Headphone/External Speakers Output Prob. MBP 17"

[skibster7]

I've got a buzzing sound that is heard when I plug my powered external speakers into the headphone jack. And I tried to change the sound output to external speakers but there was no option in the system preferences.

Does this mean I have to buy new speakers and utilize a USB slot instead of the headphone jack?

My Powerbook G4 didn't have this problem-- sounds nice either through headphones or amplified external speakers.

 

[Dreamkatcha]

I'm having a similar issue with my Mac Mini. I can only select headphones as the sound output whether I plug in external speakers or headphones.

I still get sound from both sources but I suspect I'm not getting the best out of my speakers (JBL stereo ones). I started looking into this because often I'll be listening to a movie via the external speakers and not be able to follow it at all even with the sound ramped up to full blast. If I put on my headphones the problem goes away.