Re: Power SupplySpecs for small computer speakers

[lsm]

Hi

Could someone out there help me by telling me what size of a power supply is necessary to power the speakers that are hooked up to my computer?
Thank you
lsm

[Salmon Trout]

What kind of speakers? Isn't there a little label saying something like "NN volts NNN mA" somewhere near a DC power input socket?

Withoput knowing the brand and model we are not going to be able to help you very much.

[t_blake07]

I was unaware that the power supply is what provides power to the speakers. They should plug directly into an electrical outlet in the wall. The only connection between the PC and the speaker(s), is an audio jack of some sort.

[Salmon Trout]

t_blake07, you are confused maybe or is English not your first language? There are 2 sorts of pc speakers

1. Unpowered speakers which connect directly to the pc's sound outlet, just like headphones would. These are powered directly by the sound card or sound hardware on the motherboard. They can sound feeble due to the low audio power available.

2. Powered speakers which contain amplification of their own which do not sound so feeble. These have their own little power supply which plugs into the AC wall outlet and supplies low voltage DC. It can be a little brick shaped device or what (I believe) Americans call a "wall wart". This power supply is nothing to do with the PC's power supply.

Sets of powered speakers come in different sizes and have different voltage and current requirements. There is no way to tell what type or size of power supply the OP needs because we don't know what speakers he or she has.

[lsm]

They are small 7 3/4inches X 4 inches X 3 inches. Made in China and have no labels that i can see. They look like Startech Cyber Acoustics CA2016 and are powered by the wall wart as you have refered to the  little D.C. converter. They plug into the sound jack of the computer.

[t_blake07]

t_blake07, you are confused maybe or is English not your first language?

Seriously?  Anyways, I've never owned speakers that didn't plug directly into the wall via AC adapter, nor have I seen speakers that were powered by the PC itself. Doesn't mean they don't exhist, i've just never seen any. Then again i've never looked to buy speakers that would provide a "feeble" sound as you described above. So I apologize for the confusion.

Sets of powered speakers come in different sizes and have different voltage and current requirements. There is no way to tell what type or size of power supply the OP needs because we don't know what speakers he or she has.

I am confused about this though. If the speakers are powered through a wall outlet, why would it matter what the PC's power supply wattage output is?

[Salmon Trout]

I am confused about this though. If the speakers are powered through a wall outlet, why would it matter what the PC's power supply wattage output is?

Again, I wonder about your reading skills. I never mentioned the PC's power supply's wattage.

Startech Cyber Acoustics CA2016

Maybe best to buy the right Startech psu

[Geek-9pm]

Seriously?  Roll Eyes Anyways, I've never owned speakers that didn't plug directly into the wall via AC adapter, nor have I seen speakers that were powered by the PC itself.

I have. Bought on in South America. The case had a jack for the five volt line. Speakers and case were sold as a set. Never saw another one after that.

[Gizmologist]

There should be a small circle with a dot in the middle of it next to the DC input jack. There will also be a + mark with a line pointing to the dot in the center of the circle or the circle itself. That indicates which pole is positive.

Easiest solution is to go to Radio Shack and get a universal DC supply. They come with a variety of input adapters, have polarity reverse switches and selectable voltages.

Most (bit not all) speakers have a center positive connection and are powered by about 9 volts DC.

If you get a 500ma. 3-12 VDC supply you will be fine. Set the supply for 9 vdc to start unless you can see the voltage marking on the speaker as was earlier described.

BTW in the US these ARE referred to as "wall warts"

[t_blake07]

I have. Bought on in South America. The case had a jack for the five volt line. Speakers and case were sold as a set. Never saw another one after that.

Like I said in the same reply that you quoted, i've never seen any, doesn't mean they don't exhist though.

Again, I wonder about your reading skills. I never mentioned the PC's power supply's wattage.

Wow. I'm actually arguing with someone on a forum about speakers. You said there is no way to tell what type or size of PSU is needed, because we don't know the specs/requirements of the speakers. Again I ask, why does it matter if the speakers are already powered? If you even bother responding, try and do so without an insulting tone.

[Gizmologist]

When he says the speakers are powered that simply means there is an amplifier INSIDE the speaker.

The term does NOT mean there is AC or DC power already provided for the speaker.

All powered (amplified) speakers need  an external source of AC or DC electrical power.

[rthompson80819]

Ism, I'm a little confused on why you asked the first question.  If you have the ac to dc converter that came with the speakers, why are you asking about what is needed to power the speakers?  Are the speakers not working?  If the ac to dc converter is dead the output voltage is usually, but not always, marked on the part that plugs into the wall.

If the ac to dc adapter is dead, most electronics stores have adapters that will work.  But unless you have really good speakers, it may be cheaper just to buy a new set of speakers.

[Geek-9pm]

If he can not get the speakers to work, send them to me.
I need an extra pair of speakers.