How to connect a car amplifier to a computer

Budget speakers and amplifier for a computer This article is about how you can use old Soviet acoustic speakers and amplifiers to output sound from a computer.

When I bought my first computer, it came with small plastic speakers. When I connected the TV to the computer, it seemed self-evident to connect an amplifier and speakers to it. And although this system has only two channels, it is fully justified as a budget solution. More details at https://oldoctober.com/ru/

Nowadays there are quite powerful and good acoustic systems on sale, but their price exceeds $100, or even $150. If you are interested in serious bass, then the price of the system can be much higher.

How to adjust sound on a computer

Once you have completed the connection, it is important to figure out how to install sound on your computer. If you have no doubt that all cables are connected correctly, then it’s time to start adjusting the audio system. Before setting up the device, wait until the operating system is fully loaded. Next, check that the driver for the speaker system is installed. Its presence is determined by a pop-up window at the bottom right (for Windows). If the buffer is new, then a driver disk is sold with it; if it is old, then downloading the corresponding application from the Internet will not be difficult. Procedure:

1. Install the driver.
2. Reboot.
3. On the taskbar, right-click on the speaker to bring up the context menu, go to “Volume Settings”.
4. Select a sound device - your audio system.
5. Before turning on the sound on your computer, use the volume mixer (optional) to set the sound level for the device.

Setting up sound card drivers

You won't be able to record sound without installing and configuring drivers. Most often, all the necessary software is installed when Windows initially boots, but if the card was replaced subsequently, you will need to download the drivers again.

1. There are several major sound card manufacturers, each of which has its own official website. Regarding video, by the way, there is only one resource, which greatly simplifies the search procedure. Let in our case it be a card from one of the most popular companies Realtek.
2. To select the correct driver, you need to know the exact name of the installed card. The AIDA64 utility can help with this. You need to download the download file and install the program, then open the aidaexe file. In the window that opens, click “Computer”, then “Summary information”. As a result, the screen displays information about everything that is installed in the laptop - from the name of the motherboard to the brand of the sound card we are interested in.

3. We go to the website Realtek.com. It does not have Russian-language support, but if you need it, you can use it to work with the Google Chrome website - the built-in translator will translate everything for you.
4. Select “Downloads”, then “High Definition Audio Codecs”, check the box “I accept to the above” and click “Next”. We select the type of operating system, as well as the resource from which we will download (there are several of them).
5. Download the driver and run it, strictly following the instructions. Reboot the computer and enjoy the sound.

USB interface

Modern devices are equipped with a USB interface, so the process of connecting them becomes even simpler and more convenient. Such amplifiers consist of three elements:

• USB sound card.
• Digital-to-analog converter.
• Amplifier.

The procedure for installing such equipment will not raise any questions even for a person who has never tried to connect a sound card to a computer:

1. Take the USB cable and install one end of it to the port on the back wall of the system unit.
2. Look at the back of the amplifier and find the USB connector here. It may have a slightly different shape, as some devices have a mini-USB interface. Pay attention to the labels: the required slot will definitely be marked accordingly.

3. Turn on both devices (computer and amplifier).
4. Right-click on the speaker icon in the system tray and open the list of playback devices. Check that the stereo amplifier is displayed in the list of audio devices. Open its properties to make sure that it is detected by the system and works correctly.
5. Right-click the speaker in the system tray again and open the mixer. Set application volume to moderate.

6. Launch the player and play a song to check the sound quality.

What to connect where in the car radio

Output blocks on radios can vary in size and wire layout. The good news is that manufacturers try to adhere to certain rules in choosing colors for each system. And you can take advantage of this.

Connectors on radios

Most often, the colors of the wires for each of the systems are as follows:

• Yellow and red - 12 volt power supply. Yellow - from the battery, red - from the ignition, this is control.
• White, purple, green and gray (and their variants with black or white stripes) - for the audio system.
• Black is mass.
• Blue - antenna output.

The colors of the audio system connection wires may vary slightly. But for food and weight these will be the colors.

A standard connection diagram that makes it easy to understand what needs to go where

We will deal with power supply further, and in this connector we will talk about connecting the audio system and antenna. With the antenna everything is simple - blue wire. Temporarily you can “hang” here even just a piece of wire, or you can use a purchased or homemade antenna.

An audio system is rarely complex. Most often they install one or two columns. We connect them to any pair of wires from the list. A pair is lilac and lilac-black or lilac and white, for example.

The primary color indicates that this pin is positive, "+". A white or black stripe indicates that the output is negative “-“. This must be taken into account when connecting speakers. They will definitely indicate the plus and minus of the connection.

We connect one of the wires of the pair to one input of the speaker, the second to the other. After power is applied, sound will appear in the speakers.

How best to connect wires

Depending on the condition in which you received the car radio, it may have an output block, or it may have a bundle of wires. Both options are workable. The second option is preferable, as it is easier to make a high-quality connection. If you no longer plan to use this device in your car, it is easier to cut off the ISO block. Well, or those wires that need to be cut off from the block.

Connecting wires when connecting a car radio

If you decide to keep the block, when connecting, we strip the conductors and insert them into the sockets opposite the wires of the desired color. If you chose the “wires without block” option, the ends of the required conductors must be stripped of insulation (0.8-1.0 cm). Then, during operation, the connected wires are twisted tightly. If you have a soldering iron, it is better to solder all the twists after testing - when you are sure that everything works.

When they are convinced that the radio is working, the connections are isolated. You can use electrical tape, but it is safer to use heat shrink tubing.

We use audio connectors

1. To begin, turn on your computer and amplifier.
2. Now find the headphone jack on your computer. This is a small round hole near which headphones are usually drawn. It may be marked in light green. Insert the plug from the amplifier into this jack.
3. Now we connect the RCA plug to the back of the amplifier. Usually they are arranged in twos. You need to find a pair with “AUX” written next to it. Insert the red plug into the red connector, and the remaining plug into the second connector of the same pair.
4. On your computer, click on the speaker icon. Lower the volume level in the “Application” and “Device” sliders to half. We launch the music player and listen to the amplifier speakers, the sound should come from them. Now you can turn the volume up to full. If one of the speakers is silent, check the RCA connectors. Most likely, you made a mistake somewhere. In this case, simply move the plug to the correct socket.

Multichannel sound systems

Now let's look at the sound system. In order for the reproduced sound to receive a beautiful (high-quality) color, it is technically divided into strips. “Split into bands” means that with the help of filters (elements or microcircuits assembled in a certain way) several overlapping ranges are selected.

Each of these strips is then sent to its own separate dynamic head. (speaker). This is how the sound system diagram is formed:

• When a sound system is said to be two-way, it means that it uses one speaker for the low-frequency (LF) and mid-frequency (MF) plus one speaker for the high-frequency (HF). Circuit - LF/MF+ HF;
• Three-way circuit - LF + MF + HF;
• 2.5-way circuit - LF/MF + HF.

Where and how to install

Before you begin, you should select a suitable installation location. Some car models have niches for placing speakers. This fact makes the task easier. If the location for the speakers is not prepared by the manufacturer, then you need to choose it yourself.

It is recommended to install the front pair of speakers in the car on the outermost sections of the dashboard. Another suitable option is the front door housing. In this case, not only high sound quality is achieved, but also the most reliable fixation of the device. To install speakers in doors, measure the diameter of the speaker and cut a hole for it in the door trim.

The rear pair of speakers is most often placed on the floor in the luggage compartment. However, it will require some work to achieve good sound. The standard trunk shelf is removed, and an acoustic podium with speakers is installed in its place.

Types of speaker systems

There are many models of acoustics for computers and laptops. However, all of them can be divided into 5 types.

Portable speakers

Compact models that usually connect wirelessly: via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. This type of speaker system (AS) does not require constant connection to a power source, since it is equipped with a battery.

There are also no problems with transporting a portable system. Typically, wireless speakers fit easily into a backpack. You don’t have to buy a product like this for travel: it will also come in handy at home, especially if there is little space on your desk.

These speakers are active. They do not require an additional sound amplifier. Divided into 3 types:

1. mono - single channel;
2. stereo - two-channel;
3. 2.1 - systems with a subwoofer.

Universal interfaces for wired or wireless connection of gadgets allow you to enjoy music by launching a playlist from a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Some speakers have a memory card slot.

System 2.0

A standard stereo pair, which consists of two channels - left and right. Stereo acoustics are divided into two types:

1. Active - with its own built-in amplifier.
2. Passive - works exclusively in conjunction with a power amplifier.

The same stereo pair, but with a third element in the form of a subwoofer - a speaker that is responsible for enhancing low frequencies, providing powerful bass. Most often, in such models, an amplifier is built into the subwoofer. This set is an independent speaker system, but there are also passive options.

System 5.1

The set consists of:

• two front satellites;
• two rear speakers;
• speech - central - device;
• subwoofer.

This option is popular among fans of surround sound in films and games: the surround effect allows you to immerse yourself deeper into the events that are happening on the screen.

System 7.1 and 7.2

7.1 - acoustics are used not only in everyday life, but also in small cinema halls. The set is an expanded version of the 5.1 version with three front and four rear speakers. The 7.2 models have the same composition, but they are equipped with a second subwoofer.

It is worth noting that stationary models can connect to a laptop or computer using a cable, or they can connect wirelessly: via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Some of them are equipped with additional options, such as FM radio or the ability to play tracks from the Internet.

Possible problems

Sometimes connecting the mixer to other devices does not work. The first thing you should check is the correct connection and functionality of the cords and adapters. The mixer has a huge number of inputs and outputs, so it's worth making sure you're using the right connectors. To check the functionality of the cords, just connect other equipment with these cables and check if there is sound.

The mixer has a lot of connectors

If the connection produces results, but the sound is of very poor quality - quiet or there is noise, crackling, interference and other unpleasant phenomena, then the reason may lie in the low quality of the accessories used for the connection. The obvious solution would be to replace them with better options.

Sometimes the reason for no sound is due to old software on the built-in sound card. In such a situation, the software should be updated through the official website of the equipment manufacturer or computer/laptop. As a rule, they have all the necessary drivers for all models of the company.

How to connect a car amplifier at home without a unit

Connecting a car amplifier at home without a power supply from a personal computer can be done in only two ways:

1. Using a car battery, which will have to be recharged regularly, so this method is not popular;
2. Using a powerful power supply (starting from 200 W) connected to the network, designed for an output voltage of 12-14 Volts.

When starting a car amplifier, you should not use power supplies that operate on the principle without a transformer device. They do not contain galvanic isolation, which means that any breakdown can lead to the appearance of a high mains voltage at the low-voltage power terminals of the amplifier, which is 18 times higher than the nominal one. This will certainly lead to failure of the sound-reproducing equipment.

When connecting any automotive equipment, it is imperative to observe the polarity of not only the power supply, but also the connections of speakers and speakers.

Connecting speakers via S/PDIF

This interface is designed to transmit sound from one device to another in digital format. Since the signal is not converted to analog, the sound quality is not reduced.

There shouldn't be any connection problems. Only the type of communication with the “receiver” differs. It is enough to connect the wire to the desired computer input (digital) and plug it into the corresponding input connector on the receiving device.

Important : if the driver does not recognize the connection type, you will need to reassign the signal output port, changing it from analog to digital. This is done in the OS settings.

Selection: TOP 5 best 5.1 speaker systems

Amplifier and speaker circuits can be downloaded from here.

Below I will add links to the diagrams that were requested in the comments to make them easier to find, since the comments have already stretched over several pages.

Amfiton 35U-101C (Amfiton 35U-101C)

Lorta 75U-202S aka Amfiton 75U-202C (Lorta 75U-202C alias Amfiton 75U-202C)

Amfiton A1-01 (Amfiton A1-01)

Acoustic systems: 25AC-209, 25AC-209-1, 25AC-209-2

Amplifier Electronica 20-stereo (Electronica 20-stereo)

Amplifier Phoenix 50U-008C (Fenix ​​50U-008C)

Parallel connections

In this case, the wideband speaker and tweeter or subwoofer are connected in parallel to each other. Because the diaphragm travel of the tweeter is short, checking polarity may be difficult. The sound quality is assessed by ear after connection. If the polarity is indicated or the terminals have different widths, then terminals with the same sign are connected to each other.

The connection can be made using a branched speaker cable. It is necessary to attach two pieces of wire with lugs to each core to one of its ends and twist them as securely as possible. The resulting connection is then insulated with adhesive tape or heat shrink tubing.