How do you connect big speakers to an computer?

Question

My dad has the speakers form the 90's or 80's, can't remember, but I wanted to hook them up my computer, the speakers have a red and black wire coming out of them, the copper wire part if showing at the tip. Is there a way I can hook these up to my computer? Simple explained and detailed answers please,I'm not too good with speakers.

Answer 1

Get a cheap amplifier.

You put the positive/negative end of the speaker wires into the amplifier out to the speakers.

You plug some RCA cables from the computer/audio card to the amplifier.

Answer 2

As Klathorn says, get a cheap amplifier.  You'll need something to drive the speakers using the line level output from the computer (which you may have to split iof you're using other computer speakers as well).  I drive a total of 19 speakers from my pc, feeding the computer output to a mixer then through a variety of amplifiers, most of which are old discarded pieces from the 1970's (i'm that guy who sees something and says "if you ever want to get rid of that thing, let me know...".  You'd be amazed how many calls I get ten years later.  I've gotten amps, guitars and 2 BMWs this way (okay, one BMW was a parts car for the other that was falling apart itself).  

I also have an input mixer that takes my digital drums and guitar, processes them and feeds them through a USB port.  I've got 2 MIDI keyboards running through a separate USB input.  Everything works in 2 directions.  There's no limit to what you can do, just remeber to connect the output from unit A to the input of UNIT B.  You can split inputs, but be careful splitting outputs, especially speakers coming out of an amp (impedance havles or doubles depending on the way it's wired) and that can cause serious damage.  

Answer 3

cheapest way is to go to a thrift store and find an old stereo amplifier...or your dad might have one.....then go to radio shack and tell them you want a cord to go from the audio out on your computer to the audio in on an amp....Ive done it before and it will be awesome youll love it......should cost you like fifteen dollars tops

Answer 4

Computer speakers are "powered" and the ones you're describing are not.  What you need is an intermediate power source, called an amplifier.  If your father has the "receiver/amplifier" that he used to use with those speakers you'll need the following.

1) a 1/8" mini stereo to dual RCA cable/adapter

2) Something to listen to...

No, seriously, it's that simple.  You plug that adapter into the green fixed "signal out" on your soundcard (warning: do NOT use the variable headphone out jack on the front of your computer or you could damage the amplifier or the speakers).  Then plug the two RCA plugs into the AUX input of the amplifier.  The speakers have their own red/black clamps that they plug into.  Voila, a stereo system connected to your computer that you can FEEL.  Cool, man.

Have fun annoying the neighbors.

Love and light.

Answer 5

Ideally you need to use an amplifier.

The computer speaker output is plugged into the amplifier. Usually there is an auxiliary input.

The speaker red/black cables go into the speaker outputs red/black of the amplifier.

The speakers most likely came with an amplifier so ask your dad about this as it may be lying around.

You can't plug the speakers directly into the PC as they will not have any power to push out the sound.

I hope that makes sense.

Answer 6

Go and buy some rca cables and splice the wire into the RCA end. Then plug it into the back of the soundcard on the computer.

Answer 7

go to walmart and ask them. i am sure there is a converter, in which you can plug in the red and black, then that would turn into a headphone jack and there you go.  

Answer 8

it depends on if you have a mac or pc try looking it up.