Can I hook up external speakers to a laptop that has only an output for headphones?

[hashbrowns]

Can I hook up external speakers to a laptop that has only an output for headphones. Is it worth doing this or will the sound still be crappy?

Thanx in advance

 

[Budman]

Why dont you try it & hear for yourself?

 

[hashbrowns]

we'll i dont actually have a laptop but my gf does. she wanted me to buy some speakers for her and i was thinking about buying some USB ones cuz im not sure regular ones will do anything special.

 

[MichaelD]

If the speakers are powered speakers, like the ones they sell that you plug a Walkman into, yes, but if not, no.

In other words, the headphone output of your laptop puts out maybe 250 milliwatts at best. Enough to drive a small set of headphones, but not enough to drive a set of speakers...or even one for that matter. If it's a POWERED set, then you are GTG.

 

[hashbrowns]

thanx a lot michaelD. very helpful. now i just need to find some good speakers in the 30-50$ range... any thoughts?

 

[MichaelD]

No, not really, but I would imagine that any $25 set of speakers designed to plug a Walkman into would be fine. They usually come with the two speakers, cords and the power adapter. Some even run off batteries ,but that sucks as the batts die in about an hour.

 

[hashbrowns]

you think a subwoofer is worth my investment? Maybe something like THIS

 

[SammyBoy]

yes, get little battery powered ones, or ones that plug into the wall

 

[ObiDon]

That's funny, I was just about to recommend the ACS-33 speakers. The only minor downside to them is that there's no treble/bass controls but you can usually find OEM ACS-33 for $20 if you live near a Fry's Electronics.

 

[hashbrowns]

thanx obidon... the acs33s look pretty good for around 30. i think i might go with them. thanx again to everyone who helped me out.