[LMB] OT: another stupid CD question

[James]

It really depends, actually.

Some portable devices have really weedy headphone amplifiers that may
not be able to drive speakers without really cranking up the volume on
the device and speakers, and even then you get a noisy dreck that
sounds like a really bad AM radio. (Partly because the amplifier in
the device distorts at high volumes, and that the speakers don't get
enough signal to rise much above the noise).

Other devices can easily overdrive amplifiers, in which case you have
to turn it to a listenable level, and turn the volume until you can
hear it distort, then back it down a touch. This will set the output
level to something your speakers like, using as much input swing as
possible - it gives really good audio.

(Which is why you want line-level outputs, which are standardized.)
But until you try, you don't know. If it's an older model device, from
say 10 years ago, it'll probably be the latter that has plenty of
volume. Newer devices have wimpier amplifiers that are great for
battery life, not so much for external speaker use.

And technically, unless the speakers are designed to be plugged into
headphone outputs, you really shouldn't (Line level is different from
headphone output). However, practically, it doesn't matter - if it
works, great. You won't damage anything since the outputs are designed
to handle all sorts of wierd equipment.