Why not PC speakers?

**RedGTiVR6** · 03-20-2006, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by checksum

You show me any car speakers, and I will show you a competing PC speaker that matches its sound quality with even more power.
PC speakers have come a long way, from stereo sound to 7.1 THX surround sound. Nowadays PC speakers can go up to 700W of power with sound quality that can compete against any major sound theater system,, and they are compact enough to fit in a car, even with the enclosure, just have to find the right way to mount it, since they all come with brakets.

To tell you the truth, I wanted to go with my 500W 5.1 PC speakers ( these speakers only cost me 300.00). but I did a lot of research and come out empty on how to power it in the car. I would need a 500W pure sine inverter wich costs around $500.00 to power it. But beside that, I don't think you would notice the difference between these PC speakers and the Car speakers.

*cough* *cough* *cough* bull**** *cough* *cough* *chough*

http://www.utopia-be.com/Products/Number7.htm

and compete with major sound theatre system?

you really havent gotten out much have you?

lol

you also haven't experienced a car that sounds worth a damn to sit there and talk about how you won't hear a difference, and I'm NOT just talking about high quality/high end car audio systems

this thread is just so funny on so many different levels.

here's a guy who is apparently pretty uneducated on a topic, comes in asking why can't you do this or that, then wants to fight it tooth and nail when people we are more educated than he says it's just not a bright thing to do. BRILLIANT!

*throws popcorn in microwave*

**3onDubs** · 03-20-2006, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by checksum

90% of the hardware that most people are using here were never built to be put inside a car.

DVD players weren't originally designed to be put into cars as neither were radios. Seats were originally not designed for cars as well. Wheels...believe it or not, originally not designed for cars. Carpet....what do you know? Another winner!

Have you ever watched Pimp my Ride? Do you think that a DJ booth was designed to be in some one's car? Do you think that PSP's were designed to slide back and forth on people's trunk lids? Do you think that ping pong tables were designed for people to play on their truck bed's? Do you think that plasma's were designed for rear seat passengers? Do you think that digital cameras were designed to sit in sun visors?

NO.

Q: Then why do people do things differently?
A: To be tighter

Q: Then why shouldn't i put pc speakers in my car?
A: Because it's not tight.

Q: Why not?
A: Because it will sound worse than car speakers. People don't generally downgrade for no reason...that's not tight.

Q: Why?
A: Try it and see for yourself

Q: Why?
A: So you can stop asking these stupid questions.

Q: Why?
A: Ok, now your starting to get annoying

Q: Why?
A: Fukouttaheredude/

**DarquePervert** · 03-20-2006, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by checksum

To tell you the truth, I wanted to go with my 500W 5.1 PC speakers ( these speakers only cost me 300.00). but I did a lot of research and come out empty on how to power it in the car. I would need a 500W pure sine inverter wich costs around $500.00 to power it. But beside that, I don't think you would notice the difference between these PC speakers and the Car speakers.

Then you go right ahead and install your PC speakers in your car and let us know how the sound quality is.
What amazes me is that you ask a question about why people are doing things a certain way and people who have extensive knowledge about it tell you exactly why they do, but you argue with them tooth and nail, thinking your novice idea is the better solution.

You're just like some of my clients. I'm a certified technician with five yearts experience in a particular software package, yet when I tell clients how to accomplish something or why something works the way it works, they want to argue with me about it.
So I tell them to go ahead and test out their theory and report back, just like I told you.

I fully expect that you, just like my argumentative clients, will come back and tell us that it didn't work as well as you believed.

If you don't like what the experts have to say, then don't consult the experts and figure the **** out on your own.

Pass the popcorn, Jan. This is about to get even more entertaining.

**fooshizn1x** · 03-20-2006, 12:39 PM

It looks like you already own the PC speakers that you want to install in your car so why dont you just park your car in the garage and run an extension cord into the car through the window or trunk or whatever, mount your speakers with some duct tape or similar (for testing purposes only) and hook it up to your stereo or a nearby computer and play whatever it is that you enjoy listening to.. although this wont give you 100% real world testing experience it will let you see how it sounds. (you wont get to account for road noise and stuff. ) Im with the majority that it wont sound as good as speakers designed for a car, its more difficult to install due to their shape and size, and there isnt an easy way to power them... I agree for $300 you could get a decent entry level setup that would sound superior to the pc speakers, and be designed to work properly in their environment. good luck.. let us know how it goes.

**checksum** · 03-20-2006, 03:11 PM

First of all, I am not trying to be funny or fight with anybody here. I am here to learn and to exchange ideas just like everybody else. If I have something in my mind I will speak up regardless of what other people think, even though it may sound stupid. Why am I being so stubborn?? Because nobody has convinced me to my satisfaction that this is a bad idea or it will not work. Most of you have more experience than I do about carputers as I am pretty much a n00b about this stuff, but very experienced when it comes to computers and electronic in general.
I did not know about carputer until I came by this site recently, I thought that was a great idea, I went through and did a lot of reading in the forum about what it is all about, how people have done it and what is required. I found out the sound system was a big bottleneck with the installation because a lot of people were asking about amplifiers, do I have the right amplifier? which amplifier should I buy? I need a second amplifier for my sub, how much power do I need, etc... I have never installed a car amplifier or owned one, so I did a little homework and found out that you would have to spend somewhere around $400.00 to $500.00 to get a decent sound system (2 amps+2 FS+2RS+1SUB).
So it came to my mind one day, if you can put your computer in your car then WHY NOT USE YOUR PC SPEAKERS??? At least they were meant to be used with the computer, and you wouldn't have to worry about the amp, it is cheaper and easier to install. I have a 5.1 speaker system on my computer right now, cost me only $300.00, that can put out 500W (simultaneously all amplifier channels driven), the amp is built in the sub, the sub is rated at 170W. I don't even put the volume 1/4 of the way before my neighbors start complaining about how loud the music is, crisp and clear sound. So why didn't anybody think of this, that's why I asked the question "WHY NOT PC SPEAKERS", because I was so convinced it would work.

Now you telling me:

1- Because of power requirement, PC speakers run off AC power, and it would be difficult to find an inverter to power the speakers...I agree
2- Because PC speakers would be difficult to mount inside a car because of their enclosure....I agree
It is not like I am going to take some duck tape and mount the speakers like some people have said, these satellites speakers are small enough to fit inside the space reserved for the car speakers, with careful planning you can mount them nicely.

3- Because they would sound just like regular stereo speakers, just because it is in a different environment. That they will sound so bad just because the car is moving and you have your window opened or the ac is on or you are driving at 60mph...( and this because some frequencies range not being covered by the speakers)... I DO NOT BUY THAT AT ALL ( not that it is not true, but I just can't take your word for it because it does not make sense to me), and as far as I am concerned none of you have done the experience to be able to say for sure, everyone is just talking just theory here.
I am no sound engineer to be able to determine which frequencies are covered or not, but I can tell good sound from bad, and I can differentiate between the lows mids and highs coming from a speaker system. It's not like I am going to host a concert in my car or compete at a championship for car audio, all I need is good decent sound enough for my ears to be happy and I believe I can get that from my PC speakers, that will sound as good as similar rated car speakers.

I will go ahead and do the experience, just to convince myself whether it will work or not. And I will come back here and post my findings. It won't cost me much anyway since I already have the speakers, all i have to buy is a $50.00 350W inverter to test it, being careful not to put the volume too high.

**Mandos** · 03-20-2006, 03:24 PM

I was just trying to help as I work in the industry...and you could say I have a little experience w/ home vs. car audio.

But please, go do it. It may very well sound great to you...a lot of audio is a complete personal preference.

**EricE** · 03-20-2006, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by checksum

First of all, I am not trying to be funny or fight with anybody here…...

Good post. NOW we know where you are coming from. I don’t think I understood before that you were trying to forgo the need for a car audio amplier(s).

#1 and #2 are certainly true and add some complications to the project.
#3 I don’t think I fully agree with. Yes, the car is a different environment but I don’t believe this invalidates the PC speaker.
I’ll add a #4 though. Are PC speakers made to get wet? No, they are not. Your car audio speakers are though. This still doesn’t make it impossible to do. After all, you can achieve anything if you spend enough energy on it. At what point does the effort become more than the achievement? (rhetorical) Speakers that mount in the door do get wet from rain water that slips past the rubber window strip. Just another complication. <shrug>

Edit: oh yeah. I feel the need to point out that your are not getting something for nothing. The $ you spend on PC speakers that need to be powered (because they have an amp in them) is the same $ you could spend on a car audio amplifier. Its not like one is more expensive than the other, they are just different. There is a wealth of cheap amps and car speakers just as there are a wealth of cheap pc speakers. You get what you pay for. My belief is that $ for $ the car audio setup would sound better due to not having to overcome the fact that a PC speaker is not made for the car audio task.

**RedGTiVR6** · 03-20-2006, 03:51 PM

you do it CheckSum, I'll even ask that you PM me with your results of your EXPERIMENT and tell us your EXPERIENCE....

**jollyeskimo** · 03-20-2006, 04:05 PM

Make sure to carefully read the specs of the inverter that you plan on getting. 400W on the package doesn't necessairly mean that it can handle a 400W load....usually only 400W peak.

**fooshizn1x** · 03-20-2006, 06:26 PM

this reminds me of when I was 16 and I took my HUGE House speakers from my stereo in my room and threw them in the back seat of my camaro.. I was sadly suprised to find the sound to be well.. bland

I'll also say this, it doesnt sound like your much of an audiophile, why not just keep your stock speakers and just add an 4ch amp and a bass tube? that would cost a lot less than your $300 speaker set and still probably sound good enough for you and I can say with no doubt equally well or better than the pc speakers, plus there would be a lot lessinstallation. I run slightly amped (10 year old) stock speakers and most of my friends think they are aftermarket because it gets decently loud and is reasonably clear (I have crossovers).. Just another piece of idea for food for thought