Use sub from old 2.1 System..

lee1101

lee1101

lee1101

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Morning

I'm looking to upgrade my existing speaker setup. Currently have a Microlabs FC330 along with a Creative Blaster Audigy Fx 5.1.

I am looking at purchasing some Wharfdale 9.0's along with a little Topping amp or similar. Looked at the 9.1's but they are a little large for my desk.

Would I be able to use the sub from the Microlabs system alongside the Whardale speakers?

Thank you :)
 
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You can, but you'll have to use a 3.5mm splitter to connect both amp and FC330 sub to the DGX.

You'll have to control the volume and sub independently, but if you set both amp and sub volumes so they are as level as you can get them, then you can just alter the volume within the OS master volume control.

The crossover frequency between sub and the speakers won't be right either, but that can't be avoided unless the speakers are connected directly to the FC330, or you have a sub with crossover control.

The thought might have crossed your mind to replace the FC330 satellite speakers with the 9.0's and have that power them, rather than get a separate amp. Some people think it's as easy a pie to do this. It can be, but it depends on what Ohm speakers the amplifier accepts. As this info is not given in the specs, by connecting the 6 Ohm 9.0 speakers, there could be a mismatch which could lead to damage. Besides, a T amp such as a Topping or SMSL will be a better amp for the 9.0's than the one in the FC330.

It won't be ideal, but it should work.

Cheap PC 2.1 subwoofer quality isn't very good at all, so maybe one day you could replace that with a proper one. Even a budget one will be an improvement.
 
Thanks very much for the detailed reply.

Would I be able to connect the sub directly to the 'Sub' jack on the back of the sound card and have the amp running from the standard green jack?
 
The problem with doing that, is that for the sound card to send bass frequencies out via the centre/subwoofer output, you would need to have 5.1 selected as the output.

You could do that, but if you using any audio that is 5.1, you're going to miss centre and rear audio, as you have no speakers connected to those outputs.
 
You'll get crossover control by getting a proper sub, but you'll still have to connect the sub and speaker amp separately to the sound card. That's not really a problem though, if you set the volumes on both sub and amp first, and then control the volume with the OS.

To control the sub volume at the same time with the volume control on the amp, you'd need an amp with sub output, and that doesn't exist on these small T amps. You need a full size integrated amp for that.

Another option that will allow the sub volume to be controlled with speaker volume, is powered speakers that have a sub output. Some active speakers have a sub out, but many don't. I can't be totally sure, but I think the cheapest I've seen that have a sub out are Kanto YU2, which are £150.

As for the subwooofer, you can't buy one as cheaply as a pair of passive stereo speakers. Lowest you'd want to go is a Tannoy SFX for £100. Even then, that is a very very low amount of money for a subwoofer and really better for home cinema duties. Wharfedale SW150, is much better for £150. Then after that BK Gemini II for £220. The latter two are larger 10" subwoofers though, whereas the SFX is 8". As a comparison, the FC330 is 5.25", which is the same size as the woofers that are in the 9.1's.

No reason why you can't use the FC330 subwoofer in the mean time though, until you can maybe afford a SW150. It's a decent budget subwoofer, that would have cost more when the Diamond 9 range was released, same as the 9.0's and 9.1's once cost more money than they do now.

Of course, if a 10" subwoofer is going to be too large, then maybe the smaller SFX would be a more ideal size.
 
Thank for that, all very helpful. Gives me something to think about.

In an ideal world I would go for the 9.1's or 2020i's but they are just a bit too big for my desk.

Are the 9.0's still decent value for £40? Am I better off going with a pair of active speakers like the edifiers or similar?
 
9.0's are great value for £40. I got my mum a pair to use with my old amplifier.

I've got some 9.1's, which are better, but they do require more open space and volume to sound at their best. I've got mine on stands either side of my TV. I did try them on my desk just to see what they'd be like. Not only are they too big, but I felt the sound was held back somewhat by the positioning and lower volume due to close listening. 9.0's are ideal for use on a desk.

Friend of mine has some Edifier R1600T Plus, and I thought they sounded very good when I heard them. That was quite a while ago, before I bought the 9.0's, so I can't say which I prefer. Edifier do offer very good quality sound for what is not a great deal of money with their stereo speakers. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice to be honest, but I'd probably lean more in favour of the 9.0's + T amp.

The only thing that isn't quite so great about the newer Edifier models, is that they've gone from using speaker cable to connect the speakers, to a proprietary cable. I've no idea why they did that. With speaker cable, you could just replace it easily if it got lost, damaged or just wasn't long enough. With a proprietary cable, you can't just replace it if need be.
 
They also seem really hard to get hold of now and prices have been steadily creeping up. (The Edifiers)

I'll pop in to Richer Sounds after work and pick up a pair of 9.0's.

Thanks for your help :)
 
Yes, Edifier's aren't sold many places. OcUK have had some stock recently of the R1600T III and R1800T III. I don't think they have gone up though. I think they've been £90 since they were released. They are more than the R1600T were though, which were £75 and quite often popped up for £50 on weekly deal. £75 was great value, but for £50, they were an absolute bargain.
 
Just picked up the 9.0's. Really impressed with the solid feel and build quality. Can't test them out yet as the amp won't arrive for a few days. Love the retro look as well :)

5GURag7.jpg
 
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They do look very nice in black. I got the cherry finish, purely because RS only sold them in store at the time and my nearest store is 70 miles away. They still look good, just not as good as black. :p
 
Unfortunately I have to take them back today. One of the rubber inserts where the grill slots in is all buckled and squashed in. It will drive me mad looking at it!
 
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