Adding a center speaker to existing stereo PC speakers

Enhancing Audio Experience: Integrating a Center Speaker with Your Existing PC Speaker Setup

Upgrading your computer audio system can significantly improve your listening experience, especially for activities like gaming, watching movies, or listening to music. One popular enhancement is adding a dedicated center speaker to create a more immersive sound environment. If you own a Sony SS-CT51 speaker system and wish to incorporate its center speaker into your existing Logitech Z207 speakers, this guide will walk you through the process and considerations for a successful integration.

Understanding Your Equipment

Before proceeding, it’s important to comprehend the configuration of your speakers. The Sony SS-CT51 is a compact speaker system that typically includes a front-left, front-right, and a center speaker, designed to work together as a surround sound setup. Your Logitech Z207 speakers are a stereo pair, serving as left and right channels, connected directly to your monitor or audio source.

The Challenge: Connecting the Sony Center Speaker

The Sony SS-CT51 center speaker has positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on its back, indicating it is an active speaker designed to be powered or connected in a specific manner. To add this center speaker to your current setup, you need to consider several factors:

1. Power Source Compatibility

2. Signal Routing and Control

3. Proper Wiring to Avoid Damage

Step-by-Step Integration Guide

1. Assess the Center Speaker Type

2. Determine if the Sony SS-CT51 center speaker is passive or active.

3. Passive speakers require an amplifier or receiver for power and signal processing.

4. Active speakers have built-in amplification, needing only a line-level input.

5. Based on the specifications, the Sony SS-CT51 is generally a passive speaker component, which means it needs to be connected to an amplifier or receiver that can power and process the audio signal.

6. Consider Your Existing Setup

7. Your Logitech Z207 speakers are powered speakers connected to your monitor, which acts as an audio source.

8. To integrate the center speaker, you will require an amplifier or a compatible A/V receiver that can feed all channels properly.

9. Choosing the Right Amplification

10. If your current setup lacks an amplifier or receiver, you may need to acquire one capable of handling multiple channels, including a dedicated center channel.

11. For a computer-specific setup, consider a stereo receiver or an active speaker system with multiple inputs.

12. Wiring the Center Speaker

13. Connect the amplifier’s front-center channel output to the + and – terminals