Repurposing old PC speakers for home theatre setup (1 Viewer)

[mtycholaz]

Hello all, I'm new to the community. Just doing a basement reno, and found in storage that I have 5 satellite speakers from the Logictech z680 system. Speakers are old, but they still work. The controller and sub broke a while back (which is why they're in storage). I wanted purchase a AV receiver and hook them up. After speaking to a friend though, he mentioned that speakers need to have proper power, ohems, etc so that you don't wreak the receiver or the speaker.

All new to me. I have have no idea what the speakers are capable of. The info I found says they're capable of 1000W combined. I guess I just want to know if I can buy any receiver to hook them up to. I already have 16 gauge cable for them. No sub woofer yet.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

You’ll need to check the speakers with an ohm meter to see what their nominal impedance is. If it’s in the 6-8 ohm range, you’re good to go. If they’re 4 ohms, that will require a higher-end AVR.


Keep in mind that these speakers probably can’t handle a lot of power. If you like watching at movie-theater volume levels, it might toast them.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[mtycholaz]

You’ll need to check the speakers with an ohm meter to see what their nominal impedance is. If it’s in the 6-8 ohm range, you’re good to go. If they’re 4 ohms, that will require a higher-end AVR.


Keep in mind that these speakers probably can’t handle a lot of power. If you like watching at movie-theater volume levels, it might toast them.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Thanks Wayne. I'm going to look into doing that. I found this specification here https://www.cnet.com/products/logitech-z-680/specs/

It mentions that they have a nominal impedance of 10 KOhm. Pardon my ignorance, but would that mean that I'm good to go with any receiver? Speakers also appear to do 62W each.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Something is wrong there. No speaker has an impedance of thousands of ohms. They are typically between 2-16 ohms.

You should check them with an ohm meter.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[JohnRice]

That’s the input impedance of the amplifier that Doesn’t work. Don’t be fooled by the supposed 505 watt rating.

 

[John Dirk]

I checked out a few pics of this unit. Without the controller I believe the speakers are useless as they are not designed for use with an A/V receiver. These are PC speakers.

 

[mtycholaz]

I checked out a few pics of this unit. Without the controller I believe the speakers are useless as they are not designed for use with an A/V receiver. These are PC speakers.

View attachment 71947

The speakers are just normal wire. They actually hook up into the back of the sub. Check this image out for clarity.

 

[John Dirk]

The speakers are just normal wire. They actually hook up into the back of the sub. Check this image out for clarity.

Well that's a horse of a different color! My mistake. As @Wayne A. Pflughaupt originally suggested, I would use an ohmmeter to determine nominal impedance. Paired with a decent sub you might be fine for your needs.

 

[mtycholaz]

Well that's a horse of a different color! My mistake. As @Wayne A. Pflughaupt originally suggested, I would use an ohmmeter to determine nominal impedance. Paired with a decent sub you might be fine for your needs.

Yes, somewhere in my basement reno I have a ohmmeter (I think, or maybe it's a multimeter?). Once I find it I'll post my findings.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Yes, a multimeter.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[mtycholaz]

After searching my entire basement, I finally found my multimeter in the garage. Looks like the speaker is rated for 8ohms, so I should be good to go to use these. Now I just need a AVR to plug them into. I'll probably wait until Black Friday, unless I can find a good entry one that suits my needs/budget.

 

[Al.Anderson]

Yes, it looks like they're 8 ohms:

https://download01.logitech.com/web/ftp/pub/pdf/speakers/z680.pdf

Also, keep in mind that a household multi-meter typically measures resistance, not impedance. Impedance is how the speakers/receiver measurements are provided. The resistance on the meter will typically be lower than the impedance.

 

[mtycholaz]

Yes, it looks like they're 8 ohms:

https://download01.logitech.com/web/ftp/pub/pdf/speakers/z680.pdf

Also, keep in mind that a household multi-meter typically measures resistance, not impedance. Impedance is how the speakers/receiver measurements are provided. The resistance on the meter will typically be lower than the impedance.

Wow, awesome job finding that link. Wish I would have done that sooner lol

 

[JohnRice]

Just don't expect much from those speakers. Computer speakers are generally designed for near-field use, and not to fill a room. I expect they'll be easy to fry using them for HT.

 

[mtycholaz]

Just don't expect much from those speakers. Computer speakers are generally designed for near-field use, and not to fill a room. I expect they'll be easy to fry using them for HT.

They actually work amazing!! These computer speakers weren't cheap ($600) when I bought them 15 years ago. They still work amazing for me.

This is the receiver I got. It's a shit disturber! I hooked up just one speaker and at 70% volume it sounded amazing! Really loud too!



Basement room isn't fully finished, but the feature wall is.

Audio & HDMI cables put into the wall, which come out in the corner.

This little guy can put out. I can't wait until I get the other 4 hooked up.

Mess of cables I still need to finish running.

 

[Al.Anderson]

Looking good!

I used satellite speakers for my home theater for a few years (Harman/Kardon's) and I was very satisfied. Sure, I'd never go back; but it's not as bad as people make out. They will suck for music though.

I assume you'll be using a sub? If not, you should consider it. I mean a lot.

 

[mtycholaz]

Looking good!

I used satellite speakers for my home theater for a few years (Harman/Kardon's) and I was very satisfied. Sure, I'd never go back; but it's not as bad as people make out. They will suck for music though.

I assume you'll be using a sub? If not, you should consider it. I mean a lot.

The whole reason these speakers went into storage was because the sub died. I don't have one now, but Black Friday is coming