OT: Simple electronics question...

[John Lawson]

   Clock radio speaker output reduction:

  Note that a good number of the smaller clock radios use higher-than-usual 
speaker impedances. sometimes upward of 60 ohms: saves output devices 
having to handle heavy currents (relatively).

   T'were it me, I'd obtain a 500-ohm 'trimmer' pot - the kind that is 
meant to go on a printed circuit board, be adjusted once, then left... 
500 ohms at 1/4W would be fine - then put it series [one speaker wire goes 
to the wiper of the pot, the other goes to one of the 'ends' of the pot] 
in one of the the speaker lines (doesn't matter which one)  and tweak it 
until you have the gain level you like. Pop the cover back on et Voila! 
all done. Just get a single-turn one, not the multi-turn type. If you 
really want to get fancy, you can put a small switch in the case, and 
short out the pot, thus restoring the radio to full volume if desired. If 
you could find a suitable volume-control / switch combination, that might 
also be a slick way to do this.. but I doubt seriously that a 500-ohm 
volume control with integral switch could be found.

  The usual cautions about working on/around mains-connected devices 
applies, if the clockradio is in fact plugged right into the wall.


  Cheers

  John


PS: this presupposes you are comfortable with soldering....