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Speakers on new iMac?

A

akatsuki

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 3, 2010
212
49
Are they decent or total crap? I have Audioengine A5s sitting next to my current machine, but they are massive, so I would like to move them to another room and just get by on the computer speakers...

Anyone pick up a 21" and want to comment?
 
akatsuki said:
Are they decent or total crap? I have Audioengine A5s sitting next to my current machine, but they are massive, so I would like to move them to another room and just get by on the computer speakers...

Anyone pick up a 21" and want to comment?
Click to expand...

I have no first hand account. But I did read online that they lacked low end compared to the 2011 speakers. Interesting because Apple said during the iMac release event that the speakers sounded BETTER.

I too am curious about the sound quality.
 
Personal experience. Bought one this morning in the Amsterdam Apple Store. Speakers are ****, but on the other hand, I'm an audio freak so what could I expect from an all in one.
 
Thanks for the info Rangerover. I doubt most people will really be that critical of sound quality on an all-in-one, and those that need better, can plug something in. I still have a 5.1 system I bought years ago for my G4 iMac, if I really need a subwoofer for some decent bass. Otherwise, I have my actual stereo for listening to music. It's kind of hard to pack 12 inch woofers into an iMac when the designers want it to be anorexic!
 
akatsuki said:
Are they decent or total crap? I have Audioengine A5s sitting next to my current machine, but they are massive, so I would like to move them to another room and just get by on the computer speakers...

Anyone pick up a 21" and want to comment?
Click to expand...

If you're use to those audio engines, then you'll be greatly disappointed. For average consumers, they'll do just fine.

This is from using one all day yesterday.
 
Yes that is certainly true. But compared to the 2011 iMac the sound is actually worse, which is not what Apple is saying. The middle and higher sounds do sound more crisp than on the 2011 iMac, but the lower sounds and bass are much worse.
 
bflowers said:
Thanks for the info Rangerover. I doubt most people will really be that critical of sound quality on an all-in-one, and those that need better, can plug something in. I still have a 5.1 system I bought years ago for my G4 iMac, if I really need a subwoofer for some decent bass. Otherwise, I have my actual stereo for listening to music. It's kind of hard to pack 12 inch woofers into an iMac when the designers want it to be anorexic!
Click to expand...

I've got a 7.1 AVR system with my old PC would connect via optical, what are my options on this new iMac in getting it hooked up to my system?
 
I tried them in a store today, not as bad I was expecting for something as thin as the new iMac. I don't think I'll pickup any external speakers.
 
akatsuki said:
Are they decent or total crap? I have Audioengine A5s sitting next to my current machine, but they are massive, so I would like to move them to another room and just get by on the computer speakers...

Anyone pick up a 21" and want to comment?
Click to expand...

The Verge said they are a downgrade from the previous model. The biggest negative they said is that there's almost no bass response.

If they are indeed similar to the new speakers in the rMBP, then this should be true, but the sound is so clear in the rMBP model that I actually prefer it over the 2011 iMac speakers.
 
gmanist1000 said:
The Verge said they are a downgrade from the previous model. The biggest negative they said is that there's almost no bass response.

If they are indeed similar to the new speakers in the rMBP, then this should be true, but the sound is so clear in the rMBP model that I actually prefer it over the 2011 iMac speakers.
Click to expand...

Strange. I find the rMBP speakers to have no bass, and really don't mind my 2009 27" iMac sound (same speakers as the 2010 and 2011).
 
Johnf1285 said:
The headphone output also doubles as a digital optical output. You'll need an adapter like this:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...d=1042301&p_id=2671&seq=1&format=1#largeimage

Or a cable with the mini on one end and full size on the other.
Click to expand...
Are you sure thats still the case? I haven't seen that listed anywhere that it still has the optical audio component at the bottom of the plug.

Edit: Never mind, I just went and looked and they do list it as optical still.
 
Last edited:
THOPMedia said:
Are you sure thats still the case? I haven't seen that listed anywhere that it still has the optical audio component at the bottom of the plug.

Edit: Never mind, I just went and looked and they do list it as optical still.
Click to expand...

It works well. I use to run a setup like this on my 24" iMac.
 
I already picked up a "BassJump 2" speaker from 12 South a few weeks ago in anticipation of my new iMac (I've ordered the 27"), it should add just enough bass to make listening to the iMac enjoyable -but without cluttering up my desk or ruining the aesthetics of the iMac.
 
I had the prior model (21.5") briefly in October. I took it back when new models were announced. I thought speakers were great. Especially on low end and overall sound spectrum. Listened to speakers in same size system at Best Buy today and they are not very robust in overall sound.

Granted I was in a big space, I still don't think the sound quality is anywhere near prior model.
 
To be honest, Apple have never really succeed in the Audio department. But to be fair, you can't expect alot from a all in one. For me, I will just add my own specialised speakers as I'm quite anal about the audio quality even if the desktop is from other brands.
 
I might just pick up some Audioengine A2s then and shift the A5s to elsewhere in the home.
 
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