Hey guys, my late 2012 27" is on its way and would like to get a nice pair of external speakers that would suit the iMac's design. Just curious to see what you guys are running with and what your thoughts are on them. Post a picture of your setup!
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What external speakers are you using with your Late 2012 iMac & previous Gen.
- Thread starter AppleAviator
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These definitely don't fit the iMac's design, but I actually have them behind my monitor... they REALLY sound great!
http://www.klipsch.com/promedia-2-1-computer-speakers
--rob
150 :O lol
hey ive seen a couple of setups here on MacRumors, most people have this little white speakers.. ive always wondered what are they called.
Well, mine don't exactly match my beautiful 2011 iMac, but the sound is incredible.
For music listening, I use a Heathkit AA-32 tube amplifier that I built back in 1965. That is connected to some Smaller Advent Speakers from the 70s. ((10' woofer, dome tweeter.) The amplifier is connected to the iMac through an Audioengine D1 24 Bit DAC. For general listening, like to youtube or something, I have some Altec Lansing ATP3 speakers.
For music listening, I use a Heathkit AA-32 tube amplifier that I built back in 1965. That is connected to some Smaller Advent Speakers from the 70s. ((10' woofer, dome tweeter.) The amplifier is connected to the iMac through an Audioengine D1 24 Bit DAC. For general listening, like to youtube or something, I have some Altec Lansing ATP3 speakers.
Attachments
http://store.apple.com/au/product/T...-musicmonitor?fnode=4f&fs=m.manufacturer=bose.
I am using these with my rMBP and will use them for my newly ordered iMac. They give an awesome and big sound, despite the small size and the look is perfect for the iMac. They are expensive I know, but I highly recommend them.
I am using these with my rMBP and will use them for my newly ordered iMac. They give an awesome and big sound, despite the small size and the look is perfect for the iMac. They are expensive I know, but I highly recommend them.
That amp looks wicked!!!
OP,
I ordered the JBL Creature 3s for one single reason - Size. My desk is barely bigger than the width of the computer ( i got a max of about 3cms on either side of the table). No other speaker was going to fit in front of my computer without blocking part of the screen.
My order of want was - B&W MM1; HK Sound Sticks (Although never liked the look of them) and lastly the Creatures.
The speakers Pro Media 2.1s are supposed to be great but are just too big for me.
The Creature 3s are working fine for what they are and are easy to move around as well and have a tiny foot print. Oh and they are black so they blend right into my desk. Just wish they didn't have the metallic shiny part on the front. May get a black marker out and color them in.
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the klipsch 2.1 have been around for a long time and have always been regarded as great, i have had a 2.1 set for several years and placements, and wouldn't hesitate to buy another set if there was a need, on sale they can be had 120 or lower.
in the realm of speakers 100 range isn't exactly a lot of $,
shifting more toward cosmetics you probably want to look at bose, they're overpriced, but they look pretty if thats the sort of thing you're into.
when we moved into this house i rigged up my klipsch 2.1 into the kitchen cabinets with an airport express, gf was complaining about losing a shelf to the subwoofer so i just picked her up a set of bose companion 2, on sale at best buy this week for $90,
they look nice, but the difference from the klipsch 2.1 is instantly apparent.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Bose...013&skuId=7933686&st=bose companion&cp=1&lp=2
in the realm of speakers 100 range isn't exactly a lot of $,
shifting more toward cosmetics you probably want to look at bose, they're overpriced, but they look pretty if thats the sort of thing you're into.
when we moved into this house i rigged up my klipsch 2.1 into the kitchen cabinets with an airport express, gf was complaining about losing a shelf to the subwoofer so i just picked her up a set of bose companion 2, on sale at best buy this week for $90,
they look nice, but the difference from the klipsch 2.1 is instantly apparent.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Bose...013&skuId=7933686&st=bose companion&cp=1&lp=2
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No offence, but if you're going to buy a £1500 and upwards aio, then don't skimp on cheap speakers. You should really be looking at 100+ or else you may as well stick to the speakers included.
Although my argument evolves around the fact that the speakers on the mac are pretty good anyway(despite lack of bass), just not that loud.
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I was just looking for a thread covering this topic and it popped up before I searched. There is such a variety of speakers to choose from it becomes a very difficult decision. I just ordered the Harman Kardon Sound Sticks lll. I hope they don't disappoint. I was originally attracted to their excellent design, and after reading the reviews I figured I give them a go. Unfortunately, no one I could find carries the locally, so we'll see.
Folk here seems to rate them well.
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I agree with the point about Bose(i own companion 5) being overpriced but when you turn them up full, you don't seem to lose clarity that I've found with some other speakers. And they are very loud at full volume.......I can play along with my drum kit to them.
I've got some Logitech Z4 which do have good sound for the price, I've had them for a number of years and they kinda match the black and silver look of the iMac. For the price they give good sound also.
OT - one thing I noticed with the new iMac is on start up the Apple chime sound appears to bypass the external speakers using just the internal. This could be annoying in a office environment where you'd normally turn the volume down or off on start up.
OT - one thing I noticed with the new iMac is on start up the Apple chime sound appears to bypass the external speakers using just the internal. This could be annoying in a office environment where you'd normally turn the volume down or off on start up.
21.5 iMac w/ Audioengine A5+. I'm really glad I went with the A5s over the A2s. The A2 lacked body and range. I'll need a sub eventually but I'm completely satisfied with my purchase!
Creative Gigaworks T40 are my standard speakers, with a Dragonfly DAC plugged up to my amp and Mission M70 speakers generally for music listening.
Neither is certainly inkeeping with the iMac's styling, but it sure beats the unnecessary expense of, for instance, Bose.
Neither is certainly inkeeping with the iMac's styling, but it sure beats the unnecessary expense of, for instance, Bose.
I bought a pair of creative gigaworks T20's.
very very pleased and impressed with the sound quality. Also look very nice sat either side of my 21.5", especially with the grills removed!
very very pleased and impressed with the sound quality. Also look very nice sat either side of my 21.5", especially with the grills removed!
I agree with the point about Bose(i own companion 5) being overpriced but when you turn them up full, you don't seem to lose clarity that I've found with some other speakers. And they are very loud at full volume.......I can play along with my drum kit to them.
They aren't bad or outright garbage like what is commonly said about bose on any forum that isn't apple oriented. Just there is a price premium and a definite form over function slant. Which really lines right up with the apple market, and not so much in many other forums.
Had a relative that worked for bose from the 90s into the last several years, the result of which being some lifestyle systems picked up at fractions of retail during the yearly employee sales. The packaging and simplification of home theater really was an achievement, especially for the timeframes.
I still have a 2.1 lifestyle system from the 90s that cost maybe $200 with some absurd 1k+ retail, it saw use through my teens, college, post college and now is setup in the home office. In the last couple years also found a pair of 601 II speakers at a goodwill type store that sound fantastic despite the age and miles.
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Awesome speaker setup:
Well, I just got my brand new fully loaded late 2012 27"iMac today and I'm really happy with it!
To be honest, I don't have my speaker system yet but I have done extensive research on the subject and know exactly what I want to buy.
Here it is:
1. Bowers and Wilkins MM-1 desktop speakers: $500
2. 1 AudioQuest Dragonfly: $250
Connect a 3.5mm cable from the output of the AudioQuest Dragonfly to the Aux input of the MM-1 speaker system. The analog audio of the AudioQuest Dragonfly will bypass the internal digital circuitry of the MM-1 speaker system. You do this because the AudioQuest Dragonfly DAC is superior to that of the MM-1 speaker system.
This system will probably sound better than any of the options listed above this post.
Well, I just got my brand new fully loaded late 2012 27"iMac today and I'm really happy with it!
To be honest, I don't have my speaker system yet but I have done extensive research on the subject and know exactly what I want to buy.
Here it is:
1. Bowers and Wilkins MM-1 desktop speakers: $500
2. 1 AudioQuest Dragonfly: $250
Connect a 3.5mm cable from the output of the AudioQuest Dragonfly to the Aux input of the MM-1 speaker system. The analog audio of the AudioQuest Dragonfly will bypass the internal digital circuitry of the MM-1 speaker system. You do this because the AudioQuest Dragonfly DAC is superior to that of the MM-1 speaker system.
This system will probably sound better than any of the options listed above this post.