Makeshift monitor speakers but need hookups

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Vigilante

Gear nut
Hey guys, I got some good help around here so here is another question for you cause I don't know what exactly I need.

Okay, I have 2 floor speakers which connect via standard 2-wire speaker cable, or speaker wire, whatever it's called. (what is it called?)

I know these speakers need to be hooked to an amp of sorts, to drive them. But my question is, I am not using these speakers for anything, and they sound pretty good, so I want to hook them up to my Tascam US-122 outputs.

I'm not saying I want them as as a "real" monitor, it's not like that, I just want to hear what I record. Better them then some dinky headphones or the dinky speakers on my laptop. So then my question is how do I go from my 1/4" output jack on the 122, and amplify it, and convert to speaker wire? Is there some sort of simple, and small, amp that goes 1/4" on one end to 2-wire on the other to drive stereo speakers?

The other aspect is that, I'm sure the 122 pushes 'some' power out, but probably nowhere near enough to drive the speakers. Otherwise, can I get just like a strait 1/4" to stereo 2-wire as just an adapter? Or do I HAVE to have an amp? And if I get an amp, does that conflict with the amplified signal from the jack? Or perhaps, can I just go from line-out on the laptop (1/8") to an amp and then 2-wire?
Or let me simplify, I just want to use these 2 speakers as main output, how do I get the best sound? What product do I need?
As for the speakers, they have 3 drivers in them. That is, I don't know what they are or how many watts they are. But each tower has 3 speakers in it, like a 16" inch, 6", and 4" driver. The towers are about 3 feet tall. So whatever amp I buy, I want some options, so using this amp or whatever, I can use these speakers from different kinds of outputs. Like from a TV or DVD, or PC etc... Enlighten me.

So everybody, just put me on the right path please.

Thanks a ton

-vig
 
just buy a reciever until you have the money/experience to need and get real monitors?
 
thx for being quick.

Well I figure I don't need a full-on receiver. Leastaways I don't need multiple ins and outs. I'm hoping there is such a device that is simply single input/dual stero out with a built-in amp. Thus the device is small and portable, and perhaps cheaper, then a full size receiver. Because I do want somewhat portable.
Problem is I don't know what such a device would be called, or if they even exist as a standalone unit. So I don't know what I'm looking for.
 
i guess i got thrown off by the tv/pc/dvd comment at the end
 
So.....a power amp? :confused: Stereo input, send the outputs to your speakers? Is that what you mean?
 
tourettes5139 said:
So.....a power amp? :confused: Stereo input, send the outputs to your speakers? Is that what you mean?
Click to expand...
Yeah..? er, could it be that simple?
 
lol, well I'm hoping it's that simple.

I guess it is a 3 part box.

1) Input(s) The input I need to use NOW is a 1/4" jack strait from the US-122. BUT for functionality later on, multiple inputs like just RCA or stereo plug 1/8" etc... Not meaning multiple channels, just multiple plugs if possible. Otherwise whatever the input is, I'll have to use adapters I suppose.

2) Amp. I don't think I need a preamp, as it's not for mics or instruments. The input should be line level already, so it is just a normal power amp. Though I don't know how many watts I need, because I don't know much about the speakers. Except that the speaker has 3 drivers for low, mid, and tweeter I guess. So lets set my minimun watts as like 60?

3) Outputs. The only outputs I NEED, are just 2-wire speaker. But two speakers, for stereo, thus I would need 4 plugs in the back, left and right channel. For later on functionality, perhaps it can have regular RCA-out or another type.

After doing some research last night, I found a device from AudioSource that appears to be somewhat like this, if not exactly like this. Here is a link to it:

http://www.audiosource.net/amponea.html

Does this cover what I'm talking about? This one is their lowest one, i.e. less powered. But it's possible it can be within my budget. Does a device like this seem right to drive my speakers in the sense of audio recording playback and/or monitoring?

The reason I mentioned "pc/dvd/tv" is that, for the occasion where I want to watch a bigbang movie or even take the speakers to a friends house for the same reason. This really only comes down to the inputs. A PC output would be 1/8" stereo. A DVD player would be RCA left/right. So if the box has those inputs, I assume I could drive that signal through the amp to my speakers. Unless I'm mistaken.

thx
 
I guess another aspect is, because I'm only driving a standard audio signal to stereo speakers, I don't need multi-channel, that is 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, etc... Nor do I need any kind of audio decoding as such. Thus it doesn't require a device with the technical description of a "receiver", but more just an "amp". A PA system comes closer to the name of what I need. Only I was looking at various PA amps and they almost always have a speaker built in to the amp and receiver as a single unit. And plus they almost always have mic and instrument inputs, as well as possibly some mixer functions. So a PA isn't it either.
All in all I think I'm just looking for an AMP with the right ins and outs. And no extra features. Thus small, light, and cheap. The AudioSource amp I posted, seems to be close to this description.
 
Nevermind the AMP ONE/A, I found a rear picture and it only has RCA jacks for everything. Unless I can convert RCA to speakerwire?

But the next model up, the AMP100, seems to have speaker wire, and I currently found the AMP100 on sale for less then the ONE/A. Here is the link to the AMP100:

http://www.audiosource.net/amp100.html

It has 50W out, but again I don't know what my speakers can handle. Does this one look like what I need?
 
Mostly what you've been describing comes down to a simple 2-channel power amp. All of the various connection types should be done at the cables plus adaptors. (You don't need, nor would you likely find a bunch of different type jacks all feeding the same two channels on an amp.)
Both of those Audiosource amps have speaker outs that can take bare wire or Banana plugs. 'Banana's are a good solid speaker plug that you strip your speaker wire and screw it down in. They're a good way to go.
As far as power, 50-80 watts is a moderate amount, probably plenty for normal listening. But to get another small jump in maximum undistorted volume, you have to double the watts.
Any decent amp (check used too) should get you in the ballpark then.
:)
 
Oh, stupid me. I must have been browsing around and looked at something else. Yes the One/A and AMP100 use speaker or banana. Interresting the ONE/A, on their site it seems to be the lesser model. And yet the one/a is 80w per channel versus 50w for the 100. But like you said, those watts aren't anything to write home about. I just wish I knew what my speakers are rated for.
The bass driver in the cabinet is a good 15" or 16" diameter. Which isn't anything to smirk at. I assume it might be able to drive a good, strong signal. Which means I would like to see at least 100w on the amp. But this takes me outside my price range, unless I'm looking at the wrong manufacturers.

Can anybody recommend a +/- 100w simple 2 channel amp? And if you are right, mixsit, I'll just have to get cable adapters for everything. Although I'd like to have the same plug on both ends, seems simpler.
Oh and by the way, since these speakers and amp thing is an afterthought, my budget to get something is less then $100. Ebay, used, whatever I don't care, just ANYTHING to drive these speakers.

thx
 
In regards to this quest, what is the big difference between a car amp and a regular amp??
I mean, just a 50w 2 channel amp is like over $100. But I can get a FOUR channel amp and 400W for less then $50 as a car amp. Someone enlighten me on the big difference here? The only thing I can think of is that the normal amp has its own power supply and the car amp uses the car's power. But does just a power supply really cost that much?

Would it be worth considering getting a car amp and then find a power supply to run it somehow?
 
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