How to Convert a Speaker Into a Microphone

Speakers can act as microphones because they are both transducers.

Because microphones and speakers both function as electroacoustic transducers, you may use them interchangeably to an extent. Speakers are wired so that they do a better job sending audio out. Microphone wiring makes for optimal audio input. However, they both transmit sound in either direction. As a result, you may convert a speaker into a microphone in a pinch.

Things You'll Need

• Speaker with TRS output plug
• Audio recording or playback device with microphone input

Instructions

1. Remove your speaker's TRS connector plug from the "Speaker" or "Audio Out" port on your audio playback and recording device.

2. Insert the speaker's TRS plug into the audio playback device's the "Microphone" port. Attach a TRS converter to the speaker's TRS plug if it does not fit into the microphone port. Use a 1/4-inch-to-1/8-inch TRS converter or 1/8-inch-to-1/4-inch, as necessary.

3. Speak into the speaker to test its functionality. You may need to use the other speaker, as sometimes one speaker is wired better for audio input than the other.

References

• University of California, Santa Cruz EMS: Microphones
• Britannica Online: Transducer