Unpowered speakers and low volume

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BiggusDoggus

391 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#21417 25-Apr-2008 22:02

Hi all

I decided I wanted to get rid of my 7 year old powered Compaq speakers and replaced them with some unpowered ones (not really into the whole "sound experience" thing, and wanted to save power, the world and the univerise yadda yadda yadda.

However, I would like to actually experience some sound at all. I can barely hear them. What's up with that - do I need to go back to powered speakers?

More details - onboard sound only (Asus M2A-VM mobo), 2W speakers.

Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries

Goosey

3016 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 869

Subscriber

#126393 25-Apr-2008 22:34

Hey dude,

what kind of speakers are these? Size, shape, are they enclosed, brand? rating?

Are you using the headphone OUT or LINE out on the soundcard?

Theres a huge difference, whereby the headphone out is a high level output so this should power most speakers to a level thats ok (unless your using huge mother subs and the impediance is 8ohm .....then your just being silly.

If your using the LINE out output then this is a low level line signal which need amplification. <<< this is perhaps your problem???

Try the headphone socket and see how you go. Please check the impedance of your speakers. If its 8ohm your dreaming if you think you can get volume.

Maybey 4ohm (car type), you could get away with it.

See how you go huh

cheers

goose

BiggusDoggus

391 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#126395 25-Apr-2008 22:53

Hokay, they are just little Coby CS-P31 speakers. No idea what the impedance is, sorry. Can't find any specs with Googling either. And yes, I'm using the headphone out at the back of the PC.

Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries

BiggusDoggus

391 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#126398 25-Apr-2008 23:03

Don't worry! I've found the solution. Some Lenovo headphones I used to have came with a USB adaptor widget, so tried that, and bingo!!! Thanks for your help though - appreciate it...

Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries

Goosey

3016 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 869

Subscriber

#126407 26-Apr-2008 03:57

sall good.

if you ever get the time, check the rated output current and voltages of your soundcard or try playing with the "sound card options".

Im on mac, but can you still control the master volume from DOS?

goose