SPDIF to Line In ?

[Oreo]

I got gave a KEF PSW1000 subwoofer from my grandparents, nothing spectacular but it has the ability to add a bit of extra bass to my monitors for games. However, it has only 2 inputs.normal left right speaker wire, and Line In left right.

My soundcard only outputs in XLR, 1/4" TRS, Optical and SP DIF. So to my knowledge, this shouldn't work as i don't have the right outputs. But i got bored, and decided to plug the SP/DIF output into the left Line In on the sub. They appear to be the exact same connector, so i was interested in what would happen. I put on the bassiest music i could find.

And, well, it did make sound. There is a whole crap load of interference if i turn the input level up to full (imagine morse code, in a really deep tone), but when i play music there is a bass beat intine with the music - i mean it sounds terrible (the muddiest, most out of tune, least impactful crap), but it is there and it's definitely from the music.

Can anyone explain this ? i thought it would eithertotally work or not at all. Or are line in and spdif the same thing and i'm an idiot for not knowing this..

 

[Crysalis]

SPDIF is a digital signal. This would be the same as an optical output, just not using an optical line. It is not actual sound. Thus explaining the morse code sound.

 

[Crysalis]

What's REALLY cool is if you took that SPDIF signal and plugged it into an oscilliscope, you could visually see the "morse code".

 

[ricanflow]

That SPDIF jack doubles as a line in jack.

If the other connector is SPDIF compatible, youll get a digital signal. But if its a standard line in, thats an analog jack therefore thats why you hear the floor noise.

 

[Oreo]

Oh, makes sense now Thanks.

And funnily enough we just did about waves at school and did that exact thing with the oscilloscope.