8mm Forum: Will computer speakers work?

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Topic: Will computer speakers work?

Brad Kimball
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1171
From: Highland Mills, NY USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted January 05, 2014 12:01 PM

Can I successfully hook up pc speakers to the output jack to my CHINONs and EUMIG 802?

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Maurizio Di Cintio
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 977
From: Ortona, Italy
Registered: Jan 2004

posted January 05, 2014 12:34 PM

You need a "line" and/or headphone out socket to do this (guessing your PC speakers are self-amplified). This should be OK with the Chinon; not so with the Eumig whose only exit socket is a DIN standard EXT loudspeaker (passive). Indeed if you keep the volume control veeeery low and use a proper adapter cable/plug you can use this port to feed your PC speakers as well, but it's not reccomended.

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Maurizio

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Brad Kimball
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1171
From: Highland Mills, NY USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted January 06, 2014 09:13 AM

What kind of inexpensive speakers would plug into the speaker jack?
Also, what are ohms and how do I find out ohm info on a package of speakers?

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Mal Brake
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 591
From: Neath, South Wales, UK
Registered: Jun 2003

posted January 06, 2014 10:06 AM

The impedance (similar to resistance) of speakers is measured in ohms. Typically for projectors, stereo amplifiers etc the rating could be around 4ohms,8ohms or occasionally 16ohms but this is variable between different manufacturers.The rating is usually found on the magnet on the back of the speakers or on a sticker or leaflet.

You need to match the impedance rating on the projectors to any potential speakers, but be aware of connecting say, two 8ohm speakers in parallel because this would give a total impedance of just 4 ohms which would overload the projector amplifier designed to operate with 8 ohm speakers.

Conversely, connecting two 8ohm speakers in series would result in an impedance of 16 ohms.

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I'm gonna live forever or die trying

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Martin Jones
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1269
From: Thetford , Norfolk,England
Registered: May 2008

posted January 06, 2014 10:11 AM

Almost any "Cheap" speakers can be used as long as...
1. They are simply speakers and have no amplifier built into them (like PC speakers do)
2. Their "Ohms" rating is either equal to or greater than the rating for the projector speaker output (assuming the projector has a solid state amplifier).
3 Their "RMS Power" rating should be not less than, or not more than 3 times, the projector amplifier "RMS Power" rating. Some speakers or amplifiers specify "Maximum(or Peak) Music Power". Generally "Maximum Music Power" is equivalent to 5 times "RMS Power"

The "Ohms" and "Power " ratings are usually quoted for the speaker in promotional literature and printed on a label on the speaker.

I've used the term "Cheap" (as opposed to "Hi-Fi") because Hi-Fi speakers generally need much greater power to give sufficient volume than the relatively low power of projector amplifiers can provide.

OMG! Time for bells and whistles! I've just noticed I've passed the 1000 posts mark. Hate to think how much time I've spent doing that. Time I got a life! [Confused]

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Retired TV Service Engineer
Ongoing interest in Telecine....

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Brad Kimball
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1171
From: Highland Mills, NY USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted January 06, 2014 12:27 PM

Any recommendations as far as brand and price range? What's everybody currently using?

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John Skujins
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 220
From: Greensboro, NC, USA
Registered: Mar 2009

posted January 06, 2014 12:42 PM

I use cheap PC speakers for my Chinon sometimes. I use a simple adapter to connect the RCA out from the projector to the speakers. Only one speaker will have sound since the output from the projector is mono. Then I set the volume knob on the speaker(s) to a certain level so that I can just use the projector's volume knob to get the results I want.

I get much better results connecting the RCA out from the projector to the left or right AUX input on my stereo system's receiver. Bigger speaker = better sound.

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Brad Kimball
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1171
From: Highland Mills, NY USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted January 06, 2014 06:08 PM

Do you just plug the white audio plug into the projector's speaker jack and then run it into a pc speaker somehow splitting the signal? If you could provide a picture, that would be a big help. I'm not real good with techy type stuff. It definitely specifies 8 ohms under the jack on the projectors. Both are CHINONs (6000 & 7000).

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Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006

posted January 06, 2014 07:48 PM

I would be very very carefull what you plug into your projectors. Most projectors I have come across, will state the ohms at the speaker socket itself. As mentioned, never connect an extension speaker that has less ohms otherwise you can easily damage your amp.

Why not look for a single "inside" speaker of say 6-7inch 8ohm that's in a box around 16inch in height and around 12 inches wide. There should be heaps of those second hand, plus if the speaker in is a decent box it will sound much better, than those used on a computer.

Graham.

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