Cut the end off rca cable to get coaxial?

[ridata]

I have a question that I haven't been able to find in a search of the forums. Probably means it is just far out.

Anyway, I have two speakers that have analog(I think) coaxial inputs. Then I have a sub with rca outputs. I'd like to hook those two speakers to the sub.
What I want to do is get my rca cable, cut the rca connector off one end, twist that wire up and use it as the input for the speakers. Can I do this or no? The speakers are pretty high end (and the sub pretty low end), so I don't want to ruin them.
If this doesn't work, how else do I do it short of getting a separate stereo?

Thanks (and hi )

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

Some questions for you:
1. Are the speakers powered (so, they plug into the wall outlet) or not? You can always just let us know the make and model of them.
2. Is the sub sending power out through those RCA connections? Basically, I'm wondering if this is a sub from a PC speaker system.
3. What type of coax connection do the speakers use? Coax is just a type of wire. Do they use a connector like would be used with cable TV?

Thanks.

Adam

 

[ridata]

Okay, so I don't have the speakers yet, they are Magneplanar SMG a's that it looks like I'll be able to get a real bargain on in the next few days. So no on plugging them in. Since they are this way, do I need more of an amp than my sub provides?
The sub is the one made by Cambridge Soundsworks, in the FPS1000 system. This is what I know about it:

Subwoofer amplifier: With a 4 ohm load at less than 1% total harmonic distortion, at 100Hz:10 watts RMS.

No, the wire doesn't screw on like on a tv, it is the bare wire end you put in.

Thanks!

 

[Adam]

Okay, I reread your first post and understand what you want to do with the cables.

First - yes, you can go from bare speaker wire to an RCA connector (I've done it, and even did it last weekend). You'll want to make sure that the speakers are connected in phase when you do that, as it might not be possible to figure out which portion of the RCA connector is the positive connection and which part is the negative connection.

Second - I'll look those up, but if those speakers are even remotely what I think they are...no, you can't power those with that sub. Let me look them up, though, and I'll get back to you.

 

[Adam]

That Cambridge Soundworks package is a PC system. It only puts out 3.5 watts per speaker. I can't find much about those specific Magneplanar speakers, but Magneplanars in general need some good power (I believe). One site quoted them with a sensitivity of 86 dB and a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. I have no doubt that the Cambridge sub will be unable to drive those to any satisfactory volume, if it can power them at all without hurting itself.

By all means wait and let others chime in on this, as I could be wrong.

 

[markw]

Don't bother.

Expecting that computer speaker system bass box to drive those speakers is like urinating on a forest fire. You need a heckuva lot more power.