Computer home theater system

[Raptor22]

Hello guys... I'm rather new to this whole home theater system stuff... but anyways, I have a PC home theater system for my computer (Creative MegaWorks 5.1 THX 550), and I was thinking about upgrading from it... the Gigaworks was too costly, so I was wondering if it's possible at all to hook up a surround system on my computer with a CAR SUB... I heard it was possible when you used amps... batteries... etc. But the whole process seemed too complicated. Anybody here do that? If so, I'd like some advice on what to look for, what to do, etc etc. Thanks for reading!

 

[Seth=L]

It is too complicated, and in all likely hood, to expensive.

You would be better off just buying a home sub or if you like working with your hands and have decent woodworking skills you could build a home subwoofer.

For $300 you could get one of these, only some assembly required.
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-770

 

[Raptor22]

Ok thanks... so basically any home theater system sub would work on a computer with certain conversions right? If I were to get myself one of the one you posted for me... would I need any other hardware to get it working with my 3.5mm computer jacks? Thanks!

 

[Seth=L]

Not so fast, you need a receiver too.

Good news is there are many entry level receivers (below $200) that should fit your needs.

 

[Raptor22]

I found many types of receivers... which type of receiver would I need in able to hook up the sub to it and then to the computer? And after I get the sub hooked up, what about the speakers? I'd sure hate to purchase separate speakers since I already have my 5 speakers from my Creative MegaWorks setup... in all, I don't really think it's possible to get away with it by paying as little as possible...

 

[MDS]

If the main issue is the Creative sub died and you want to retain all of the other creative speakers then logically the best solution is another sub. If the GigaWorks is the kind of setup where all connections are made through the sub then you have no choice but to get another Creative sub.

If you want to ditch the idea of another computer 'subwoofer' and buy a real subwoofer as has been suggested then you will need to extend your budget much further. A powered sub can be run off the subwoofer out of the sound card using a 3.5 mm mini plug to rca plug cable BUT it will do you no good if the other speakers required the Creative sub for power.

So...you end up needing a receiver to feed the new subwoofer. Now you need to connect the other speakers to the receiver too, but wait... they are computer speakers and will likely have a very low impedance which will give the receiver big trouble. So you now need new speakers too.

Do you want to buy another computer sub and be back to having sound or ditch the computer speaker setup and go with separate components - that is the decision you have to make.