Thinkpads Forum

With only one small speaker located near the radio (on and off) switch, the X61s is very weak when listening to music. Is there any suggestions other than buying an Ultrabase (Little Expensive).

I don't know how the x61s is differnet from my x61 but I listen to streaming radio all the time through the inbuilt speaker. Fine for me but I'm no audiophile.

A set of good external amplified speakers should do the trick. I use an Altec Lansing system with a subwoofer.

Nice amplified speakers would just do the trick. But you can't bring any speakers and connect them to the headphone jack, since it would harm the sound card. These sound cards are usually built with certain specifications (For Example it can bear only 5 milliampere headphones). So I guess ultrabase is the best choice.

mcmanaman wrote: But you can't bring any speakers and connect them to the headphone jack, since it would harm the sound card.

Please explain in depth what harm would be caused to a Thinkpad by hooking a set of amplified speakers to the headphone output.

Does the speaker only play one channel? I've noticed in some streaming videos I can hardly hear the voice. Would be a much idea to multiplex both channels into the speaker but I suppose it would take some extra circuitry fanoogling.

My experience with X61s was opposite, the speakers were powerful but generated poor sound quality, in general most business notebooks aren't best in this department, the Ultrabase' speakers adds nice touch to the sound but I would suggest you to buy it only if you're going to do something productive with the base too, otherwise get external speakers.

ThinkPad X61s + Altec Lansing VS4121 2.1ch speakers+sub or Sennheiser CX400 Noise cancelling headphones = great sound.

You can get the speakers for as cheap as $60 new and the headphones for $20-30 new.

The headphone jack can not bear external speakers, it is only meant to be used with small headphones. The longterm use of external speakers would harm the sound card. The sound crad might get burned.

mcmanaman wrote:The headphone jack can not bear external speakers, it is only meant to be used with small headphones. The longterm use of external speakers would harm the sound card. The sound crad might get burned.

Where is proof of this theory? I've been using Thinkpads (every model) hooked to an external amplifier for years with no issue. 150 watts per channel in fact. I just don't see what difference amplified external speakers would be..it's still hooking to an amplifier. Not to mention the fact that we're talking about outputs here not inputs, and that the signal out is at line level. I'm just not seeing it ...

mcmanaman wrote:The headphone jack can not bear external speakers, it is only meant to be used with small headphones. The longterm use of external speakers would harm the sound card. The sound crad might get burned.

I think you've picked up some bad information somewhere. I've used headphone jacks on Sony and IBM/Lenovo laptops to drive all kinds of amplified external speaker systems over the last 10 years, and have not experienced a single problem. I do it every day.

I don't have any proof for this theory but all manuals that come with laptops say so. I think its just a kind of precaution. Maybe its true when you use external speakers for more than 3 hours and volume 100%.

I think there is some confusion here: you should not connected normal, *non* amplified, speakers to the sound output of a laptop, or desktop, because the low impedance would drain too much power and warm up and potentially burn the output stage of the sound card.

Amplified speakers are of course ok, they drain less power than a small headphone.

By the way, i was surprised to discover that the X61s sound pretty good with my Shure E3c. The level of noise is reasonable, especially if you are in a train or plane; you just notice it if you are in completely silent environment.

Maurizio

FYI, x61s docked to the ultrabase is really not loud enough to enjoy outdoors nor even near a window in a major city. Its probably a little less loud than my buddy's 15" MacBook Pro's speakers, which on high is barely loud enough to appreciate in our office, as a comparison. I agree with others that amplified speakers would be more practical.

Aside, one of my favorite things about the x61s (and my old x22) was how little wasted space there is on the machine. I agree the headphone jack is enjoyable with most headphones. At times I think it would have been best if Lenovo/IBM simply exluded the speaker and its amplifier entirely, perhaps saving a couple more ounces or increasing ventilation on the bottom of the laptop. Could be a cool mod.

And, besides the speaker thing, the ultrabase is total weaksauce. You can buy mine for like half what I paid (retail) if you want

In the end, the X series is only meant for business. Stereo speakers are not essential. A mono speaker will just do the trick, but the power of this speaker must be increased.