What future hardware do you think Apple should bring out next? I am a keen listener of music from my I-Mac and would like some excellent quality speakers and maybe infra-red. any thoughts?
<strong>What future hardware do you think Apple should bring out next? I am a keen listener of music from my I-Mac and would like some excellent quality speakers and maybe infra-red. any thoughts?</strong><hr></blockquote>
With the inside of a computer inherently noisy, there's probably a limit to how good computer audio can sound. However, support for full 5.1 high res encoding and decoding would be nice, coupled to a line/digital out (over firewire) to an outboard DAC.
Whatever happened to m-Lan??? It was supposed to consolidate all your audio needs over the firwire port (midi, spdif, etc etc...) I believe it's just a software issue and that the port conforms to a regular firewire spec. Sending the audio out over firewire would be perfect. You plug in a decoder/amp and get a nice clean digital signal out of your comp.
The next Digital Hub product is going to be Wireless Headphones. That's why you're heard iPhone before. It has nothing to do with Telephony and everything to do with listening to your iTunes playlist while roaming around the house with lightweight cord free Headphones!
If you want high quality speakers, then buy some REAL speakers, connect them to an amplifier, and send audio output to the amplifier from your Mac. I've got a pair of B&W speakers connected to a 60 watt Yamaha amplifier, and they pump out some beautiful sound! Jazz particularly sounds impressive...
If you simply want decent sound, then some third party speakers like the one's mentioned above work great.
the soundsticks are the best speakers you're going to see promote (since they're made by harmon kardon). i don't think they'll bring out anything higher.
if you want good speakers, get a pair of Bose speakers or something similar. you won't find apple building ANYTHING better than Bose
I agree that you should go with an external amp and hi-fi speakers if you are doing any real listening from your computer. No powered computer speakers are anywhere close to even a modest amp/speakers combo.
Bose are pretty low-end when you're talking about real speakers. B&W are much nicer.
Bangs? Um... since you apparently have too much money, how 'bout sliding some of that cash to poor, needy engineers. I have just the right person in mind.
I love Bang & Olafson. They would add a dose of style to Apple computers, which as everyone knows, needs it. But a tad expensive.
Strangely, the consensus seems to be that Canadian mfgs are making the best speakers for the (US or Canadian) dollar.
Eeeew. Don't get Bose speakers. For the money you can do much better. My current speakers are JM Labs Electras, which are terrific. More affordable brands include Paradigm, PSB, Energy and NHT.
If you don't want a full stereo system, the best sound you can get is from headphones. In my office I have a pair of Grado SR-60's. They're probably the best sound you can get for 70 bucks.
As for computer speakers, I was actually pretty impressed with these Monsoon planar speakers I heard. The system was 150 bucks. However, like full size planar speakers (e.g. Magnaplanar), they're very directional. You have to be sitting right at the focal point to get the best sound.
Awesome...I have JM Lab Electras (floor standing L+R, center, four surrond dipoles...got a Velodyne HGS-15 sub too...well, not at college...the neighbors would hate me ) and a pair of Grado SR-60s as well...Electras aren't quite computer speakers though...
<strong>Awesome...I have JM Lab Electras (floor standing L+R, center, four surrond dipoles...got a Velodyne HGS-15 sub too...well, not at college...the neighbors would hate me ) and a pair of Grado SR-60s as well...Electras aren't quite computer speakers though...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Cool! I've got a pair of 915's that I got a heck of a deal on, because they were being discontinued. Haven't gone surround yet, since I'd need a new amp (and more speakers). My next bit of audio-insanity is to build a tube pre-amp. I ordered a kit from bottlehead.com
With DVD so popular, and DVD players now in most shipping macs, it'd be nice to be able to get 5.1 sound out of a mac. Something that you can run to an external 5.1 computer speaker set-up (maybe through a firewire sound-card) or straight to a reciever. Come on Apple can we get just one digital audio out. (doesn't have to be optical, co-ax will do.)
A consumer style card like an Extigy but over firewire and using drivers that work. I'b buy it.
I just bought a set of Genelec HT205s. They sound wonderful on all sorts of music. They have the amplifier built into each speaker so there's not all those messy cables laying about the floor!
<strong>Is there any way to get 5.1 audio out of a mac, not just the powermacs, but the iMac and notebooks as well?</strong><hr></blockquote>
<a href="http://www.motu.com/english/motuaudio/896/body.html"; target="_blank">Yes</a> . but I doubt you'll have much luck getting Apple's primative DVD Player software, iTunes or AppleCD Audio Player to take advantage of it.
For 5.1 surround sound on Macs there's the external USB Yamaha CAVIT soundboards (http://www.yamaha.com/cavit).
There's a review of the top-end unit at <a href="http://www.insidemacgames.com."; target="_blank">www.insidemacgames.com.</a> They look pretty good. Yamaha mentions OS 9 support only but I believe that refers to the software they include only and that 5.1 should work on OS X also, but to be sure check the formentioned review. I'm actually thinking of buying the cheaper virtual 5.1/virtual DTS unit.
<strong>For 5.1 surround sound on Macs there's the external USB Yamaha CAVIT soundboards (http://www.yamaha.com/cavit).
There's a review of the top-end unit at <a href="http://www.insidemacgames.com."; target="_blank">www.insidemacgames.com.</a> They look pretty good. Yamaha mentions OS 9 support only but I believe that refers to the software they include only and that 5.1 should work on OS X also, but to be sure check the formentioned review. I'm actually thinking of buying the cheaper virtual 5.1/virtual DTS unit.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Fat lot of good that'll do you. what happens when you insert a surround sound CD? what about if you try to get the 5.1(Or even 4.1) channel audio from a DVD?
<ol type="1">[*]The DVD Player, ATI DVD player, AppleCD Audio, iTunes, Audion or computer game(Basically any way of accessing a surround sound recording) programs. do to the fact of that none of them support surround in any way(Other than through the now defunct <a href="http://www.soundblaster.com/products/macintosh/"; target="_blank">SoundBlaster Live! for Macintosh</a> ). will read the 16-bit stereophonic audio tracks.[*]Your Macintosh will then send the lousy 16/48 2.0 signal over the USB connection into the CAVIT[*]The CAVIT will then whip up a fake surround effect by applying el-cheapo echo effects to the stereophonic signal and cough it up through the plugs on the back. which then connect to your speakers[*]Your Macintosh will feel utterly ashamed for being so completely inferior to year one old wintel machines equipped with $50 <a href="http://www.allstarshop.com/shop/product.asp?ad=pg&pid=4023"; target="_blank">Sound Blaster Audigy</a> cards or $120 <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=29-102-153"; target="_blank">Sound Blaster Extigy</a> boxes. especially after having a desisive lead in audio quality over nearly every other platform clear from 1984(Or even 1983 if you count the //gs) right up to when Apple dropped the ball in 1996.[/list=a]
I agree I wouldn't trade my B&O equipment for anything I've got a full surround sound setup of B&O speakers in my living room, and another pair in my office and bedroom. Then again, I get the stuff at cost, so it isn't as expensive
Seriously though, if you want something better sounding than the Soundsticks or other computer targeted speakers, just go buy a real audio system.
Comments
<strong>What future hardware do you think Apple should bring out next? I am a keen listener of music from my I-Mac and would like some excellent quality speakers and maybe infra-red. any thoughts?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Hmmm? I think Apple should bring out a flat panel iMac with an <a href="http://www.nxtplc.co.uk/nxtsound/technology/SoundVU/index.asp"; target="_blank">over-display transparent flat panel speaker</a> on top of(Or maybe one of <a href="http://www.monsoonpower.com/index.htm"; target="_blank">these Monsoons</a> behind) this seamless <a href="http://www.dti3d.com/products.asp"; target="_blank">hybrid mono/stereoscopic 3D LCD</a>. as well as adding Radius-style screen rotation. and of course a <a href="http://www.dvdforum.com/tech-dvdmulti.htm"; target="_blank">DVD-Multi Recorder drive</a>(To listen to and record pristine 24-bit 192khz DVD-Audio discs. although a better sound chipset would be needed). and like you said. a <a href="http://www.keyspan.com/products/usb/remote/"; target="_blank">remote control</a>(Or <a href="http://www.gyration.com/gyromouse_pro.htm"; target="_blank">remote pointer</a>) wouldn't hurt(Although at this point they might as well throw in a <a href="http://www.formac.com/html/shopformac.html?cid=shop_products_tvtuner"; target="_blank">TV tuner</a>. or maybe even an <a href="http://www.hauppauge.com/html/products.htm#digital"; target="_blank">HDTV tuner</a>. too).
Eric,
[ 04-17-2002: Message edited by: Eric D.V.H ]
[ 04-17-2002: Message edited by: Eric D.V.H ]</p>
Whatever happened to m-Lan??? It was supposed to consolidate all your audio needs over the firwire port (midi, spdif, etc etc...) I believe it's just a software issue and that the port conforms to a regular firewire spec. Sending the audio out over firewire would be perfect. You plug in a decoder/amp and get a nice clean digital signal out of your comp.
You heard it here first.
I think that the soundstix and the other Apple speakers have been pretty dismal. Klipsch Promedias are much nicer.
If you simply want decent sound, then some third party speakers like the one's mentioned above work great.
if you want good speakers, get a pair of Bose speakers or something similar. you won't find apple building ANYTHING better than Bose
Bose are pretty low-end when you're talking about real speakers. B&W are much nicer.
only way to fly.
b+o baby.
only way to fly.<hr></blockquote>
Bangs? Um... since you apparently have too much money, how 'bout sliding some of that cash to poor, needy engineers. I have just the right person in mind.
I love Bang & Olafson. They would add a dose of style to Apple computers, which as everyone knows, needs it. But a tad expensive.
Strangely, the consensus seems to be that Canadian mfgs are making the best speakers for the (US or Canadian) dollar.
I wonder if Paradigm makes computer speakers...
If you don't want a full stereo system, the best sound you can get is from headphones. In my office I have a pair of Grado SR-60's. They're probably the best sound you can get for 70 bucks.
As for computer speakers, I was actually pretty impressed with these Monsoon planar speakers I heard. The system was 150 bucks. However, like full size planar speakers (e.g. Magnaplanar), they're very directional. You have to be sitting right at the focal point to get the best sound.
<strong>Awesome...I have JM Lab Electras (floor standing L+R, center, four surrond dipoles...got a Velodyne HGS-15 sub too...well, not at college...the neighbors would hate me
Cool! I've got a pair of 915's that I got a heck of a deal on, because they were being discontinued. Haven't gone surround yet, since I'd need a new amp (and more speakers). My next bit of audio-insanity is to build a tube pre-amp. I ordered a kit from bottlehead.com
As for surround sound out of an iMac or Powerbook, I did a google search and came up with these links at <a href="http://www.apple.com/creative/musicaudio/surroundtour/"; target="_blank">Apple</a> and <a href="http://www.mhlabs.com/mobileio/mio_description.html"; target="_blank">Metric Halo labs</a>
It's probably overkill, but at least it sounds like there are Firewire based surround sound systems.
With DVD so popular, and DVD players now in most shipping macs, it'd be nice to be able to get 5.1 sound out of a mac. Something that you can run to an external 5.1 computer speaker set-up (maybe through a firewire sound-card) or straight to a reciever. Come on Apple can we get just one digital audio out. (doesn't have to be optical, co-ax will do.)
A consumer style card like an Extigy but over firewire and using drivers that work. I'b buy it.
<strong>Is there any way to get 5.1 audio out of a mac, not just the powermacs, but the iMac and notebooks as well?</strong><hr></blockquote>
<a href="http://www.motu.com/english/motuaudio/896/body.html"; target="_blank">Yes</a>
Eric,
There's a review of the top-end unit at <a href="http://www.insidemacgames.com."; target="_blank">www.insidemacgames.com.</a> They look pretty good. Yamaha mentions OS 9 support only but I believe that refers to the software they include only and that 5.1 should work on OS X also, but to be sure check the formentioned review. I'm actually thinking of buying the cheaper virtual 5.1/virtual DTS unit.
<strong>For 5.1 surround sound on Macs there's the external USB Yamaha CAVIT soundboards (http://www.yamaha.com/cavit).
There's a review of the top-end unit at <a href="http://www.insidemacgames.com."; target="_blank">www.insidemacgames.com.</a> They look pretty good. Yamaha mentions OS 9 support only but I believe that refers to the software they include only and that 5.1 should work on OS X also, but to be sure check the formentioned review. I'm actually thinking of buying the cheaper virtual 5.1/virtual DTS unit.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Fat lot of good that'll do you. what happens when you insert a surround sound CD? what about if you try to get the 5.1(Or even 4.1) channel audio from a DVD?
<ol type="1">[*]The DVD Player, ATI DVD player, AppleCD Audio, iTunes, Audion or computer game(Basically any way of accessing a surround sound recording) programs. do to the fact of that none of them support surround in any way(Other than through the now defunct <a href="http://www.soundblaster.com/products/macintosh/"; target="_blank">SoundBlaster Live! for Macintosh</a>
Eric,
[ 04-29-2002: Message edited by: Eric D.V.H ]
[ 04-29-2002: Message edited by: Eric D.V.H ]
[ 04-29-2002: Message edited by: Eric D.V.H ]
[ 04-29-2002: Message edited by: Eric D.V.H ]</p>
<strong>b+o baby.
only way to fly.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I agree
Seriously though, if you want something better sounding than the Soundsticks or other computer targeted speakers, just go buy a real audio system.