Hooking laptop up to wall speakers?

lydia1959

15 years ago

I'd like to hook up a laptop computer (haven't yet purchased one) to wall mounted speakers (Yamaha NS-AW150W 2-Way Indoor/Outdoor Speakers at Amazon.com). I need to know if this will work and what type of wire and connectors I will need to buy. I want something that can be easily disconnected in case I want to use the laptop in another room.

I did find this in the reviews and it worries me.

By D. Mercurio "dmarymac" (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

It was unclear on the hook up for these speakers from the descriptions, so I assumed I might have no trouble using them with my computer. The instructions even reference a specific type of cable that they don't offer. Needless to say, I have two maybe great speakers that have to wait until I get a receiver for them.

Is this workable or not?? Thanks in advance!

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Comments (10)

marooma
15 years ago
Lydia,

Since those are non-powered speakers, an amplifier would be required. The audio output of a laptop would be insufficient to power them directly. The type of cable required from the laptop to the amplifier would depend on the input connectors on the amplifier but I'm sure there are adapter cables available to do so. HTH.

Terry
lydia1959
Original Author
15 years ago
Would something like this from Amazon work without an amplifier? 5.1 Game Console Adapter Convert Rca Plugs To A Single 1/8
Some of the reviewers sounded like they hooked their laptops up to 5.1 speakers with this gadget. I really do not want to have to buy a reciever or an amp. Thanks!
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Ok...question. So you mention the speaker wire isn't run correctly for that sort of thing. So is the Cat 5 run near where you could mount a wall mounted control? If so, you can do a wall mounted control that then sends back the signal to an IR dist. block. This way you could walk up to a panel and select that area you are in, then adjust volume, source, etc. But, the thing is, virtually all these solutions would cost MORE than simply altering your speaker wiring a bit. If you can get the speaker wire from the source to a wall mount box, you can simply add an impendance matching control there...fairly cheap. You'd then need the speaker cable to run from there to the actual speaker location. Even running it behind drywall, this is the cheapest method. Later, if you drop it, you can simply join the wires that are behind the impedance control and drywall over it...back to your original. O' course, you could use one of these: http://www.smarthome.com/97257862.html That would let you get the signal back to where your receiver is. Now, does your current receiver allow for "soft" speaker selection? On mine, the A, B, A+B switch is a hardware selector, so an IR signal does me no good. If yours is the same, then you'd need some sort of device that WOULD accept IR to switch sources/speakers/zones. This can either be a receiver as you mention OR a audio distibution thing, both of which might not be cheap. aiki aiki
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genes
15 years ago
Whatever speakers you get will have to be self powered ie speakers are plugged into their own power source as well as the usb on your laptop
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
15 years ago
As Marooma stated what you need to connect directly to your computer are computer speaker systems which have powered speakers, they come with a plug in that you have to plug into an electrical outlet to power them.
Regular stereo speakers like the ones you show are for use in home stereo systems or home theater systems where the speakers plug into a receiver/amplifier which powers the speakers.
To find speakers that work with your laptop or pc do searches for computer speakers, multimedia speakers, or powered speakers.
This is an example of the type you would want, in the pictures note the electrical plug, most of these type also have an on off knob on one speaker and usually a volume knob also.
Bose 40274 2.0 Companion 2 Series II multimedia speaker system
this search at newegg shows you various types of systems.

Here is a link that might be useful: speaker search
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
15 years ago
These are the actual speakers that are sitting on my desk connected to my pc, they were inexpensive and work very well for my needs, they are 3 way speakers so contain, Bass, mid and high all in one made by GE. One speaker has a volume knob on it but I can also adjust the volume through my keyboard, they have a cord that plugs into the back of my pc into the speaker plug and also have the electrical cord that plugs into the speakers then into the wall outlet.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
15 years ago
Ok do you already own the Yamaha speakers and want to figure out a way to use those with your laptop you are considering buying or are you wanting to know what speakers to buy that will work with the laptop you want to buy?

If you already have the speakers that is one issue, if you want to buy speakers then just get away from regular loudspeakers and go look for computer speakers, I think the issue you are not understanding is the power issue, stand alone stereo loudspeakers MUST have a power source to run them that is why they plug into a receiver/amplifier which plugs into the wall outlet, the receiver is powering the speakers.
computer speakers must have their own power supply since they are not going into a receiver/amplifier to power them.
lydia1959
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks Ravencajun, you explained it quite well.

I don't have any speakers yet, so I guess I will just start looking for the computer ones. I want to use a laptop primarily for music (radio.com... free and as good of a music selection as Sirus) in a 14 X 16 room. If anybody has a better idea let me know.

One more question: Will a dolby digital live sound card improve sound on the smaller computer speakers or would it be a waste?
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
15 years ago
That would just depend on what you want out of your system but if you were going to spend the bucks on the dolby card you should definitely spend the bucks for some quality speakers.
I personally am happy with my rather inexpensive system, now on my home theater system that is where I spend my money there and on my recliners LOL
I think spending some decent money on a good speaker system will be good for you and you can always upgrade the sound card at any time.
bee4mee
15 years ago
Lydia, Creative Soundblaster is a popular site with a large range of computer speaker systems and associated "goodies".

My link is to the low end of their range. It is the system that I have and gives excellent sound quality with plenty of bass and more than ample volume even at party time. I only wanted "some speakers" but this budget system far exceeded my expectations.

Unless you need Surround Sound or are a real audio perfectionist and want to spend a lot of money you will find it difficult to get better audio quality for your bucks than this system provides.

Colin

Here is a link that might be useful: Creative's Soundblaster systems
grandms
15 years ago
I'll second what Colin has written about Creative's speakers. I have an inexpensive set with a powered sub-woofer connected to my desktop pc, and I love them. I actually have to keep the volume quite low for the size of the room where I am.

Hooking laptop up to wall speakers?

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Hooking laptop up to wall speakers?

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