Safe wolume control add-on

rigadig · 30th May 2004, 11:02 PM

Hello, as well as my problem with the nad 3020 in my previous post, i also have another request for help. Basically, I have a set of speakers for my PC which consists of 2 satelites and a sub (the sub houses the amp and one of the satelites has a volume control) I quite like the speakers on the whole, however there is no way of turning the bass down, which makes them bad in some circumstances.
I considered building a high pass filter to go in between the output of the soundcard, and the input of the speaker set, but I don't think this is really what i want, since really i just want to adjust the volume of the sub separately to the satelites.

I opend the sub up and have looked at the amplifier inside, but it is very compact, and I can't see where it separates the sub signal and since they are pc speakers, there is no schematic available online. I don't really want to start taking the amp apart either, as this would invalidate the warrantee. The wires to the sub driver (4 ohm impedance) are connected to the amp by a small plug (not soldiered) so I was wondering if I could dissconnect that plug, and then essentially fit a variable resistor/pot in series with the sub driver, between the plug and the amp, as a means of controlling the sub volume.

Could you tell me if this will actuallly work, and will it be safe (I mean is changing the load on the amp safe?). If so, can you suggest some reasonable values for the variable resistor (I was thinking about 0-100 ohm range).

Thanks in advance for any help.

rigadig · 18th June 2004, 12:58 AM

I am sorry to pester you good people, but I really need to know if this is safe or not, the bass from the sub drives everyone else in the house insane even. Please can someone help.
Thanks

goobz · 18th June 2004, 07:36 AM

trying to attenuate at speaker level is probably a bad idea, becuase the variable resistor would need to dissipate a fair bit of power. you'd be better off finding the line level input to the sub amp and attenuating there with a variable resistor

Jan Dupont · 18th June 2004, 04:42 PM

If your sound card driver software on your PC has a equalizer or a sound selector (rock, classic etc.) try use that...
Or depending of the output of your PC system amplifier, you can use a 10W power resistor (or L-Pad pot) in series with the bass driver

30th May 2004, 11:02 PM	#1
rigadig diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lincolnshire or Newcastle	Safe wolume control add-on Hello, as well as my problem with the nad 3020 in my previous post, i also have another request for help. Basically, I have a set of speakers for my PC which consists of 2 satelites and a sub (the sub houses the amp and one of the satelites has a volume control) I quite like the speakers on the whole, however there is no way of turning the bass down, which makes them bad in some circumstances. I considered building a high pass filter to go in between the output of the soundcard, and the input of the speaker set, but I don't think this is really what i want, since really i just want to adjust the volume of the sub separately to the satelites. I opend the sub up and have looked at the amplifier inside, but it is very compact, and I can't see where it separates the sub signal and since they are pc speakers, there is no schematic available online. I don't really want to start taking the amp apart either, as this would invalidate the warrantee. The wires to the sub driver (4 ohm impedance) are connected to the amp by a small plug (not soldiered) so I was wondering if I could dissconnect that plug, and then essentially fit a variable resistor/pot in series with the sub driver, between the plug and the amp, as a means of controlling the sub volume. Could you tell me if this will actuallly work, and will it be safe (I mean is changing the load on the amp safe?). If so, can you suggest some reasonable values for the variable resistor (I was thinking about 0-100 ohm range). Thanks in advance for any help.

18th June 2004, 04:42 PM	#4
Jan Dupont diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark	If your sound card driver software on your PC has a equalizer or a sound selector (rock, classic etc.) try use that... Or depending of the output of your PC system amplifier, you can use a 10W power resistor (or L-Pad pot) in series with the bass driver __________________ Free Schematic and Service Manual downloads www.audio-circuit.dk, Company: www.dupont-audio.com, Joint venture: www.DupontMantra.com

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18th June 2004, 12:58 AM	#2
rigadig diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lincolnshire or Newcastle	I am sorry to pester you good people, but I really need to know if this is safe or not, the bass from the sub drives everyone else in the house insane even. Please can someone help. Thanks

18th June 2004, 07:36 AM	#3
goobz diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney	trying to attenuate at speaker level is probably a bad idea, becuase the variable resistor would need to dissipate a fair bit of power. you'd be better off finding the line level input to the sub amp and attenuating there with a variable resistor

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