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Chevyguy
1
Dec 20, 2017
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Do I need to purchase another 3.5mm to 1/4” Mono TS cable? I want to use the speakers to play music from my phone with the chord going to my phone then to the speakers.
dpj1
255
Dec 20, 2017
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ChevyguyNot gonna work. These are intended to work with a power amplifier that is compatible with powered speakers. If you want to play music through your phone, you will need to by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) electronic component that will translate the computer format music to an analog stream, them pump it through these speakers. And these speakers will not work with just ANY DAC. You need a DAC with the proper output jacks at the rear of the component. It's not as easy as just getting a cord with different sized jacks on the ends. You will blow out the speakers and/or fry your phone.
dpj1
255
Dec 20, 2017
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ChevyguyWill I be able to find one? I already have these (or ones substantially similar), and an amplifier/DAC combo that works well. What you are looking for is a BALANCED amplifier. They sell them all the time here on Massdrop. This is the one I got and it sounds terrific with these speakers: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/34838
Here is another one by Topping: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/topping-dx7
Look at the rear panel on these speakers--there are TWO different kinds of jacks. Then look at the back panel of the TEAC component linked here. I use the multi-pronged microphone jacks with integrated cables (cords). Cables with integrated jacks sold separately on Amazon, eBay, Guitar Center, possibly BestBuy. Totally worth the investment.
Keep in mind, these are POWERED speakers--meaning, they plug into a wall with their own separate power cords. The stereo I had when I was a kid had an integrated power amp inside the receiver, and the speakers were PASSIVE--meaning, all you did was connect the non-electric wire from the receiver to the speaker without plugging the speakers into the wall. BIG difference, so these speakers will not work with most of the stuff you see on Amazon or at BestBuy.
Here is another one by Topping: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/topping-dx7
Look at the rear panel on these speakers--there are TWO different kinds of jacks. Then look at the back panel of the TEAC component linked here. I use the multi-pronged microphone jacks with integrated cables (cords). Cables with integrated jacks sold separately on Amazon, eBay, Guitar Center, possibly BestBuy. Totally worth the investment.
Keep in mind, these are POWERED speakers--meaning, they plug into a wall with their own separate power cords. The stereo I had when I was a kid had an integrated power amp inside the receiver, and the speakers were PASSIVE--meaning, all you did was connect the non-electric wire from the receiver to the speaker without plugging the speakers into the wall. BIG difference, so these speakers will not work with most of the stuff you see on Amazon or at BestBuy.
Numberoneq
28
Dec 20, 2017
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dpj1Balanced is probably better, no experience here, but wouldn't a dac with pre outs be sufficient? Of course along with an rca cable pair...
Edit, the description says it comes with a 3.5mm trs cable to 1/4". So it can be run right off a phone. Not the best, but can be done out of the box.
rtkierke
13
Dec 20, 2017
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ChevyguyNo, you do not need an amplifier. The other dude has no idea what he’s talking about. If you have a noisy or crappy DAC, you may feel like upgrading to an external one, but these are self-powered. They do not require any form of amplifier. A little Lexicon Alpha interface would not be a bad idea.
ironmaiden666
9
Keyboard Club Member
Dec 20, 2017
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dpj1Dude, you seriously don't know what you're talking about. @Chevyguy be rest assured, you can use this directly with your phone. Every phone that is sold includes a DAC chip on it by default. Why? because when you connect headphones or any audio out, you want to be able to hear something. If there was no DAC chip, there would be nothing to process the sound and you wouldn't hear anything. Obviously, DAC chips inside phones aren't necessarily the best, and hence the huge market for external DAC's.
@Chevyguy since these are powered monitors, you need to only connect your phone with the correct cable and they will work just fine. As good as an external DAC? Maybe/maybe not, but if you're a casual listener, you'll be hard pressed to find a difference.
With regards to what kind of cable you need, since this is a set of two speakers, you need a 3.5 mm TRS to 6.35 (M+M) cable. This will carry stereo audio and terminate in L and R channels. Already included in the box.
If you're curious, this is what such a cable looks like: https://www.ghentaudio.com/part/d10.html
@Chevyguy since these are powered monitors, you need to only connect your phone with the correct cable and they will work just fine. As good as an external DAC? Maybe/maybe not, but if you're a casual listener, you'll be hard pressed to find a difference.
With regards to what kind of cable you need, since this is a set of two speakers, you need a 3.5 mm TRS to 6.35 (M+M) cable. This will carry stereo audio and terminate in L and R channels. Already included in the box.
If you're curious, this is what such a cable looks like: https://www.ghentaudio.com/part/d10.html
Chevyguy
1
Dec 20, 2017
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ironmaiden666Thanks man, very detailed and helpful! Appreciate you taking your time to write up the post!
rtkierke
13
Dec 20, 2017
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dpj1I have had these speakers, LSR305s, for three years. They are self-powered. If desired, you need nothing but a cable to get a signal to them. Many, however, do use an audio interface as an external DAC for a cleaner sound and recording purposes, but these are by no means necessary for everyday use. If they required an amplifier, as you say, they wouldn’t “cause some damage;” you just couldn’t connect them without going from the phone/laptop into a receiver/amplifier and then on to the speakers to power them. If I am wrong (which I know I am not as the title itself even says “Powered Speakers” and I have had these for three years), he would just need to buy some extra stuff after he gets them. If you are wrong (which you are), he may end up wasting money on something he cannot return. I’m not even sure what your point was as you kind of contradict yourself. You even say yourself that they are self-powered but then immediately say that he needs a balanced amplifier; these are contradictory statements.
Odinko
35
Dec 20, 2017
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ChevyguyYou can use these with your phone! To put it into a understandable format...:
The AMPs and DACs that @dpj1 is talking about is when you wanna go "fancy" and run the speakers at their max, with clear sound and maybe a little more bass...other than that...when plugged into you phone you will get sound out of them. ;)
sl33pyhead
11
Feb 20, 2018
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ironmaiden666I’m a noob but how can you plug the ghentaudio cable into each speaker? The split is only a couple of inches long. I guess this just an example. If you could provide additional info on a decent cable. Thanks.
sl33pyhead
11
Feb 21, 2018
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I know its to late now but you should see your order under transactions. The email is not necessary, check your spam folder.
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