I have a bookshelf stereo, with speakers connected via speaker wire – bare wire, into those clamp-like apertures in the back. Would this kind of speaker ever work with a computer? Is there an adapter that would let me plug those speakers into the computer’s jack?
It depends on the computer. Some sound cards will drive 8 ohm speakers but most will not.
Your computer’s audio output does not have sufficient voltage to drive a pair of stereo speakers – that’s why computer speakers always have their own power source (either batteries or a wall wart.)
But, all is not lost. If you have a spare input on your stereo receiver, you can connect your computer to it with a headphone-jack to RCA adapter like this. Then your stereo receiver can drive the speakers.
Actually, that’s exactly what I’m doing now. I just wondered if I could eliminate the middle-man (the stereo).
You’d still need some sort of amplifier, but that’s all you’d need. Radio Shack used to sell a compact little $25 stereo amplifier that I used precisely for this purpose for years.
Good to know. Thanks, all.
In deed. I have two versions of that little amplifier (one with built in speakers, one without) and they do a fine job.
You’d be surprised how much sound a small amp can deliver.
More input from the ‘small amp’ afficianodos club. I’ve got a realistic SA-150 integrated stereo amplifier ($2, yard sale) Right now, it’s only handling the computer sound. But it has tuner, tape and phono inputs. I’ve had my turntable and a component 8-Track player running it at the same time. Oh, the speakers are Realistic MC-1000s. Old School.
It sounds great. I rarely have it above three.
It goes to eleven.