this post was submitted on 10 Jan 2024
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My MSI MAG Z790 motherboard supports rear channel speakers.

If I were to mount a pair of speakers behind me, that would require approximately 15 feet (4.5 meters) of speaker wire from my PC to the speakers. Do I have to worry about the AUX port’s power output if I were to use 18 or 16 gauge speaker wire?

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[–] Sharpiemarker@startrek.website 5 points 8 months ago

Do I have to worry about the AUX port’s power output if I were to use 18 or 16 gauge speaker wire?

Nope! Should be fine.

[–] Octomagnus@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Probably not. What is the impedance of the speakers?

[–] MD756@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

They're just some cheap speakers I found on Amazon: Theater Solutions TS30B

According to the product description: "frequency response is 140Hz-20 kHz with 89dB at 8ohm"

[–] glimse@lemmy.world 5 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (2 children)

Those are passive speakers that won't work without an amplifier. You need some PC speakers with an aux input

You can't go from 1/8" to speaker wire

[–] MD756@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Can’t believe I forgot to include that tidbit, that they’re passive speakers.

Isn’t the motherboard itself the amplifier?

[–] glimse@lemmy.world 5 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Unfortunately not, the motherboard only has a preamp. Those ports output a line level signal and the speakers are expecting speaker level which is post-amplification which is a MUCH stronger so it will be extremely quiet - if not completely silent

You can buy a cheap 2ch amp but I think you'd be better off with different speakers. It wouldn't be a bad idea to get a second set of whatever you're using for the front speakers to match the sound profile

[–] MD756@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Thanks for the advice. I got a cheap amp, got it all set up, and it works a charm!

[–] glimse@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

Nice!! Enjoy your surround sound

[–] Telorand@reddthat.com 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

8Ω is pretty low impedance. By comparison, the Sony MDR7506 is 63Ω, and they work just fine with the amp built into my mobo at only 10%.

Are you sure?

[–] glimse@lemmy.world 5 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

I'm pretty confident but not 100% sure, I'm on my phone and only skimmed the manual.

Impedance isn't the issue here, headphones are completely different - their tiny speakers need significantly less power to drive them. I don't think the motherboard is capable of moving the cones in the speakers OP linked

The giveaway here is the inputs - your headphones have an aux (or 1/4"?) input and these speakers have speaker wire inputs

[–] Telorand@reddthat.com 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I mean, you can always solder a 1/8" stereo connector onto those wires, but the point about wattage isn't something to be ignored, and I forgot that.

Thanks!

[–] glimse@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago

I did some wacky cable conversions when I worked in the field but it was usually just to extend line level

Analog audio is fun lol