Connecting old surround sound speakers to MBP

tavilach · Aug 14, 2009, 04:05 AM

Hey all,

I've got some old Altec Lansing surround sound speakers (4 + subwoofer) that I'd like to connect to my MBP, but I can't figure out what sort of adapter I'd need.

At the back of the subwoofer there's an empty port called "Diag," and two 3.5mm (it looks like) audio cords coming out of an "Input" port. I'm only used to dealing with singe 3.5mm cords, so any help would be appreciated

Here's a pic:

geoffreak · Aug 14, 2009, 11:23 AM

You could buy new speakers for the same cost as getting necessary adapters. Just sell them.

rkdiddy · Aug 14, 2009, 01:07 PM

tavilach -

Based off your picture you have the input line that appears to have a two 3.5 mm plugs on the end (1 green and 1 black) - assuming that is correct - you would put green into the speaker output port of your MBP and everything should work.

I'm guessing the black one is for an additional source like an iPod.

mchalebk · Aug 14, 2009, 01:12 PM

Do you have any documentation on the speakers? What about a model number? Is there any indication that the speakers have two inputs (like a switch)? If so, that would lend credence to rkdiddy's suggestions, which seem good to me.

waw74 · Aug 14, 2009, 11:37 PM

green is for the front speakers, black is for the rear speakers.
it's pretty standard coloring for surround

If you just want to use the front speakers, no adapters are needed.

if you want to have the left signal come out both the front left and rear left, and the right come out both of the right speakers, you can get a male 3.5mm to 2 female 3.5mm adapter for around $10 (click here for example) although i would just go locally to radio shack or an electronics store to get one.

with the MBP, and these speakers, you will not be able to get true surround from movies or whatever.

Aug 14, 2009, 04:05 AM	#1
tavilach macrumors newbie Join Date: Aug 2009	Connecting old surround sound speakers to MBP Hey all, I've got some old Altec Lansing surround sound speakers (4 + subwoofer) that I'd like to connect to my MBP, but I can't figure out what sort of adapter I'd need. At the back of the subwoofer there's an empty port called "Diag," and two 3.5mm (it looks like) audio cords coming out of an "Input" port. I'm only used to dealing with singe 3.5mm cords, so any help would be appreciated Here's a pic:
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Aug 14, 2009, 11:23 AM	#2
geoffreak macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Texas; Wish I was in Japan	You could buy new speakers for the same cost as getting necessary adapters. Just sell them. __________________ rMBP 2.6GHz 16GB 512GB \| Mac Mini 2009 2.26GHz \| MBP Early '08 2.4GHz \| iPhone 4S 32GB \| Drobo Nimbix - Accelerated Cloud Supercomputing
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Aug 14, 2009, 01:07 PM	#3
rkdiddy macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: OC Baby!	tavilach - Based off your picture you have the input line that appears to have a two 3.5 mm plugs on the end (1 green and 1 black) - assuming that is correct - you would put green into the speaker output port of your MBP and everything should work. I'm guessing the black one is for an additional source like an iPod. __________________ Mini: rMBP 15" 2.6ghz i7/16/256GB \| 2.5ghz i5/8/750GB 27" TB ACD \| B&W MM-1 \| 2TB TC \| iPhone 5 \| iPad 4G advertising : design : marketing : print : social media : web - www.risencreative.com
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Aug 14, 2009, 01:12 PM	#4
mchalebk macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2008	Do you have any documentation on the speakers? What about a model number? Is there any indication that the speakers have two inputs (like a switch)? If so, that would lend credence to rkdiddy's suggestions, which seem good to me.
	0

Aug 14, 2009, 11:37 PM	#5
waw74 macrumors 68000 Join Date: May 2008	green is for the front speakers, black is for the rear speakers. it's pretty standard coloring for surround If you just want to use the front speakers, no adapters are needed. if you want to have the left signal come out both the front left and rear left, and the right come out both of the right speakers, you can get a male 3.5mm to 2 female 3.5mm adapter for around $10 (click here for example) although i would just go locally to radio shack or an electronics store to get one. with the MBP, and these speakers, you will not be able to get true surround from movies or whatever.
	0