My MSI MAG Z790 motherboard supports rear channel speakers.

If I were to mount a pair of speakers behind me, that would require approximately 15 feet (4.5 meters) of speaker wire from my PC to the speakers. Do I have to worry about the AUX port’s power output if I were to use 18 or 16 gauge speaker wire?

    • glimse@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      5
      ·
      edit-2
      11 months ago

      Those are passive speakers that won’t work without an amplifier. You need some PC speakers with an aux input

      You can’t go from 1/8" to speaker wire

      • MD756@lemmy.worldOP
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        11 months ago

        Can’t believe I forgot to include that tidbit, that they’re passive speakers.

        Isn’t the motherboard itself the amplifier?

        • glimse@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          5
          ·
          11 months ago

          Unfortunately not, the motherboard only has a preamp. Those ports output a line level signal and the speakers are expecting speaker level which is post-amplification which is a MUCH stronger so it will be extremely quiet - if not completely silent

          You can buy a cheap 2ch amp but I think you’d be better off with different speakers. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to get a second set of whatever you’re using for the front speakers to match the sound profile

      • Telorand@reddthat.com
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        11 months ago

        8Ω is pretty low impedance. By comparison, the Sony MDR7506 is 63Ω, and they work just fine with the amp built into my mobo at only 10%.

        Are you sure?

        • glimse@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          5
          ·
          edit-2
          11 months ago

          I’m pretty confident but not 100% sure, I’m on my phone and only skimmed the manual.

          Impedance isn’t the issue here, headphones are completely different - their tiny speakers need significantly less power to drive them. I don’t think the motherboard is capable of moving the cones in the speakers OP linked

          The giveaway here is the inputs - your headphones have an aux (or 1/4"?) input and these speakers have speaker wire inputs

          • Telorand@reddthat.com
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            3
            ·
            11 months ago

            I mean, you can always solder a 1/8" stereo connector onto those wires, but the point about wattage isn’t something to be ignored, and I forgot that.

            Thanks!

            • glimse@lemmy.world
              link
              fedilink
              arrow-up
              3
              ·
              11 months ago

              I did some wacky cable conversions when I worked in the field but it was usually just to extend line level

              Analog audio is fun lol