rmpotsy Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 I just purchased a Promedia 2.1 used, with out the subwoofer. I don't really need a sub and they were a great deal so I though why not. Now, I am not sure how to connect just the two speakers to my computer without the sub. Do I have to use the sub? I have all of the original cable and the pod, but connecting the two front channels without the sub seems to not be possible. Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated. Thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 Welcome to the forum! Guess that it depends on your computer outputs. Tower computer had speaker outputs compatible for desktop speakers and my plasma monitor. Guess you could use the sub and cut down the volume to zero? Thanks @rmpotsy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmpotsy Posted March 1, 2021 Author Share Posted March 1, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, billybob said: Welcome to the forum! Guess that it depends on your computer outputs. Tower computer had speaker outputs compatible for desktop speakers and my plasma monitor. Guess you could use the sub and cut down the volume to zero? Thanks @rmpotsy Thanks billybob. I purchased the speakers used without the sub, so connecting it and turning it down is not an option. The cabling that came with the speakers (stock) seems to force you to connect the two front channel to the sub via 4 leads (positive/negative from each speaker). I was hoping that the cabling would allow me to connect the two front channel together then connect to the computer with a standard headphone/speaker 3.5 mm jack, but that does not seem to be the case. Each speaker has a 3.5mm jack on the back. I was hoping someone here had a workaround for not having the sub. EDIT: the computer connection is a 3.5mm jack Edited March 1, 2021 by rmpotsy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 Well, there are 2 ways I can look at it. Buy single 3.5 to 3.5 male jack cables the length you require, along with Y-splitter for the same or, buy something like these and diy it yourself with a Y-splitter. Take a look at the illustrations for understanding. 3 wires used. Additional wire is probably control wire: https://www.amazon.com/Ancable-Replacement-Connector-Headphones-Headset/dp/B077XS77FG/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=3.5mm+jack&qid=1614618141&sr=8-4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 Guess you can see that I am bypassing the pod and using directly from computer to speakers. Can use the computer desktop/ audio settings to control volume etc. Making any sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmpotsy Posted March 1, 2021 Author Share Posted March 1, 2021 8 minutes ago, billybob said: Well, there are 2 ways I can look at it. Buy single 3.5 to 3.5 male jack cables the length you require, along with Y-splitter for the same or, buy something like these and diy it yourself with a Y-splitter. Take a look at the illustrations for understanding. 3 wires used. Additional wire is probably control wire: https://www.amazon.com/Ancable-Replacement-Connector-Headphones-Headset/dp/B077XS77FG/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=3.5mm+jack&qid=1614618141&sr=8-4 Thanks again, I thought that would be my solution, but it does not seem to be working. Are the speakers powered through the sub? Do they need to be powered or is the amp on the computer sufficient? I have them connected like you suggested, but the computer speakers are still playing. I went in to settings and disable computer speakers and enabled the headphones, but there is just silence. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 Yes, thinking so powered that is from sub. If had owned these would be more familiar. Will look at the pod now more as both or one speaker power from possibly. Double-check your settings in computer with headphones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmpotsy Posted March 1, 2021 Author Share Posted March 1, 2021 the settings are correct, if I plug headphones it it works, if I plug these speakers in it doesnt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 One of the speakers may have volume control knob? Take it you are on a laptop PC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 4 minutes ago, billybob said: One of the speakers may have volume control knob? Take it you are on a laptop PC. Do both of the 3.5 jacks of your headphones and the jack using into speaker look identical? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave A Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 Yes you need the sub. The amp is built in to that and without the sub you have nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 Thought saw yesterday at Wal-Mart the 2.1 on sale for $69... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmpotsy Posted March 1, 2021 Author Share Posted March 1, 2021 45 minutes ago, Dave A said: Yes you need the sub. The amp is built in to that and without the sub you have nothing. Thanks, not what I wanted to hear, but thanks the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 44 minutes ago, Dave A said: Yes you need the sub. The amp is built in to that and without the sub you have nothing. Says the man from Tennessee.... (and he's right) The amps that are in the sub power your speakers. I'd imagine if you could take your jack to another amp then hook speakers to that amp you'd have SOMETHING but it still might sound a bit thin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 1 minute ago, rmpotsy said: Thanks, not what I wanted to hear, but thanks the same. Did you do the comparison I asked about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 Will check back later... thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmpotsy Posted March 1, 2021 Author Share Posted March 1, 2021 1 hour ago, billybob said: Do both of the 3.5 jacks of your headphones and the jack using into speaker look identical? yes, they are identical Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 Yea the signal goes from your computer to a speaker pod, then that signal goes to the sub, then speaker signals go to each speaker. You might need that exact sub. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 Yes we probably looking at 50 ohms coming out of computer connection. Sure there are ways around it but, guess I got talked out of it. OP, let me know what you think about this situation. Good fortune to you meanwhile. Thanks .. My Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave A Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 3 hours ago, billybob said: Thought saw yesterday at Wal-Mart the 2.1 on sale for $69... There is more than one version. The newer ones are not as good as the old ones. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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