# Can I use my stereo speakers with my computer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 30, 2008, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-my-stereo-speakers-with-my-computer/451166 "2008-05-30T17:20:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-my-stereo-speakers-with-my-computer/451166/1 "2008-05-30T17:20:46Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-my-stereo-speakers-with-my-computer/451166/2 "2008-05-30T17:24:29Z")
It depends on the computer. Some sound cards will drive 8 ohm speakers but most will not. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-my-stereo-speakers-with-my-computer/451166/3 "2008-05-30T17:24:37Z")
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](http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=164). Then your stereo receiver can drive the speakers. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-my-stereo-speakers-with-my-computer/451166/4 "2008-05-30T17:36:23Z")
[QUOTE=friedo] 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](http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=164). Then your stereo receiver can drive the speakers. [/QUOTE] Actually, that’s exactly what I’m doing now. I just wondered if I could eliminate the middle-man (the stereo). ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-my-stereo-speakers-with-my-computer/451166/5 "2008-05-30T18:18:11Z")
[QUOTE=jsc1953] Actually, that’s exactly what I’m doing now. I just wondered if I could eliminate the middle-man (the stereo). [/QUOTE] 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. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-my-stereo-speakers-with-my-computer/451166/6 "2008-05-30T19:30:32Z")
Good to know. Thanks, all. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-my-stereo-speakers-with-my-computer/451166/7 "2008-05-30T19:35:42Z")
[QUOTE=KneadToKnow] 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. [/QUOTE] 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. ---
**Author:** ![Khampelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Khampelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khampelf)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2008, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-my-stereo-speakers-with-my-computer/451166/8 "2008-05-31T04:15:09Z")
[QUOTE=kunilou] 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. [/QUOTE] 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.