Sound Card

[zippyjuan]

I am using some more hifi type speakers for my PC which are some satelites from a surround system (Cambridge Soundworks). I have them spliced onto a headphone jack which plugs into the front audio out on my computer. I am using an onboard audio chip for now. I previously ran the sound through my monitor which had a built in TV tuner and that amplified the sound but now I have a new monitor without any sort of tuner. The sound output now is not always as loud as I would like it. Some things cam be difficult to hear. I have all my settings for audio output at their highest levels. What I am wondering is would adding a sound card make any difference in volume or only in quality? If it will not make things any louder then the quality will not really matter much. Will the amplification depend on the sound card? Thanks for any help.

I was reluctant to put any money into a sound card since my computer is about five years old, but I have decided that if I do go with a sound card, I could always use it in any new computer whenever I eventually decide to upgrade to a newer one. I only intend to use two speakers- not multi channel audio so I do not care how many audio channeis I have.

[Jeffbx]

I don't think a sound card will make a difference - sounds like you need an amplifier. Most PC speakers have an amp built in, but if you're using just bare speakers that's probably your issue - in your old setup the monitor output had an amp, but with that gone you're toast.

Unfortunately, you may find that it's cheaper to buy a new set of powered speakers than it is to find a decent amplifier. I'd recommend you have a look on ebay.

[DarkFury]

I agree.. I don't think it is your sound card's fault either.

You say you spliced the speakers into a "headphone jack".... well that might be a problem there as well. Don't headphone jacks step down the power output from the audio source, so that you don't blow out the tiny drivers in your headphones?

I don't know if this is really the case (just speculating here) however I do know that on my son's PC, a pair of headphones meant for portable CD player audio didn't sound as good as ones that were made for a PC (like the voice headsets).

Also, you may want to try plugging these speakers directly into the "variable output" speaker out jack versus the constant output "line out" jack to see if it makes a difference.

Other than that, then you may need an inline amplifier to get the sound you want (as you guys have already suggested).

[zippyjuan]

I guess I was not clear on the connection I am using- but from what you say that does not matter. I used a headphone plug because that is the sort of connection that the PC- like most PCs use to connect external speakers- plugged into the "Fronts" output (line out) on the back of my PC. Thanks for the info!

[DarkFury]

So what happens when you plug these speakers directly into the "speaker out" on sound card?

Does the sound change any?

[zippyjuan]

I don't have a sound card now. My speakers are plugged into the front speaker out jack on the motheboard (back of the computer) using the onboard NVidia sound chip. Some sources are hard to hear (low volume), some I hear fine.

[DarkFury]

Kinda weird that your motherboard doesn't have a rear sound panel then. :shrug:

Most "onboard sound cards" still usually have a rear panel even if they have front ports.

[zippyjuan]

It is on the rear panel. No front inputs other than USB.

plugged into the "Fronts" output (line out) on the back of my PC
Fronts meaning front speakers if you are using a surround set up. The other plugs are for center and one for the surround speakers but I only have two speakers so they plug into the jack for "fronts".

[DarkFury]

Gotcha... I misunderstood what you were saying. My bad. :D


I dunno in this case... does it work fine when you plug in any other PC speakers?