Editing Output device (section)

== Auditory ==
{{main|Loudspeaker}}
[[File:CREATIVE GIGAWORKS T40 ii AUX input.jpg|thumb|A speaker connected to a smartphone|upright=0.6]]

A ''speaker'' is an output device that produces sound through an oscillating [[transducer]] called a driver. The equivalent input device is a [[microphone]].

Speakers are plugged into a computer's [[sound card]] via a myriad of interfaces, such as a [[Phone connector (audio)|phone connector]] for analog audio, or [[SPDIF]] for digital audio. While speakers can be connected through cables, [[wireless speaker]]s are connected to the host device through radio technology such as [[Bluetooth]].

Speakers are most often used in pairs, which allows the speaker system to produce [[positional audio]]. When more than one pair is used, it is referred to as [[surround sound]].

Certain models of computers includes a built-in speaker, which may sacrifice audio quality in favor of size. For example, the built-in speaker of a smartphone allows the users to listen to media without attaching an external speaker.

=== Interface ===

[[File:Creative SoundBlaster Audigy 2 (SB0400)-4.jpg|Rear of a PCI sound card showing 3.5mm analog outputs|thumb|left|upright=0.8]]

The interface between an auditory output device and a computer is the [[sound card]]. Sound cards may be [[Sound card#Integrated sound hardware on PC motherboards|included]] on a computer's [[motherboard]], installed as an [[expansion card]], or as a [[sound card#USB sound cards|desktop unit]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soundguys.com/what-is-a-sound-card-26851/|title=What is a sound card? Everything you need to know|website=SoundGuys|date=10 February 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-sound-card-2618160|title=What Is a Sound Card & What Does It Do?|website=Lifewire}}</ref>

The sound card may offer either an analog or [[digital audio|digital]] output. In the latter case, output is often transmitted using [[SPDIF]] as either an electrical signal or an [[fiber optic|optical]] interface known as [[TOSLINK]]. Digital outputs are then decoded by an [[AV receiver]].

In the case of wireless audio, the computer merely transmits a [[radio signal]], and responsibility of decoding and output is shifted to the speaker.

=== Form factors ===

==== Computer speakers ====
[[File:Creative T4 Wireless 2.1 Speakers.jpg|thumb|A pair of [[computer speaker]]s and a [[subwoofer]] used in a desktop environment]]
{{main|Computer speakers}}

While speakers can be used for any purpose, there are ''computer speakers'' which are built for computer use. These speakers are designed to sit on a desk, and as such, cannot be as large as conventional speakers.<ref name="cnet">{{Cite web|title=Desktop and hi-fi speakers, what's the difference?|website=CNET|url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/desktop-and-hi-fi-speakers-whats-the-difference/}}</ref>

Computer speakers may be powered via [[USB#Power|USB]], and are most often connected through a 3.5mm phone connector.

==== PC speaker ====
{{main|PC speaker}}

The ''PC speaker'' is a simple loudspeaker built into [[IBM PC]] compatible computers. Unlike a speaker used with a sound card, the PC speaker is only meant to produce [[Square wave (waveform)|square wave]]s to produce sounds such as [[beep (sound)|beeping]].

Modern computers utilize a [[piezoelectric speaker|piezoelectric buzzer]] or a small speaker as the PC speaker.

PC speakers are used during [[Power-on self-test#Progress and error reporting|Power-on self-test]] to identify errors during the computer's boot process, without needing a video output device to be present and functional.

==== Studio monitor ====
[[File:Andrew Pilling's 2011 Recording Equipment.jpg|thumb|A recording setup with two monitor speakers]]
{{Main|Studio monitor}}

A ''Studio monitor'' is a speaker used in a [[studio]] environment. These speakers optimize for accuracy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bpmskills.com/producer/studio-monitors/what-is-a-studio-monitor/|title=What Is a Studio Monitor and What Are They Used For|website=Bpm Skills}}</ref> A monitor produces a flat (linear) frequency response which does not emphasize or de-emphasize of particular frequencies.

==== Headphones ====
{{main|Headphones}}

''Headphones'', ''earphones'', and ''earpieces'' are a kind of speaker which is supported either on the user's head, or the user's ear.

Unlike a speaker, headphones are not meant to be audible to people nearby, which suits them for use in the [[public space|public]], [[office]] or other quiet environments.

[[Noise-cancelling headphones]] are built with [[Headphones#Ambient noise reduction|ambient noise reduction]] capabilities which may employ [[active noise cancelling]].

=== Technology ===

Loudspeakers are composed of several components within an [[loudspeaker enclosure|enclosure]], such as several [[Electrodynamic speaker driver|drivers]], [[Powered speakers|active amplifier]]s, [[audio crossover|crossover]]s, and other electronics. Multiple drivers are used to reproduce the full frequency [[Hearing range#Human|range of human hearing]], with [[tweeter]]s producing high pitches and [[woofer]]s producing low pitches. [[Full-range speaker]]s use only one driver to produce as much of a frequency response as possible.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Guide on what is a Full Range Speaker? Should I Go For it?|url=https://audiocurious.com/what-is-a-full-range-speaker/|website=Audio Curious}}</ref>

While [[Hi-Fi]] speakers attempt to produce high quality sound, computer speakers may compromise on these aspects due to their limited size and to be inexpensive, and the latter often uses full-range speakers as a result.<ref name="cnet" />