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using USB speakers?

I have the cheapest pair of external, USB speakers. I bought them for the MacBook. For what I want them to do, they work well. Now I am wondering if I could use them with an iPhone too. Amazon has a $1.53 adapter (http://www.amazon.com/USB-Gender-Changer-Female/dp/B000BSN4UY) that would connect the male plug on the iPhone's USB cable to the speakers' USB cable. Would that work? Can the iPhone power bargain-basement speakers for very long?

iPhone 3G, iOS 4.2

Posted on Dec 24, 2011 5:32 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 24, 2011 9:29 PM

It can't power them at all and that will not work.

11 replies

Mar 4, 2012 12:50 PM in response to deggie

I am still wondering why this idea would not work. From what I understand, the USB standard is five-volts. AFAIK, the iPhone conforms to USB standards, of which this voltage is one such standard. I have found _one_ report online on the subject of the power output of the iPhone (http://techtips.salon.com/specifications-iphone-4-vs-3gs-20097.html). As I read this article, it implies that the iPhone outputs five volts.

Mar 5, 2012 11:06 AM in response to R_55a

Richard Gilpin wrote:


I am still wondering why this idea would not work. From what I understand, the USB standard is five-volts. AFAIK, the iPhone conforms to USB standards, of which this voltage is one such standard. I have found _one_ report online on the subject of the power output of the iPhone (http://techtips.salon.com/specifications-iphone-4-vs-3gs-20097.html). As I read this article, it implies that the iPhone outputs five volts.

The iPhone is a USB consumer, not a producer. It does not supply power at all.

Mar 5, 2012 12:38 PM in response to Rudegar

What I have are ArtDio nb-005 2.0 True USB Speakers. They are not powered, and they do not have a soundcard. No driver is necessary. I just plug them in (to the MacBook), and they work immediately.


It would have been fun if the iPhone had the amperage to power them. But just fun; nothing important.

using USB speakers?

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