[prof tanda]

Hello,
 
I'm trying to connect 4 x 25W (8ohm) wall-mounted to speakers a PC.
 
The PC is going to be running an application playing just 2 channel stereo audio.
The PC has an ASUS motherboard with 4 x 3.5mm jacks marked as follows:
 
FRONT SPEAKER
REAR SPEAKER
SIDE SPEAKER
CTR BASS
 
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8Z68V_PROGEN3/#specifications 
 
The jacks are marked 'speaker'
Does this mean I can connect speakers directly or will I still need an amp?
 
Assuming I do need an amp, I've only got a small space in the cabinet to house it, 300mm x 100mm x 300mm
 
Can anyone recommend an appropriate amp in a small factor?
And can I drive all 4 speakers from 1 amp?
 
Thanks in advance for any help!
 
Cheers
 
Tand

 

[trog]

Without a ball park budget it's more difficult to say but in your shoes if $$ were tight i'd hit craiglist, etc and hit a cheap but still decent non HDMI (coax/optical) used AVR from say 2002-2007? Hook up mobo to AVR via optical/coax

 

[prof tanda]

Hi Trog,
 
Thanks for the reply!  
Sorry for the belated response - I got waylaid on this as our PC had to be returned for repairs 

 
Our budget for an amp/AVR is £150.
The 4 speakers are rated as 8ohm, 25W each
 
We're not super audiophiles, so we're just looking for an AVR that's compact and well specced enough to drive these.
 
Any suggestions would be great!
 
Thanks again!
 
Cheers,
 
Nick

 

[trog]

Hmm i think 150 quid could land you a used HDMI AVR even - check out Gumtree UK?

 

[prof tanda]

Hi Trog,
 
Thanks for the tip.
 
Our main constraint is the space we have available. 
It need to be less than 300mm x 100mm x 300mm
 
Do you know any brands or models that do an AVR or amp this small?
 
Ta
 
Nick

 

[trog]

Hmm you may want to drop by
http://www.avsforum.com/f/90/receivers-amps-and-processors
for more suggestions on compact 4 channel receivers at least? Alternatively going 2 channel opens up cheaper options like Class T amps like the lepai TA2020, Topping TP-22, etc

 

[t0wer]

I think this is about as small as your going to find for this application.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=310-306

 

[prof tanda]

Thanks for these suggestions! - the T-class hardware looks perfect.
 
Given we have a stereo source for the 4 speakers are there any issues with wiring 2 of the speakers we have in parallel to each channel?
 
 
The 4 speakers are rated as 8ohm, 25W each
 
I was thinking of trying it with this - Topping TP-60...
 
 
 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170873121747?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_6896wt_1038
 
 
In stock in the UK 

 
Thanks again!
 
Nick