Are the Pro Speakers ALOT better with an iSub?

wolfeye155wolfeye155
Posted:
in Current Mac Hardware edited January 2014
I have the Apple Pro Speakers that I ordered with my computer. I really like them except when you turn them up to loud they start to sound like sh*t. I didn't buy the Sound Sticks because I didn't want to spend $200 for them. So do the Pro Speakers work much better with an iSub and can you actually turn them up?

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 17
    ghost_user_nameghost_user_name Posts: 22,667member
    IMO, any speakers sound better with a sub.



    From what I've read, the Pro Speakers benefit greatly with the iSub.
  • Reply 2 of 17
    pscatespscates Posts: 5,847member
    Well, in my opinion, there's a HUGE difference. The Pro Speakers on my iMac sound nice, for the size and all.



    But with the iSub (which I've for over a year and a half now), everything sounds GREAT!



    Bass, fullness, etc. Sounds as good and loud and bassy as any AIWA or JVC mini-system I've ever owned.



    As a matter of fact, I don't even own a true stereo/minisystem now.



    Just an iMac for music (Internet, iTunes, playing my CDs, etc.). I have an alarm clock radio for waking up. I could probably get rid of it too and just get a standard, wind-up alarm clock.







    The iSub is an amazing addition to the mix, no pun intended.
  • Reply 3 of 17
    applenutapplenut Posts: 5,768member
    [quote]Originally posted by wolfeye155:

    <strong>I have the Apple Pro Speakers that I ordered with my computer. I really like them except when you turn them up to loud they start to sound like sh*t. I didn't buy the Sound Sticks because I didn't want to spend $200 for them. So do the Pro Speakers work much better with an iSub and can you actually turn them up?</strong><hr></blockquote>



    the pro speakers have serious problems with low frequencies at high volume which causes them to sound like crap. when you add an iSUB the OS redirects the low frequencies to the iSUB thus making the pro speakers much clearer and also increasing their volume surprisingly.



    it's a good addition for 59 bucks. should be included but that's nother arguement
  • Reply 4 of 17
    ghost_user_nameghost_user_name Posts: 22,667member
    If you can fit all three up your arse at the same time, you do get a pretty good base - let alone a cheap thrill... What more could you expect from Apple... CLOSE THE THREAD...
  • Reply 5 of 17
    ghost_user_nameghost_user_name Posts: 22,667member
    [quote]Originally posted by iDome:

    <strong>If you can fit...</strong><hr></blockquote>

    WTF is your problem? :confused: <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />
  • Reply 6 of 17
    ryukyuryukyu Posts: 450member
    [quote]Originally posted by starfleetX:

    <strong>

    WTF is your problem? :confused: <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>



    Wow someone must have sh!t in his Cheerios!!!

  • Reply 7 of 17
    onlookeronlooker Posts: 5,252member
    If I were you I would check the auctions for sound stix. I have sound stix, and the apple pro speakers. I did not know that you can't get them all to work at the same time when I got them, but I have tried them seperatly, and those pro speakers are amiture speakers if you ask me. They sound horrible. If you have nothing to compare them to you just don't know how bad they realy are.
  • Reply 8 of 17
    alcimedesalcimedes Posts: 5,486member
    onlooker, do you think they sound horrible with a sub, or was that just by themselves?
  • Reply 9 of 17
    wolfeye155wolfeye155 Posts: 425member
    Ok I just got back from the store with my iSub. CompUSA is the only place I know of that sells them and of course they sell them for $69.99 wouldn't you know. I can't really test it right now because my family is sleeping but tomorrow... ]=) . One question though, how do I change the bass?



    iDome- I don't think it's healthy to keep that stick up your ass...



    [ 03-27-2002: Message edited by: wolfeye155 ]</p>
  • Reply 10 of 17
    applenutapplenut Posts: 5,768member
    [quote]Originally posted by wolfeye155:

    <strong>Ok I just got back from the store with my iSub. CompUSA is the only place I know of that sells them and of course they sell them for $69.99 wouldn't you know. I can't really test it right now because my family is sleeping but tomorrow... ]=) . One question though, how do I change the bass?



    iDome- I don't think it's healthy to keep that stick up your ass...



    [ 03-27-2002: Message edited by: wolfeye155 ]</strong><hr></blockquote>





    I believe bass is controled through the sound control panel. at least it was in OS 9. not sure about OS X.
  • Reply 11 of 17
    pscatespscates Posts: 5,847member
    In OS X, there doesn't seem to be a separate slider control for the iSub's volume.



    But you're right...it is there in OS 9.



    Odd.
  • Reply 12 of 17
    patchoulipatchouli Posts: 402member
    I love my iSub. I have it on my Classic iMac and I can not believe the sound difference. Once the iSub is plugged in, the tiny speakers (or the Apple Pro speakers) cut out the lows and boost up the highs (it's built this way). The lows are now pumped out of the iSub which make the tiny iMac HK speakers sound 10X better (and coupled with the bassy iSub - you can't believe the sound that comes from it). Of course I have heard better. My Altec Lansing system on my PC is amazing, but this is fine for my iMac.



    As far as bass control, in OS X it seems like the higher you raise the system volume the more bass you get out of the iSub. In other words, when i want more power, I lower the iTunes volume and raise the system volume - when there is too much bass, I lower the system volume and raise the iTunes volume. This is how you control the bass output when things get a bit too thumpy.
  • Reply 13 of 17
    wolfeye155wolfeye155 Posts: 425member
    Hey thanks that seems to be working!
  • Reply 14 of 17
    macrescuemacrescue Posts: 33member
    One important tip: Place the isub UNDER your desk. It sounds a lot better!



    [ 03-29-2002: Message edited by: macrescue ]</p>
  • Reply 15 of 17
    onlookeronlooker Posts: 5,252member
    [quote]Originally posted by alcimedes:

    <strong>onlooker, do you think they sound horrible with a sub, or was that just by themselves?</strong><hr></blockquote>



    just by themselves.
  • Reply 16 of 17
    pscatespscates Posts: 5,847member
    [quote]Originally posted by macrescue:

    <strong>One important tip: Place the isub UNDER your desk. It sounds a lot better!



    [ 03-29-2002: Message edited by: macrescue ]</strong><hr></blockquote>



    I have to agree on this. I was the dork who kept his iSub up on TOP of his desk until just this past weekend.



    Now it's below my desk, and all is right with the world.



  • Reply 17 of 17
    tetzel1517tetzel1517 Posts: 204member
    I remember when I moved into a new apartment last February 2001. I had just ordered my new iMac w/Soundsticks and an iSub. I had asked my mom to send out my stereo, too.



    I got the iMac with speakers first. After listening to music on that thing, the first thing I did was call my mom and tell her to not bother sending the stereo. My iMac would be just fine.



    The curious thing is that when you get an iSub w/Soundsticks, the iSub has a manual control knob instead of being controlled by the software. Since I mostly listen to rock, I rarely change the setting though. I only pump it up on occasions where I'm listening to dance or rap.



    Anyway, it was WELL worth the money. People are blown away by not only how good such a little setup can sound, but also because they make my computer look all space-agey.
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