Computer subwoofer installation

[LongThrow]

I dont know if this is the right section, but I made this account strictly to ask this question.

I have a cyber acoustics CA-3908 computer 2.1 desktop system. The satellite speakers went out so I decided to try and hook up my subwoofer to my 1999 Dodge Dakota. Althought, it has a amp built into the sub, so I bought a 300w inverter. It works perfectly, except I WANT TO USE MY COMPUTER SUBWOOFER, WITH MY EXISTING CAR SPEAKERS I have an older piooner model headunit, it has no 3.5mm aux jack in the front, but I believe it does on the other side. I have 2 5 Inch 2 way pioneers in the door, and 2 3.5 inch 2 way pioneers in the back.

Is it possible to use my computer subwoofer, playing music along with the cars speakers? mid-high speakers.

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[LongThrow]

70+ views and no replies?

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

You can get an adapter cable that takes a 3.5 mm jack and converts it to an RCA plug. Plug it into the sub preouts on the back of the HU.

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

Possible yes, good idea no.

 

[kingjd7 10+ year member]

Google search "Logitech sub in car". I saw on another forum where some guys were doing this. Don't see why it wouldn't if your only looking for a very small amount of low end.

 

[LongThrow]

You can get an adapter cable that takes a 3.5 mm jack and converts it to an RCA plug. Plug it into the sub preouts on the back of the HU.

Oh yeah, that could work. Although I don't know where to wire the rca cable, once I connect the rca cable and put the headunit back into the dash, as the ports are in the back of the headunit. I have a old Pioneer DEH-1600. The control pod, that controls the volume, and bass ,have an 3.5mm aux port on it. The control pod has two wires, one that connects to the sub, enabling it's use. I plug the power cable into the inverter to turn the sub on, obviously. The other wire, connected to the control pod, goes into a computer audio source, iPod, MP3 player, Phone etc. The satellite speakers then connect to a 3.5mm jack on the back of the sub next to where th control pod is connected. Should I plug a RCA to 3.5mm into the aux port on the control pod of my subwoofer, and use the car stereo that way? Or do I connect the control pods audio source, into a female 3.5mm jack to RCA? Sorry if I am confusing.

Possible yes, good idea no.

I don't have any money at the moment to splurge on an Amp and a new Sub, I already have a sub that has decent low-mid bass. It's just not a CAR subwoofer

Google search "Logitech sub in car". I saw on another forum where some guys were doing this. Don't see why it wouldn't if your only looking for a very small amount of low end.

I'll check that out. And that I am, just enough bass to rattle my chest and stimulate my eardrums, nothing to overpowering. I want to hear the vocals and other instruments with my bass xD

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

I don't have any money at the moment to splurge on an Amp and a new Sub, I already have a sub that has decent low-mid bass.

HT is not the same as car audio. What sounds good in a house will not sound good in a car and vice versa.

 

[LongThrow]

HT is not the same as car audio. What sounds good in a house will not sound good in a car and vice versa.

I completely understand that, that the enclosures the subs are in are acoustically tuned for the soundstage they are performing in. I also understand the numerous other factors that separate HT from car audio. There's been people converting car subs into HT subs, successfully I might add. I know car subs are for tight spaces, and HT is made for rooms.

BUT, in my case, when it DOES sound good in a car, what's the big deal?

This is posted from Cheap DIY Car Subwoofer with Logitech Computer Sub - AnandTech Forums

1. They're cheaper than conventional car subs. Enclosure, amp, and sub are all there for you, already perfectly designed for the sub.

2. If you've already got a good computer sub, might as well use it on road trips.

3. They sound VERY decent for the money.

The naysayers warned me not to do such a thing because

1. The heat in a car during summer and such would destroy the sub, which was never designed to withstand those temperatures.

2. This sub malfunction could set the car on fire (poster said he personally saw this happen).

The Present:

I've put 15K miles on my car with the sub installed and blaring, from the scalding heat of the summer to the below freezing temps during spring in the Rockies, literally halfway across the country and back, and everything has gone without a hitch.

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Why not?

 

[kingjd7 10+ year member]

This is the sub that's in the Logitech enclosure. http://www.tb-speaker.com/detail/1208_03/w8-670q.htm

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

I completely understand that, that the enclosures the subs are in are acoustically tuned for the soundstage they are performing in. I also understand the numerous other factors that separate HT from car audio. There's been people converting car subs into HT subs, successfully I might add. I know car subs are for tight spaces, and HT is made for rooms.
BUT, in my case, when it DOES sound good in a car, what's the big deal?

This is posted from Cheap DIY Car Subwoofer with Logitech Computer Sub - AnandTech Forums

1. They're cheaper than conventional car subs. Enclosure, amp, and sub are all there for you, already perfectly designed for the sub.

2. If you've already got a good computer sub, might as well use it on road trips.

3. They sound VERY decent for the money.

The naysayers warned me not to do such a thing because

1. The heat in a car during summer and such would destroy the sub, which was never designed to withstand those temperatures.

2. This sub malfunction could set the car on fire (poster said he personally saw this happen).

The Present:

I've put 15K miles on my car with the sub installed and blaring, from the scalding heat of the summer to the below freezing temps during spring in the Rockies, literally halfway across the country and back, and everything has gone without a hitch.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why not?

Why not? Because it was designed for HT use. A car enviornment is not the same. Doesnt matter if it sounds good in a house in a large square room without road noise.

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

Oh yeah, that could work. Although I don't know where to wire the rca cable, once I connect the rca cable and put the headunit back into the dash, as the ports are in the back of the headunit. I have a old Pioneer DEH-1600. The control pod, that controls the volume, and bass ,have an 3.5mm aux port on it.

You'd have to run the cable under the carpet to wherever your control pod is. Something like this, though a shielded version would be better in a car environment:

AUVIO 20-Ft. 1/8 Stereo to Dual RCA Cable (White) : RCA Cables | RadioShack.com

 

[LongThrow]

Why not? Because it was designed for HT use. A car enviornment is not the same. Doesnt matter if it sounds good in a house in a large square room without road noise.

It sounds great to me. Not likes it's damaging the sub, the amount of bass pumping is perfect for my taste.

This is the sub that's in the Logitech enclosure. http://www.tb-speaker.com/detail/1208_03/w8-670q.htm

I read a forum post on a different website, guy took his Logitech 10' z5500 and put it in his trunk.

You'd have to run the cable under the carpet to wherever your control pod is. Something like this, though a shielded version would be better in a car environment:
AUVIO 20-Ft. 1/8 Stereo to Dual RCA Cable (White) : RCA Cables | RadioShack.com

Perfec, thanks.

 

[BoomTaco64]

HT is not the same as car audio. What sounds good in a house will not sound good in a car and vice versa.

kind of a bold statement as many have used car audio subs in home theater systems. i have a mtx 9500 15 in my home theater room and it sounds amazing....i agree that the two are different but would not go as far as your statement...never....its been it done...

 

[BrownVanMan 10+ year member]

This is the sub that's in the Logitech enclosure. http://www.tb-speaker.com/detail/1208_03/w8-670q.htm

how did you find out you had this sub, I have a pair of Logitech subs and someone told me they were TB copies, how do I check?

 

[LongThrow]

kind of a bold statement as many have used car audio subs in home theater systems. i agree that the two are different but would not go as far as your statement...never....its been it done...

I tried explaining that, that IT CAN BE DONE, and it DOES SOUND GOOD.