Amplifier advice please

[#1]

MY ASUS ROG laptop, has an output impedence rating tht can be changed using the ASUS software ( apparently ! ) . two settings are available... 64 ohms.. to give a range of 64ohms to 150ohms or 150 ohms to give a range of 150 to 300 ohms..

I would like to get a pair of "old style" wooden cabinet stereo speakers ( ex stereogram/stereo system ) like these

eBay item number:205216990742

as you can see, they are rated at 4 ohms.

From doing a google about this, I think I will need an amplifier to plug in to the earphone socket, and then plug in/wire up/connect the speakers to the amplifier.

Otherwise, I am likely to damage the sound card on the laptop.

I do not want huge amounts of volume, just would like to listen to quality sound in the lounge, rather than having to walk around iwth bluetooth or RF headphones on.

Can anyone suggest a reasonably low cost amplifier that would suit this application.... the ASUS output impedence would remain, "as is" at 64 ohms.  so that, presumably, would be the "input" impedence to the amplifier.

[#2]

I would expect your laptop output to effectively be designed to drive headphones, and fairly lightweight ones at that.

Any old HiFi amplifier that has a "phono" level input (typically labelled AUX) will almost certainly do the job, just don't use the turntable input if it has one as that's designed for much tinier signals from a vinyl cartridge.

You can also buy very cheap Bluetooth devices that plug into such an amplifier input (I have a tiny little rechargeable USB-powered one) so any source with a Bluetooth connection can play through it with needing cables.

[#3]

@shutter something like this https://www.richersounds.com/fosi-audio-bt10a-black/#tab-description

Similar price on Amazon but I'm sure you could find similar (cheaper) items on ebay

[#4]

@HPsauce   OK... don`t want to have a big old stereo unit lurking somewhere !...but you suggest you know of a cheap bluetooth unit, that I could plug in...I have bluetooth output on the ASUS laptop.. so I am assuming you are saying the bluetooth is a "receiver" and "amplifier with output connections to "external speakers"... BUT would that be capable of driving ( say ) a pair of 6ohm 6inch speakers ?

@MisterW  Thanks for your suggestion.. and the linky... looks like a nice unit.. Maybe that is the sort of thing that @HPsauce  is referring to ? ? ?

Thanks to both.

[#5]

@shutter it is, except that it has Bluetooth built-in as well as the AUX input

[#6]

@MisterW ok... SO ... I could wire it direct on the AUX input from the phones output socket.. OR use bluetooth, which makes it more "flexible" in the location of the amplifier. 

I used to mess about with Crystal sets, and low voltage valve radio construction, and I think I might have an old Maplin 3.5 watt amplifier module that runs off a 9v battery...  but not sure if that would be powerful enough for a PAIR of speakers on either 4 o4r 6 ohms impedence.  I moved recently and left most of my "junk" behind !.. so can`t remember if I still have it...

I presume that if the output is 3.5watts then that would only be 1.75watts to each speaker of a pair connected to it in parallel ?

I`ll do some more googling on that idea, and see if I can find the unit, or another more powerful output. and report back !

Thanks

[#7]

@shutter @MisterW nice little unit that, does the job and is flexible.

FYI I was thinking of a second-hand amplifier (cheap as chips) and separate tiny Bluetooth unit, but that device looks ideal if you want something small. 👍

[#8]

@HPsauce  Thanks... Just wanted something "discrete" !..Still looking on google to find the amp, or similar !.

cheers

[#9]

@shutter 

Have you looked at Bluetooth speakers? 

[#10 · Accepted solution]

There's similar units on the bay from about £10 upwards. Most are 12v power so can be used in car or at home, but check if a psu is included ?

This https://www.amazon.co.uk/LiNKFOR-Amplifier-Bluetooth-Receiver-Amplifiers/dp/B0932B6VX6 at £40 additionally has USB and Sd slot so will play mp3 via usb stick or sd card. Also has a remote.

[#11]

Yes @shutter as @Dan_the_Van mentioned there are fairly good Bluetooth speakers too, unless you're wedded to using those already shown.

We have a neat rechargeable little stereo unit (made by Lugulake) that doubles as an iPad/iPhone stand but packs a decent punch. SWMBO often uses it to play her music while having a soak in the bath! It's about the size of a 500ml beer can.

[#12]

Hello, to all !..

OK... so. thanks for the "Bluetooth" option... So far, I have not been impressed with Bluetooth headphones.. compared to my wired headphones, for music quality....  I also have some "small" plasic boxes with small speakers in them, which are wired and powered via usb... in to the phones socket.. but again.. I am not impressed with the sound quality.

I am almost deaf without my hearing aids in !.. but when I watch my music videos on my laptop via wired head phones, I remove the hearing aids, use my ONEODIO wired head phones,  and have the volume up 100% and I have a really good experience of all the sounds of all the instruments ( mostly backing bands for Latino/Mex  female artistes ) which has a big complement of BASS sounds... which give the music its appeal for me.....(like being in the middle of the band on stage ) ! ! ! ..   the sound emitted by the bluetooth phones and speakers is terrible comparatively..mostly top end, and losing the bass and middle frequencies,  so I am looking for some Large Speaker cones  ( 6  to 8 inch ) as was provided with the stereo systems of the 70`s and 80`s. with wooden casings that help to give quality sound to the music. I would be looking for them in charity shops or might even go for them on Ebay... hence my inquiry about the need for an amplifier to drive the big speakers..rather than just taking pot luck and plugging them in to the laptop, and killing off the sound card ! 

Still scouring  google for the amp ! .

[#13]

This little amp ( and many similar Class D amps ) are quite compact and have built in bluetooth

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fosi-Audio-Bluetooth-Amplifier-Integrated/dp/B076XSBCCL/ref=asc_df_B076XSBC...

I've been using a similar amp ( non bluetooth )  for a couple of years now and the sound quality is surprisingly good

[#14]

@Protech  Thanks for your input... ( and research! ) .  MisterW already mentioned that amplifier in post 10 above !

[#15]

My only thoughts about your audio needs @shutter is that if you're after "old school" speakers an "old school" amplifier might be needed to give the bass output you're after.

Many modern amplifier systems are built assuming a separate and separately-powered single bass unit.