red and white plugs would be? Moreso, where would I have the bx5a included in the process?

 

[Crackerballer]

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F8Z359tt06INCHP-Adapter-Headphone-Splitter/dp/B0047T79M2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328212452&sr=8-1

That plus

Amazon.com: Belkin Audio Y Cable Splitter 1-Mini Plug/2-RCA Plugs (6 Feet): Electronics

Will do what you need, just not as well as a DAC/Crossover controller

 

[theromanone]

done and done. thanks guys, owe you one!

 

[Crackerballer]

Then hit the thanks button below my post

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Amazon.com: Belkin F8Z359tt06INCHP Y Adapter; Mini Stereo Plug, Headphone Splitter: MP3 Players & Accessories

That plus

Amazon.com: Belkin Audio Y Cable Splitter 1-Mini Plug/2-RCA Plugs (6 Feet): Electronics

Will do what you need, just not as well as a DAC/Crossover controller

Did I mentioned BX5a monitors don't have unbalanced inputs? How do you plan to attach them?

 

[its phillip]

then he'll need to get some trs or xlr cable adapters in addition to the above

 

[Crackerballer]

Yup I missed in the original post that he didn't already have the speakers hooked up.

Amazon.com: Hosa XVS101F Right Angle 3.5mm M to XLR F 1 Foot: Musical Instruments

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Yup I missed in the original post that he didn't already have the speakers hooked up.

Amazon.com: Hosa XVS101F Right Angle 3.5mm M to XLR F 1 Foot: Musical Instruments

this is wrong cable. this is TRS Male 1/8 to XLR - both sides are balanced
plus I'd rec a longer cable in any case

 

[Crackerballer]

this is wrong cable. this is TRS Male 1/8 to XLR - both sides are balanced
plus I'd rec a longer cable in any case

This is the same cable I listed, it's the exact same part number XVS-101F...

 

[theromanone]

done. never did that before, but now i definitely see the purpose. thanks again so much, you saved the party!

 

[theromanone]

quick question about the parts listed.. i think I may already have the parts needed:

I have these which I've been using with the m-audio's along for the past few months: http://www.amazon.com/HOSA-STEREO-3-5mm-TWO-XLR/dp/B000068OEP/ref=pd_sim_MI_6

Wouldn't they just plug into the female one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F8Z359tt06INCHP-Adapter-Headphone-Splitter/dp/B0047T79M2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328212452&sr=8-1

and then have the subwoofer ones here:
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Audio-Cable-Splitter-1-Mini/dp/B00004Z5CP/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1328212486&sr=1-1

plug into the other female one of the Belkin adapter splitter?

 

[Crackerballer]

Yes you are correct, but I don't think you need an RCA in for the sub. You should only need one channel in, but the 3 products you have above should play together nicely.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I have these which I've been using with the m-audio's along for the past few months: http://www.amazon.com/HOSA-STEREO-3-5mm-TWO-XLR/dp/B000068OEP/ref=pd_sim_MI_6

Hmm, not 100% sure, but I think this one will do the trick
good find

 

[jinjuku]

this is wrong cable. this is TRS Male 1/8 to XLR - both sides are balanced
plus I'd rec a longer cable in any case

No, it won't be balanced. The audio out of his laptop is single ended.

The OP will need a 1/8th to RCA splitter. Then he will need an RCA to RCA splitter on one of the channels. Then he will need an RCA to TRS or RCA to XLR to the M-Audio and an RCA to RCA for the sub and another RCA to TRS or XLR to the other monitor.

In professional circles it if technically referred to as a 'kludge'

The other item of note that the OP has to take into consideration is if the input on the speakers will have enough sensitivity to be driven adequately with a consumer level device.

What I would do if I was the poster is hop on Craigslist and search for:

M-Audio, EMU, Presonus, Focusrite, Cakewalk, RME, Lynx, Roland, Tascam and find a pro-audio USB interface. If unsure about what you have found on C-List post it back here.

As example there is a Cakewalk Sonar USB sound device for $75 on Craiglist near me. They even have Win 7 32/64bit drivers.