Soundsticks

[Mugwumper]

What is this USB I/O problem in Leopard?

My soundsticks have been MIA since the 10.5.2 update. They are totally off the Map. There is a USB IO problem that shows up in single user boot mode when they are plugged in. Apples user forums have a lot of users with this problem. Hopefully it will be fixed via software update soon.

As an update, I've had no problems with my USB SoundSticks with 10.5.2,
so I guess I should be happy. Does this I/O problem only occur when you
initially plug them in? Mine are always plugged in, so maybe that helps?

I've also had an opportunity to try the Bose Companion 3 Series II (they
were given to me as "payment" for some Web site work), and it's
interesting to flip back and forth between them and the SoundSticks using
System Preferences. What I notice is that the Bose speakers have a LOT of
bass, almost too much, even with the subwoofer set at minimum. The
opposite is true with my older USB SoundSticks (which is the reason I
posted originally), but in general, the SoundSticks have a much "richer"
and "fuller" sound across the frequencies.

Any idea if there's any real difference between the sound quality when you
use the audio port vs. USB?

Thanks . . .

 

[Brianna]

As an update, I've had no problems with my USB SoundSticks with 10.5.2,
so I guess I should be happy. Does this I/O problem only occur when you
initially plug them in? Mine are always plugged in, so maybe that helps?

I've also had an opportunity to try the Bose Companion 3 Series II (they
were given to me as "payment" for some Web site work), and it's
interesting to flip back and forth between them and the SoundSticks using
System Preferences. What I notice is that the Bose speakers have a LOT of
bass, almost too much, even with the subwoofer set at minimum. The
opposite is true with my older USB SoundSticks (which is the reason I
posted originally), but in general, the SoundSticks have a much "richer"
and "fuller" sound across the frequencies.

Any idea if there's any real difference between the sound quality when you
use the audio port vs. USB?

Thanks . . .

It could be your computer is compatible with them, I don't know exactly why mine are not working, but it's well documented in Apple s forums that users are having problems with them. I am one of them.

 

[TEG]

I am looking into purchasing the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks II. Can anyone tell me if they are Leopard compatible. I have done a little searching and found in a few articles that the sub has issues working with Leopard. Is this true? Does anyone use the Soundsticks with Leopard? Any info would be appreciated.

There are no Intel drivers for the USB SoundSticks, but the Headphone SoundSticks II don't require any drivers since it uses a standard interface instead of USB.

TEG

 

[Foxglove9]

I have the original USB soundsticks running 10.5.2 on my MacBook and have had no problems with sound so far. I think I've had these about 5 or 6 years now.

 

[Brianna]

There are no Intel drivers for the USB SoundSticks, but the Headphone SoundSticks II don't require any drivers since it uses a standard interface instead of USB.

TEG

That explains it I guess. My mac pro is intel powered.

 

[Foxglove9]

That explains it I guess. My mac pro is intel powered.

My MacBook is Intel and it works fine, I haven't read up on Apples site about the problem but maybe it is isolated to Mac Pros?

I'm kinda bummed about it not working with Airport Express, I didn't know until after I bought it. Oh well.

 

[Brianna]

My MacBook is Intel and it works fine, I haven't read up on Apples site about the problem but maybe it is isolated to Mac Pros?

I'm kinda bummed about it not working with Airport Express, I didn't know until after I bought it. Oh well.

Could be. I am really upset that I can not listen to music. Apple should be too. I have not been buying any music because the sound quality of the built in Mac Pro speaker is a tragedy.

 

[zer0tails]

I've got some Soundsticks II and they sound pretty good for the money. Just be careful with the sticks themselves - both of mine split in half

how did you fix them? Mine split too and I don't know how to fix them

 

[sunfast]

how did you fix them? Mine split too and I don't know how to fix them

I used superglue but I suspect modelling glue would be a good bet - especially with one of those delicate nozzles on it.

Speaker rely on being solid to reproduce sound well so I was pretty narked about it. They work ok now though