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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: slueth on Thu, 17 February 2011, 06:38:59

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: slueth on Thu, 17 February 2011, 06:38:59

Does anyone know the setup to get like home audio speakers and etc to plug into a computer?

I know unless it was made for the computer like some logitech or m-audio computer speakers the inputs will be different.  Mainly its just an audio cable.

SHOOO... how ya do it?

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: godly_music on Thu, 17 February 2011, 07:08:42

My speakers have cables with what looks like bare copper at the end. The only way to plug those in is by using an Amp, and a 2-cinch to stereo jack.

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: Superfluous Parentheses on Thu, 17 February 2011, 07:13:12

You need an amplifier. Most computer speakers come with an amp built-in, most "normal" audio speakers don't.

If you already have an amp/radio/stereo set, check if it has AUX or CD input. For analogue audio, the line output on the computer is usually a stereo 3.5 mm TRS jack, and the input on the amp is a pair of RCA jacks (for left/right channel). You just need a simple cable to connect them like this one (http://xbox.video-games-arcade.com/Generic/1-5m-TRS-to-RCA-Stereo-Audio-Cable-3-5mm-to-L-R-B003LV9O7A.htm). Any decent electronics/audio/computer shop should have them for cheap.

Newer setups may include dolby surround (mostly for cinema setups) or S/PDIF (digital audio) connectors (very common even in low-end studio/recording equipment).

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: firestorm on Thu, 17 February 2011, 07:33:44

As said, you simply need an amp and speakers - it doesn't matter in what configuration.  It can be a separate amp (e.g. power amp, integrated amp, a/v receiver) with typical home audio speakers (usually passive and unpowered) or one built into speakers (i.e. powered) much like most PC speakers.  I've been connecting home audio systems to my computers for almost 20 years, just using a 3.5 mm to RCA cable to connect the audio card to an analog stereo input.  It's the same inexpensive cable that can be used to connect portable music players (e.g. iPod) to a system.  In addition to many cards supporting S/PDIF output, some audio cards have additional analog stereo outputs that comprise a full 5.1 surround output.

FWIW, there are some very nice active powered monitors out there that can be an excellent option for computer use, depending on your goal.  For me though, I simply had my parents old component audio system connected, with massive 3 way towers (which had 15" woofers).  I took that setup with me to college, and rocked the dorm while playing Quake.  It was convenient with MP3's began surfacing as well.

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: slueth on Thu, 17 February 2011, 07:41:54

Thanks Superfluous :)
Kinda assumed how that would work but I did not want to drag the stereo set in my living room to try that out.

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: typo on Thu, 17 February 2011, 23:51:40

of course this can be taken much further if one wishes. some of the highest end systems have a computer as the source now.

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: kill will on Fri, 18 February 2011, 00:14:29

try active studio monitors.  my favorite are the event 20 20 series and tuned reference series.

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: kill will on Fri, 18 February 2011, 00:44:36

drool over the mackies. i need to get a set of those. as well as yamaha ns10

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: phillip on Fri, 18 February 2011, 07:59:30

I want some adam or focal monitors :>

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: Koeitje on Fri, 18 February 2011, 08:55:05

Can also use the digital out and hook it up a home cinema receiver or a standalone dac + amp.

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: pfink on Fri, 18 February 2011, 11:16:18

Quote from: slueth;296654

Thanks Superfluous :)
Kinda assumed how that would work but I did not want to drag the stereo set in my living room to try that out.

You should be able to find a used second amp cheap as a lot of people have upgraded from two channel stereo amps to surround systems. Check eBay, flea markets, garage sales, etc.

I just picked up a nice '90s Yamaha stereo receiver on eBay for $30 and also lucked out with a lowball bid on a pair of Focal/JMLab Chorus 707 speakers for ~$150 shipped. My basement computer audio setup is now kicking some serious butt.

You can probably find a used Radio Shack Optimus/RCA SA-155 mini amp for under $20. Not the highest fidelity option but they're OK for a computer setup and have a half-decent headphone amp built-in.

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: panda-R on Fri, 18 February 2011, 11:23:27

Quote from: ripster;297083

Go nuts.  (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=148819#post148819) Keyboards are cheap compared to Audio equipment.

And Mackie 824s......

Show Image

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5293/5422330894_98b54bd185_z.jpg)

rip ur such a balla with all ur fancy things.

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: noctua on Fri, 18 February 2011, 12:17:36

Quote from: ripster;297083

Go nuts.  (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=148819#post148819) Keyboards are cheap compared to Audio equipment.

And Mackie 824s......

Show Image

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5293/5422330894_98b54bd185_z.jpg)

The Mackies are quite good (i use Yamaha), pity that these are tightly packed together..

THINK

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: kill will on Fri, 18 February 2011, 12:38:22

i dont understand what you said. but i imagined in a german voice and it sounded mean lol

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: slueth on Fri, 18 February 2011, 12:45:46

I think he said the speakers are too close together and they might not sync up optimally for the best sound. I am not completely sure.
Also the trackball is cool?

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: noctua on Fri, 18 February 2011, 12:49:44

Quote from: slueth;297298

I think he said the speakers are too close together and they might not sync up optimally for the best sound..

That is it.

Quote from: slueth;297298

.. Also the trackball is cool?

Not really..

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: kill will on Fri, 18 February 2011, 12:52:47

i dont know why sony didnt build vaios into bravias like 10 years ago........i bet they will now tho

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: keyb_gr on Fri, 18 February 2011, 13:10:10

Quote from: kill will;297092

drool over the mackies. i need to get a set of those. as well as yamaha ns10

NS-10s are overrated. Read The Audio Critic #28.

And yes, ripster's speaker placement is hardly ideal. The left one seems to be partly hidden behind the monitor.
I can see almost the entire fronts of mine at regular listening position. They also are on small stands, which reduced the coloration from desk reflections a lot.

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: noctua on Fri, 18 February 2011, 13:36:55

I see you often too there in last time, nice playboy - i mean the ball in your L-trac..

(http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/assets_c/2010/02/03c1729de4fc133f25cae1d4370026a3-thumb-410x307.jpg)

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: phillip on Fri, 18 February 2011, 13:38:51

Third party measurements would be better :D

http://www.soundstagemagazine.com/measurements/energy_rc_10/

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: kill will on Fri, 18 February 2011, 14:55:47

nothing like blasting "nas - affirmative action" and feeling the bass ports in your face like a cool breeze

(http://i.imgur.com/Ij36i.jpg)

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: keyb_gr on Sat, 19 February 2011, 13:32:57

Quote from: ripster;297310

Flatter than Keira Knightly

Show Image

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5293/5456189725_91980d2500_z.jpg)

That's essentially a free air measurement. Heaven knows what the result will be on your desk. You can find out with a calibrated mic and ARTA.

I'd have thought that you as an old skeptic would not believe graphs blindly.

BTW, yours truly enjoys the open-mindedness of this place here, even if people's idea of humour can be a little... umm... odd at times.

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: panda-R on Sat, 19 February 2011, 16:57:46

i don't understand
i just want to know where the closest popeyes is.

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: panda-R on Sat, 19 February 2011, 17:20:16

can i get those at popeyes?

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: panda-R on Sat, 19 February 2011, 17:28:35

times like these, makes me want to live in the good ol' U S of A.

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: keyboardlover on Sat, 19 February 2011, 19:15:53

Lol. A Popeyes opened in a nearby town and my friend was like "there goes the neighborhood".

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: typo on Sat, 19 February 2011, 20:55:37

ripster, you say the most controversial things! lol.

it is intresting that all the popeyes i know are in questionable neighborhoods though.
white castle too. pretty much anyplace open 24 hours. i guess if people do not have to work in the morning it does not make for a great neighborhood. byo40oz.

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: D-EJ915 on Sat, 19 February 2011, 22:46:34

I run a 1/8" -> RCA cable into my sub which then goes into a stereo amp and into my bookshelves, works great.  My cable also has a splitoff 1/8" jack so I can use it with headphones, man the sub + HD600s is amazing.

Reminds me I need to build a new sub lol.

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: Jerri on Fri, 25 February 2011, 06:42:54

Damn, some nice audio at the PCs here. I only got headphones on my PC..

Flatter than some humor of germans and keira knightly ... hmm, i guess on a chart where you can see +- 25 dBs (of course, to get the bass rolloff complete), there are some speakers that look flat :) !

Jerri

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: keyb_gr on Fri, 25 February 2011, 08:16:54

Quote from: Jerri;300739

Damn, some nice audio at the PCs here. I only got headphones on my PC..

If it's any consolation, those are a good way of getting very nice performance for the money.

I have some nearfield monitors here that were closed out for 200€ and considered excellent value at the price (VL-X5), and headphones which regularly used to cost about the same (HD580), and while both are nice, it's just no contest when distortion and levels in the lower registers are concerned.

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: noctua on Fri, 25 February 2011, 08:25:26

no no, ripster becomes quickly humorless if you say that his monitor boxes are tightly packed together,
alternative you say him that his white balance is off or that he has taken "only" second place at troll
poll or that his foes list is permanent incomplete or that he isn't an admin..

(http://www.tictocfamily.com/assets/0000/2889/thecount_blog.jpg?1219914223)

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: Jerri on Fri, 25 February 2011, 08:45:39

Quote from: keyb_gr;300771

If it's any consolation, those are a good way of getting very nice performance for the money.

I have some nearfield monitors here that were closed out for 200€ and considered excellent value at the price (VL-X5), and headphones which regularly used to cost about the same (HD580), and while both are nice, it's just no contest when distortion and levels in the lower registers are concerned.

Yeah it's not because of the money, it's more because if i want to listen to something seriously, i turn on my hifi stereo, i've got in my living room.
And i can't get my Infinitys with EMIT and EMIM Speakers in Bookshelf size :).

Jerri

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: phillip on Fri, 25 February 2011, 09:07:30

I like mine :)
(http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/3313/deskkn.jpg)

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: firestorm on Fri, 25 February 2011, 09:38:55

Quote from: Jerri;300786

Yeah it's not because of the money, it's more because if i want to listen to something seriously, i turn on my hifi stereo, i've got in my living room.
And i can't get my Infinitys with EMIT and EMIM Speakers in Bookshelf size :).

Jerri

This is precisely why I still have a pair of cheap 12 year old Harmon Kardon PC speakers on the main computer.  Especially since, at least for now, the computer is in the same room as my A/V rig.  If I want music, I fire up the receiver and Squeezebox (which I can control from any PC if I wish.)

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: Jerri on Sat, 26 February 2011, 05:04:42

I really like these:
(http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/4619/ren90.jpg) (http://img96.imageshack.us/i/ren90.jpg/)

Bi-amped with two of these Nakamichi Stasis Amps:
(http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/6602/bild046t.jpg) (http://img222.imageshack.us/i/bild046t.jpg/)

But for PC Gaming and listening to youtube stuff and working there, the sennheiser PC360 Headset does the Job fine.

Jerri

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: keyb_gr on Sat, 26 February 2011, 14:50:45

Nice speakers, but room acoustics look like teh horrorz to me. At least having speakers stuck in a corner under the roof usually spells disaster.

Anyway, while I still have some floorstanders and an old AV receiver and some other components here, I cannot place the speakers properly. Thus focus shifted to the computer.

Title: home audio + computer
Post by: Jerri on Sun, 27 February 2011, 02:57:21

Quote from: keyb_gr;301425

Nice speakers, but room acoustics look like teh horrorz to me. At least having speakers stuck in a corner under the roof usually spells disaster.

Anyway, while I still have some floorstanders and an old AV receiver and some other components here, I cannot place the speakers properly. Thus focus shifted to the computer.

It's more like a stupid photo, and it was a photo, when i first got em, i throwed them in a corner (notice: on the photo there aren't even spikes under the Speakers!) and fired them up...

They are about 100cm from the back walls away and 40cm from the sidewalls. And then, next to the speaker on each side there is a walk through in the room, so there aren't any very early reflections.

Maybe it looks more aweful, because somebody doesn't get the proportions right, the speakers are about 130cm high, and 45cm wide...

Really, it's a very nice listening room, symmetrical, 6.5m long, 4.2m wide, no windows, the walls are light weight, the floor is very hard in the construction.

Soundwise i was floored, because they are the first speakers i know, which got the entire midrange right, and the highs are super smooth about the entire range, without a frequency dip. Sold to old Infinity "Electro Magnetic Inducion Hi Energy" tweeter and midrange speakers!

Jerri

Edit: Maybe here you can see better, that the speaker has space to the walls; and yes, when it gets spring, i'll paint my walls, make a new ceiling and floor and look for a nice TV-Board and a large hifi rack:
(http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/5459/hx9monolithfu.jpg) (http://img840.imageshack.us/i/hx9monolithfu.jpg/)