Quick Question re Computer Speakers

[Carl762]

I have a subwoofer set that I hooked up yesterday, just got it, with a volume control wire set. I'm getting virtually no sound out of the right speaker. I rechecked hookups, checked again, wiggled here and there.

So, I want to bypass the volume control and hook direct from soundcard to the subwoofer.

Would a regular 1/8 male/male stereo plug from Radio Shack work for this ($5), or is there anything special about the green-end, or color coded, computer wiring?.

Thanks guys. This subwoofer kicks A$$, and I'm getting no magic from the right speaker.

[Saggy]

A 1/8" male-male will work to bypass the volume control. On my system I run a similar setup, except RCA-1/8" male-male from the cable TV box to the sub.

[exnihilo]

Are you using Vista, and did you buy Creative Sound (Sound Blaster) speakers?

cg

[Carl762]

Yes, they're the Sound Blaster speakers. No, I'm using Windows XP. The speakers are Inspire 2.1 2400s. Great sounding subwoofer and the one speaker anyway.

If I can't get them working right, the hookups are standard RCA plug plugs into the sub, so any similarly sized speakers can be used.

One way or another, I''ll get them working, whether it's on the computer (hopefully) or using the iPOD or a CDPlayer.

Guess I'll head to Radio Shack or a computer store and buy the male/male and see if that works.

I disconnected a subwoofer system from the same computer yesterday, so there's no issue with the soundcard, unless it's a SoundBlaster compatibility thing.

Hmm, I thought there were a lot of guys who claim to be techs on this site.

[ratherdashing]

If you just bought it and it's not working, don't waste your time trying to fix it ... just return it and get one that works.

[Carl762]

Sorry, won't work. Bought it used, as is. Actually, I don't think they're selling these as a new product anymore.

I got what I bought. No turning back.

[exnihilo]

Speaker issues, esp. when dealing with the kind you got, are a PIA to diagnose without being there. WHat sound card do you have? If it's a creative sound card too, it could be a number of things. Do you have it set for 2.1? Do you have virtual surround turned on? Does windows, as well as your sound cards manufactures software know this? Is the 1/8 stereo plug long enough to make a stereo connection? I've run into this before where the metal plug was actually just a hair too short and one channel would cut out or not work. Are you plugged into the correct port or ports on your sound card? Some are anolog (2 or 3 plugs) and some are digital (1 plug).

cg

[Carl762]

No creative sound card. NVIDIA built into the motherboard sound. I note 5.1 and 7.1 settings, but no 2.1. Virtual sound? I see no setting for that. Should it be on?

I had no idea the 1/8 plugs could be different lengths. Thought that was all standard.

As soon as my wort boils and I get it chillin down for the yeast pitch, I'll hit Radio Shack and get a different cable and bypass this volume control wireset. If that doesn't do the trick on the computer, I'll use the same cord and test the speakers out with an iPOD or CD player. Now, if the speakers don't work then, hmmm, then I'll take the whole setup over to the guitar shop and get an expert to take a look at the thing.

It's very possible during shipping, in was dropped, and caused something to come loose, although there was no apparent damage to the box.

[exnihilo]

I had no idea the 1/8 plugs could be different lengths. Thought that was all standard.

I don't want to mislead you. They "are" supposed to be the same, but I've noticed small differences before, and in one case it turned that was the actual problem.

cg

[Carl762]

Well, I appreciate anybody who throws out any tidbit of info to help solve this problem.

Didn't hit the Radio Shaft yesterday as I had hoped, but got busy brewing beer and visiting a friend's home.

Today at lunch. LOL.

[Carl762]

To bad. Right channel is just fried, I guess. Won't sound out with new cord nor when using the POD or CD player.

I have another project now.