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Please recommend speakers for my 08 Mac Pro

irishgrizzly

irishgrizzly

macrumors 65816
Original poster
May 15, 2006
1,461
2
I've got a set of z-5500 already that I use with optical. I'd like to get another set as an add-on. Will have to use a splitter from the audio jack.

Can anyone recommend a pair of speakers that;

1. Are loud.

2. Are under $200

3. Have a built in amp (I'm guessing this is needed - ie my Mac Pro can't do the job of an amp?)
 
The Z-5500s aren't loud enough?

I normally recommend the Swan M10s, but if it's loudness you want. Perhaps the Klipsch Pro Media 2.1s. Do you want an extra sub?
 
Thanks for the replies. To give a little more information; the z-5500s are plenty loud, but I'm going to be getting these extra speakers for a party – running them to another part of the house (where you won't hear the z-5500 so well).

The size of them isn't a problem (I'm not looking for tiny sit-on-a-desk speakers). Just ones with the points above and the ability to run a cable a long way to meet them (maybe 15m-20m). So they will probably need there own power (in case the signal will be too weak over that distance).
 
Whatever you get, an Airport Express would take care of that range problem.
 
If I use the z-2300, it takes RCA cable. I'm going to need to use a long (could be 20 metres) cable. Will I need a special cable for this length, using this setup? (Mac Pro > splitter > RCA > z-2300). ie ones that doesn't drop signal if that's possible.

Also is there a difference in using the audio out at the back of a Mac Pro and the headphone jack?

Sorry for any obvious questions, I spend time working on images not sound!
 
irishgrizzly said:
If I use the z-2300, it takes RCA cable. I'm going to need to use a long (could be 20 metres) cable. Will I need a special cable for this length, using this setup? (Mac Pro > splitter > RCA > z-2300). ie ones that doesn't drop signal if that's possible.

Also is there a difference in using the audio out at the back of a Mac Pro and the headphone jack?

Sorry for any obvious questions, I spend time working on images not sound!
Click to expand...

For speakers like those, the audio out on the back should be exactly the same. You shouldn't need a special cable, but I don't know if they make stereo minijack to RCA cables at that length. A splitter is not worth bothering with, in my opinion - just switch your audio output to line out instead of digital out, unless you need the Z-5500s playing too for some reason.
 
TheStrudel said:
For speakers like those, the audio out on the back should be exactly the same. You shouldn't need a special cable, but I don't know if they make stereo minijack to RCA cables at that length. A splitter is not worth bothering with, in my opinion - just switch your audio output to line out instead of digital out, unless you need the Z-5500s playing too for some reason.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm going to be playing both together.

Thanks you the help so far.
 
I think z5500s should be plenty loud for a party!

If not hook two of them up together via airport express. I did this once for a party and had z5500 upstairs and down! was boooming
 
irishgrizzly said:
If I use the z-2300, it takes RCA cable. I'm going to need to use a long (could be 20 metres) cable. Will I need a special cable for this length, using this setup? (Mac Pro > splitter > RCA > z-2300). ie ones that doesn't drop signal if that's possible.
Click to expand...
You won't find one 20m. 35ft is the longest I know of (here). TOSLINK is also limited to 10m, so that's not going to go that long either.
 
goMac said:
Whatever you get, an Airport Express would take care of that range problem.
Click to expand...

+1

I had my MP upstairs, airport down stairs with the option of either optical or RCA. If you're throwing a party, using iPod Touch/iPhone as a remote control to handle iTunes is another huge plus.
 
I bought the Klipsch Pro Media 2.1 speakers and I have been pretty impressed. If you're looking mainly for loudness I would consider these. Here is a quote straight from CNet's full review "At their maximum level, the ProMedia 2.1 speakers also suffered from slight distortion issues, but this is somewhat irrelevant, as no sane human will choose to listen to these speakers at their maximum volume (106dB, or 14dB shy of the threshold of pain) for more than a few seconds." I bought these because I was looking for something very loud to attach to my Airport Express in my basement. That's the only reason why I chose them over the M-Audio's. I also love the combination of the iPod touch remote and Airport Express. I would really recommend the Airport Express over a long cable.
 
I have the Logitech-Z-2300s. Freaking loud. Price is good for what you get. I also had them since March 2006. Quality build. Quality sound. Probably not audiophile sound, but not really something I lose too much sleep over.
 
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