Dell PC surround sound speakers to new Mac

cmanc92974@me.c · cmanc92974@me.c #1 (**permalink**)

03-10-2009, 02:44 PM

I am going from PC to Apple. I have fabulous surround sound speakers (Altec) that plugged into my Dell tower via a tri plug system (yellow, black and green). The other end goes directly into the LARGE speaker drive (not plugged in) Altec Lansing THX Dolby speakers

What do I need to do to use these speakers for the Mac? They cost a small fortune and really have great sound.

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

03-10-2009, 08:03 PM

Mac machines have an audio output port that can support most speaker systems including surround sound. Whether the audio output port is separate or combined depends on which machine you intend to buy. I suggest you go to your local Apple store or Best Buy and ask one of the sale persons to demo the sound output for you. Be sure to ask about your Altec system.

Regards.

bobtomay · bobtomay #3 (**permalink**)

03-10-2009, 08:53 PM

Just use a single wire, doesn't matter which one although the user manual says to use the green one.

Plug it into the headphone/audio out port on your Mac and plug the other end into the port marked AUX on the subwoofer.

dtravis7 · dtravis7 #4 (**permalink**)

03-10-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobtomay

Just use a single wire, doesn't matter which one although the user manual says to use the green one.

Plug it into the headphone/audio out port on your Mac and plug the other end into the port marked AUX on the subwoofer.

Bob, I take it you looked at the manual. Do those Dell Speakers have a Optical Digital in?

cmanc92974@me.c · cmanc92974@me.c #5 (**permalink**)

03-11-2009, 02:56 PM

I called Altec and they said to get a Mac compatible 5.1 external audio card which can receive the three plugs.

Any suggestions for one since I really don't even know what one looks like or where to go?

dtravis7 · dtravis7 #6 (**permalink**)

03-11-2009, 04:20 PM

Just curious, which Mac are you going to purchase? Most of the external 5.1 cards for Macs that I know of use Firewire. The new Macbook has no more Firewire so that is why I am asking.

Right now the Griffin Firewave is the only thing I can find.

Amazon.com: Griffin 4019-FIRESS FireWave Surround Sound for Macs: Electronics

Home Theater: 5.1 Apples: Griffin FireWave External Sound Card

Griffin FireWave External 5.1 Sound Card for Mac from Overstock.com

dtravis7 #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 04, 2005 Location: Modesto, Ca. Posts: 25,821 Mac Specs: iMac C2D Late 2007 20" with 10.8.3, Macbook Santa Rosa 4GB Ram OSX 10.8.3	03-11-2009, 04:20 PM Just curious, which Mac are you going to purchase? Most of the external 5.1 cards for Macs that I know of use Firewire. The new Macbook has no more Firewire so that is why I am asking. Right now the Griffin Firewave is the only thing I can find. Amazon.com: Griffin 4019-FIRESS FireWave Surround Sound for Macs: Electronics Home Theater: 5.1 Apples: Griffin FireWave External Sound Card Griffin FireWave External 5.1 Sound Card for Mac from Overstock.com ...Dennis Mac-Forums Community Guidelines Last edited by dtravis7; 03-11-2009 at 04:35 PM.
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cmanc92974@me.c #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 10, 2009 Posts: 2	03-10-2009, 02:44 PM I am going from PC to Apple. I have fabulous surround sound speakers (Altec) that plugged into my Dell tower via a tri plug system (yellow, black and green). The other end goes directly into the LARGE speaker drive (not plugged in) Altec Lansing THX Dolby speakers What do I need to do to use these speakers for the Mac? They cost a small fortune and really have great sound.
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,032 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	03-10-2009, 08:03 PM Mac machines have an audio output port that can support most speaker systems including surround sound. Whether the audio output port is separate or combined depends on which machine you intend to buy. I suggest you go to your local Apple store or Best Buy and ask one of the sale persons to demo the sound output for you. Be sure to ask about your Altec system. Regards.
	QUOTE Thanks

cmanc92974@me.c #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 10, 2009 Posts: 2	03-11-2009, 02:56 PM I called Altec and they said to get a Mac compatible 5.1 external audio card which can receive the three plugs. Any suggestions for one since I really don't even know what one looks like or where to go?
	QUOTE Thanks

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