Creative Gigaworks T3 sub with different speakers

I was hoping someone might know something more about how audio works and let me know whether this is compatible or not.

I would like to use my Gigaworks T3 sub with my Gigaworks T40 speakers. The speakers that had come with the sub have died and now I feel like I'm wasting a perfectly good sub. I just bought the T40's and they have their own power supply unlike the old speakers. The sub outs 4ohms, I'm guessing this would harm the T40's if I plugged them in.

However, that is all assumption and I would like to hear what I might be able to do from someone who knows a bit more about audio connections and things of that sort.

Below are the links to the actual products themselves so that you can easily look at their specs.

Gigaworks T3
Gigaworks T40 Series II

Kirs Kringle

Posted 2013-12-04T20:34:16.937

Reputation: 244

Answers

The T40s are full range speakers - they don't need an amplifier to get the full range out of them, and have their own power supply. The subwoofer on the other hand has a crossover and will only send higher frequency signals to their satellite speakers, so you're losing out on full range of the T40s. You're also sending an amplified signal to a pair of amplified speakers so, you may end up driving them harder than they need to be. In short, not the greatest idea.

On the other hand, there's a smarter way to do this - if you have a 5.1 capable sound card, why not set up the T3's sub as a center/subwoofer, and the T40s as your front speakers. You have the same effect (MOAR BASS), without risking blowing anything up.

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Journeyman Geek

Posted 2013-12-04T20:34:16.937

Reputation: 119 122

Ah someone does know the answer. Thank you for explaining this to me. – Kirs Kringle – 2013-12-05T09:51:33.870

As someone who has a set of T3s, this is good to know and will give me something to consider if I ever feel the need to upgrade. @KirsKringle - Please update this with how well it works, I'd be genuinely interested in finding out. – Michael Frank – 2013-12-05T19:36:16.837

I currently do not have a 5.1 capable sound card. I use a laptop and I have the xi-fi go. So I cannot try this @MichaelFrank However, I might just split the main output connection and have it go to both. I feel though that this will cause timing issues. – Kirs Kringle – 2013-12-05T19:51:22.460

Only one way to find out! – Michael Frank – 2013-12-05T19:55:55.433

I'm not sure if it is damaging, but plugged them into the 4ohms out and it just amps them up louder. So I guess it is fine. I'm sure it damages something somewhere though.

Kirs Kringle

Posted 2013-12-04T20:34:16.937

Reputation: 244