setting up simple stereo system

[flemmyd]

so im trying to set up a very simple 2.1 stereo system for my TV. I don't want to sink money into this simple system. I have a 5.1 system on a larger tv.

I have a smaller 32 inch tv in my bedroom. I want to hookup my ps3/cable box and sometimes my computer to it. I can do all over HDMI; hunky dory. sound and video.

Now for the 2.1 system... I don't want a receiver. I was thinking of two ways to get this to work:
1. buy computer speakers that have a simple jack for hooking up to a computer. use a cable like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882021165
and hook it up through my TV's audio output.
2. buy traditional stereo speakers and hook them, somehow, directly into into the same audio out on my TV.

now my concerns: Because the ps3 and cable box are wired through the tv, can i just turn the volume down on the TV and control the volume through the speakers?
If i wanted to use traditional speakers, how would i power the speakers?

any other logistical issues I should know of? I'm trying to keep this system simple and cheap.

EDIT: i also have an optical out on the tv. i figure this is useless unless i use a receiver, right?

 

[E4g1e]

so im trying to set up a very simple 2.1 stereo system for my TV. I don't want to sink money into this simple system. I have a 5.1 system on a larger tv.

I have a smaller 32 inch tv in my bedroom. I want to hookup my ps3/cable box and sometimes my computer to it. I can do all over HDMI; hunky dory. sound and video.

Now for the 2.1 system... I don't want a receiver. I was thinking of two ways to get this to work:
1. buy computer speakers that have a simple jack for hooking up to a computer. use a cable like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882021165
and hook it up through my TV's audio output.
2. buy traditional stereo speakers and hook them, somehow, directly into into the same audio out on my TV.

now my concerns: Because the ps3 and cable box are wired through the tv, can i just turn the volume down on the TV and control the volume through the speakers?
If i wanted to use traditional speakers, how would i power the speakers?

any other logistical issues I should know of? I'm trying to keep this system simple and cheap.

EDIT: i also have an optical out on the tv. i figure this is useless unless i use a receiver, right?

For your TV-based setup, you will need powered (amplified) speakers because the TV's line or headphone out cannot drive traditional speakers at all (the output would be barely audible at even a few inches from the speaker even at maximum volume).

 

[TED]

for a very long time I used a car amp with an old AT power supply to power it, rigged up a pot to control the volume level. but if you do not need that and can control it from the source, all the better.

 

[flemmyd]

For your TV-based setup, you will need powered (amplified) speakers because the TV's line or headphone out cannot drive traditional speakers at all (the output would be barely audible at even a few inches from the speaker even at maximum volume).

My understanding was that traditional speakers didn't have the amp, so you needed a receiver which had an amp built in. The reason I brought up computer speakers was I thought they had amps built in. Do they not?

 

[IDversusEGO]

so im trying to set up a very simple 2.1 stereo system for my TV. I don't want to sink money into this simple system. I have a 5.1 system on a larger tv.

I have a smaller 32 inch tv in my bedroom. I want to hookup my ps3/cable box and sometimes my computer to it. I can do all over HDMI; hunky dory. sound and video.

Now for the 2.1 system... I don't want a receiver. I was thinking of two ways to get this to work:
1. buy computer speakers that have a simple jack for hooking up to a computer. use a cable like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882021165
and hook it up through my TV's audio output.
2. buy traditional stereo speakers and hook them, somehow, directly into into the same audio out on my TV.

now my concerns: Because the ps3 and cable box are wired through the tv, can i just turn the volume down on the TV and control the volume through the speakers?
If i wanted to use traditional speakers, how would i power the speakers?

any other logistical issues I should know of? I'm trying to keep this system simple and cheap.

EDIT: i also have an optical out on the tv. i figure this is useless unless i use a receiver, right?

1. computer speakers would work.

yes you can use the tv volume to control the master volume. set whatever you use to drive your speakers to a high volume and then use the TV to adjust. this retains your remote control abilities even with cheap PC speakers.

if you want to use traditional speakers, get one of these, the sonic T-amp. It is very highly regarded for just waht you are talkign about...driving standard speakers without a receiver.

for the optical out...pick up something like a used logitech z5500 set and you can use the optical out to pass 5.1

My understanding was that traditional speakers didn't have the amp, so you needed a receiver which had an amp built in. The reason I brought up computer speakers was I thought they had amps built in. Do they not?

they do, tiny ones.