Speakers idea

Takaharu · Mar 21, 2011, 10:46 PM

I've got an interesting conundrum that may be asking a bit much...

Basically, I have my TV and PS3 separated from my Z-5500s. I'd like to have a set of speakers set up with my TV but I don't want to fork out for a set as I'll undoubtedly hook up my speakers to it somewhere in the future (when I have a flat or somewhere where I can connect a 5.1 to my TV).

In a nutshell I have a 2.1 speaker system that I can use but it only has a twin phono input. My TV and PS3 have optical out... At the moment I have the speaker system plugged into the TV via the headphone port but it doesn't really make use of the subwoofer that way. Is there something that I can use that will effectively convert optical to twin phono?

mcdragon2 · Mar 22, 2011, 04:21 AM

I believe that you would have to buy a converter box of some form and I actually doubt they make one because that is what a receiver is for really, maybe its a setting on your tv that is the problem, otherwise you could find a cable to take your tv's audio jacks (red and white) out to your headphone jack which should get full range audio to your 2.1

Neshi · Mar 22, 2011, 04:55 AM

putting an amplifier in between would solve it, wouldn't it?

but I know what you mean, I have been looking for a plug that just convert the signal as well... I didn't end up with anything. Hope you are more lucky.

Takaharu · Mar 22, 2011, 08:09 AM

mcdragon - my TV doesn't have phono out, only optical out.

I had a browse around and I found this item that will do the trick but £40... I was kind of hoping for something cheaper. I also came across a number of optical to coax adapters for around £10 that were incorrectly labelled as optical to phono, which didn't help my search.
I also found a few of these on ebay. Does that seem like the kind of thing that would work as well as that £40 item? From Hong Kong too, which I generally don't trust.

blibbax · Mar 22, 2011, 09:46 AM

From Hong Kong, as far as Ebay is concerned, means 2 month delivery times and mediocre quality products. Made that mistake before myself :P

I'm surprised that you're not getting a full audio range off the headphone socket.

Takaharu · Mar 22, 2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blibbax

From Hong Kong, as far as Ebay is concerned, means 2 month delivery times and mediocre quality products. Made that mistake before myself

I have never risked it, personally. Too much of a discount.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blibbax

I'm surprised that you're not getting a full audio range off the headphone socket.

I'd say that statement merits another test. I tried Fast & Furious the first time at the point where Vin Diesel drove under the exploding lorry. I think the highway scene from Transformers may be a more appropriate test; I'll give that a go.
I'm not expecting a nice, rich sound quality but I know what those speakers are capable of... Round 2 tonight.

In the meantime, if anyone has any other suggestions then please feel free to chip in.

mcdragon2 · Mar 23, 2011, 04:00 AM

maybe there is a bass adjustment that is set low somewhere

Takaharu · Mar 23, 2011, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdragon2

maybe there is a bass adjustment that is set low somewhere

Centre volume control controls the subwoofer and it's set to max.

I watched select scenes from Transformers and, although it's not the thundering building-shaking booms that I have come to expect from a 10" sub it'll suffice until I do eventually hook them up.

Drowningshrimp · Apr 5, 2011, 03:53 AM

Dual phono...I know that optical is the best for audio, but T.V's usually have a regular audio port(left and right).

I personally have the Klipsch promedia 2.1 that uses a standard headphone jack and I have a splitter for regular audio. And from there my PS3 is connected to my T.V.

Does your T.V. Have regular standard audio? If so get a splitter.

Mar 21, 2011, 10:46 PM	#1
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,849 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	Speakers idea I've got an interesting conundrum that may be asking a bit much... Basically, I have my TV and PS3 separated from my Z-5500s. I'd like to have a set of speakers set up with my TV but I don't want to fork out for a set as I'll undoubtedly hook up my speakers to it somewhere in the future (when I have a flat or somewhere where I can connect a 5.1 to my TV). In a nutshell I have a 2.1 speaker system that I can use but it only has a twin phono input. My TV and PS3 have optical out... At the moment I have the speaker system plugged into the TV via the headphone port but it doesn't really make use of the subwoofer that way. Is there something that I can use that will effectively convert optical to twin phono? __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Mar 22, 2011, 04:21 AM	#2
mcdragon2 HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: West, OH Posts: 252 Rep Power: 17 System Specs	Re: Speakers idea I believe that you would have to buy a converter box of some form and I actually doubt they make one because that is what a receiver is for really, maybe its a setting on your tv that is the problem, otherwise you could find a cable to take your tv's audio jacks (red and white) out to your headphone jack which should get full range audio to your 2.1

Mar 22, 2011, 04:55 AM	#3
Neshi S.N.A.F.U. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wellington, NZ Posts: 3,378 Rep Power: 177 System Specs	Re: Speakers idea putting an amplifier in between would solve it, wouldn't it? but I know what you mean, I have been looking for a plug that just convert the signal as well... I didn't end up with anything. Hope you are more lucky. __________________ If one does not attach himself to people and desire, never shall his heart be broken. But then, does he ever truly live? Life is just too damn short for if's and maybe's

Mar 22, 2011, 08:09 AM	Thread Starter #4
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,849 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	Re: Speakers idea mcdragon - my TV doesn't have phono out, only optical out. I had a browse around and I found this item that will do the trick but £40... I was kind of hoping for something cheaper. I also came across a number of optical to coax adapters for around £10 that were incorrectly labelled as optical to phono, which didn't help my search. I also found a few of these on ebay. Does that seem like the kind of thing that would work as well as that £40 item? From Hong Kong too, which I generally don't trust. __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details Last edited by Takaharu; Mar 22, 2011 at 08:15 AM.

Mar 22, 2011, 09:46 AM	#5
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,230 Rep Power: 254 System Specs	Re: Speakers idea From Hong Kong, as far as Ebay is concerned, means 2 month delivery times and mediocre quality products. Made that mistake before myself :P I'm surprised that you're not getting a full audio range off the headphone socket. __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Mar 23, 2011, 04:00 AM	#7
mcdragon2 HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: West, OH Posts: 252 Rep Power: 17 System Specs	Re: Speakers idea maybe there is a bass adjustment that is set low somewhere

Apr 5, 2011, 03:53 AM	#9
Drowningshrimp HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Lousiania, U.S Posts: 108 Rep Power: 0	Re: Speakers idea Dual phono...I know that optical is the best for audio, but T.V's usually have a regular audio port(left and right). I personally have the Klipsch promedia 2.1 that uses a standard headphone jack and I have a splitter for regular audio. And from there my PS3 is connected to my T.V. Does your T.V. Have regular standard audio? If so get a splitter.