Q Can I attach inexpensive but good-quality speakers to my small kitchen TV for listening to Dish Network music stations? I am not sure if my TV has an amplifier to drive separate speakers. In front, it has one video input and one headphone jack. I do have a Dish receiver next to the TV, and it has left and right audio connections in the rear of it.
MIKE JOHNSON
A I am confident that your kitchen TV does not have a built-in amplifier. That's OK, though, because an easy solution is available that does not require an amplifier.
You can plug powered speakers (such as computer speakers) into any TV's headphone jack using the speakers' miniplug connector. You can also use a miniplug-to-RCA adapter to connect the speakers directly to the audio outputs on the Dish Network receiver. The satellite box connections might sound better, but if connected this way you will not be able to use the TV's remote control to change the volume. Start with the headphone jack first. If you are not satisfied, connect the speakers directly to the satellite box.
If you are using the headphone output, set the speaker's volume level to about 70 percent and leave it there, using the TV's remote to set the actual listening volume. A little experimentation with both volume settings will make it just right.
I use the headphone jack technique in my kitchen with a Soundmatters (www. soundmatters.com) foxL mini speaker and a 19-inch HDTV. The foxL was a Time magazine award winner, and for good reason. Although small, it sounds great, with solid bass, and has a built-in rechargeable battery for use anywhere. The foxL sells for $199.
A good budget choice is the MS21.2-2.1 PC/Multimedia system from the Speaker Co. (www.thespeakercompany.com). It has a tiny subwoofer and two satellites for only $36, delivered. It has generated raves from everyone I know who has tried it.
CDs have best sound quality Q Do I get better sound quality from a CD or from iTunes purchases transferred to my iPod?
TIM SMITH
A Audio CDs contain uncompressed music with much better sound quality than compressed iTunes tracks. But depending on how good your iPod's headphones are, you might not be able to hear the difference. If you use a home stereo of decent quality, CDs will sound much better and it will be easy to tell.
You can import CDs into iTunes with Apple Lossless Compression and enjoy the convenience of iTunes with the sound quality of CDs, but if you upload the tracks to your iPod they will take up much more space on your iPod than an AAC or MP3 file. The ideal solution is to store music on your computer with lossless compression, and compress the tracks for use on your iPod.
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