5.1 Audio on iMacs?

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Posted:
in Current Mac Hardware edited January 2014
Hey guys,



I plan to join the Mac camp soon and buy an iMac (as soon as the new models that are long rumored would finaly be out).



Anyway, I've got an audio question about the iMacs: (I'm not a big audio-buff, but that is just something I would like to know...)



I currently have a set of 5.1 speakers (Logitech x530) and a 5.1 capable soundcard on my PC. Would the iMac (the 20" model if that matters) support 5.1 audio natively? Or maybe I would have to purchase some additional hardware for it to work?



Thanks.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 9
    leonardleonard Posts: 528member
    The iMac supports 5.1 surround sound for DVD Player via the optical audio digital out port which apparently doubles as a line-level out on the iMac so I'm not sure what the port looks like. On my Mac Pro, the optical audio digital out is a separate port that requires a toslink cable. Your speakers would need to have a toslink (optical audio digital in) port. If your speakers use the 3 color-coded mini-jacks then you'd need a USB or firewire external sound card.
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  • Reply 2 of 9
    lirandlirand Posts: 174member
    I don't really know if they've got optical audio digital in cable... this is what the specs say: "Color-coded audio cables" (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/pa...s/815&cl=us,en) does it mean I'll have to get an external sound card?



    Are digital audio capable speakers common these days? My speakers are in the $100 range and are fairly new...



    Could you recommend on good digital speakers at a fair price? (if indeed my speakers don't have "digital audio out" cables)
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  • Reply 3 of 9
    londorlondor Posts: 264member
    Macs through the digital audio out can output a raw digital surround signal that needs to be decoded by a Dolby or DTS decoder depending on whether the signal is Dolby or DTS.



    As mentioned earlier DVD Player will pass through a Dolby and DTS digital sorround signal and QuickTime with the latest Perian plug-in installed is able to pass through a digital Dolby surround signal (often referred to as AC3 audio).



    So basically you need a Dolby and/or DTS decoder (something like this) or a set of speakers with a built-in Dolby and/or DTS decoder (something like this) if you do not want to use an USB or Firewire external sound card (something like this).







    Disclaimer: The products I linked to are for reference only and not a recommendation.
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  • Reply 4 of 9
    lirandlirand Posts: 174member
    Alright. And if I don't have any of this special equipment - what audio would I get? (just 5.1 speaker set with no DTS, decoder, or special sound card)
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  • Reply 5 of 9
    londorlondor Posts: 264member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by lirand View Post


    Alright. And if I don't have any of this special equipment - what audio would I get? (just 5.1 speaker set with no DTS, decoder, or special sound card)



    Stereo.
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  • Reply 6 of 9
    rijpaalrijpaal Posts: 5member
    you need either the decoder or the usb OR firewire sound card that does 5.1



    There is planty of such cards, but usually Windoz only...



    I could not find any thing from any reputable company like m-audio or creative labs

    but I have a feeling this one might work on Mac, but you would have to research better.



    There are some el cheapo sound cards like this with specs that claim Mac OS support, but I would not be surprised if this was for stereo only.



    I am very much interested in the success of your quest, will follow your steps once I get my macbook - the lack of analog surround is holding me back.



    Good Luck
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  • Reply 7 of 9
    leonardleonard Posts: 528member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by lirand View Post


    I don't really know if they've got optical audio digital in cable... this is what the specs say: "Color-coded audio cables" (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/pa...s/815&cl=us,en) does it mean I'll have to get an external sound card?



    As I mentioned in my email, you have the 3 color-coded cables with mini-jacks so you need an external USB or Firewire soundcard. Griffin Technologies has one http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/firewave/



    Here seems to be another one http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...=ZALMAN%20TECH



    I haven't used any since I have Z-5500 speakers for my Mac Pro - work great and I got a great deal on them at Best Buy a year or two ago.
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  • Reply 8 of 9
    Wow, guys thanks for the links. I was having the same problem, and I don't even have my Mac yet!
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  • Reply 9 of 9
    That Griffin Firewave looks like a piece o' carp ... appears to be a simple 16 bit DAC, not even 48K capable ...



    The NCIX device is even worse = not even CD quality.



    First off, the only way to get decent sound outta the Mac is through the TOSLink optical ports or with a decent FireWire 24bit / 96K interface (or better). All that 16bit foolishness is not considered "decent" by anyone trying to do semi pro or pro music. "CDs suck." - Bob Dylan.
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