Will an Airport Express power a pair of USB speakers?

[Azzin]

Silly question, but I'm curious as I have an unused pair that I'd like to use in the bedroom.

Cheers.

 

[GGJstudios]

Silly question, but I'm curious as I have an unused pair that I'd like to use in the bedroom.

No. The USB port on the AE is basically only for a printer.

Uses for the USB port of Time Capsule, AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express

 

[waw74]

if the usb is only used for power, then maybe, i've charged my phone off of before, but you will still have to hook up the audio using a separate cable.

 

[b0blndsy]

Please check Apple support on this.

 

[Azzin]

Thanks gang, it was worth a try.

 

[waw74]

from the rogue ameoba site, they make airfoil, a program with similar function to airtunes/airplay, but lets you send from any program on the computer.

http://rogueamoeba.com/utm/2006/11/03/

Q: Can you plug in USB speakers to the AirPort Express?

A: In brief, yes.

The full answer is a bit more complex though. Apple has a FAQ which would seem to indicate that you can’t do this. So what’s up?

What Apple means is that you can’t use digital USB speakers, where the audio signal travels over USB. However, there exist speakers that are simply powered by USB, while the audio signal travels over an analog cable. USB-powered speakers simply plug in to the USB port for power and the analog output port to receive the audio signal.

there should be enough power in the usb port to drive them, not sure what the rating is though, or how much your speakers will draw.
while "not supported" it should work.

 

[paduck]

Silly question, but I'm curious as I have an unused pair that I'd like to use in the bedroom.

Yes, the Airport Express will power USB speakers via its USB port. You still have to plug the speakers in via the speaker plug. I have three Airport Expresses and cheap USB speakers plugged in on my network. Works great!

 

[Azzin]

Brilliant-thanks gang!

I'm going to get a pair of reasonably nice USB speakers for the shed and a pair for the garage!

So I just need a pair of USB speakers and the audio lead to go the the AE?

 

[paduck]

Brilliant-thanks gang!

I'm going to get a pair of reasonably nice USB speakers for the shed and a pair for the garage!

So I just need a pair of USB speakers and the audio lead to go the the AE?

Yep. I bought a couple $10 pairs of HP speakers from Walmart. It does take a couple of seconds for the speakers to get enough power, but once they're on, they're on.

Good luck!

 

[Azzin]

Any thoughts on any of these: http://www.maplin.co.uk/search?criteria=USB+speakers

Thanks again.

 

[anthorumor]

Yep. Using AE (2005 model!) with this. Purely experimental ofcourse as I don't see a huge advantage over simply plugging it in. But it's cool...

 

[stillill]

Hey just want to confirm, did the Altec Lansing XT1 speakers work? oh man they are pretty expensive. Any cheap/weak alternatives from anyone?

I bought some cheapy speakers from Argos and they work for a short period then seem to pull the AExp down, and Airport Utility gives a 'usb power problem' alert.

These are ones that DON'T WORK at high volumes, but seem to work at low output...
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9294343/Trail/searchtext%3EILUV+SPEAKERS.htm

I too want to have the least powerhungry speakers if poss - just for behind the headboard in the bedroom.

 

[anthorumor]

Altec Lansing XT1 works but they have been superseded hence being expensive. I believe Logitech sells some pretty good modern USB speakers, though I'm not sure if the power draw from the USB port on the Express is sufficient enough; it certainly was for the XT1.

Hey just want to confirm, did the Altec Lansing XT1 speakers work? oh man they are pretty expensive. Any cheap/weak alternatives from anyone?

I bought some cheapy speakers from Argos and they work for a short period then seem to pull the AExp down, and Airport Utility gives a 'usb power problem' alert.

These are ones that DON'T WORK at high volumes, but seem to work at low output...
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9294343/Trail/searchtext%3EILUV+SPEAKERS.htm

I too want to have the least powerhungry speakers if poss - just for behind the headboard in the bedroom.

 

[robogobo]

Thread back from the dead

The AE will indeed power USB speakers. In fact, the older models are much better at it than the newer ones. I have three sets of AE + Logitech z110 speakers running via AirPlay all over the house. Speakers are powered by the AE USB port. The newer AEs will clip really badly if you turn the volume all the way up, and the sound quality isn't as good as the older AEs.

In any case, the Airport Express puts out a standard 5v from its USB port, so it can power anything a normal USB port powers, including charging your iPod/iPhone.

 

[Azzin]

Just to resurrect my own thread, Amazon have the Logitech Z110 USB speakers for £12.99 delivered.