Speakers with Arduino Zero

Other Hardware Audio
1

Hey everybody,

I am a developer and an electronics newbie.

I have been looking into playing sound on a speaker (big or small doesn't matter) from an arduino (Arduino Zero due to DAC for example).

I have already researched the matter and found out that there are 2 types of speakers. Passive and Active/Powered speakers? now it seems that it is much easier for a newbie to use an active one so not to have to implement your own amplifier?

But what I can't find online is whether such speakers draw power from a power socket off the wall or the arduino? does the Arduino supply enough power to generate the sound?

example speakers:

image
image1118×797 98.5 KB

or
image
image459×449 58.4 KB

and any important info I should keep in mind is appreciated

2

I know nothing about such speakers directly, but I would expect that if powered externally, the advertisment, etc. would have to mention it.

Very unlikely, for all but the smallest power demands. General rule is, the Arduino power circuits are for the Arduino, all external attachments should be fed independently, with their GND connected to the Arduino GND for reference. There are (trivial) exceptions to this rule, like most rules.

3

You can always buy something like Krell Solo 575 XD Mono Amplifier – Krell :rofl: Only around $20,000 for a pair.

Jokes aside, there are small amplifier modules like Adafruit Mono 2.5W Class D Audio Amplifier - PAM8302 : ID 2130 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits. You only need to add a small speaker and a 5V power supply (wall wart) that can deliver 1A.

The ones I know are powered from the wall outlet; but that goes back to the 70s :slight_smile:

Most important is to pay attention to is the max input voltage that the amplifier can handle.

4

Thanks for the help!
I think the right approach is a small passive speaker (e.g., 8-ohm, 0.5W) with an Amplifier Module.

5

only $20,000 :flushed:?

so basically use a cheaper decent amplifier with a small, low-power speaker.

and just to be clear: power the speaker through the amplifier, that's powered through the Arduino?

6

Take a look at speakers for your PC, some are battery powered, some use a wall wart which plugs into the mains. These are active as they have amplification. The ones in your picture appear to be passive.
Here is some additional information that will possibly save your Arduinos and you some $$$.
Gil's Crispy Critter Rules, they apply to processor hardware:
Rule #1. A Power Supply the Arduino is NOT!
Rule #2. Never Connect Anything Inductive (motor, speaker) to an Arduino!
Rule #3 Don't connecting or disconnecting wires with power on.
Rule #4 Do not apply power to any pin unless you know what you are doing.
Rule #5 Do not exceed maximum Voltages.
Rule #6 Many will not power a transmitter.
LaryD's Corollary's
Coro #1 when first starting out, add a 220R resistor in series with both Input and Output pins.
Coro #2 buy a DMM (Digital Multi-meter) to measure voltages, currents and resistance.
Violating these rules tends to make crispy critters out of Arduinos.
Hint: It is best to keep the wires under 25cm/10" for good performance.

7

You can not power the amplifier from the the Zero, hence two power supplies in below.

+---------+       +---------+       +-------+
|Arduino  |       |Amp      |       |Speaker|
|         |       |         |       |       |
|     DAC o-------o       + o-------o       |
|         |       |         |       |       |
|     GND o-------o       - o-------o       |
|         |       |         |       |       |
|         |       |         |       +-------+
|         |       |         |
| P1 GND  |       | P2 GND  |
+--o-o----+       +--o-o----+
   | |               | |
   | |               | |
+--o-o--+         +--o-o--+
|Power 1|         |Power 2|
|       |         |       |
+-------+         +-------+

Power 1 is e.g. your USB cable or an external power supply (e.g. wall wart)
Power 2 is e.g. a wall wart.

P1 and P2 are positive power.

In a stand-alone application you can use 1 wallwart; you'll need to split the cable.

8

There,is this cute little amplified speaker from Adafruit:

9

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