Computer speakers are inexpensive, and easy to set up, but they really lack the true sound potential of a home audio system equipped with floor speakers. If you already have a quality pair of floor speakers, why bother with cheap, inferior computer speakers? Hooking your computer up to your floor speakers is less difficult than it sounds, but it will require some additional purchases if you don't have the right equipment. Read on to see get it done.
Instructions
1. Purchase an amplifier. It's likely that your computer does not produce an amplified signal. This is why you need to plug computer speakers into an electrical outlet: they rely on internal amplification that need a dedicated power source. Floor-standing stereo speakers are not powered and rely upon power from an external amplifier. Bottom line is you're going to need some form of amplifier to take the line level signal from your computer and amplify it enough to power the speakers. A stereo receiver is the best option if you intend to use other components like a CD player or DVD or you could use an amplifier, depending upon your preference.
2. Get the right connection. While you're shopping for an amplifier, you'll also need to pick up the appropriate cable. Most computer sound cards have a single mini-jack sound output (green jack) where you would hook up computer speakers. Your amplifier or receiver will have left and right inputs for audio sources. You need a simple mini-jack (3.5 mm/ 1/8-inch) to RCA cables (red and white). This will allow you to connect your sound card output to the input on the amplifier.
3. Make the connection. Connect the mini-jack into your computer sound output and the RCA cables to the appropriate left and right terminals on your amplifier. Your stereo receiver probably doesn't have an input labeled specifically "computer", so you may need to use one labeled "Aux" or any other available input. An amplifier will have simple line in connections and won't switch between sources.
4. Connect the speakers. Connect speaker cable to the positive and negative output terminals for the left speaker, then run the cable to the speaker and connect the corresponding positive and negative inputs on the speaker. Repeat for right speaker.
5. Switch to the selected input. If you're using a stereo receiver, you'll need to switch to the input which you selected to connect your computer (i.e. "Aux"). You can now play computer sound on your speakers.
Tags: your computer, computer sound, computer speakers, floor speakers, stereo receiver
