Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MAC Speakers?

F

FMINUS

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 18, 2008
22
0
Chino Hills CA
I just bought a Mac Pro and it only has ONE jack? Does this mean that my MAC will not be able to use 5.1 speakers? :confused::confused::confused:
 
It's "Mac" not "MAC".
The audio out port is both analogue stereo and digital optical (mini TOSlink) for digital 5.1 sound. Nevermind what I said, I was thinking of Apples other Macs. The Mac Pro has a separate digital optical TOSlink port.
 
Eidorian said:
Analog 5.1 computer speakers require the FireWave. The price was dropped recently for $29.99 as well.
Click to expand...
Is this the BEST option? You would think that a "MAC Pro" thats top of the line would come with something better than ONE jack?
apfhex said:
It's "Mac" not "MAC".
The audio out port is both analogue stereo and digital optical (mini TOSlink) for digital 5.1 sound.
Click to expand...

What does that mean? Sorry Im a newbie
 
FMINUS said:
Is this the BEST option? You would think that a "MAC Pro" thats top of the line would come with something better than ONE jack?


What does that mean? Sorry Im a newbie
Click to expand...

There are a total of 3 dedicated ways to output audio (not including the built in speaker). There is the headphone jack on the front, the jack on the back, and the optical audio out. As well, you can go for firewire speakers. 5.1 is supported on most of these, just find the right plug.

FMINUS said:
So this one will work then?

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-G51-Surround-Sound-Speakers/dp/tech-data/B000UEH5HC/ref=de_a_smtd
Click to expand...

Yes, it should work.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
you really should of done more research before buying a Mac Pro to work with your 5.1 setup.

the Mac Pro has an analogue audio in and out port which is also digital. it also has optical audio in and out ports for TOSLINK optical cables which is digital only.

to use 5.1 you would have to listen to audio thats encoded in Dolby Digital (i.e. DVDs using Apple's DVD player) and then connect your speakers using an optical cable to the Mac Pro or connect your speakers to a 5.1 receiver (firewire USB or just a HiFi receiver) and then run an optical cable from the receiver to the Mac Pro to listen to audio in 5.1 that isnt encoded in Dolby Digital (i.e. iTunes, web audio, games).

i think this is right peoples? i dont have a 5.1 setup right now but ive been researching it.
 
richthomas said:
you really should of done more research before buying a Mac Pro to work with your 5.1 setup.

the Mac Pro has an analogue audio in and out port which is also digital. it also has optical audio in and out ports for TOSLINK optical cables which is digital only.

to use 5.1 you would have to listen to audio that encoded with Dolby Digital (i.e. DVDs using Apple's DVD player) and then connect your speakers using an optical cable to the Mac Pro or connect your speakers to a 5.1 receiver and then run an optical cable from the receiver to the Mac Pro to listen to audio in 5.1 that isnt encoded as Dolby Digital (i.e. iTunes, web audio).

i think this is right peoples? i dont have a 5.1 setup right now but ive been researching it.
Click to expand...

I would bought the Mac Pro regardless, if its not compatible, Ill just use them on my PC or even dump them.
 
iToaster said:
There are a total of 3 dedicated ways to output audio (not including the built in speaker). There is the headphone jack on the front, the jack on the back, and the optical audio out. As well, you can go for firewire speakers. 5.1 is supported on most of these, just find the right plug.



Yes, it should work.
Click to expand...

Would I need to buy anything else besides the speakers itself to make it work?
 
FMINUS said:
I would bought the Mac Pro regardless, if its not compatible, Ill just use them on my PC or even dump them.
Click to expand...

ok. the Mac Pro is a real powerhouse workstation… youll love it :)

richthomas said:
… to use 5.1 you would have to listen to audio thats encoded in Dolby Digital (i.e. DVDs using Apple's DVD player) and then connect your speakers using an optical cable to the Mac Pro or connect your speakers to a 5.1 receiver (firewire USB or just a HiFi receiver) and then run an optical cable from the receiver to the Mac Pro to listen to audio in 5.1 that isnt encoded in Dolby Digital (i.e. iTunes, web audio, games). …
Click to expand...

anyone know if this is correct? i still havent got my head arround 5.1
 
Most audio and video professionals have a separate I/O for interfacing with professional-grade hardware. Notice the MacPro, used by film and broadcast professionals around the world, also does not have BNC/YUV/XLR/HDMI/etc. outputs required by most decks, monitors and cameras. That doesn't make the computer unprofessional. Watching DVDs on the computer isn't necessarily a "professional" activity. ;)



FMINUS said:
You would think that a "MAC Pro" thats top of the line would come with something better than ONE jack?
Click to expand...
 
echoout said:
Most audio and video professionals have a separate I/O for interfacing with professional-grade hardware. Notice the MacPro, used by film and broadcast professionals around the world, also does not have BNC/YUV/XLR/HDMI/etc. outputs required by most decks, monitors and cameras. That doesn't make the computer unprofessional. Watching DVDs on the computer isn't necessarily a "professional" activity. ;)
Click to expand...

that makes a lot of sense! So any thoughts the the 5500?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back