Speaker Jack Advice:

Anto.

Hi,

I purchased a Bush Dolby DVD/Surround Sound system quite some time ago and the 6 connections for the surround speakers are something like this for the back panel:



I purchased today one of those DVD/DIXV etc players from LIDL and would much rather use it, than the one supplied with the Bush surround sound as it can view multiple formats etc. the only 'problem' is that the 6 connections are for speaker jacks like these:







Can some type of 'connector' or jack be used to 'convert' the first type of connection into the second type of connection ?

Thanks in Advance.

MathsManiac

Not an expert at this, but here's how it seems to me:

That's a picture of a three-contact jack plug. However, if you've got one jack plug socket for each speaker, then each jack plug will be carrying a mono signal, so you just need mono (two-contact) jack plugs.

You can buy jack plugs in an electronics shop, like maplins or peats, but you'll have to attach them to the speaker wires yourself (probably by soldering). In a mono jack plug, the tip carries the signal and the sleeve (the main shaft) carries the return/ground. You'll need to figure out which is which in each twinwire. If you get them the wrong way round, that speaker will be out of phase - not dangereous or anything but won't sound quite right.

Anto.

MathsManiac wrote: »

Not an expert at this, but here's how it seems to me:

That's a picture of a three-contact jack plug. However, if you've got one jack plug socket for each speaker, then each jack plug will be carrying a mono signal, so you just need mono (two-contact) jack plugs.

You can buy jack plugs in an electronics shop, like maplins or peats, but you'll have to attach them to the speaker wires yourself (probably by soldering). In a mono jack plug, the tip carries the signal and the sleeve (the main shaft) carries the return/ground. You'll need to figure out which is which in each twinwire. If you get them the wrong way round, that speaker will be out of phase - not dangereous or anything but won't sound quite right.

I went into Maplin this morning and your man just pointed dimly at the soldering section - to be honest it wasn't much help, I had an idea what he was talking about, but will check out Peats tomorrow as Maplin obviously don't want my business.

Cheers man.

MathsManiac

Guess I assumed you'd find a competent and helpful assistant in whatevere shop you went to. Silly me.:rolleyes:

Here's what you want from peats catalogue:
http://www.peats.com/cgi-bin/test_new/catalog.cgi?view_product=1&id=1199&sid=21&cid=157&scid=331

If you don't have a soldering and have never soldered before, might as well start now! If this is the only job you're gonna do, just get a cheap one - they start from just over €30, and they should be able to give you a small quantity of cored solder (solder with flux inside) rather than making you buy a full roll.

Here's a link on how to solder:
http://www.aaroncake.net/electronics/solder.htm

And regarding phase: if your speaker wires are all the same (not like the five different ones you showed in the picture!) and if they have a way of distinguishing between the signal and return (one side red and one black, or a line on one side, say) just make sure you wire all six of them the same. Any thx-certified dvd should have a test utility for checking the phasing of the speakers relative to each other.

mathias

Im gonna take a wild guess here , and excuse me if Im wrong but this could be important ,


Some surround sound systems of the budget variety have an amplifier combined with the DVD player , they have speaker jacks that you plug your speakers into , because there is an actual amp in the DVD player.

Most DVD players , if not sold with a set of speakers , do not have an amp in them. Maybe the one from lidl does , but most dont. ( Edit , just checked and Im right , it doesnt ! )

Are you sure that the DVD divx that you bought has a combined amp in there ? If not , then what you are looking at is an analog surround output , that needs to be fed to a separate amp. They are not speaker jacks.

( Edit , just checked and Im right , it doesnt ! )
That player has a 5.1 analog surround out at line level , they are not for speakers , you connect those to the corresponding inputs on an AV amplifier.

MathsManiac

Sorry, I thought the question was just about getting the connection sorted, and I had assumed the OP knew he was connecting like with like. Sounds like you've looked into this in more detail, and are speaking wisely!

Anto.

MathsManiac wrote: »

Sorry, I thought the question was just about getting the connection sorted, and I had assumed the OP knew he was connecting like with like. Sounds like you've looked into this in more detail, and are speaking wisely!

Might just bring the one back as I purchased two of them, although I could just watch Divx etc on the t.v. just without surround sound..

Cheers lads.