computer speakers

[bobbibee]

Hi, a question, - Can I use ordinary speakers on my computer (e.g out of my car!) or do they have to be specifically computer speakers? Someone said that the computer types dont have magnetic coils - that might damage floppy disks etc. Thanks for any tips.

[pentachris]

Sound cards don't have amplifiers. The jack provides (I assume) line-level output - 750 mV. That's why PC speakers have a power cord to plug in.

You can buy an adapter to go from mic jack to shielded cables - then you could go line-in to your stereo if it doesn't have a mic jack. But headphones speakers are all it will push without an amplifier.

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Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

[bobbibee]

Yes, Thanx for that. The normal computer speakers have built-in amplifiers then. Just need an amplifier of some kind until I get the proper ones!

[bassman]

Hey Bobbibee,
Just a couple thoughts on this.

If you are just looking to get some sound out of your computer, there are some inexpensive fairly decent speakers out there. By the time you scavenge or buy the components to make a set of car speakers work, you might be ahead of the game to just buy some $10.00 computer speakers.

BUT, if you are trying to build a nice sound system for your machine using car speakers, you could also use a car amplifier. They run on 12 volt, computer power supplies provide 12 volt. A car amp uses a lot of juice though, so unless the PSU in your machine is extremely over-rated, I wouldn't use it for this.
Car amps have RCA inputs and you can find the adapter cable that Pentachris is talking about at just about any computer or electronics store.

Lastly, computer speakers DO have magnets. Since most of them are no-more then mid to low quality tweeters, the magnets on them are very small and light on the pull. You will get more action on your monitor from speakers then you will damage on a floppy.
I found a driver disk stuck to a case speaker (left the disk inside the case for safe keeping) once. Poped it in the drive, took a look around, it was completely undamaged.

Good luck http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

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Waiting patiently for the future to arrive.

Frank's Place (http://dreamwater.net/tech/frankscomp/)

[bobbibee]

Thanx a lot for further tips Bassman - and all points noted.
I should get some of those 10 buck speakers as well!