Would connecting two speakers together result in a loss of power to each?

[Elliot B.]

I have a Logitech Z506 5.1 speaker system.

 

I am unable to use the surround sound due to the layout of my room.

 

At the moment, the speakers connect to the subwoofer via. phono connectors.

 

If I buy two phono splitters and use:

• One to connect the FL and RL speakers together
• One to connect the FR and RR speakers together

... will there be a loss in power to each speaker?

 

I want to do it so that I have two speakers as Left and two speakers as Right.

 

Please don't suggest software to do this, everything I have found doesn't duplicate the sound out of both speakers with equal volume. The solution above, if you guys can tell me there wouldn't be a loss of power to the speakers, would be a physical solution.

[+BudMan MVC]

I am confused - what does the layout of your room have to do with using the correct connections?

Does your computer or whatever you wanting to connect this too not have 5.1 outputs?

Or you just want it to play your l and r channels out the other speakers the rear speakers? Why? Makes no sense?

And if you did want to do that - wouldn't you do that with the software that came with your 5.1 sound card, or with the device that decodes your audio?

[Starbuck84]

Just to answer your main question: there will be a loss of volume / power, because your connect 2 speakers (using a splitter) to 1 output. But will this be noticeable one might ask? The only thing you might notice: you need to up the volume knob a little more.

 

While this might all go right, just listen carefully to your music the first hour or so. If all sounds ok, no worries. If you start to hear crackles or high beeps, unplug. Why, you're essentially connecting 2 speakers to 1 output, resulting in a lower impedance and some amps might not like that. Just hook it up, test and if it sounds ok, you're done. :)

[Neu B]

I would not do it. It will lower the impedance of the amp. Amp might not be able to handle lower impedance, get too hot and burn up.

[Elliot B.]

I would not do it. It will lower the impedance of the amp. Amp might not be able to handle lower impedance, get too hot and burn up.

Oh :/ Then I shan't bother.

[Starbuck84]

But instead of splitting the speakers? Why not split the output of your sound card? Connecting one to the left / right and one to the rear left / rear right? Essentially putting the same signal in both inputs? No need to worry about the amp? Just a thought.

[Elliot B.]

But instead of splitting the speakers? Why not split the output of your sound card? Connecting one to the left / right and one to the rear left / rear right? Essentially putting the same signal in both inputs? No need to worry about the amp? Just a thought.

Ah, so you mean a jack splitter instead of a phono splitter?

[Starbuck84]

Ah, so you mean a jack splitter instead of a phono splitter?

Yeah, creating the same solution, but without putting extra stress on your amp. And your sound card is able to pull it off easily. :)

[Elliot B.]

Yeah, creating the same solution, but without putting extra stress on your amp. And your sound card is able to pull it off easily. :)

I've just checked what's connected to my on-board audio:

 

Yellow, Black and Green. I believe that's "main stereo", "rear stereo" and "center/subwoofer".

 

Therefore I don't think it's possible :(

 

EDIT: And this is the back of the subwoofer:

 

 

The red and white phonos are for my Xbox 360, so I believe they're unrelated to this.

 

EDIT #2: Actually, plugging a jack splitter into the yellow port on the PC's on-board sound card and connecting the yellow and black jacks into it would work, I think? :)

[Eric Veteran]

Just put the splitter on the green if you only need stereo.

[Elliot B.]

Just put the splitter on the green if you only need stereo.

The green cable that's connected to the sound card is "subwoofer". I believe you mean the yellow one ("main stereo")?

 

I'll try it now :)

 

EDIT: It works, but my center (not important) and subwoofer (important) no longer work as I have to set Windows to Stereo and not 5.1 (or I'd lose some audio in some of my programs/games).

[Daniel F. Administrators]

Thread cleaned of OT responses (y)

[Neu B]

You can split the front output from your sound card with this or equivalent

http://www.amazon.com/Offex-Wholesale-Stereo-Splitter-Female/dp/B00DG5TQAQ/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1384722257&sr=8-11&keywords=two+line+splitter+stereo

One line will plug in to where your green one is plugged in on the sub, and the other will plug in where the black one is (the one below the green one). You won't be using the rear output from your sound card.

So basically you are sending front R/L signal to both front and rear R/L speakers.

[Starbuck84]

The green cable that's connected to the sound card is "subwoofer". I believe you mean the yellow one ("main stereo")?

 

I'll try it now :)

 

EDIT: It works, but my center (not important) and subwoofer (important) no longer work as I have to set Windows to Stereo and not 5.1 (or I'd lose some audio in some of my programs/games).

What sound card do you use? With some brands it's possible to use the subwoofer output, even when the configuration is set to stereo. Creating a 2.1 setup. In your case, due to the jack splitter essentially a 4.1 setup.

[srbeen]

I have a Logitech Z506 5.1 speaker system.

 

I am unable to use the surround sound due to the layout of my room.

 

At the moment, the speakers connect to the subwoofer via. phono connectors.

 

If I buy two phono splitters and use:

• One to connect the FL and RL speakers together
• One to connect the FR and RR speakers together

... will there be a loss in power to each speaker?

 

I want to do it so that I have two speakers as Left and two speakers as Right.

 

Please don't suggest software to do this, everything I have found doesn't duplicate the sound out of both speakers with equal volume. The solution above, if you guys can tell me there wouldn't be a loss of power to the speakers, would be a physical solution.

 

To answer your question bluntly, yes. The electronics behind that, each speaker appears as a resistive load to the sub. The sub is setup to output the maximum power for the speaker, based on its known resistance (usually 4-16ohm per speaker) since its an all-in-one its doubtful this is explained anywhere to you.

 

When you take 1 output signal destined for one speaker with a load of say 8ohm, and you parallel that output with another speaker of equal load, your sub sees both these speakers as 4ohm and thus skews the maximum power output, lowering your possible output wattage and increasing your current which could burn your cones/coil out. this is unlikley unless you listen to crackling horrible music at terribly high volumes.

 

Knowing this, try it and see what happens. It'll work, but if you crank it up you'll probably notice the speakers will be clipping sooner than without the splitter. Ideally you should have a 4 channel amp and ditch the logitech setup all together.

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

... will there be a loss in power to each speaker?

 

No, there shouldn't be a loss in power because those are active speakers, meaning they take the power from the outlet in the wall (as opposed to passive speakers which take power from the source and would suffer a loss).

[The Evil Overlord]

To answer your original question, yes

As the built in Amp is now working under double load, and half the impedance, or double, depending on the method chosen, (the images and techsheet I found makes me believe the satellites are all powered from a centralised amp in the sub enclosure, (just like my Z3's)

 

If this wasn't the case, and the amp in the sub was a pre amp, therefore every satellite having it's own amplifier built in (thus resulting in a tangle of wires that would make even the most level headed pacifist insane) then, and only then it would not make a difference. (Sorry +zhiVago)

 

But if you're a purist, you could always buy a denon or teac mini or micro system, and place the amp next to your monitor, speakers either side, and at 30 watts it'll never cease to impress you (it was what I was going to do with an 80 watt system, until I lost the argument with the wife)

 

(And it's cheaper than Bowers mm1's)

[chrisj1968]

No. each channel has a power output so using the outputs correctly shouldn't be a problem.

 

power output is per channel.