[rattywolf]

Where can I find (or how to safely measure) a laptop audio output power? I am curious because it sounds better than all players I have had in a while, and I guess it may be because of its power, sounds like it just drives my earphones right. I can't find any detailed specs on Acer website (I have Acer Aspire A717-72G-73KT), only general instructions. Should I mess with measurements at all if I am not technically proficient, can it bring possible damage to the laptop and what kind of gear I have to use? I think I can borrow a multimeter, not sure if this is enough. Sorry for stupid questions

 

[PurpleAngel]

So what happens after you hook up a multimeter and figure out the output power of the laptop's headphone jack?

 

[rattywolf]

So what happens after you hook up a multimeter and figure out the output power of the laptop's headphone jack?

Here is my question, how to do it correctly and could it lead to any damage?

 

[bluecar]

This is a difficult one, as the power measurement will vary somewhat, depending on load. That said, your laptop should burp out a max of 2.2v peak-to-peak (roughly 0.7v RMS) - you can measure this by using the multimeter across the poles of your output, and set it to V-average (or Vrms on some). The safest way to do it is to use a headphone signal splitter (the ones that let you plug 2 3.5mm into the same socket), and make a test line, with a 3.5mm socket at one end, and bare wire at the other. That's a lot easier than trying to get probes into a small socket without shorting - also lets you measure average current for different headphones, albeit not very scientifically .

Don't worry too much about damaging the laptop - there will be some for of short protection on the OpAmp that drives the socket....but still best avoid shorting if you can. Have fun.

 

[rattywolf]

This is a difficult one, as the power measurement will vary somewhat, depending on load. That said, your laptop should burp out a max of 2.2v peak-to-peak (roughly 0.7v RMS) - you can measure this by using the multimeter across the poles of your output, and set it to V-average (or Vrms on some). The safest way to do it is to use a headphone signal splitter (the ones that let you plug 2 3.5mm into the same socket), and make a test line, with a 3.5mm socket at one end, and bare wire at the other. That's a lot easier than trying to get probes into a small socket without shorting - also lets you measure average current for different headphones, albeit not very scientifically .

Don't worry too much about damaging the laptop - there will be some for of short protection on the OpAmp that drives the socket....but still best avoid shorting if you can. Have fun.

Thank you, that sounds as a safe method. Will try)