Connecting sub to speakers

smao2468 · Post by **smao2468** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 1:00 am

I bought a subwoofer (Energy EW 100) and I need help setting it up. I'm using a laptop without a sound card or anything. The output for my speakers (M-Audio Studiophile AV40s) is from the headphone jack on my laptop. I don't think my speakers and sub are compatible; I checked them and unless I'm missing something, there aren't any compatible input/outputs.

So what's a relatively cheap solution? I'm willing to spend 50 dollars at most. As of right now the best one I can come up with is an external sound card. I tried looking for an ExpressCard one too, but they're all expensive or only have a single output. I don't have much experience with sound cards so I don't know where to look exactly. However I'm open to other options too, so long as I don't lose quality.

Thanks for your help.

ABBmusic · Post by **ABBmusic** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 1:13 am

You could get one of these... or you could get an external sound card.

Majin · Post by **Majin** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 1:16 am

If you bought a home theater sub you'd probably have to connect it to a stereo system. If that's the case, you'd have to find a way to connect your laptop to a stereo system input and connect your tweeters to the stereo's output. If you have a stereo system of some kind laying around, you can try to use that. If not I'd return the sub and get a 2.1 computer speaker set (you may also need a usb soundcard if all you have is a stereo jack output but maybe not, ask for help at the shop).

smao2468 · Post by **smao2468** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 1:35 am

wouldn't the sound card act as the stereo system though? 5.1 sound cards have the front and rear left/right and center/subwoofer outs

Majin · Post by **Majin** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 8:13 pm

smao2468 wrote:wouldn't the sound card act as the stereo system though? 5.1 sound cards have the front and rear left/right and center/subwoofer outs

The Subwoofer connector on a home theater system is not the same as the one on a sound card. It depends on the type of connection your subwoofer uses.

Dreadfunk · Post by **Dreadfunk** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 8:26 pm

From what I gather you're using computer speakers with a 1/8" jack, plugged into your headphone out on your laptop, and you want to add a subwoofer that uses RCAs. So you need to get a couple splitters.

Laptop > To your first splitter that splits your 1/8" into two 1/8" headphone jacks.

One end > To your speakers

The other end > a 1/8" to RCA adapter

then an RCA cable to your sub.

It's not nearly ideal, but you don't need to buy a sound card. You don't need a dedicated subwoofer out, because home theatre subs almost always have a built in crossover you can set on the back.

smao2468 · Post by **smao2468** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 10:16 pm

I was considering using splitters, but I'm worried about losing quality. Yes, I know I'm using the stock sound card on my laptop, but I figured now would be a good time to upgrade.

MikkiFunk · Post by **MikkiFunk** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 10:38 pm

I was considering using splitters, but I'm worried about losing quality. Yes, I know I'm using the stock sound card on my laptop, but I figured now would be a good time to upgrade.

Buy an interface with more than 2 outs then. Like you said, you're using the stock sound card on your laptop - so you needn't worry about quality. Not high quality anyway. The only way to do this without buying an interface, like someone said, would be to use splitters. You simply need one more mono connection to go to the sub.

I'm sure you could buy a Focusrite Saffire 14 or something cheaper (the 14 has 6 outputs!) - Sure its no MOTU but I've got the 24 and think its great!

smao2468 · Post by **smao2468** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 12:09 am

Majin wrote: The Subwoofer connector on a home theater system is not the same as the one on a sound card. It depends on the type of connection your subwoofer uses.

It has inputs for both RCA and speaker wire cables, if that's what you're referring to. In that case I'm pretty sure I could find cables that are compatible with speaker wires and a 3.5mm/RCA jack.

MikkiFunk wrote:I'm sure you could buy a Focusrite Saffire 14 or something cheaper (the 14 has 6 outputs!) - Sure its no MOTU but I've got the 24 and think its great!

That thing has too many features for me. I'm focused on playback, so I'd never use it to it's full potential =/

Dreadfunk · Post by **Dreadfunk** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 8:22 am

Even if you get an audio interface, you're not going to want to use the other out for a sub.

If you are going to upgrade, do it right and buy a proper interface and monitors. You won't get anything worth using for $50. Save up, and until then the splitter will be fine. You won't lose much, if any quality.

Sirius · Post by **Sirius** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 8:44 am

easy inexpensive way

get yaself a cheap secondhand amp bro!
& just use a minijack to rca cable & ya will be sweet as.

im sure ya can figure out a getaround to using ya monitors & sub this way ah

or... save up & get a ex soundcard or interface.

!!chea

smao2468 · Post by **smao2468** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 2:17 am

Alright thanks for the help guys. I guess I'll go with splitters for now.

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