Cheap way to utilize existing wall-embedded surround speakers with my laptop or audio player?

Question

Hi,

Please recommend the most cost effective way to utilize existing wall-embedded surround speakers with my laptop or audio player for a non-audiophile?

I just moved to an apartment and there are 2 speakers in each 3 rooms, and in the living room, there is a wall plate with 4 banana plugs (looks exactly like this http://homeavcables.com/pc-g2407-epc.html but with only 4 sets of red and black things.)

I don't even have a TV. I just want to be able to utilize these to get high volume. When I asked at a electronics shop for cables to connect my laptop to these, they showed me $150 Home Theather systems with many controls. I just need a simple amplifier, subwoofer and adapter cables (if possible I could use my PC's subwoofer).

Can you recommend me what I should buy?

Regards,

Ozgur

Answer 1

Hi,

    (Actually, this is the asker again.

I found my answer elsewhere and wanted to share.

Yahoo should allow to reply to yourself.

I had to enter through another account.)

    I was able to connect my PC subwoofer to (unpowered) speakers embedded to the wall. My PC subwoofer had RCA connection to my PC speakers. So I bought part number 42-2449 from radioshack (you can search number at radioshack.com), i.e. 12-Ft. RCA-Plug-to-Lugs Speaker Cable. (42-2457 -24-Ft. 18-Gauge Speaker Cable with RCA Plug- would also work with banana plugs, but lugs hold better than  tinned wire), however I learned that lower Gauge is better. Though I didn't have any problems, even at the highest power my PC speakers supplied power that wouldn't melt the 24 gauge cable.

     The volume was good. (Higher would disturb next apartment). So I found a $ 50 solution. Actually for my purposes better than buying that $100 amplifier, since I wouldn't have a subwoofer in that case...

     Another solution is to get the subwoofer from craigslist for less than $50. So that you still have your PC speakers in use with your PC.

Answer 2

just get a stereo amp and a 4 zone speaker selector for the other rooms and use the headphone jack on your computer with a 3.5mm plug to 2 male rcas and you wont have any problems, you jsut got to find the sweet spot with the volume on your computer so the sound dosent get distorted. the whole setup should cost about $250.00 on the cheap side