Macbook - So I've heard the speakers leave much to be desired...

iSebastianGrey · iSebastianGrey #1 (**permalink**)

01-30-2007, 06:46 PM

On those dandy little Macbooks. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what kind of speakers I should purchase to complement my 'soon to be arriving' computer?

trpnmonkey41 · trpnmonkey41 #2 (**permalink**)

01-30-2007, 06:54 PM

The sound quality is fine, the volume even maxed out is not that loud (to the point where I can't watch a movie if there is any other noise in the room) so I just plug in a good pair of cans to listen to stuff

EDIT-XTREEM · EDIT-XTREEM #3 (**permalink**)

01-30-2007, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iSebastianGrey

On those dandy little Macbooks. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what kind of speakers I should purchase to complement my 'soon to be arriving' computer?

I would just get a cheap pair of speakers at your local best buy or curcuit city. The speakers on the macbook are very quiet so, just as trpnmonkey41 said, if there is any noise, you just cant hear. Congrats on you purchase!!

iSebastianGrey · iSebastianGrey #4 (**permalink**)

01-30-2007, 07:58 PM

I do have some old crap speakers from my old desktop PC. Those would likely work well enough, I suppose.

Thanks for the suggestions!

I wonder if I can get some Bluetooth speakers. I'm sure I can find a reasonbly priced system...

eric · eric #5 (**permalink**)

01-30-2007, 09:27 PM

i've got a set of these from creative:

http://www.creative.com/products/pro...&product=10796

they're very nice for their size, and you can either power them by usb or by a separate battery pack, or by a/c (a/c adapter not included).

edit: btw, you can stand them up on the side or clip them on the laptop screen, their pretty versatile.

12991 · 12991 #6 (**permalink**)

01-30-2007, 09:52 PM

Yea the volume is low... but in a quiet environment theyre great. Also, I love the optical audio port. Allows me to connect my logitech z5450... I love my macbook!

iSebastianGrey · iSebastianGrey #7 (**permalink**)

01-30-2007, 09:57 PM

Eric: Now that's a portable solution I think I can live with. Looking at some of the Bluetooth speakers wasn't exactly encouraging.

rift0065 · rift0065 #8 (**permalink**)

01-31-2007, 04:28 PM

optical port? Where is the optical port? My MacBook has only standard 3.5 mm plugs.

Noxian · Noxian #9 (**permalink**)

01-31-2007, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rift0065

optical port? Where is the optical port? My MacBook has only standard 3.5 mm plugs.

it is the same port as your 3.5mm head phone jack.

12991 · 12991 #10 (**permalink**)

01-31-2007, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rift0065

optical port? Where is the optical port? My MacBook has only standard 3.5 mm plugs.

you need an optical audio mini plug to optical audio. Get it from monoprice.com. its by far the best. I dont work for them, but i will buy from them forever. Theyre superb quality, most of em atleast, and ridiculously cheap. The optical audio is awesome. The 3.5mm plug would distort if i twisted it, touched it, or even breathed on it. The optical audio cable which is just 5 bucks or something (12 feet too!) is soooo worth it. My 3.5mm cable was like 2 bucks, so i dont mind tossing it

quackbook · quackbook #11 (**permalink**)

01-31-2007, 06:15 PM

how do the harmon kardon soundsticks II sound on the macbook? same volume level or is it boosted by external speakers?

iSebastianGrey · iSebastianGrey #12 (**permalink**)

01-31-2007, 11:44 PM

After having some experience with it now, they don't seem to be so bad. The quality is great. The volume's a bit low, but I don't have to contend with too many loud noises. And I'm probably just going to use headphones when in public. I appreciate the posts!

iSebastianGrey #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 27, 2007 Location: In your closet, behind the winter coats. Posts: 327 Mac Specs: 13.3" MacBook Intel Core Duo 2GHz, 60GB HD, 512MB DDR2, and the SuperDrive.	01-30-2007, 06:46 PM On those dandy little Macbooks. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what kind of speakers I should purchase to complement my 'soon to be arriving' computer? Everything popular is wrong. ~Oscar Wilde
	QUOTE Thanks

trpnmonkey41 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 22, 2003 Location: Hamilton College Posts: 7,003 Mac Specs: 20" iMac C2D 2.16ghz, 13" MacBook 2.0ghz, 60gb iPod vid, 1gb nano	01-30-2007, 06:54 PM The sound quality is fine, the volume even maxed out is not that loud (to the point where I can't watch a movie if there is any other noise in the room) so I just plug in a good pair of cans to listen to stuff Don't forget to use the new User Reputation System
	QUOTE Thanks

iSebastianGrey #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 27, 2007 Location: In your closet, behind the winter coats. Posts: 327 Mac Specs: 13.3" MacBook Intel Core Duo 2GHz, 60GB HD, 512MB DDR2, and the SuperDrive.	01-30-2007, 07:58 PM I do have some old crap speakers from my old desktop PC. Those would likely work well enough, I suppose. Thanks for the suggestions! I wonder if I can get some Bluetooth speakers. I'm sure I can find a reasonbly priced system... Everything popular is wrong. ~Oscar Wilde Last edited by iSebastianGrey; 01-30-2007 at 07:59 PM. Reason: Didn't do the first one right! ;)
	QUOTE Thanks

eric #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 04, 2006 Location: twin cities, mn, usa Posts: 8,800	01-30-2007, 09:27 PM i've got a set of these from creative: http://www.creative.com/products/pro...&product=10796 they're very nice for their size, and you can either power them by usb or by a separate battery pack, or by a/c (a/c adapter not included). edit: btw, you can stand them up on the side or clip them on the laptop screen, their pretty versatile. Please participate in our Member of the Month polls. Every vote counts! And remember to use the user reputation system! ["Dear Homer, I. O. U. one emergency donut. Signed, Homer." - Note by Homer Simpson]
	QUOTE Thanks

iSebastianGrey #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 27, 2007 Location: In your closet, behind the winter coats. Posts: 327 Mac Specs: 13.3" MacBook Intel Core Duo 2GHz, 60GB HD, 512MB DDR2, and the SuperDrive.	01-30-2007, 09:57 PM Eric: Now that's a portable solution I think I can live with. Looking at some of the Bluetooth speakers wasn't exactly encouraging. Everything popular is wrong. ~Oscar Wilde
	QUOTE Thanks

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12991 #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 24, 2006 Posts: 56	01-30-2007, 09:52 PM Yea the volume is low... but in a quiet environment theyre great. Also, I love the optical audio port. Allows me to connect my logitech z5450... I love my macbook!
	QUOTE Thanks

rift0065 #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 22, 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 84 Mac Specs: Macbook Pro 2.16 Ghz C2D, 2 Gigs RAM and Macbook 2 Ghz CD 1 Gig RAM	01-31-2007, 04:28 PM optical port? Where is the optical port? My MacBook has only standard 3.5 mm plugs.
	QUOTE Thanks

quackbook #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 07, 2007 Posts: 72	01-31-2007, 06:15 PM how do the harmon kardon soundsticks II sound on the macbook? same volume level or is it boosted by external speakers?
	QUOTE Thanks

iSebastianGrey #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 27, 2007 Location: In your closet, behind the winter coats. Posts: 327 Mac Specs: 13.3" MacBook Intel Core Duo 2GHz, 60GB HD, 512MB DDR2, and the SuperDrive.	01-31-2007, 11:44 PM After having some experience with it now, they don't seem to be so bad. The quality is great. The volume's a bit low, but I don't have to contend with too many loud noises. And I'm probably just going to use headphones when in public. I appreciate the posts! Everything popular is wrong. ~Oscar Wilde
	QUOTE Thanks

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