Some newb questions...

[Trueblue1878]

Hi guys, Hoping you can answer my stupid questions and enlighten me.. as I have spent hours researching but I am still confused..

I would like to know firstly, what kind of amp I need to build if I have 4x125w@3ohm sats, 1x 250w@6ohm (dual centre), 1x 250w@6ohm sub which are bi-wired 22awg which will be hooked up to my PC's onboard audio. I have read that a sound card transmits the audio too weak to power speakers.. so I need to know do I need a preamp or an amp or both?

Is Solid State the best type for me if I am using it for PC/home theatre/gaming?

I have seen some ebay preamps like this one and it seems that there are only 6 output terminals for single wire.. but how would I connect biwire to single terminals? Would I need to rewire the speakers to single?
Pre-amp KIT NE5532 M62446 6-Ch AV 2-CH HIFI Remote Controll Digital Preamplifier | eBay

Is bi-wire double the capacitance of single wire? 22awg seems very low for 125w speakers at say 10ft but that is what they were built with.

If possible can anyone show me some ideal designs that may be already on here?

Many thanks!

 

[Enzo]

First, look at the speaker specs closely. If they say 125w peak or max or something, then the speakers do not really have a 125w rating. Look for terms like continuous or RMS or noise ratings. They will be more honest.

My car will do about 132mph...if I drop it out of an airplane. But realistically, it will drive about 80mph. Speaker makers pump up their specs to look more impressive.

 

[Trueblue1878]

Hi yes you are right, they all say max rating. So is that bad?

Here are the specs..

Cheers!

First, look at the speaker specs closely. If they say 125w peak or max or something, then the speakers do not really have a 125w rating. Look for terms like continuous or RMS or noise ratings. They will be more honest.

My car will do about 132mph...if I drop it out of an airplane. But realistically, it will drive about 80mph. Speaker makers pump up their specs to look more impressive.

 

[Trueblue1878]

Erm I forgot to mention in my last post that I don't have the amplifier that is stated in the picture I uploaded.. but the speakers were part of a home cinema system and those specs are from its manual. Would just edit my post.. but it is still being moderated!
So what kind of wattage should I be aiming for with them? Only in a 12ft by 10ft room so don't need to rock the house with them!
Should I also get higher cap wire?

Many thanks!

 

[sreten]

Hi,

TBH it could be a lot of trouble. You don't know what active EQ
and active x/o's were built into the systems original amplifier,
and common nowadays, any dynamic processing/limiting.

There is a reason the speakers were cheap, they are pretty
much next to useless without the original dedicated amplifier.

You could try 3 class D stereo modules powered by DC bricks.
2 of the them would be the generic 20W / 4 ohm type and
one of them higher power, a 40W / 8 ohm type.

Personally I suspect its going to be more trouble than its worth,
compared to simply buying an off the shelf 5.1 computer system.

rgds, sreten.

 

[Trueblue1878]

I didn't know that.. thanks for telling me. I would still like to experiment and see what happens. I am always messing about with a soldering iron replacing bad caps etc so its all fun and learning for me.
Do you have a design in mind that you can link me to?

Many thanks!

Hi,

TBH it could be a lot of trouble. You don't know what active EQ
and active x/o's were built into the systems original amplifier,
and common nowadays, any dynamic processing/limiting.

There is a reason the speakers were cheap, they are pretty
much next to useless without the original dedicated amplifier.

You could try 3 class D stereo modules powered by DC bricks.
2 of the them would be the generic 20W / 4 ohm type and
one of them higher power, a 40W / 8 ohm type.

Personally I suspect its going to be more trouble than its worth,
compared to simply buying an off the shelf 5.1 computer system.

rgds, sreten.

 

[Cal Weldon]

White van home theatre in a box. What brand name do these go by?

 

[sreten]

Hi,

Experimenting and shooting in the dark are two different things.
Buy a computer 5.1 system, it is the only sensible option.

Building amplifiers and active x/o's will cost you far more
for no reward, and a lot of frustration, stumbling in the dark.

rgds, sreten.

 

[Trueblue1878]

Hi there.. They are Panasonic. Here is the product. Panasonic SC-PT460 5.1 Surround Sound reviews, prices and deals: Home Cinema System
I don't take any notice of what anyone on reevoo says but they seem like good speakers.
Cheers!

White van home theatre in a box. What brand name do these go by?

I will eventually.. I just like to tinker and thought it would be a fun learning project. I mean they sell amps like M62446 and the TPA3116 on ebay for cheap so thought it can't cost much to make it myself. I already have the resistors and caps and other bits.

Thanks for your time and advice!

Hi,

Experimenting and shooting in the dark are two different things.
Buy a computer 5.1 system, it is the only sensible option.

Building amplifiers and active x/o's will cost you far more
for no reward, and a lot of frustration, stumbling in the dark.

rgds, sreten.

 

[dangus]

Maybe just buy a used AV receiver or home theatre in a box amplifier unit from a charity shop, or ruin a multichannel car amp from an atx power supply.

 

[Trueblue1878]

Yup got my eye open for such things. But good thinking with the car amps. They are usually easier to get hold of. I can build a PSU for it no problem. I don't mind how much trouble I go through.. its just a learning project for me. I am into electronics already but audio is new ground.

Cheers!

Maybe just buy a used AV receiver or home theatre in a box amplifier unit from a charity shop, or ruin a multichannel car amp from an atx power supply.