is it possible to connect large speakers to a portable player? AV HELP!

[broshiggie]

Hey all... i have access to a speaker system and i was wondering if i could use my portable mp3 player as a source. The speaker system uses 2 1/4" plugs, however on ebay i found converters that will split my 1/8" female jack on the portable player into two 1/4" jacks.

I am not TOO concerned about sound quality... but i am wondering if this is bad for my portable player. It has a line-out setting, but i dunno how i would be able to control the volume using the setting. Do the larger speaker systems require a stronger signal (and hence draw more power), or will the built in amplifiers take care of it? I am assuming the speakers do not draw power from the source unit... am i wrong to make this assumption? The speakers are pretty large (i dont know much about speaker systems, but they look like 2 big guitar amps, and the amps my bro uses do not draw power from the guitar).

CLIFFS:

- want to connect portable mp3 player to large speaker system
- speakers use 1/4" jacks
- using 1/8" -> 2 1/4" converter
- wondering if this will create problems with my portable (power requirements)

 

[ElFenix]

if you have to plug them into the wall they are powered.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

You're going to need an amplifier.

 

[broshiggie]

ok, just to clarify.

The speakers are usually sent a signal via a rackmounted deck. It is basically in an Aerobics Room at my gym. I do not have access to the rack, but i have been given permission to bring my own music any way i deem fit.

My experience in audio has been limited to strictly car (installed a few subwoofer/amp systems, nothing fancy), and a very little bit regarding guitar amplifiers. I should note that the speakers in the aerobics room look like they are guitar amplifer type speakers (which--in my limited experience--plug into its own power source, not draw power from the signal).

Originally posted by: ThisIsMatt
You're going to need an amplifier.

I am not sure if i made it clear, but they LOOK like guitar type amplifiers. Is it fair to assume that this means the speakers have built in amplifiers, and just require a signal from the source (no power)? Can i assume that if these have a built in amplifier (i will try to look up the model specifications tomorrow), that it would also be safe to use my portable player as a signal source?

Can anybody with experience in audio electronics let me know if its a bad idea? I dont want the speakers to draw too much power from my source (the portable player) and fry it, so i figure i would ask the experts b4 trying.