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Hooking speakers to computer?
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cowguy:
I have a pair of speakers that have the black and red connectors that you use speaker wire to connect to your stereo.  Is there a way to be able to hook these up to your computer?
bfauska:
Computers don't output "speaker level" audio.  You can run basically headphones or an amplifier from the computer.  The PC speakers that most people use are simply speakers with little amplifiers built into them.  I think that many people around here use car amps to power their speakers, I am using PC speakers.  Depending on where you are putting your speakers, PC speakers are probably the simplest solution.  If you really want to use speakers that don't have a built in amp it will be more work, but it can be done.
cowguy:
Could I possibly take the amp out of some cheap computer speakers and wire it to my speakers that don't have an amp?
bfauska:
You could do that, but it may be difficult to find the ratings on both the amps and the speakers.  It is fairly important to match the components up well.  Chances are that the amp in the computer speakers will be low power so you probably won't damage your speakers, but it is hard to say, the impedance of the speakers also comes into play, if it is too low, and the amp is rated only for high impedance speakers then you could damage the cheap amp.  Nearly all speakers are going to perform better when built into a box.  I just mounted my computer speakers into my arcade cabinet last night and I left them in their little cases, they sound great and it was simple.  I think that is the cleanest solution unless you are installing the speakers in such a way that they will be seen.
Apollo:
If you don't want to just put a pair of decent PC speakers in your cab then Happ have a very good little amp that will work for you.

http://www.happcontrols.com/amusement/jukebox/495140100.htm

I use this amp and a pair of 3" shielded 8 ohm 30w speakers and the sound is awesome however if I was building again I would probably just use PC speakers to save hassle and cash.
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