carputer & subs

**longddong** · 02-24-2009, 09:59 AM

is there anything special you have to do to hook up subs to a computer?? is a usb external sound card required?? i just don't understand the outputs from a computer to amp to sub...thanks

**WuNgUn** · 02-24-2009, 10:19 AM

It's hooked up the same way the speakers are hooked up...
Just make sure the sub out is crossed over, either at the amp or from the sound card...

**longddong** · 02-24-2009, 12:08 PM

but the computer has one output...so i split that into the amp for the subs and amp for the car speakers??

**danchappers** · 02-24-2009, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by longddong

but the computer has one output...so i split that into the amp for the subs and amp for the car speakers??

Not sure if splitting the 1 into multiple will give you the desired outcome, I would assume that the most ideal way to do this would be to buy a decent 5.1 soundcard (I believe the external soundblasters with RCA outputs are very popular) and then output from the soundcard to the amp.

I'm fairly new to this myself so please dont take what I say as golden, but thats how I would probably try to do it.

Cheers.

**WuNgUn** · 02-24-2009, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by longddong

but the computer has one output...so i split that into the amp for the subs and amp for the car speakers??

If you only have a single output, then yes, your stuck splitting up your line-out to everything...
And of course, your sub amp will need to be on low-pass...

**DarquePervert** · 02-24-2009, 01:02 PM

You can always get an equalizer that will split up the simple stereo signal to 4 channels and a sub output.
That's how I handled it, and works rather well.

**longddong** · 02-24-2009, 01:34 PM

is the equalizer separte from the computer? or hooked up to it?? would i get that with a usb soundcard??

**bemenaker** · 02-24-2009, 02:34 PM

Yes he is talking about an external EQ. I have mine running to my multichannel amp and letting it's built in crossover handle the filtering. If you are new to hooking up car stereos, Crutchfield has great tutorials on wiring scenarios.