Do speakers bought in US work only on US voltage ?

[wearetheborg]

Or are they voltage generic, like they will work on 230V 50Hz ? I want to get speakers for some friends in Asia

 

[corkyg]

Speakers do not necessarily require line voltage. Only those that combine speaker and amplifier. In such cases, use a small transformer/voltage converter. If you use an external amplifier or receiver, then it may take care of that. Cheap speaker-amplifiers are less likely to offer voltage choices. Just make that a prerequisite when you product search. Sample:

Voltage

Also, read this:

Speakers

 

[Zepper]

Some have only US and some have "universal" voltage/freq. Should be on the spec sheet of any model you are interested in.

.bh.

 

[Billb2]

If you plug the speaker into a wall outlet to power it, then it must match the frequency and voltage of the outlet. If you only plug it into a sound source (Reciever, anplfier, etc) then, yes, they are universal, and any will work anywhere..

 

[wearetheborg]

I am thinking about powered speakers. Eg ALTEC LANSING ADA885.
The spec sheet says:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/acc/ada885/en/specs.htm

" USA/Canada 120v/360W/60Hz
Europe/United Kingdom and various Asian Countries 230v/50Hz "

Does that mean there are two models ? One for for US one for rest of the world ?

 

[corkyg]

That means either the power connection is switchable or there are two models. Switchable is good.

 

[Zepper]

You may have to call or email Altec to find out for sure. I would take that as meaning separate models without more info.

.bh.

 

[corkyg]

Here are the specs from a different source:

Audio Amplifier: Integrated
Digital Input: S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format)
Audio Output: 4 x satellite 15 watts per; 1 x subwoofer 60 watts.
Battery: 2 AAA for remote
Cable(s) included: RCA cable, 2Xstereo, Dongle (RCA to Stereo)
Compliant Standards: Dolby Surround Pro Logic, Dolby Digital Surround, THX
Dimensions (WxDxH): 1 x 34.5 cm x 29 cm x 23.5 cm; 2 x 10.2 cm x 13 cm x 15.5 cm; 2 x 12 cm x 10.5 cm x 10.8 cm.
Enclosure Color: Beige
Enclosure Type: External proprietary
Output Power / Total : 120 Watt (103dB SPL at listening position)
Port(s) / Connector(s) Required: 1 (or 2 for surround) audio line-out / mini-phone stereo plug 3.5 mm female; 1 x audio SPDIF output.
Power: Power supply integrated AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Power Supply / Device: Power supply integrated Response Bandwidth: 27 - 20000 Hz
Sound Output Mode: Stereo, StereoX2, Prologic, Quad, Dolby Dig

According to that, it is integrated and switchable. Good selection.

 

[Zepper]

Even with Corky's info, I'd still verify before laying out the cash...

.bh.

 

[wearetheborg]

The manual mentions
"POWER REQUIREMENTS
USA/Canada 120v/360W/60Hz
Europe/United Kingdom and various Asian Countries 230v/50Hz
UL/CU/CE Approved"

I contacted Altec Lansing. Guy first said its a discontued model. Then said domestic speakers were meant to work on 120V. I get the feeling he is not sure.
Suppose a guy gets the speaker set and opens the box, and looks at the manual. Why would they list both voltages unless it would work on both ? If not, they could just have had two manual, for two sets of speakers.

 

[Flurd]

Going by the specifications listed the power supply will be able to switch between the two voltages automatically. The only problem that will be encountered is the fact that Asian countries will use differently shaped plugs. This can be solved through the use of an adapter. I went through a similar problem with my laptop. The power supply was able to utilize both American and European voltages but I needed and adapter for the plug to be able to use it in England. Once I used the adapter everything was fine. They're not hard to find. Search 'travel power adapters" in Google. Hope my information helps.