Advantage of chip on sound mod

[sprocketme2]

From what I understand, the sound reactive LEDs can be done using the lm386 chip, or directly soldering to the speakers. What are the advantages of useing the chip? What would you recomend and why?

[Luke]

i recomend soldering straight to the speakers i say its alot easier the using the modchip

[PvP_LostKnight]

either way itll make the LEDs dim and be always on.

chip: more bright when there is a sound
directly: less bright when there is a sound

[nez]

i would go chip in my opinion just because brighter is better in my opinion. but do what you feel.

[GhoSt]

i have only done it to the speakers nd it seems to work fine 

[prettierwendead]

i have just done a trigger mod without a chip and its bright as hell wen theres sound i did use 3mm ultrabright leds tho but it worked a treat

[tibor28]

I had the sound mod wired directly to speakers but i found the leds too dim, now i bought the LM386 chip but i still didnt finish the mod coz now i have to buy kynar since i am somehow not managing with the magnet wire

[Barshalen]

I'm going with the sound chip  . They only cost a max of like $1.50, and that is at my local radioshack (yes, radioshack has them. If u're store does not carry them, u can order them online and they will be sent to ur store via free shipping ). I got mine from a member of the forums though And honestly, it's not that hard, it'l take u only a few more solders to use a chip, so do it right the first time! 

[ProperBritish]

i need an LM386... wonder if Maplin have them. I wish RadioShack came to the UK...

[TW1NKY]

What is the voltages of the sound chip people normally use 6 volts or 9 volts? (I have found both and am very confuzled)