How do i plug a 2.1 setup to an amp/dac for headphones that i use with my PC?

[Gigi86]

I first post here and sorry for the long title i hope some can help me.

So, i don't onow even if is possible but i have a Fostex HPA4-BL plugged to my PC via usb that i use with a pair of HD800S trough the 4 pin balanced cable. I want to add a 2.1 setup (max 200 euro) and i want to switch between them and my headphones with one button, is that even possible?

The amp/dac have RCA out and digital out and in, do i need to buy a powered 2.1 setup, if so how do i plugged it? Or do i need to buy a passive setup and again if so how am i supposed to plug it to my amp/dac?

Also if you have any recommendation, thx

 

[buke9]

Don’t have the Fostex but looks like it will do hat you want. It has a output button to switch from headphones to rca. I’m not up on powered speakers but I’m sure there are many to choose from in 2.1 that have rca inputs and all you need is a cable to connect them and your done volume control should be from the Fostex if you turn the volume up on the powered speakers.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

So, i don't onow even if is possible but i have a Fostex HPA4-BL plugged to my PC via usb that i use with a pair of HD800S trough the 4 pin balanced cable. I want to add a 2.1 setup (max 200 euro) and i want to switch between them and my headphones with one button, is that even possible?

The amp/dac have RCA out and digital out and in, do i need to buy a powered 2.1 setup, if so how do i plugged it? Or do i need to buy a passive setup and again if so how am i supposed to plug it to my amp/dac?

If the 2.1 is a set that comes with the amplification circuit on the subwoofer module, ie most multimedia 2.1 speakers, just hook up the RCAs on the back of the HPA4-BL into the inputs on that speaker system.

If you'll get powered monitors and a separate powered sub, there are two ways to do this depending on what sort of gear you'll get. If you get asymmetrical powered monitors, make sure to buy ones that have a sub output on the Master speaker. If you're going to get pro monitors, you'll need to buy a pro monitoring subwoofer as those have a line output - hook up the HPA4-BL to the subwoofer input then hook up the line/high pass filter output on the subwoofer to the monitor inputs. This is not going to be possible with your budget though - even if you get the cheapest decent pro monitors like those from Monoprice, a pro subwoofer with line/high pass line outputs will definitely cost more (even if Monoprice comes up with their own, the pro monitors alone will cost $150); that said, even asymmetrical monitors aren't going to leave you with enough for a sub. You could always just add the sub later though.

Either way just hit the button on the fron panel of the HPA4-BL and the signal will switch between headphones and the speakers. Consult the manual though and make sure it's a preamp output, that way you can control the pro monitors from the HPA4-BL; otherwise, if it's just a line output, scratch the pro monitors since the symmetrical design will put gain controls on each of the speakers separately, with no way to control the sub (ie that means you have three separate controls).

 

[PurpleAngel]

I first post here and sorry for the long title i hope some can help me.
So, i don't onow even if is possible but i have a Fostex HPA4-BL plugged to my PC via USB that i use with a pair of HD800S trough the 4 pin balanced cable. I want to add a 2.1 setup (max 200 euro) and i want to switch between them and my headphones with one button, is that even possible?
The amp/dac have RCA out and digital out and in, do i need to buy a powered 2.1 setup, if so how do i plugged it? Or do i need to buy a passive setup and again if so how am i supposed to plug it to my amp/dac?
Also if you have any recommendation, thx

Most 2.1 self-powered speakers connect to a 2.0 channel source.
The 2.1 self-powered speakers take in the 2.0 signal, then split off the lower end (lower bass) of the signal and send it off to the sub-woofer.
For a 200 Euro budget, maybe find a used Kilpsch 2.1 Pro Media speaker setup.
In the USA, a used Klipsch 2.1 can sell for around 85 Euros ($100)

If you went with a 2.0 setup, you might find some used studio monitors, not as much bass as the 2.1, but the 2.0 should offer better clarity

 

[Gigi86]

If the 2.1 is a set that comes with the amplification circuit on the subwoofer module, ie most multimedia 2.1 speakers, just hook up the RCAs on the back of the HPA4-BL into the inputs on that speaker system.

If you'll get powered monitors and a separate powered sub, there are two ways to do this depending on what sort of gear you'll get. If you get asymmetrical powered monitors, make sure to buy ones that have a sub output on the Master speaker. If you're going to get pro monitors, you'll need to buy a pro monitoring subwoofer as those have a line output - hook up the HPA4-BL to the subwoofer input then hook up the line/high pass filter output on the subwoofer to the monitor inputs. This is not going to be possible with your budget though - even if you get the cheapest decent pro monitors like those from Monoprice, a pro subwoofer with line/high pass line outputs will definitely cost more (even if Monoprice comes up with their own, the pro monitors alone will cost $150); that said, even asymmetrical monitors aren't going to leave you with enough for a sub. You could always just add the sub later though.

Either way just hit the button on the fron panel of the HPA4-BL and the signal will switch between headphones and the speakers. Consult the manual though and make sure it's a preamp output, that way you can control the pro monitors from the HPA4-BL; otherwise, if it's just a line output, scratch the pro monitors since the symmetrical design will put gain controls on each of the speakers separately, with no way to control the sub (ie that means you have three separate controls).

Sorry but the speakers are connected to the sub right, so from the sub comes only one cable, do i need an rca splitter or i just connect it to one of the RCA connectors?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Sorry but the speakers are connected to the sub right, so from the sub comes only one cable, do i need an rca splitter or i just connect it to one of the RCA connectors?

No you don't need a splitter. I already outlined how the cables go. Let me try that again.

If you have multimedia speakers like any random Logitech you can find in a computer store next to the aisle where you have Logitech and Razer peripherals, soundcard/DAC/whatever source goes into the sub module which has the amp. Then there's a cable that goes from that sub module to the satellites, which sometimes also includes a return line so the volume control on one satellite or on the desktop volume knob pod can control the amplifier on the sub module. 2.1 multimedia speakers only have 2.0 connections (its crossover splits the signal to the subwoofer), it's only the 5.1 speakers that have separate inputs for the front and subwoofer (and center and rear).

If you use a pro monitor the signal goes from your Fostex to the preamp input on the pro monitor subwoofer. Line output from subwoofer goes to each monitor.

If you use asymmetrical speakers, you have the HPA4-BL wired to the Master speaker's line inputs, then hook up speaker wires from the Master Speaker's speaker output to the Slave Speaker's input, and hook up a subwoofer to the Master speaker's mono output to an HT subwoofer's "LFE" input - which isn't really giving it an LFE signal out of a home theater receiver, but you can't use the stereo high level inputs (ie from an amplifier's speaker outputs) that are designed to work with separate amplifiers and passive speakers at home.

 

[Gigi86]

@ProtegeManiac

Ok thx, what happens if i connect the optical cable from the sub to the amp/dac?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

@ProtegeManiac

Ok thx, what happens if i connect the optical cable from the sub to the amp/dac?

If you connect the optical out of the HPA4-BL into the optical input on the subwoofer module of a 2.1 speaker set you'll just pass the exact same signal, likely with no control by the HPA4-BL. That said, chances are any 2.1 speaker with that kind of input would have some other way of putting volume control closer to your hand (and I'm not even sure if the HPA4-BL's analogue output is a preamp output) anyway.

 

[PurpleAngel]

@ProtegeManiac

Ok thx, what happens if i connect the optical cable from the sub to the amp/dac?

I do not see any optical ports on the sub-woofer.
And i can't see any reason for a sub-woofer (normally) to have an optical port.
Sub-woofers connect using analog, optical ports are digital.

 

[Gigi86]

I do not see any optical ports on the sub-woofer.
And i can't see any reason for a sub-woofer (normally) to have an optical port.
Sub-woofers connect using analog, optical ports are digital.

I still didn't buy the speakers, i was talking about stuff like Logitech Z625 (i know is considered crap) but it have the digital input on it so i was just asking

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I do not see any optical ports on the sub-woofer.
And i can't see any reason for a sub-woofer (normally) to have an optical port.
Sub-woofers connect using analog, optical ports are digital.

He's referring to some multimedia speakers that have the multichannel amp on the sub module, and some have SPDIF optical input. I've seen this on older but higher tier 5.1 computer speakers.

 

[PurpleAngel]

I still didn't buy the speakers, i was talking about stuff like Logitech Z625 (i know is considered crap) but it have the digital input on it so i was just asking

The big box (sub-woofer?) that comes with the Z623 is more then just a sub-woofer.
Might be better to refer to it as a 2.1 computer speakers, then as a sub-woofer, makes it easier to understand what your talking about.
Anyway, still think a used Kilpsch 2.1 set is the best value, or just get the Logitech Z623.