connecting pc sub to tv

[sonic]

I have a really good pc sub but I only use headphones on the pc so I really dont need it I have another set of Polk I will hook to the pc
I would like to hook the powered sub to the tv. My TV has (RCA) connection out to sub. The pc powered sub has input from soundcard and 1 input to the other 2 speakers what is the best way to hook it up.

[beaky]

I have a really good pc sub but I only use headphones on the pc so I really dont need it I have another set of Polk I will hook to the pc
I would like to hook the powered sub to the tv. My TV has (RCA) connection out to sub. The pc powered sub has input from soundcard and 1 input to the other 2 speakers what is the best way to hook it up.

Connect the sub to the TV.


I assume your specific problem is: how to connect a male stereo mini-plug to a female mono RCA output?

If that is so, all you need is a mono female mini-plug-to-male RCA adaptor. This will effectively split the mono sub feed to both input channels on your sub (not that it matters; one channel would be OK).
You may have trouble finding that, but male mini-to-male RCA adaptors are quite common; just use a female mini "barrel" to connect the two male minis together. Most of those mini-to-RCA things are "Y" cables (stereo mini to l/r RCA), but it shouldn't matter, as a sub signal is mono. your sub has a stereo plug because it's also the amplifier for your computer L/R speakers.

However: if you then try to use the stereo speakers that plug into the sub, you will hear a mono signal, and if your TV has a built-in crossover to process the subwoofer signal, it will sound like poo on those speakers (bass-y).

[sonic]

The problem is it goes from sound card to Right speaker from there it goes to sub. So i'm afaid that its powerd from there. I dont want to plug in to the tv if its powered. So it goes from the sound card to the right speaker from there to the left and the sub.

[beaky]

The problem is it goes from sound card to Right speaker from there it goes to sub. So i'm afaid that its powerd from there. I dont want to plug in to the tv if its powered. So it goes from the sound card to the right speaker from there to the left and the sub.

Aha, so you have to use the two small speakers as well.
The fact that it's powered (little amplifier inside the right speaker probably) may not be an issue.

Question: what output exactly on the TV are you looking to use? Is it a stereo (2 RCA ports) or mono (1) output?

[sonic]

The only AC hookes up to the sub I already have 2 rear speakers connected to the tv and want to hook up the sub the mono RCA subwoofer output from the tv.

[beaky]

Sounds like it won't work without also driving the two attached speakers from the same output. Receiving a filtered signal intended for a subwoofer will probably make them distort at high volume; might even trash them.

You could hack it somehow, but it'd be less trouble and not much $$ to just get a decent little powered sub that can be patched directly to the TV.