Instruction: Answer the given question using the supporting document.

Input:
Question: Can you play a MP 3 through the radio itself or do you have to plug in external speakers ?
Document: bracket or holes on back), and 3) the AC plug comes that out of the side should be an "L" shaped plug so it is more invisible when you are trying to hide the cord... it just sticks out way too far from the left side of the radio. Overall, I am very happy with the Sangean PR-D8, and I am so glad I waited for this model! You will not be sorry if you order one!
The sound provided by the tiny speaker within the radio is fairly typical of a small radio - good enough for casual listening, but clearly weak and tinny. That said, a set of external amplified speakers improve sound dramatically. Amplified speakers designed for either computers (like mine) or portable devices will likely work just fine.If the Sangean PR-D8 has a true Achilles heel, it would most certainly be the absence of genuine tone controls on either the radio or MP3 player.
A cheap 16GB SD card will hold days of my favorite music.+ Auxiliary input jack - play from or record from an external source.+ Line out jack - I use this play the radio via a small powered stereo speaker system.+ The fold-out prop on the back is a nice touch.CON:- The MP3 player folder menu did not work with an SD card formatted in my PC. When the SD card was formatted via the MP3 player's menu the folder menu worked.
We bought this player to replace a Walkman which we had worn out listening to audio books through external speakers. Perhaps to protect the ears of listeners using earbuds or headphones, Sansa has limited the output volume. We will have to return this item, it might work well if used only with earbuds or headphones.
The music setting does help the sound of the internal speaker somewhat, but the result seems a bit unnatural. The normal setting is adequate through the internal speaker, but improves dramatically with external speakers attached. Haven't found any use for the tinny news setting. Real tone controls would obviously provide greater options.The MP3 player within the Sangean PR-D8 has a limit of 999 music files on each SD card, regardless of memory card size.
Convenient, sensitive FM reception even with antenna kept short.. Stereo recording, but mono, muffled speaker. Best listen with external Speakers. Records good to SD card, only ONE timer setting. The editing firmware is too simple, and confusing to erase single recordings. Twist knob volume is good, but with everything else in buttons, I would have liked up-down volume buttons too. You get what you pay for, I guess. Thanks to Amazon for good packing and timely delivery!
OH, AND ANOTHER THING... as I mentioned in my review, following, the AC power doesn't charge the batteries. But worse, if you REMOVE teh batteries to place them in the (separately purchased) charger, the radio will lose all preset frequencies and the TIME...  you WILL BE PUNISHED if you forget to plug in the radio onto AC before removing the batteries. There's NO MEMORY BACKUP! SHEESH!!
Batt life is poor on alkaline, great on NiMH. It is designed to use NiMH primarily; that's indicated in teh manual. But you need to charge the NiMH OUTSIDE the radio: the radio plug-in feature doesn't charge the batteries! Sheesh! It has no handle but has good rubber feet, and has a finger hole in the back. This is OK for picking it up, but a handle would be a lot better for carrying it a mile down to the beach, say.
I love the radio and the time recording which is perfect for my needs. The only reason I haven't given it 5 stars is - as you may already know - the power plug cannot be used here in Australia. I appreciate the refund of $61.54 but have still not been successful in finding one that I can use with it. It goes well on batteries but, of course, they soon go flat as I use the time recording for many hours at a time.
There's a tiny bit of multipath distortion for weak stations based on the little whip antenna. Believe it not, you can attach an external antenna: on the back of the radio is a screw labelled ANT.
Answer: My MP3's are stored on a 16 GB mini Card that plugs into the side.  I play them through the radio.  If I wanted external speakers, I would make sure they are amplified speakers and plug them in the AUX IN port used for external headphones.  The port is similar to the one on you pc's sound card (or built in), so if your powered speakers work with your PC, it's very likely they also work with the radio.