Mac Speakers

November 21, 2004 7:21 PM

I'm getting the new iMac in the mail on Tuesday, and I want to watch DVDs on it. I'd like to buy a set of 5.1 Surround Sound speakers for it, but as far as I can tell, you can't really just buy a set of speakers and plug them into the headphone jack on your computer. Or can you? My main interest in 5.1 Surround Sound is mostly for using the enhanced "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" DVD, so this isn't really that big a deal, but I haven't found a simple setup for 5.1 speakers online.

If this is indeed not possible, what's a good set of Macintosh-usable speakers that cost around two hundred dollars?
posted by interrobang to computers & internet (6 comments total)

Sonica Theatre USB.

Now, someone answer my iMac question ;)
posted by Space Coyote at 7:28 PM on November 21, 2004

There are a ton of inexpensive surround sound systems for computers. Here's one of the first that came up in a search at amazon, and it is possible to split the output from a single headphone jack to five speakers.
posted by mathowie at 7:28 PM on November 21, 2004

Expounding on Matt a bit: the G5 iMacs support digital audio out, which means pretty much any 5.1 system with digital in will work fine. As for recommendations, you've got me. I just use my Grados, Sennheisers, or a pair of Edirol powered monitors depending on my mood/location.
posted by nathan_teske at 7:37 PM on November 21, 2004

Awesome, guys. Thank you.
posted by interrobang at 7:44 PM on November 21, 2004

If you don't want to buy special speakers for your computer, you can also plug it into your existing stereo. Just buy an inexpensive connector, insert it into the headphone jack in your computer, and use the "tape player" plug in the back of your stereo.

Note: Do NOT use the "phono" plug--record players require different amplification and will make your computer sound awful.
posted by equipoise at 8:01 PM on November 21, 2004

Oddly enough, there's been a big discussion over speakers for Macs at Macintouch -- check it out. It's a very useful website in general.

IIRC, the 5.1 speakers that were recommended there go for more than $100.
posted by adamrice at 6:12 AM on November 22, 2004