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?

  • @[email protected]
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    511 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
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    311 months ago

    Probably not. What is the impedance of the speakers?

    • @MD756OP
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      211 months ago

      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
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        11 months ago

        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

        • @[email protected]
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          311 months ago

          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
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            11 months ago

            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

            • @[email protected]
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              311 months ago

              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
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                311 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

        • @MD756OP
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          311 months ago

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

          Isn’t the motherboard itself the amplifier?

          • @glimse
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            511 months ago

            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

            • @MD756OP
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              210 months ago

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

              • @glimse
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                210 months ago

                Nice!! Enjoy your surround sound