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Cal Carpenter

(4,959 posts)
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 01:37 PM Oct 2015

Question about USB extension for computer speakers

Hi folks,

Hoping someone can answer a question for me, probably an easy one but google is giving me mixed/old results...

I am wondering about using a USB extension for a pair of computer speakers. The computer is a desktop (sorta old, running Windows 7) and the speakers are a pretty basic model of Insignia brand speakers (just a pair - no subwoofers, and they are probably about 5 yrs old if that matters). They have a USB cable with one plug. They sound just fine. It probably doesn't matter but I'm mostly using my iTunes music collection, may use Pandora etc occasionally.

Now I need the speakers to reach about 15-20 feet away. Can't really move the computer, and certainly not to where the speakers would reach the spot where I want them.

I see there are USB extension cables that are 10 or 15 or even 50 feet long. There are various designations, most commonly 2.0 male-to-female.

Is this good for what I need to do? I just want to make sure the quality of the sound doesn't suffer too much although it doesn't have to be awesome or anything, and it won't be used at a very high volume.

I've seen some reviews where people accidentally bought 1.1 usb extenders and were pissed that they weren't 2.0 so I won't make that mistake.

But if anyone can confirm that a 2.0 male-to-female should do the trick, I would appreciate it.

Also, if anyone knows if the length makes a difference in the quality/ability. Like if I go overboard and get a 50 foot extension for future possibilities, would that screw things up, am I better off getting the shortest possible one?

I'm so fucking clueless on digital tech it is sort of embarrassing.

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Question about USB extension for computer speakers (Original Post) Cal Carpenter Oct 2015 OP
Are the speakers powered via USB or via a separate power supply? PoliticAverse Oct 2015 #1
Powered with just the USB Cal Carpenter Oct 2015 #2
I'm not sure how well the 32' one will work with speakers that are solely USB powered. PoliticAverse Oct 2015 #3
Okay, got it Cal Carpenter Oct 2015 #4
Yeah the hub would need to plug into the wall near where the speakers are placed. PoliticAverse Oct 2015 #5
Awesome Cal Carpenter Oct 2015 #6
MonoPrice is a great site for wires/cables. gvstn Oct 2015 #7

PoliticAverse

(26,366 posts)
1. Are the speakers powered via USB or via a separate power supply?
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 01:43 PM
Oct 2015

A 15' USB cable would be fine, provided it is a quality cable (i.e. one using thicker wires).
The technical limit for a USB cable is about 16'. Beyond 16' it is advisable to get a cable that
uses a "repeater" to regenerate the signal.

For decent cables at decent prices see:
http://www.monoprice.com/category/cables/usb-cables

Example of a 15' extension cable:
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=5435

Example of a 32' extension cable with repeater:
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=6149


Cal Carpenter

(4,959 posts)
2. Powered with just the USB
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 02:04 PM
Oct 2015

Thanks so much for the info and links. That 32' one is a very reasonable price. Without getting into all the details I had already been thinking about much more complicated and expensive solutions to my problem so this is great.

Thanks again!

PoliticAverse

(26,366 posts)
3. I'm not sure how well the 32' one will work with speakers that are solely USB powered.
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 02:17 PM
Oct 2015

In order to have sufficient power for the speakers you'll probably need a repeater cable
that uses a separate power supply, or use an active hub at the end of the cable that has
its own power supply, like:

http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=5328

Cal Carpenter

(4,959 posts)
4. Okay, got it
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 02:28 PM
Oct 2015

So does that hub plug into the wall as well as the computer? Is that how it works?

I will break out the measuring tape and see if the 16 footer would suffice. If not, would it make sense to try the 32' and if it doesn't work, to get that hub you linked? That's still well worth it price-wise to me.



Thanks!

PoliticAverse

(26,366 posts)
5. Yeah the hub would need to plug into the wall near where the speakers are placed.
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 02:59 PM
Oct 2015

Be nice if the shorter cable would work, else then the longer cable and maybe the hub also.

gvstn

(2,805 posts)
7. MonoPrice is a great site for wires/cables.
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 05:08 PM
Oct 2015

At their prices you can afford to make a mistake. Reminds me of the old days as a kid buying adapters/cables at RadioShack, just to experiment.

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