--Great Audio Monitoring Tool -- From: George Thomas C.E. WJDX/WMSI Need a quick, easy, effective way tomonitor most any audio source about the studio? Tired of trying to keep your 600 ohm headphones jumper clipped to a punchblock and on your head while reaching for a knob on the console across the room? Here is an excellent tool that will speed-up most audio chores. I've used this for several years and find it invaluable. You have probably seen the small amplified speaker systems sold foruse with personal (walkman type) radios and cassette units. These make great audio monitors. I'm using the Minimus-0.6 AmplifiedSpeaker System. Radio Shack cat. # 40-1259 They cost $ 49.95 a pair and come with a travel case.The units have automatic turn on and shut off. When audio is present, theamplifier is turned on. When silence is sensed, the units shut off (after ashort delay).This really extends thelife of the four C cell batteries. With two watts of power, you can hear your audio down the hall if necessary. SPL is rated as 83 db at 200 mv at 1 meter. Input impedance, 100 ohms.Just make up a cable with a mini plugon one end and alligator clips on theother, and your set to go. I installed a pot for level controland a series capacitor for dc blocking. You could add a transformer to balance the input if necessary. The amplifierfloats, thanks to the battery supply, so I didn't use a transformer. We use these little amp/speaker units every often, on the bench and in thefield. They probably get used as often as our VOMs. Just about any of these type speakers should work fine. It's not a studiomonitor, but the quality is more thanadequate for most uses. George Thomas Chief Engineer WJDX/WMSI Radio P.O. Box 31999 1375 Beasley Rd. Jackson, MS 39206 (601) 982-1062