newbie with speakers

[landog]

I have inherited some big speakers. They say "Essence" on them. I would like to play music form my computer. I think that I need an amplifier.

How do I determine what amplifier I need?

Sorry to be such a noob.

Thanks,
-dog

 

[macddmac]

Hey dog, welcome to to the forum. Is there any more info on the back of the speakers?
Cheers, Mac

 

[landog]

Thanks, Mac

The speakers are devoid of info. All I really know is that they stand 53" high, are 13" wide and 15" deep.
..and they are heavy!

 

[j_garcia]

Pics might help then. Yes, you will need a receiver (which is a preamp/processor and amp in one box) In terms of receiver, it will depend, as we'll need to find out how much current they will want - for low level listening, a typical stereo receiver will probably do what you need.

The first ones that came up in a search were the Zu Essence speakers, which look pretty nice if that's what they are.

 

[landog]

Speaker:

Top off:

cable:

 

[j_garcia]

Definitely a custom built, internet direct looking speaker. Does not look like the Zu Essence though. I'd say just find an inexpensive roughly 100W receiver on craigslist and try them out.

 

[afterlife2]

Welcome! Maybe something like this:
Amazon.com: Sherwood RX-4109 105 Watt Stereo Receiver (Black): Electronics
or cheaper option:
Amazon.com: LP-2020A+ Lepai Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amplifier with Power Supply: Electronics

 

[Pyrrho]

I have inherited some big speakers. They say "Essence" on them. I would like to play music form my computer. I think that I need an amplifier.

How do I determine what amplifier I need?

Sorry to be such a noob.

Thanks,
-dog

Not that this is going to help you much, but, normally, an amplifier is selected based upon the impedance of the speaker and its efficiency and how loud one wishes to play it. Without knowing any of those things, it is difficult to say what you should get. That is why you have gotten the questions you have gotten about the speakers, as people need to know these sorts of things to give really good advice. If you are rich, you could buy an amplifier that puts out vast amounts of power and is good with low impedances, and that should work with just about anything, as long as it also has a very low noise floor. But as a practical matter, as long as you are not planning on playing things at rock concert levels in your home, you will likely do well to go with something like the Sherwood recommended by afterlife2 above. It is possible, though, that you will have a problem if they are very low impedance and you wish to play them loud.