Speakers on new iMac?

akatsuki · Dec 1, 2012

Are they decent or total crap? I have Audioengine A5s sitting next to my current machine, but they are massive, so I would like to move them to another room and just get by on the computer speakers...

Anyone pick up a 21" and want to comment?

Johnf1285 · Dec 1, 2012

akatsuki said:
Are they decent or total crap? I have Audioengine A5s sitting next to my current machine, but they are massive, so I would like to move them to another room and just get by on the computer speakers...

Anyone pick up a 21" and want to comment?

I have no first hand account. But I did read online that they lacked low end compared to the 2011 speakers. Interesting because Apple said during the iMac release event that the speakers sounded BETTER.

I too am curious about the sound quality.

Rangerover · Dec 1, 2012

You will be disappointed. The new speakers have almost no bass.

bflowers · Dec 1, 2012

Rangerover said:
You will be disappointed. The new speakers have almost no bass.

are you speaking from personal experience, or what you read elsewhere?

Rangerover · Dec 1, 2012

Personal experience. Bought one this morning in the Amsterdam Apple Store. Speakers are ****, but on the other hand, I'm an audio freak so what could I expect from an all in one.

bflowers · Dec 1, 2012

Thanks for the info Rangerover. I doubt most people will really be that critical of sound quality on an all-in-one, and those that need better, can plug something in. I still have a 5.1 system I bought years ago for my G4 iMac, if I really need a subwoofer for some decent bass. Otherwise, I have my actual stereo for listening to music. It's kind of hard to pack 12 inch woofers into an iMac when the designers want it to be anorexic!

MacOG728893 · Dec 1, 2012

akatsuki said:
Are they decent or total crap? I have Audioengine A5s sitting next to my current machine, but they are massive, so I would like to move them to another room and just get by on the computer speakers...

Anyone pick up a 21" and want to comment?

If you're use to those audio engines, then you'll be greatly disappointed. For average consumers, they'll do just fine.

This is from using one all day yesterday.

Rangerover · Dec 1, 2012

Yes that is certainly true. But compared to the 2011 iMac the sound is actually worse, which is not what Apple is saying. The middle and higher sounds do sound more crisp than on the 2011 iMac, but the lower sounds and bass are much worse.

Blaine · Dec 1, 2012

Well this sucks

bobright · Dec 1, 2012

bflowers said:
Thanks for the info Rangerover. I doubt most people will really be that critical of sound quality on an all-in-one, and those that need better, can plug something in. I still have a 5.1 system I bought years ago for my G4 iMac, if I really need a subwoofer for some decent bass. Otherwise, I have my actual stereo for listening to music. It's kind of hard to pack 12 inch woofers into an iMac when the designers want it to be anorexic!

I've got a 7.1 AVR system with my old PC would connect via optical, what are my options on this new iMac in getting it hooked up to my system?

daveishere · Dec 1, 2012

I tried them in a store today, not as bad I was expecting for something as thin as the new iMac. I don't think I'll pickup any external speakers.

Johnf1285 · Dec 1, 2012

bobright said:
I've got a 7.1 AVR system with my old PC would connect via optical, what are my options on this new iMac in getting it hooked up to my system?

The headphone output also doubles as a digital optical output. You'll need an adapter like this:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...d=1042301&p_id=2671&seq=1&format=1#largeimage

Or a cable with the mini on one end and full size on the other.

gmanist1000 · Dec 1, 2012

akatsuki said:
Are they decent or total crap? I have Audioengine A5s sitting next to my current machine, but they are massive, so I would like to move them to another room and just get by on the computer speakers...

Anyone pick up a 21" and want to comment?

The Verge said they are a downgrade from the previous model. The biggest negative they said is that there's almost no bass response.

If they are indeed similar to the new speakers in the rMBP, then this should be true, but the sound is so clear in the rMBP model that I actually prefer it over the 2011 iMac speakers.

WilliamG · Dec 1, 2012

gmanist1000 said:
The Verge said they are a downgrade from the previous model. The biggest negative they said is that there's almost no bass response.

If they are indeed similar to the new speakers in the rMBP, then this should be true, but the sound is so clear in the rMBP model that I actually prefer it over the 2011 iMac speakers.

Strange. I find the rMBP speakers to have no bass, and really don't mind my 2009 27" iMac sound (same speakers as the 2010 and 2011).

THOPMedia · Dec 1, 2012

Johnf1285 said:
The headphone output also doubles as a digital optical output. You'll need an adapter like this:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...d=1042301&p_id=2671&seq=1&format=1#largeimage

Or a cable with the mini on one end and full size on the other.

Are you sure thats still the case? I haven't seen that listed anywhere that it still has the optical audio component at the bottom of the plug.

Edit: Never mind, I just went and looked and they do list it as optical still.

Johnf1285 · Dec 1, 2012

THOPMedia said:
Are you sure thats still the case? I haven't seen that listed anywhere that it still has the optical audio component at the bottom of the plug.

Edit: Never mind, I just went and looked and they do list it as optical still.

It works well. I use to run a setup like this on my 24" iMac.

JonnyIreland · Dec 1, 2012

I already picked up a "BassJump 2" speaker from 12 South a few weeks ago in anticipation of my new iMac (I've ordered the 27"), it should add just enough bass to make listening to the iMac enjoyable -but without cluttering up my desk or ruining the aesthetics of the iMac.

Scrapula · Dec 1, 2012

I still using my original Harman Kardon iSub & Soundsticks from 2000.

Imacpapi · Dec 1, 2012

I had the prior model (21.5") briefly in October. I took it back when new models were announced. I thought speakers were great. Especially on low end and overall sound spectrum. Listened to speakers in same size system at Best Buy today and they are not very robust in overall sound.

Granted I was in a big space, I still don't think the sound quality is anywhere near prior model.

BuntaFujiwaraaa · Dec 2, 2012

To be honest, Apple have never really succeed in the Audio department. But to be fair, you can't expect alot from a all in one. For me, I will just add my own specialised speakers as I'm quite anal about the audio quality even if the desktop is from other brands.

akatsuki · Dec 2, 2012

I might just pick up some Audioengine A2s then and shift the A5s to elsewhere in the home.

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