Is it even possible to add a subwoofer to a gaming PC? I got great vintage polk audio monitors but want more bass.
You can in many ways, depending on how you hook them all up. You have the colored analog ports, S/PDIF, and USB.
Personally, I’ve only used the “.1” speaker sets that all plug into the subwoofer and that plugs into the green audio port on the motherboard.
The six colored audio ports may probably work for you since your speakers will be independent of the subwoofer. The orange audio port defaults for an independent subwoofer, though the ports can be reassigned as you wish via the Realtek Audio Windows control panel.
There’s also the option of having an A/V receiver and connect that to the PC.
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I use the S/PDIF output to my JVC 7.1 receiver. Subwoofer output from receiver to my powered subwoofer. Sounds amazing.
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What is driving the speakers?
I mean, you can(usually if the motherboard has a dedicated subwoofer out), but it’s kind of lackluster compared to a dedicated system unless you know what you’re doing. Subwoofers are ideally meant to fill in the gap left by your main speakers.
If your speakers start say rolling off at 120 Hz, and your subwoofer is focused around 50 Hz, you’re going to have a gap in between where there will be a lack of bass at those frequencies. Now, say your speakers roll off at 60 Hz, and your subwoofer is focused around 60 Hz, now they’re both overlapping and both boosting either other and making a big mess letting you only hear bass at 60 Hz. Generally, there is software to roll-off the non-subwoofer to prevent this from happening, but not all softwares let you fine tune it to your specific audio gear.
What I use is a this
Audio out from PC into a T amp into vintage Polk audio monitor series 4 speakers from 1989 when Polk made good stuff.
I’m not sure why this a question but you can do a sub no problem, been putting subs on my hamming rigs since 1995.
Google is your friend.
Always 1 in the crowd. 