Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Standard speakers thak look like the iMac G4's

SkippyThorson

SkippyThorson

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 22, 2007
1,691
985
Utica, NY
I have been on the hunt for a while now, and am very curious to see if anyone else has an answer for me. I have a white flat panel tv that's in the same room as my iMac. It's a great tv, but the sound quality is terrible. It's a slim model, and therefore, the company skimped on speaker size and quality. So, I've always had speakers hooked up to it.

It has the standard 3.5 audio jack, and I have some great JBLs hooked up, but I've always wanted to find either clear or white globe-like speakers to make my whole setup look like the iMac G4 across the room. I've only ever seen one pair at a local Macy's that ran off of AA batteries, and they looked identical to the iMac's speakers, only in black or white. I just don't want the hassle of batteries. I'm also trying to avoid the massive power brick that is the plug on my JBLs. (It blocks the next-closest plug on my power strip.)

Any ideas? The best thing I've found so far have been Orb Speakers, but they're vastly overpriced.
 
Why not.....

SkippyThorson said:
I have been on the hunt for a while now, and am very curious to see if anyone else has an answer for me. I have a white flat panel tv that's in the same room as my iMac. It's a great tv, but the sound quality is terrible. It's a slim model, and therefore, the company skimped on speaker size and quality. So, I've always had speakers hooked up to it.

It has the standard 3.5 audio jack, and I have some great JBLs hooked up, but I've always wanted to find either clear or white globe-like speakers to make my whole setup look like the iMac G4 across the room. I've only ever seen one pair at a local Macy's that ran off of AA batteries, and they looked identical to the iMac's speakers, only in black or white. I just don't want the hassle of batteries. I'm also trying to avoid the massive power brick that is the plug on my JBLs. (It blocks the next-closest plug on my power strip.)

Any ideas? The best thing I've found so far have been Orb Speakers, but they're vastly overpriced.
Click to expand...

Get the ones from Macy's, then rig them with SMALL power brick - not like the one that comes with your JBL's, but a smaller one. Most speakers will only require 500ma or so current, so you should not have a problem. Then you have something that looks just right, and should sound a lot better than the slim speakers in modern TVs
 
what is your budget ? , as i found these here ,no bad speakers , and they would certainly fit next to a iMac G4 without looking out of place too

eclipse-td307pa-mk2-life-4.jpg


they are from eclipse
TD307II Speaker
Driver: 6.5cm dia. full range No crossover
Frequency Response: 100Hz-25kHz Efficiency/Sensitivity: 80dB/W-m
Power handling max: 24 watts Impedance: 8Ω
Maximum Dimensions: W130 x H195 x D176mm Weight (per speaker): 1.5kg

TDA301II Amplifier
Frequency Response: 10Hz-100kHz (±3dB) Rated Output: x 2 12 watts rms
Harmonic Distortion: 0.05% max
Inputs: Line (stereo phono) Line (stereo mini jack)
Output (through): Line (stereo mini jack) Sub Cut-off Frequency: 90Hz (-3dB)
Maximum Dimension: W159 x H154 x D137mm Weight: 930g

Eclipse TD307II speakers are £130 each. The TDA501II amplifier is £200.
a bit pricey but design has its price and both combined sound and style can even be expensive

on the other end are the wireless speakers from Podz
podz-rechargeable-wireless-speakers.jpg

wireless , but dont worry each speaker comes with his little charger base
 
Last edited:
davegoody said:
Get the ones from Macy's, then rig them with SMALL power brick - not like the one that comes with your JBL's, but a smaller one. Most speakers will only require 500ma or so current, so you should not have a problem. Then you have something that looks just right, and should sound a lot better than the slim speakers in modern TVs
Click to expand...

I considered that. Highly. I think they were only $14.99 too, so if I seriously messed something up - which I could see - I wouldn't be in the red too much. I'm not the greatest at wiring. I don't rewiring something and leaving it plugged in 24/7. I see flames. :p


MacHamster68 said:
what is your budget ? , as i found these here ,no bad speakers , and they would certainly fit next to a iMac G4 without looking out of place too

[...]

on the other end are the wireless speakers from Podz
[...]
wireless , but dont worry each speaker comes with his little charger base
Click to expand...

That first shot is about the coolest, sleekest office I've seen, right down to the folding stick lamp. I actually really like those Podz. Wireless WITH a charger, so I could take a speaker to a different room if I wanted to say, listen to the news, and clean in another room. (Weird example, but the wireless w/base option is very appealing.)

quasinormal said:
Not round, but matching a G4.

[SoundSticks]
Click to expand...

Harmon Kardon knows how to design - those are impressive. I've been shmoozing their site for a while, too.

So far, I'm most interested with the Podz. Retail is $200, and it looks like Brookstone discontinued them. Amazon returns one set new at $79, and one used at $75. I just might consider these. To satisfy my curiosity though, I'll keep on hunting for a while.

Any other ideas? :)
 
Last edited:
http://www.orbaudio.com/
They got a TV / iPod speaker system for around $300. Some of them come at multi colors.

Also, you can get a plug extender at Home depot for $1.
 

Attachments

  • speaker.gif
    speaker.gif
    68.1 KB · Views: 211
  • plug.jpg
    plug.jpg
    69.8 KB · Views: 186
Consultant said:
http://www.orbaudio.com/
They got a TV / iPod speaker system for around $300. Some of them come at multi colors.

Also, you can get a plug extender at Home depot for $1.
Click to expand...

Not sure if you read my first post, but I mentioned that Orb company was a bit price for what I'm looking to spend, considering I already have some nice JBLs. That plug extended was something I considered too, but raising the brick won't get it out of the way of the other cords.
 
A $4.28 I imagine that these would sound pretty bad, but you never know....

 
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
DewGuy1999 said:
A $4.28 I imagine that these would sound pretty bad, but you never know....

[...]
Click to expand...

These didn't get great reviews that I've seen, but I like them! Form over function is fine by me. If they really are terrible, I have an iPod dock I wanted budget speakers for anyway. No extra power cord or battery pack to mess with. Not the original reason why I wanted them, but I think I'm gonna get these. :) Great find, thanks!
 
Last edited:
SkippyThorson said:
These didn't get great reviews that I've seen, but I like them! Form over function is fine by me. If they really are terrible, I have an iPod dock I wanted budget speakers for anyway. No extra power cord or battery pack to mess with. Not the original reason why I wanted them, but I think I'm gonna get these. :) Great find, thanks!
Click to expand...

Glad I could be of help. Let us know how good (or bad) they turn out to be.
 
DewGuy1999 said:
Glad I could be of help. Let us know how good (or bad) they turn out to be.
Click to expand...

I absolutely will. I just searched Coby CS-MP16 on my beloved eBay, and there's a seller that has them for $8, free shipping. Some also have them for $10 and $12, and as much as around $30, so apparently these little guys aren't dead yet.

I think, in terms of simple copied iMac style, I'm not going to get much closer. As far as the other suggestions go, I still really like the Podz, and I'll keep those in mind for sure - $75 is a good price for stylish wireless speakers I think.

I'll report back soon. These little cheapos are only in NYC - a stone's throw downstate. Thanks a lot to everyone so far!
 
I couldn't recommend JBL spots highly enough

I have had these for a few years now and think they offered amazing cost to sound quality ratio when I bought them new, and I imagine them being a lot cheaper on ebay a today so even better. I originally bought them to go with my G5 iMac but have recently had them on a shelf connected to an airport express playing wirelessly via airtunes. Although the wrappers seem pretty gimmicky i've found its allowed them to blend seamlessly in the many uses i've given them.

http://www.jbl.com/EN-GB/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?PID=JBLSPOTEU

http://www.macworld.co.uk/digitallifestyle/reviews/index.cfm?reviewid=2217

http://www.unplggd.com/unplggd/home...k-workstation-tucks-away-desktop-tower-087387

JBLSPOTEU_IMG1_800X600.GIF
 
Last edited:
liamwillib said:
I couldn't recommend JBL spots highly enough

I have had these for a few years now and think they offered amazing cost to sound quality ratio when I bought them new, and I imagine them being a lot cheaper on ebay a today so even better. I originally bought them to go with my G5 iMac but have recently had them on a shelf connected to an airport express playing wirelessly via airtunes. Although the wrappers seem pretty gimmicky i've found its allowed them to blend seamlessly in the many uses i've given them.

[...]
Click to expand...

Haha, you certainly hit my JBL weakness. Those are nice - a lot of great reviews on those. I've come across those more than once. Funny enough, a lot include stores like "I had external speakers on my G4, wanted some for my G5, and these were my choice".
 
SkippyThorson said:
Holy crap, they're bad. :p When the bass kicks in, you find yourself asking... 'Where's the bass?'

Well, it was worth a shot. They look good though! :p
Click to expand...

That's too bad. I guess you couldn't expect too much, since the only power source is the power from the headphone jack, so they're probably just the equivalent of inexpensive headphone speakers in a bigger enclosure. I'll keep my eyes open for anything else that might be suitable.
 
DewGuy1999 said:
That's too bad. I guess you couldn't expect too much, since the only power source is the power from the headphone jack, so they're probably just the equivalent of inexpensive headphone speakers in a bigger enclosure. I'll keep my eyes open for anything else that might be suitable.
Click to expand...

I thought that. In essence, that's about what they are. They don't get power out of the standard 3.5 audio jack on my tv, else I'd split them with my JBLs, because they have pretty decent treble.

You know, I have to admit, playing an acoustic album like 3 Doors Down sounds really good. It's when you play classic rock with the bass that it sounds like the drum kit is made of soup cans. :p

Thanks for your help. I'm still on the hunt too, for sure.
 
DewGuy1999 said:
Saw these mentioned on a deal site today and thought they might be something you'd be interested in (although they have a power brick)
Click to expand...

Those are really cool, but certainly that power brick is the one downfall. I have a strong disliking for bricks! Those speakers would be excellent mounted in a car or flush on a wall, but I won't be drilling into my walls any time soon!

(In my rearranging of my main computer desk, I found I have a cord where there's an outlet opposite the prongs, and the actual cord comes out on the side. I think that may have ticked me of more than the brick on my JBLs does. :p I want to utilize all the outlets on my strip at-will, dammit!)
 
Last edited:
SkippyThorson said:
Those are really cool, but certainly that power brick is the one downfall. I have a strong disliking for bricks! Those speakers would be excellent mounted in a car or flush on a wall, but I won't be drilling into my walls any time soon!

(In my rearranging of my main computer desk, I found I have a cord where there's an outlet opposite the prongs, and the actual cord comes out on the side. I think that may have ticked me of more than the brick on my JBLs does. :p I want to utilize all the outlets on my strip at-will, dammit!)
Click to expand...

Did you ever consider these to deal with power bricks?

 
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
  • Like
Reactions: SkippyThorson
BEHOLD!!!!! I am going to, for the first time, performing a zombie-thread-resurrection on myself here. Has anyone ever caught a glimpse of the Harman Kardon Nova speakers?

They happen to have that familiar translucent globe design we PPC folks have come to know and love. While the SoundSticks have proved to be an awesome piece of hardware (art), these little guys have something so awesomely familiar about them. That 15 year old design idea looks so perfectly updated in these.

Does anyone have these? I'd be very curious to hear some local reviews and comparisons to their predecessors - seemingly absent or forgotten over at HK's website. Nary a mention of their wired granpappy from the old days. Nevertheless, I think I'm in love.
NOVA-Wht-Hero-1606_dvHAMaster.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: maflynn
If white is the criterion, you could try hunting down a pair of Neil Poulton's LaCie USB speakers, which were made for Mac. I have a pair of the FW version for use with my Cube, which was missing the custom USB Apple Pro speakers.

maxresdefault.jpg

There is usually a pair or two to be had on eBay.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back