Using potentiometer to adjust volume on usb speaker

Thread Starter

Djzlazy

Joined Mar 20, 2021
22
So I am currently trying to build a multi-platform portable. I'm using a raspberry pi zero w. I have a USB speaker with its own audio card inside. I am attempting to use a potentiometer to allow volume adjustment. With the soldering points on this speaker board, I am unsure what to attach to the potentiometer aside from the ground.
Using a B10K 10K Ohm 13 mm Shaft PCB Mounted Linear Dual Potentiometer
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I'm honestly fairly new at this stuff and can't find anything online unfortunately. If anybody has any type of help for this I would be truly grateful. Thanks
 

Audioguru again

Joined Oct 21, 2019
6,672
Volume controls are never linear and marked "B". Instead they are logarithmic and are marked "A".
Each of your linear volume controls will have most of its volume range crammed close together near where it is turned down (left) and have little affect on volume level when turned up (right).
 

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Thread Starter

Djzlazy

Joined Mar 20, 2021
22
Volume controls are never linear and marked "B". Instead they are logarithmic and are marked "A".
Each of your linear volume controls will have most of its volume range crammed close together near where it is turned down (left) and have little affect on volume level when turned up (right).
Thanks for the reply! So pretty much don't use the B10K and use A10K?
And let's just say I have an A10k potentiometer. How would I wire that to this usb speaker board? I'm unsure due to it being L/R with their own output, but no input besides the 5v, DP, DM, and GND?
 

sghioto

Joined Dec 31, 2017
5,376
How would I wire that to this usb speaker board?
What is the impedance of the speakers?
Do you need the volume to go from full on to zero?
To control volume directly from the speaker output requires a L-Pad type attenuator.
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Thread Starter

Djzlazy

Joined Mar 20, 2021
22
What is the impedance of the speakers?
Do you need the volume to go from full on to zero?
To control volume directly from the speaker output requires a L-Pad type attenuator.
View attachment 233261
The speakers are very small. Uses 3.1v I think? That's what it has on the board. I can only find L-Pad attenuator for 15W-100W. Not gonna lie, very noobish with technicals. So I apologise about that.
 

ErnieM

Joined Apr 24, 2011
8,377
Speakers are measures in ohms anything from 3 to 32 ohms.
Is there a number on the back side of the speaker?
The L-Pad should match the speaker impedance.
All true, but keep in mind you cannot use an ohmmeter to measure that resistance.

It is an AC reactance, really.
 

Audioguru again

Joined Oct 21, 2019
6,672
AliExpress sells your very tiny stereo speaker for only $8.95US. They say its output power is very low.
The speakers in it are so small that they will produce only squeak sounds. Haven't you tried it?

It does not have an audio input like all other pc speakers I have seen, instead its input is USB, then a normal audio volume control cannot be used.

My pc speakers are 4 times larger and cost 6 times more. They have a volume control and a real audio input and sound very good.
 

Thread Starter

Djzlazy

Joined Mar 20, 2021
22
AliExpress sells your very tiny stereo speaker for only $8.95US. They say its output power is very low.
The speakers in it are so small that they will produce only squeak sounds. Haven't you tried it?

It does not have an audio input like all other pc speakers I have seen, instead its input is USB, then a normal audio volume control cannot be used.

My pc speakers are 4 times larger and cost 6 times more. They have a volume control and a real audio input and sound very good.
I have tried them and got the audio to come out of the usb speaker on my raspberry pi zero. They sound great for price and size.
There's gotta be some way to Jerry rig this
 
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