How to connect powered speakers and a powered subwoofer to my computer?

[dj41490]

Hi, I'm planning to buy a pair of JBL 305 powered speakers and I already have a Polk Audio PSW10 powered subwoofer. I'm clueless on how to connect them to my computer. My old speakers have a subwoofer out jack that I can connect them with a subwoofer cable. However, the JBL 305 and the subwoofer only has input and no output jacks. Can I just buy a 3.5 mm TRS to Dual 1/4 in TS cable like this one https/www.amazon.ca/Hosa-CMP159-Stereo-Breakout-10-Feet/dp/B005HGM1D6/ref=pd_bxgy_267_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=V5EGNFG2CGXXP18VG1GS Dual 1/4 TS end to the JBL 305s and the 3.5 mm to my motherboard's green audio jack? Then buy a 3.5mm to dual-Male RCA Cable like this one https/www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-3-5mm-2-Male-Adapter-Cable/dp/B01D5H8KO2/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1513749138&sr=1-3&keywords=3.5mm+Stereo+Audio+Male+to+Dual+RCA+Male the dual-male RCA to my subwoofer and the 3.5 mm end to my motherboard's orange audio jack? Will this work? Thank you in advance. It would be nice if I do not have to get an amp or audio interface.

 

[madmatt30]

Yes to the above , you're only going to need to plug one of the rca jacks to the subwoofer though as the other carries centre channel audio.

Set your pc audio to 2.1& you should be good.

 

[dj41490]

Yes to the above , you're only going to need to plug one of the rca jacks to the subwoofer though as the other carries centre channel audio.

Set your pc audio to 2.1& you should be good.

Thanks for the fast response =D. Side question, will getting an AMP or external DAC improve sound quality? If so is there any recommendation that's under $100? What about getting a dedicated sound card e.g. Sound Blaster Z https/www.amazon.ca/Blaster-Performance-Headphone-Forming-Microphone/dp/B009ISU33E will this have a significance difference compare to my onboard sound card (Realtek ALC892)?

 

[americanaudiophile]

Amp is useless since both the speakers and sub are self powered.
If you use a DAC it would sound better.
http/www.schiit.com/products/modi-2

 

[dj41490]

Amp is useless since both the speakers and sub are self powered.
If you use a DAC it would sound better.
http/www.schiit.com/products/modi-2

Ha! I noticed that after a bit more research. Active speakers already have built-in amps and by connecting an external amp it might actually fry them. I've been eyeing on the Fiio E10K https/www.amazon.ca/FiiO-Olympus-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513861867&sr=8-1&keywords=e10k as it has a sub out port. How does this compare to the modi 2?

 

[jwcrellin]

I went the usb dac route to get rca to my 7.1 receiver. I also had to wire in a ground loop isolater to get rid of some interference whine. I think it would have been cheaper and easier in the end to get a new motherboard with optical audio out, lol.

 

[madmatt30]

Amp is useless since both the speakers and sub are self powered.
If you use a DAC it would sound better.
http/www.schiit.com/products/modi-2

Ha! I noticed that after a bit more research. Active speakers already have built-in amps and by connecting an external amp it might actually fry them. I've been eyeing on the Fiio E10K https/www.amazon.ca/FiiO-Olympus-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513861867&sr=8-1&keywords=e10k as it has a sub out port. How does this compare to the modi 2?

I thikn once you start looking at adding a DAC into the equation & upping the budget there are better options around that the JBL's in the first place. personally.

https/www.amazon.ca/Portable-Audio-Power-Amplifier-Controller/dp/B01GZWILD4/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1513926530&sr=1-4&keywords=smsl+q5+pro

https/www.amazon.ca/Bluetooth-Amplifier-SMSL-Subwoofer-Digital/dp/B076JHPPDM/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1513926694&sr=1-3&keywords=smsl+ad18

Both those little smsl's are bang on audio quality mini dac amps with subwoofer outputs & low pass filtering built in.

I would personally say as you already own that polk sub one of those paired with a pair of non-powered mini bookshelf speakers will offer you a better experience as well as having the capability of easily running extra equipment on them.
You'll have a far more adaptable multi-purpose setup than the JBL's with their solitary source input.

https/www.amazon.ca/Micca-MB42-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B009IUIV4A/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1513927288&sr=1-4&keywords=sony%2Bbookshelf%2Bspeaker&th=1

Stick a pair of those little micca's in the mix & you have yourself a great little setup for around $200.

 

[dj41490]

Amp is useless since both the speakers and sub are self powered.
If you use a DAC it would sound better.
http/www.schiit.com/products/modi-2

Ha! I noticed that after a bit more research. Active speakers already have built-in amps and by connecting an external amp it might actually fry them. I've been eyeing on the Fiio E10K https/www.amazon.ca/FiiO-Olympus-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513861867&sr=8-1&keywords=e10k as it has a sub out port. How does this compare to the modi 2?

I thikn once you start looking at adding a DAC into the equation & upping the budget there are better options around that the JBL's in the first place. personally.

https/www.amazon.ca/Portable-Audio-Power-Amplifier-Controller/dp/B01GZWILD4/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1513926530&sr=1-4&keywords=smsl+q5+pro

https/www.amazon.ca/Bluetooth-Amplifier-SMSL-Subwoofer-Digital/dp/B076JHPPDM/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1513926694&sr=1-3&keywords=smsl+ad18

Both those little smsl's are bang on audio quality mini dac amps with subwoofer outputs & low pass filtering built in.

I would personally say as you already own that polk sub one of those paired with a pair of non-powered mini bookshelf speakers will offer you a better experience as well as having the capability of easily running extra equipment on them.
You'll have a far more adaptable multi-purpose setup than the JBL's with their solitary source input.

https/www.amazon.ca/Micca-MB42-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B009IUIV4A/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1513927288&sr=1-4&keywords=sony%2Bbookshelf%2Bspeaker&th=1

Stick a pair of those little micca's in the mix & you have yourself a great little setup for around $200.

I'm picking JBL 305s because they are on sale at the moment for $99 USD (~$126 CAD) each. I came across the SMSL Q5 Pro as well https/www.amazon.ca/SMSL-Q5-Pro-silver-Component/dp/B017W139EI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1513981967&sr=8-3&keywords=SMSL+Q5+Pro (What is the difference compare to mini? Just the size?) and was thinking about pairing it with ELAC B6 which is on sale now at best buy for $299 CAD (~$235 USD) a pair. However, I will be using these for my computer and the ELAC B6 seems too big for my room and I heard that JBL 305 are better near field.

Is Micca MB42 on par with JBL 305? Would you still consider the Miccas or pay (427-232) $195 CAD extra for a pair of JBL 305s?

So right now my budget is around $500 CAD and my options are:
1. JBL 305s ($252 CAD a pair + $65 CAD Shipping) with E10K $110 CAD= $427 CAD
2. Micca MB42 $82 CAD a pair + SMSL Q5 Pro $150 CAD/ Pro Mini $120 CAD = $232 CAD/ $202 CAD
3. Micca MB42X $130 CAD a pair + SMSL Q5 Pro $150 CAD/ Pro Mini $120 CAD = $280 CAD/ $250 CAD
3. ELAC B6 $299 CAD a pair + SMSL Q5 Pro $150 CAD/ Pro Mini $120 CAD = $449 CAD / $419 CAD
4. Klipsch R-15M $300 CAD a pair + E10K $110 CAD= $410 CAD
5. Signature Series HiFi $260 CAD a pair + SMSL Q5 Pro $150 CAD/ Pro Mini $120 CAD = $410 CAD / $380 CAD
6. Better options that I don't know of

P.S.You guys are awesome for being helpful! Also, I found out ELAC Debut B5 are on sale too but with the same price as the B6s.

 

[madmatt30]

1. You shouldn't be able to buy the jbl 305's singly , theyre a package as one contains the amplifier & controls, the other is just a non powered speaker.

2 - The mb42x are not worth the extra over the mb42 IF you're going to be using that sub all the time & set it up properly so that only mid range & high frequencies go through the front left/right.
The 42x has a proper low frequency crossover that only enhances the bottom end.

3 - You're running a sub , you dont need the elac's mate , great full range bookshelves - they'll be wasted on that amp with a sub.Theyre also big & (imo) fairly ugly.

4.wont work , the klipsch are non powered - you'd still need a real amp with those.

5. Loads more options but it depends on availability.

Assuming these are for pc use , & assuming you'll always have that sub running then Ill still say the micca mb42 & either of the amps I listed - the ad18 offers bluetooth & more output (which Im honestly not sure you need).

Wire them - usb to smsl amp from pc - as it has its own high quality dac built in

Left right speaker out to speaker level inputs on sub, left right speaker level outputs to micca speakers & use the crossover control on the sub to set it up properly.

Little extra speaker cabling this way but the results are worth it & its the 'correct' way to run a sub/small speaker setup.


Dont know the specifics of your room or layout but that little setup is capable of filling a fairly reasonable (20x10 foot) room with sound easily.

If the bookshelves are to sit on a desk fairly close to your sitting position I doubt youll be running above 25% volume.

& yes they're the cheapest option I know & you can drop your whole budget & 'on paper' at least itll be higher spec and/or better quality.
In the real world though it'll be wasted money because you won't get any benefit from it.

 

[madmatt30]

Btw - there is only one variation of the smsl q5 pro (but in 3 colours)
The one you listed is exactly the same apart from its silver & $50 more expensive.

I knew id dealt with this.kind of setup before

http/www.tomsguide.com/answers/id-3371198/audio-connectivity.html

 

[dj41490]

1. You shouldn't be able to buy the jbl 305's singly , theyre a package as one contains the amplifier & controls, the other is just a non powered speaker.

2 - The mb42x are not worth the extra over the mb42 IF you're going to be using that sub all the time & set it up properly so that only mid range & high frequencies go through the front left/right.
The 42x has a proper low frequency crossover that only enhances the bottom end.

3 - You're running a sub , you dont need the elac's mate , great full range bookshelves - they'll be wasted on that amp with a sub.Theyre also big & (imo) fairly ugly.

4.wont work , the klipsch are non powered - you'd still need a real amp with those.

5. Loads more options but it depends on availability.

Assuming these are for pc use , & assuming you'll always have that sub running then Ill still say the micca mb42 & either of the amps I listed - the ad18 offers bluetooth & more output (which Im honestly not sure you need).

Wire them - usb to smsl amp from pc - as it has its own high quality dac built in

Left right speaker out to speaker level inputs on sub, left right speaker level outputs to micca speakers & use the crossover control on the sub to set it up properly.

Little extra speaker cabling this way but the results are worth it & its the 'correct' way to run a sub/small speaker setup.


Dont know the specifics of your room or layout but that little setup is capable of filling a fairly reasonable (20x10 foot) room with sound easily.

If the bookshelves are to sit on a desk fairly close to your sitting position I doubt youll be running above 25% volume.

& yes they're the cheapest option I know & you can drop your whole budget & 'on paper' at least itll be higher spec and/or better quality.
In the real world though it'll be wasted money because you won't get any benefit from it.

Thank you very much man! Your feedback was really helpful and detailed, the only thing I don't quite understand is your response to my first statement regarding the JBL 305s. Did you mean I can't buy 2 JBL 305s with 500 CAD?

 

[madmatt30]

No you're right mate , the jbl's are independently powered.

Didn't do my homework properly there .

Sure Ive seen them for less than that as a boxed pair though.

 

[dj41490]

No you're right mate , the jbl's are independently powered.

Didn't do my homework properly there .

Sure Ive seen them for less than that as a boxed pair though.

Ahhh no problem mate! Thanks for being so helpful once again. I'm going for the JBL 305s and Fiio E10K, $198 USD for a pair is already a sick deal for me, they are selling $220 CAD ($173 USD) each here in Canada. Have a wonderful Christmas mate