Apple Pro Speakers & CRT iMac?

patchoulipatchouli
Posted:
in Genius Bar edited January 2014
I decided to spice up my iMac sound with Apple Pro Speakers (I already have an iSub). When I went to plug them into my iMac, imagine my disappointment when I realized that Apple uses a proprietary 'mini jack' that is not compatible with the CRT iMac. I guess I just assumed they'd be compatible. My question is, is there some sort of connector that I can get to make them work (fit into the CRT iMac speaker connector)? Or is there more to it than that (like the proprietary port that Apple want's these to go into must be powered or have some sort of other spec).



If not, I'll save these for a future Mac system and check out the JBL Creature set for this current iMac (I will double check the compatibility first!)



Thanks.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 8
    chychchych Posts: 860member
    The pro speakers plug into the "digital audio" port in Macs; this port is essentially an 18W analog speaker amplifier - you'll need one of those to get the pro speakers working, and looking at the costs, it would obviously not be worth it. Send em back and get something else... The creatures would work, but there are probably better options out there.
  • Reply 2 of 8
    paulpaul Posts: 5,278member
    why get the JBL creatures when you have your iSub?



    I say just stick with what you got or get a stereo and hook your mac up to that....
  • Reply 3 of 8
    patchoulipatchouli Posts: 402member
    Hmmm, so there is no connector that will couple an Apple Mini Jack with a regular speaker jack (port?)



    I wonder if the K/H SoundSticks will work in the CRT iMac? Do they have a regular speaker jack? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
  • Reply 4 of 8
    rodukroduk Posts: 706member
    [quote]Originally posted by Patchouli:

    <strong>Hmmm, so there is no connector that will couple an Apple Mini Jack with a regular speaker jack (port?)



    I wonder if the K/H SoundSticks will work in the CRT iMac? Do they have a regular speaker jack? :confused: </strong><hr></blockquote>



    I'm afraid I've never seen a connector that allows the Apple Pro speakers to be used with a regular speaker port. I'm not sure whether a simple physical connector would work, or whether the speakers require a non standard signal input.



    Unfortunately I've only ever seen the Sound Sticks sold in conjunction with the iSub, which you already have, I'm not sure you can buy them separately. I believe the whole package is connected to the computer via USB rather than a speaker jack, so it should work with any CRT iMac running OS9 or later. The only thing I'm not sure about is whether the Sound Sticks themselves are connected directly to the Mac via USB, in which case they should work if you can buy them separately, or whether they plug into the iSub, and if they do, whether they would plug into your 'standalone' iSub.



    [ 10-12-2002: Message edited by: RodUK ]</p>
  • Reply 5 of 8
    defiantdefiant Posts: 4,876member
    the SoundSticks themselves are connected to the iSub directly with normal "big" audio jacks (bigger than that on an iPod, for example)



    k' ?
  • Reply 6 of 8
    paulpaul Posts: 5,278member
    [quote]Originally posted by Patchouli:

    <strong>Hmmm, so there is no connector that will couple an Apple Mini Jack with a regular speaker jack (port?)



    I wonder if the K/H SoundSticks will work in the CRT iMac? Do they have a regular speaker jack? :confused: </strong><hr></blockquote>



    If you went that route, you would have to get rid of your old iSub (well at least you wouldnt be able to use 2 iSubs at once...) I'll take it off your hands if you do decide to go this route... how old is it?
  • Reply 7 of 8
    patchoulipatchouli Posts: 402member
    Thanks for all the info - much appreciated.



    I decided to go with the H/K SoundSticks. They are compatible and they sound GREAT! OS 10.2 has the drivers built-in so it shows up in Sound Properties. I have this urge to take off each plastic protector from each little speaker. Is this possible? They seem to be snug.



    Also and as mentioned above, I had to push my iSub aside. It seems the sub that the SoundSticks use is different (it powers each speaker, etc.) than the iSub. This sub has a cool black light in it though.



    My iSub was purchased in March '02. I don't know what to do with it yet. I'd eBay it but I threw the box out and I don't think it's worth the effort since they retail for only $60. I offered to give it to my sister, but she is not into the bass/sound thing.
  • Reply 8 of 8
    patchoulipatchouli Posts: 402member
    Oh yeah, and since I was already at the store, I bought the JBL Creature set too! I have them hooked up to my PC. They look and sound great. They are made VERY well and the fact that it has treble and bass controls won me over. I like that the volume level buttons are touch sensitive so there is nothing to push.



    I got the silver ones since my PC ultra light notebook is silver-ish. Definitely looks cool. If you've got a TiBook, you HAVE to get the Silver Creature! The white ones would look great with any other Mac.



    [ 10-13-2002: Message edited by: Patchouli ]</p>
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