A friend was sold a set of simple mains-powered speakers ($60) for his laptop but his W10 Acer unit only has a headphone-out port, ie, no sound-out port. Is there a USB dongle that would do the job?
Try plugging the speakers into the "headphone" port - it may be a multi purpose connection & may sound acceptable.
If not suitable USB audio interfaces are widely & cheaply available.
EDIT - it is normal for laptops to have only the one audio output as standard
As Notebooks/Laptops have gotten thinner and lighter more things have been left off and/or combined. I have only one older Notebook that has both Headset/Speaker port and a separate Microphone port along with a built-in camera/microphone and built-in speakers.
The headphone output is the same as sound output(line).
Laptops have just the one anyway these days as a Combo socket(4 contacts), rather than Speaker/Headphone and separate Mic.
He does not need a USB dongle.
Thanks for the responses. However, I neglected to say that plugging the speakers into the headphone port was the first thing I tried and there was no output.
RQT said: "If not suitable USB audio interfaces are widely & cheaply available." Sorry, I don't think that's correct. I've looked at a number of these devices online and they all seem to be aimed at boosting headphone sound.
LATER EDIT: I've just checked the online specs for my mate's Acer Aspire 1 A114-32 and it seems like the headphone port may also be suitable for speakers. I'll try it again.
Last edited by teckneeculler; 10 Oct 2022 at 16:27.
It is as simple as just unplugging headphones and plugging in Speakers instead and switching them on.
Just tried on my Laptop, no problem at all.
"I've looked at a number of these USB devices online and they all seem to be aimed at boosting headphone sound."
As has been said already, headphone output is OK for a Speaker input, no problem.
Thanks, Helmut. I've told my mate to try again with increased volume and come back.
However, when you said "As has been said already, headphone output is OK for a Speaker input, no problem.", it reminded me of a similar but unresolved issue of my own. Perhaps you or someone else may be able to comment.
My hearing is fairly duff, consequently I rarely use my car audio because it's muffled and grungy. It occurred to me that I could find a speaker lead that leads to a car speaker and reconnect it to a headphone port. Would this work?
Look at the plugs on headset or speaker leads, should be Tip, Ring, Sleeve contacts to give Stereo. There may be a fourth contact. In making up a plug getting them wrong could cause an issue.
Examples:
stereo plug at DuckDuckGo
The first thing that comes up for me on Google when I search for USB audio. Cheap (under $10) & readily available (Amazon). I could fill a page with links to similar.
Amazon.co.uk
The simplest solution is to buy a bluetooth receiver with a jack port.
https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg3237/bluetooth-2-in-1-transmitter-receiver/dp/AV28400?mckv=s_dc|pcrid|605262956593|kword||match||plid||slid||product|AV28400|pgrid|138313685015|pt aid|pla-914882006553|&CMP=KNC-GUK-CPC-SHOPPING-9262013734-138313685015-AV28400&s_kwcid=AL!5616!3!605262956593!!!network}!914882006553!&gclid=Cj0KCQjwy5maBhDdARIsAMxrkw10z_ b0xyifIs2xP7FZDlaymQFDYGvWifluouv9XUROKuAd8dpNsDAaArGKEALw_wcB
Quote