Audio Out Preference

[Chuckeee]

Since the internal [M2] Mac mini speaker isn’t very good and the monitor is use doesn’t have its ow speaker, I will be using external speakers.

When setting up external speaker with a standard audio jack there are a few obvious potential configurations. Is there a preferred one

I have tried headphone jack on the back of the mini and the audio output jack on an HDMI monitor and they both appear to work equally

 

[Fishrrman]

I checked "other".

Why not USB out (Mini) to USB in (speakers)?
Of course, the speakers must be self-powered and have a USB input.
Will you be using standalone speakers, or speakers built into a display? (if the latter, this probably won't work)

If not that, I'd just use the headphone out jack (Mini) to analog in port (speakers).

 

[fricotin]

USB Logitech

 

[BrianBaughn]

You can get any speakers you want. Research and pick a set and then figure out how best to connect them.

 

[Silvestru Hosszu]

USB > External DAC + Preamp > Powered speakers through balanced cables.

 

[dockgaze]

M1 MacMini USB-C > Apple USB-C/3.5mm DAC > 3.5mm/RCA jack cable > amplifier RCA ‘audio in’

Decent specs (particularly the Apple DAC dongle) AND great sound (to my ear).

 

[philipma1957]

I voted other. I do hdmi direct to a 65 inch 4k samsung tv. which in turn feeds a denon 7.2 avr with a hdmi cable.

My sound is really really really good. Netflix amazon youtube whatever I stream gives great sound.

 

[Bazza1]

I've got Logitech powered speakers with standard stereo jacks - so straight into Mini's jack port. This reads as External Headphones in OS's audio out. Also leaves open remaining USB-C ports for other things - one of which I use for my monitor (don't get me started).

Pretty okay - with volume controls on both Mac and the speakers themselves - but I've improved the quality of sound with Boom 3D software. Only caveat here is that it doesn't (yet) work with FaceTime.

 

[MajorFubar]

Please ignore the three votes to just get a monitor with built in speakers, unless space is at an absolute premium. They are all just different shades of BAD. Even the speakers in the Studio Display will get comfortably wasted by a pair of Presonus Eris 3.5, that cost only 80 Eurodollarpounds, let alone anything better. EDIT: NB The Eris (and other similar products) will plug directly into the back of your Mini and will work 100% fine, and that's what I voted.

 

[OldRhodie]

I use a pair of HomePod minis.

 

[August West]

I use the audio out jack -> Fosi Audio amp -> Athena S.5 bookshelf speakers.

When my 20 yo computer speakers w/sub died earlier this year I looked at various options but had the speakers sitting in the closet unused. So I just purchased a little class D amp for them and find the sound surprisingly good for the little bit of money I had to spend.

 

[MajorFubar]

Unless you must have an Apple solution at all cost, I would avoid using HomePods of any description [as extension speakers for a computer]. It's a price-inefficient way of achieving mediocrity when wired active speakers are available for the same price that bury them in the ground.

 

[dazey]

I have an M2 mini, I use Dante Virtual Soundcard to play audio over my LAN to Dante speakers. Not a standard setup for sure but thats what I use 80% of the time, 10% bluetooth to earphones, 10% the 3.5mm jack

 

[Chuckeee]

I already had a set of Harman Kardon SoundSticks II (from my recently deceased 2012 iMac) that use a 3.5 mm audio jack. I will just plug them into the Mac mini directly. No one seemed to advocate for plugging these speakers into the monitor so I’ll stick with plugging them into Mac mini audio jack.