Amplifier/Pre-amplifier?

merenguera0425
merenguera0425 Posts: 1
edited February 2014 in Electronics
Hello!
I teach a zumba class and ordered a ZLX-12 PE speaker. Now I realize that it would need a XLR connector or some kind of headphone jack. I called the company and I would also need a pre-amplifier. Now I am confused because wouldn't I need an amplifier too? Please help me. I want to be to play music in a small dance studio at my school. What should I buy so I can connect the speakers to my phone or my computer? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Post edited by merenguera0425 on
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Comments

  • Habanero Monk
    Habanero Monk Posts: 715
    edited January 2014
    You will need an amp and a source. Not necessary to get a pre-amp unless you want to be able to switch between sources.

    What is your scenario and what is your budget? If just a computer you could use a small amp (say 50-75 watts per channel) and go out of the 1/8th headphone jack into the amp.

    http://www.parts-express.com/audiosource-amp100-2-ch-source-switching-power-amplifier--302-601

    http://www.parts-express.com/35mm-slim-plug-male-to-2-x-rca-male-adapter-cable-5-ft--240-065
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited January 2014
    Why would he need an amp for a powered speaker ?

    Dude, you need a pre-amp with balanced connections or something with a volume control. The speaker itself is self powered. Depends on what you want to do, what you want to play music with....IPOD, CD player, etc.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,500
    edited January 2014
    Off this page

    http://www.zzounds.com/item--ELVZLX112P

    They have a link to a pdf manual for ZLX-12P speaker. The 'P' meaning powered speaker. Didn't see anything about 'E'.

    http://c3.zzounds.com/media/man-724f8be00b2c54c844a80c95eab60828.pdf

    It says

    "Connect the 3.5 mm mini jack, XLR or TRS cable from an audio source to AUX IN, INPUT 1 or INPUT2."

    It also shows one XLR is an output to another powered speaker or the sub they sell. I see the XLR/TRS inputs in the image (3 contact 1/4" phono plug.

    They also show the speaker has a master volume control so that would mean no need for a pre amp unless you have multiple sources to switch from. Maybe they say you need pre amp if your source doesn't have the connections to connect directly to the powered speaker. I dunno....
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited February 2014
    When I dj weddings and I have the cocktail hour in a seperate room than the reception, I have an ipod velcro to the back of an ev zxa5 using a 1/8 to xlr cable. . I can use the I ternsl speaker volume and the ipod volume. As long as you don't need a mic also, your fine. If you do need a mic, get a cheaper 4 channel yamaha mg mixer.
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  • Habanero Monk
    Habanero Monk Posts: 715
    edited February 2014
    tonyb wrote: »
    Why would he need an amp for a powered speaker ?

    Dude, you need a pre-amp with balanced connections or something with a volume control. The speaker itself is self powered. Depends on what you want to do, what you want to play music with....IPOD, CD player, etc.

    The when I googled the result took me to musiciansfriend.com and showed a passive speaker

    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/electro-voice-zlx-12-12-2-way-passive-loudspeaker


    All the OP needs at this point is most likely a bump box like the ART CleanBox Pro

    http://www.amazon.com/ART-CLEANBOXPRO-CLEANBoxPro/dp/B003S7T49K

    Do this in Chrome:

    Select 'ZLX-12 PE' in the original post with a left>right drag of the mouse. Then drag to a new tab in Chrome. Electrovoices site also comes up with the passive version.

    Not sure what the OP has at this moment.

    Also used to seeing 'A' active and 'P' for Passive (not powered).
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