Computers & 5.1 sound systems.

[mjanota]

Hiho!

Probably a strange and even stupid question, is it neccecary to have an amplifier to get any decent volume on the speakers if you connect them to the motherboards output connections?

Currenty a a GA-x48-dq6 and I was hoping to run a 5.1 system on it without the amplifier (as its broken)

Any ideas, currently the volume is soooo low

/regards Marcus

[Kelainefes]

Hey there!
It depends: there are speakers that have an amplifier inside (they require power ofcourse), if this is not the case then an amplifier is needed.
To be more specific, the motherboard's output connector ouputs a signal of a few hundreds milliwatts, so it is absolutely not enough for any reasonable listening level.
There are also other issues regarding the output impedance, but let's not get too techy.

[Clunk]

You do need an amplifier to make the sound audible at decent levels.

As Kelainefes said, the amp can be built into the sub or speakers or can be a standalone amp, but you still need amplification to get the signal heard.

Even a headphone socket used a small amount of amplification.

You can pick up a cheap set of amplified speakers for just a few $/£/€.

[Kelainefes]

Before yo ugo out and buy a system, i would share a word of advice.
I have studied not just as a recording and mixing engineer, but also specialized in 5.1 mixing.
Let me tell you one thing: if you don't have the space to properly setup the speakers, having 5 + a subwoofer will just degrade the sound quality compared to a good old fashioned stereo setup.
And if you're not in the 1000+ budget (at least), i suggest you spend the money on 2 speakers wich, at the same price of 6 will provide much more quality.
5.1 can be a wonderful thing, but it's also hyped up A LOT.

[mjanota]

cheers for the replies, well i have a full 5.1 set from my very old creative sound system, unfortunately after a rainy midsummer night the amplifier broke down

So buying a cheep cheep cheep amplifier would do the trick I guess..

[Kelainefes]

It depends: were the satellites all hooked up to the sub?

[mjanota]

Originally Posted by Kelainefes

It depends: were the satellites all hooked up to the sub?

neh, everything was hooked to the amp.. :<

[kinnsy]

Originally Posted by mjanota

neh, everything was hooked to the amp.. :<

Err, getting confused here. I have a creative inspire 5300 5.1 system and all the amps are in the sub unit. Are you saying you were using separate amps?

Considering the price of analogue input 5.1 systems it will probably be just as cheap to replace the whole 5.1 system.

[godsdog]

aego m series : acoustic energy ..buy them and stop farting around.

[Kelainefes]

See, the problem is: was the crossover in each speaker, or was it inside the amp? If it was inside the amp, get a new set, if not, you could look around for a 5.1 amplifier.