macbook sound quality

[Cave Man]

Can the Macs put out 5.1 surround from the TOSlink outputs, or is it just stereo?

All Macs output digital optical. It can be mono, stereo, DPL, DPLII, DD 2.1, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 9.1 - you get the picture. Whatever is encoded in the medium (e.g., DVD, movie file, etc.), Macs simply passes that digital signal along to your receiver. It does no decoding of the audio file.

 

[alphaod]

All Macs output digital optical. It can be mono, stereo, DPL, DPLII, DD 2.1, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 9.1 - you get the picture. Whatever is encoded in the medium (e.g., DVD, movie file, etc.), Macs simply passes that digital signal along to your receiver. It does no decoding of the audio file.

You missed the 10.2 for THX.

front-left, top-front-left, front-right, top-front-right, surround-left, top-surround-left, surround-right, top-surround-right, center, top-center(above the screen), and front and back subwoofers

 

[JacobC]

I have a friend that has as a Blackbook, and I was really inpressed at the sound quality, 100x's better then my old Toshiba, and the sound sounds so pure. I really liked the sound quality. I plan on getting a MBP this summer, I'm super stoked!!

 

[deftdrummer]

You got an expensive computer, get some decent speakers with it. Logitech z2300 is my choice. 120watt subwoofer, two satellite speakers 40watts each. Crisp sound, clear deep bass, loud enough to drive neighbors mad if that's what you're trying to do. Less than $100 if you can get a decent deal.

Funny thing is, that expensive computer should come with a decent set of speakers. We all know the MacBook speakers have been under powered and unsatisfied since the beginning - same as their ipod and iphone ear buds.

 

[kasakka]

Funny thing is, that expensive computer should come with a decent set of speakers. We all know the MacBook speakers have been under powered and unsatisfied since the beginning - same as their ipod and iphone ear buds.

It's a laptop. Until someone invents a whole new type of speaker you're stuck with the tiny ones they can cram inside a laptop without taking too much space. It's simply physically impossible to get that great a sound out of those.

 

[moral-hazard]

My 13" MBP has a slightly better sound than any other (comparably-sized) laptop i've heard. It even has a sub in it, so while it's still gonna sound crappy its bearable. Hook up speakers/headphones if youre listening to music or watching a movie.