How are the 5k iMac 2017 speakers?

[TomOSeven]

Hi all,

I adore the speakers in my iPad Pro 10.5 and I'm constantly blown away by how good they sound for such a tiny computer.

My friend's Macbook Pro 2017 (13") left me with the same impression, so I'm wondering if the 2017 iMac also punches way above its weight class in terms of speaker quality.

It's a significantly larger computer, of course, so I'm wondering if it can comfortably fill my 25m² home office with sound. Since the Macbook Air announcement, I'm torn between the iMac and a Mac Mini.

Thanks!

 

[J.Gallardo]

Well... It will fill your room with sound, but not being a mobile device, you’ll for sure desire some more. My iMac 27” speakers sound “nice”, but screen & general design are superb. So, perhaps iPad Pro sound is more impresive, considering its use.
I don’t think it’s the key to any desktop system, as getting a better sound is quite cheap, and depends on your use.
BUT... (I realize) spreakers in iMac, being very good, are the most disposable thing in it.
(I take out sound from USB to a hifi-deck/speakers, and make just system sounds go through internal speakers. But MY use is listening to music!)

 

[MandiMac]

You can certainly fill the room with sound. It's way better than a Mac Mini (source: I own both). But as J.Gallardo says, if your sole purpose is music, you're better off with an external speaker either way.

 

[theluggage]

It's a significantly larger computer, of course, so I'm wondering if it can comfortably fill my 25m² home office with sound. Since the Macbook Air announcement, I'm torn between the iMac and a Mac Mini.

As tiny speakers built in to a slim case with no obvious grilles, they're quite impressive in their lack of rubbish-ness. If you want to videoconference, occasionally watch a video or play some speech/music then you might not need anything else, and shouldn't bother with the usual pair of cheap'n'cheerful "multimedia" speakers.

However, "impressive for slimline internal speakers with no grille" is a fairly low bar - if you want your iMac to double as an entertainment system on a regular basis, a pair of half-decent external speakers will still blow them away. I'd look at "powered studio monitors" rather than fancy satellite/sub systems - there are decent ones around for << $200 but feel free to pay the cost of a small car if you want to impress your dog - I've got these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B013P15QZE/ which are certainly an economy option but sound great and will fill your room if you so much look at the volume control).

Apart from the quality, I prefer my music to come from a bit further away... So I wouldn't make it a major purchasing decision.

...I feel the same way about the iPad Pro - those speakers are unbelievably good for their size and there are many situations where that's great - but you're gonna want to use bigger external ones where it is possible.

 

[Lunder89]

I think the speakers are the same as the 2015 model, which I have. And these speakers are okay for spoken content and the occasional YouTube video.

But if you plan on listening to music, get a pair of decent speakers.
The treble is flat and boring, the mid-range is very narrow, and loses a lot of the sound quality. The bass tries but looses out. It just doesn't get deep enough.
The sound experience is odd. Because if you sum up the sound, it is high pithed and bland, with a few good deep notes that fails again quickly.
The nicest thing I have to say about the speakers in the iMac is, they are pretty loud.

 

[nihil0]

If you want to create music or listen to music most of the day then buy external speakers. Otherwise for occassional listening or watching videos they are alright.