Can I Use A Headphone Amp to Power Speakers?
You've probably wondered if your headphone amplifier can power your bookshelf speakers. The short answer is: technically yes, but just because you can, doesn't really mean you should.
While a headphone amp might produce some sound from your speakers, it's not designed for this purpose and could damage your equipment. Let's break down why this doesn't work the way you'd hope and what you should use instead.
Why Headphone Amps and Speakers Don't Mix Well
Here's the thing: headphone amps and speaker amps are built for completely different jobs. Headphones need very little power to work. We're talking about milliwatts of power. Your average headphone amp pushes around 100-300 milliwatts at most.
Speakers, on the other hand, are power-hungry beasts. Even small bookshelf speakers typically need several watts of power to produce decent volume. The impedance is different too. Most headphones have an impedance between 32 to 300 ohms, while speakers usually sit at 4 to 8 ohms.
When you connect speakers to a headphone amp, you're asking a lightweight engine to pull a heavy truck. The amp will struggle, overheat, and potentially burn out. Plus, the sound quality will be terrible because the amp can't provide the current speakers need for clean, undistorted audio.
What Happens When You Try It Anyway
- Distorted sound: Your music will sound weak, thin, and distorted even at low volumes
- Overheating risk: The headphone amp's components will get dangerously hot trying to meet the power demands
- Potential damage: You could fry the amplifier's output stage or damage the speakers
- Clipping and distortion: The amp will clip (max out) almost immediately, creating harsh distortion
- No bass response: Speakers need power to move air and produce bass, which a headphone amp can't deliver
- Volume limitations: You'll barely get any usable volume before everything sounds awful
The impedance mismatch alone is a dealbreaker. When you connect 8-ohm speakers to an amp designed for 32+ ohm headphones, the amp tries to push too much current through its circuits. This creates excessive heat and stress on components that weren't built to handle it.
The Right Tool for the Job: What You Actually Need
Forget the headphone amp for your speakers. You need a proper speaker amplifier or powered speakers. Here's what works:
Dedicated Speaker Amplifiers
These are built specifically to drive passive speakers. They have the power output (measured in watts per channel), proper impedance matching, and cooling systems to handle speaker loads. You can find good options from brands like SMSL, Fosi Audio, or Yamaha starting around $50-100.
Powered/Active Speakers
These have amplifiers built right in. You just plug them into your audio source and you're done. Brands like Edifier, PreSonus, and JBL make excellent powered speakers. This is often the easiest solution if you're just getting started.
AV Receivers
If you want more features like multiple inputs, tone controls, and room for expansion, an AV receiver gives you everything in one box. They're more expensive but offer the most versatility.
The key difference? These devices are designed to handle low impedance loads and deliver real power. A decent speaker amp will output 20-100 watts per channel, which is what speakers need to perform properly.
Can You Ever Use Headphone Amps with Speakers?
There's one exception to this rule, and it's pretty specific. Some high-end headphone amps can technically drive very sensitive speakers at extremely low volumes in nearfield listening situations (like desktop setups). We're talking about speakers with 90+ dB sensitivity ratings placed within arm's reach.
But even then, it's not recommended. You're still stressing the amp beyond its design limits, and the sound quality won't be as good as using proper amplification. The juice isn't worth the squeeze.
If you already have a headphone amp and want to experiment safely, keep the volume very low and don't leave it running for extended periods. Watch for any heat buildup. But honestly, you're better off spending $50 on a proper small speaker amp than risking hundreds of dollars in equipment damage.
Conclusion
So can you use a headphone amp to power speakers? Sure, you can plug them in and get some sound. But should you? Absolutely not. The impedance mismatch, insufficient power output, and risk of damage make this a bad idea all around.
Invest in the right equipment from the start. A dedicated speaker amplifier or powered speakers will give you better sound, protect your gear, and save you money in the long run. Your ears (and your wallet) will thank you!
Ready to upgrade your audio setup? Look into budget-friendly speaker amps from SMSL or Fosi Audio, or grab a set of powered speakers from Edifier. Your music deserves better than a struggling headphone amp!
Elevate Your Listening Experience With These Related Articles
Enjoyed this article? Feel free to check out these related topics!