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Recommend speakers for Mac Pro

Y

yugioh5d

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 20, 2015
105
9
Hi,

Since the XDR has no speakers and the Mac Pro sounds like a Mono audio. I'm looking for the desktop speakers but there are overwhelmed numbers out there, so I'm looking for some recommendation. I like the Sonos 5.1 one, not sure if it even works on the Mac Pro. Anyone knows if Sonos 5.1 surround system, or Sonos beam will work on the Mac Pro 2019? Also what speakers do you use for your desktop? Any recommendation is really appreciated. Thanks.
 
I have the Soundsticks and love them. Not the cheapest and the styling is very 2000 but they still look awesome and sound great. Speakers are so subjective though, so you may want to try auditioning a few sets before settling. Do you require 5.1?
 
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yugioh5d said:
Hi,

Since the XDR has no speakers and the Mac Pro sounds like a Mono audio. I'm looking for the desktop speakers but there are overwhelmed numbers out there, so I'm looking for some recommendation. I like the Sonos 5.1 one, not sure if it even works on the Mac Pro. Anyone knows if Sonos 5.1 surround system, or Sonos beam will work on the Mac Pro 2019? Also what speakers do you use for your desktop? Any recommendation is really appreciated. Thanks.
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Then you want a least a three point system (2.1). Sense you are an audio file you might need a studio monitor!
 
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My XDR display arrives on 17th March, I'm going to use a Sonos beam as well, I have the Kanto Yu2 speakers with my iMac Pro, but hate the connection wires between the speakers, with the beam I can take the digital audio out of my TS3 dock and then into the beam optical to HDMI adaptor and then a short 1 ft hdmi into the beam, it should look good in white or black beneath the XDR, I'm on a mission not reduce cables with this new setup.
 
I have read and tested quite a few when looking for good speakers, I wanted it to be better than standard pc speakers. I can really recommend the Audioengine speakers (A2+ with a sub or A5+ if you don't want a sub). I personally chose Audioengine A2+ with REL sub. The newest are wireless
 
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....in no particular order

1. Bose Companion 5 Multimedia Speaker System – Graphite/Silver

2. Bowers and Wilkins mm-1 (not sure if still available as new)

3. Harman Kardon SoundSticks Wireless Bluetooth Enabled 2.1 Speaker System

4. Edifier S3000Pro Audiophile Active Speakers - Bluetooth 5.0 aptX Wireless, USB Audio, Planar Diaphragm Tweeters and 6.5" Woofers
 
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dubaimac said:
My XDR display arrives on 17th March, I'm going to use a Sonos beam as well, I have the Kanto Yu2 speakers with my iMac Pro, but hate the connection wires between the speakers, with the beam I can take the digital audio out of my TS3 dock and then into the beam optical to HDMI adaptor and then a short 1 ft hdmi into the beam, it should look good in white or black beneath the XDR, I'm on a mission not reduce cables with this new setup.
Click to expand...

That sounds like a lot of wires going on.

Successful Sorcerer said:
I have read and tested quite a few when looking for good speakers, I wanted it to be better than standard pc speakers. I can really recommend the Audioengine speakers (A2+ with a sub or A5+ if you don't want a sub). I personally chose Audioengine A2+ with REL sub. The newest are wireless
Click to expand...

I actually looked at that A2+ or HD3. I only use in a small room though, A5+ might be a bit too large on the desk.

And recently as I progressed through my search, I found the KEF LSX, which seems nice but expensive. KEF Egg looks good but it also have problem with sleepmode. Anyone has experience with KEF before?
 
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+1 vote for KEF LSX’s.

I find a lot of audiophiles hard to listen to but I really enjoy this guy’s reviews. I debated whether to buy KEF LS50W vs LSX for months and ended up getting LS50W. In the video he mentions that for smaller rooms or desk mounted monitors the LSX is a better choice. LSX also supports AirPlay 2 which sadly the LS50W do not. Sound wise the LS50W are incredible. Absolutely love them.

 
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If you want no-compromise audiphile speakers the LS50W's can't be beat. They're pretty large on a desk, but the sound is bliss.

KEF_LS50W_White__90601.1514819305.jpg
 
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henrymyf said:
How about Apples own HomePods? Two of them can also make a stereo pair, right?
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Two Apple HomePods doesn't work as a stereo pair under macOS, unfortunately. You can choose only one, except in Music/iTunes and Apple TV+ apps, which supports Airplay 2 directly. In other programs you are out of luck and you can use one HomePod at a time only.
 
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I know they are really old but I still use and recommend the Klipsch Promedia 2.1. They are almost 20 Years old but they have won several awards for sound quality and they are super inexpensive now.
 
Since I upgraded my Mac Pro 7.1 from the LG Ultrafine 5K to the Apple XDR I was on search for fitting desktop loudspeaker including a sound quality upgrade. It looks I found my speakers meanwhile. In case someone else is on search as well, I want to share my experience.
My choice was based on reviews only, and not on practical tests or listening. My key criteria have been sound quality, small desktop size, low stand-by consumption with auto-on/off, low noise in idle and last but not least the design. After considering iLoud Micro Monitor (no auto-shout off?), Bose Companion 2 Series II (sound quality?), Bose Companion 50 (noise in idle?), Nubert nuPro A-100 (size), KEF LSX (size), Apple Home Pods (doesn't work as pair) and some others I decided finally for the Genelec G One in black. Remark: the Genelec G are identical to the Genelec 8010A, except Cinch vs XLR input and color options.
So far I'm very happy with the Genelec and I'm convinced I made the right choice (even if I spend a bit more than planned). The sound is amazing and all my other criteria have been fulfilled. Only downsides are the analog input only (no USB DAC, Bluetooth, Wifi etc) and the relatively bright LED which only switches off after about 30min+ (which is easy to solve with a black sticker).
Hope this helps others who are on on a similar search actually...
Remark: I have no relation to Genelec, but just became a fan of one of their products ;-)
 
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MacFlaX said:
Two Apple HomePods doesn't work as a stereo pair under macOS, unfortunately. You can choose only one, except in Music/iTunes and Apple TV+ apps, which supports Airplay 2 directly. In other programs you are out of luck and you can use one of HomePod at a time only.
Click to expand...
That's really unfortunate news. I feel lucky that I heard of this before making any decision of purchasing a pair of HomePod
 
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