Hacking audio amplifier

D

DaveC

Guest
A set of Harman Kardon Soundsticks are obsolete with most modern computers.
They originally took digital audio via USB output from the computer and fed
it to a multi-channel audio amplifier chip which drove 2 desktop speakers and
a sit-on-the-floor subwoofer. USB drivers are no longer available.

I'd like to make these work again by connecting the audio-out jack from the
computer to the appropriate points on the Soundsticks' PCB.

The main component on the PCB is the amplifier:

<http://oi55.tinypic.com/egrdyg.jpg>

My question is basic: how do I connect to both stereo inputs (inputs 1 and 2)
and at the same time connect to the subwoofer input (inputs 3 and 4)?

I presume the answer is a simple resistor network mixing the 2 signals for
input to 3/4?

And yes, there's filter networks there, too, and it is important to know the
appropriate "injection" point, which will take some time.

Thanks,
Dave
 
On Oct 11, 9:46 pm, DaveC <inva...@invalid.net> wrote:
A set of Harman Kardon Soundsticks are obsolete with most modern computers.
They originally took digital audio via USB output from the computer and fed
it to a multi-channel audio amplifier chip which drove 2 desktop speakers and
a sit-on-the-floor subwoofer. USB drivers are no longer available.

I'd like to make these work again by connecting the audio-out jack from the
computer to the appropriate points on the Soundsticks' PCB.

The main component on the PCB is the amplifier:

http://oi55.tinypic.com/egrdyg.jpg

My question is basic: how do I connect to both stereo inputs (inputs 1 and 2)
and at the same time connect to the subwoofer input (inputs 3 and 4)?

I presume the answer is a simple resistor network mixing the 2 signals for
input to 3/4?
Click to expand...
yes, plus a capacitor from 3/4 to ground so the sub only sees low
freqs. Ideally this RC filter should match the speaker's
characteristics, but jsut get it running now and you can tweak values
later if needed.

I'd use as high Rs as is workable to minimise crosstalk.


And yes, there's filter networks there, too, and it is important to know the
appropriate "injection" point, which will take some time.

Thanks,
Dave
Click to expand...
 
On Oct 11, 1:46 pm, DaveC <inva...@invalid.net> wrote:
A set of Harman Kardon Soundsticks are obsolete with most modern computers.
They originally took digital audio via USB output from the computer and fed
it to a multi-channel audio amplifier chip which drove 2 desktop speakers and
a sit-on-the-floor subwoofer. USB drivers are no longer available.

I'd like to make these work again by connecting the audio-out jack from the
computer to the appropriate points on the Soundsticks' PCB.

The main component on the PCB is the amplifier:

http://oi55.tinypic.com/egrdyg.jpg

My question is basic: how do I connect to both stereo inputs (inputs 1 and 2)
and at the same time connect to the subwoofer input (inputs 3 and 4)?
Click to expand...
Think a bit here -- the rationale for a common woofer is that the low
frequency sound is common to both left and right channels. Therefore,
all you need is a low pass filter from either channel 1 or channel 2.
The input impedance of the common amp has to be much higher than
anything you could make with resistors.

I presume the answer is a simple resistor network mixing the 2 signals for
input to 3/4?

And yes, there's filter networks there, too, and it is important to know the
appropriate "injection" point, which will take some time.
Click to expand...
Assuming there's a low pass filter circuit on the board somewhere,
connect channel 1 to its input.
 
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