Windows 7: Setting up Stereo Speakers

Hello all,
I recently found some nice stereo bookshelf speakers for free at a yard sale. They're quite nice RCA speakers, and I soldered the wires to a 3.5mm connector so as to use them with my computer. Still, my computer's sound card is unable to power these speakers, and the end result is quieter than my default computer speakers.

So I read up on the internet and saw that I needed to stick an amplifier between the computer and the speakers. I found this model on Amazon for about thirty bucks:

Amazon.com: Pyle Home PCA1 Mini 2 x 15-Watt Stereo Power Amplifier: Electronics



Now, my question is this. Do the speakers then plug in to this amplifier, and this amplifier plug into the computer? I believe this RCA splitter to 3.5MM splitter (Amazon.com: "Audio Splitter, 3.5Mm Stereo Male To 2 RCA Female": Electronics) would run from the amplifier and then plug into my computer, correct? Now.

My question is as follows. What do I need to buy to connect these speakers to the amplifier? Will the amplifier have a 3.5mm jack? If possible I'd like to keep the 3.5mm jack which I soldered onto the speakers on there. I just want to make sure I don't spend the thirty bucks on this amp and then find out it won't work or something.

Thanks for helping an audio newbie!

aa

The only problem here is, by the time you buy an amp, and everything you need to get it connected properly, you could just simply by a small set of 2.1 speakers.

For example this 25W set:
Newegg.com - Logitech Z313 25 w 2.1 Speaker System
Which may, or may not, be better overall.


Unless this is just something you want to do, just because you can.
Im not sure the best way to re-wire everyhting to work on the PC though. Perhaps others would have better advice in that area.

authorandrew,
No worries my friend you are on the right track. Please connect the audio output from the computer likely via that less than ideal 3.5mm plug to a RCA splitter see Radio Shack. Then extend this with lengths of RCA interconnects to the amplifier or inputs to a solid little stereo receiver. Then from the amplifier or receiver please run a good quality speaker cable available from Home Depot in bulk for cheap. Then you will use the variable output from the computer to raise and lower the volume acting as a pre-amplifier.

I agree with Wishmaster, it's not worth it. Besides needing the power amplifier, the speakers are not shielded from computer RFI and could wind up being noisy if placed near the PC. "Computer Speakers" have internal shielding inside the speaker to help avoid this.

For the price of the power amplifier you can go to "Wally World" (Wal Mart) and buy a nice set of 2.1 stereo computer speakers.

Everyone I've ever talked to who has skipped the computer speakers in favor of a real set of speakers and a real amplifier has been happy with it. I would be a little concerned that a $30 amp might not be all that great, though. Having said that, chances are that it will still be better than the amp built in to any inexpensive set of computer speakers.

profdlp +1 to that !

Your best bet is to come off the mobo off it's optical or digital output to a high quality DAC then to a set of powered studio grade monitors.....costly yes.....aurally rewarding.....beyond words!

Thanks all for your helpful replies.

I have to say I'm just doing this to do it, mainly. So in other words, even if I could get a better deal with something else, I'd just like to figure this out and get these working :P

The amp, though small, has all positive reviews on Amazon; apparently it's quite good for the money.

Thanks again, all of you; I think I have a clearer idea of where to go from here.

aa

Fun is what it's all about !