Need help setting up Speakers with laptop

[salawat]

Hi,
 
I just recently bought just the 5 speakers of the logitech X-540 speaker system, without the subwoofer and the controller.
I want to use them with my laptop, I have used a Y-Splitter cable likes this:

 
However, the sound volume is very very very low. on my PC system I have a creative speaker system with subwoofer and all, so I connected the logitech speakers to it and they worked flawlessly. Now, is there a way I can use the speakers with my laptop seperately without the creative subwoofer. or would i need to purchase a seperate subwoofer?

I would prefer if there is a way where I can just use the speakers without additionally buying a subwoofer.
 
 
any help would be great.
 
thanks in advance.
 
ps - as you can probably suggest, I'm quite a noob when it comes down to these things.

 

[PleasantSounds]

The X-540 subwoofer has a built in amplifier which is necessary to drive these speakers. You may try to substitute it with a different amp, but I'm not sure if this will be cost effective. For a two speakers setup you could try the Lepai LP-2020A, but be careful with volume as it has too much power for these speakers.
Note that without a sub the sound will be lacking in low frequencies, so I'm not sure if this solution is worth pursuing.

 

[salawat]

cheers for that, do you mean the lepai are too powerful for the speakers? or the other way round?
and I agree with you, but do you know of where i can get a cost effective sub form?

 

[PleasantSounds]

The Lepai is 2x20W, your speakers are 7.5W each except center one which is 15W.
 
Regarding the sub you'd probably have to scan ebay or craigslist. Sorry but I don't normally follow this kind of gear so I'm not up to date with the sources.

 

[salawat]

  The Lepai is 2x20W, your speakers are 7.5W each except center one which is 15W.
 
Regarding the sub you'd probably have to scan ebay or craigslist. Sorry but I don't normally follow this kind of gear so I'm not up to date with the sources.

cheers for that, and not a problem at all, you've been very helpful.

So the best solution is to get a sub that is around 100W.
 
cheers.

 

[PleasantSounds]

Actually the one in X-540 is 25W. Going for a more powerful one makes little sense with these speakers, as it will overpower them, and likely cost more.
 
Note that a sub alone is not going to help you: you still need to amplify signal for the satellite speakers. Standalone subs are extremely unlikely to have additional amps built in. You probably would have to buy a whole set (as only these have amps for the satellite speakers) and just replace the satellite speakers. That would only make sense if the X-540 satellites are much better....