Adapter for apple pro speakers?

My powermac G4 bit the dust. can I adapt the pro speaker plug(that wierd plug only a mother could love) to the necessary plug for my 13 inch MB silver?

Griffin used to sell the iFire adapter for the Apple Pro Speakers. It plugged into the Firewire port of the Apple computer and had a socket for the Apple Pro speakers.
Two slight problems:
1. Griffin no longer sell the iFire
2. The latest Macbook does not have a Firewire port
If you can obtain a used iFire adapter and an old iPod Firewire powerpack then you will still be able to use the Apple Pro speakers as the Firewire was just for power and there is an audio jack for plugging into the headphone socket on the Macbook (or iPod).
See http://users.tpg.com.au/aoaug/mac_video.html#ipod

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IFire Adaptor for Apple Pro speakers

I just spent $2800 on a new Mac Pro only to find that my Apple Pro $100 speakers no longer fit the input for the new Mac Pro. I'm told that Griffin used to make and suppply an adaptor called an iFire for the speakers but now Apple & Griffin no longer have the adaptor. I've checked eBay and the internet. Does anyone know of where I can find it or another adaptor that would work?

You will get more help and MUCH more sympathy if you post in a forum for more modern computers. The Blue & White G3s of this forum were introduced in 1999.
How about other MacBook Pro users here:
http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=190

Seeking Extention Cable for Apple Pro Speakers

is this an impossible quest?
I've searched everywhere...even tried to put something together with Radio Shack parts but no go. I see that this has been in many forums when I looked up google...hopeless?
Anyone have ANY idea where I might find one?
I bought the speakers on ebay and silly, they have the short cord which barely gets them on my desktop.
I thank you for your thoughts!

Griffin used to make an "APS Extender" that adds 6' to the length of the speaker cable. A gentleman on the Low End Mac swap list told me about a place in England where he purchased one. It cost $40 US with shipping, and took a couple of weeks to arrive. I bought one also. It was nearly a year ago. I don't know if they still have them. I don't remember the name of the place, but I'll look for it if you want me to.
Don't bother trying to use a submini stereo extension cord in the APS jack. I tried that and it only plays out of one speaker. Apparently the outside ring of the jack is a conductor for one of the stereo channels.
Have a wonderful Christmas with your friends and family... (smile)

Apple Pro Speakers or Door Stops?

I apologize if this topic has already been addressed. I searched and searched for an answer and couldn't find one for my specific question.
I have a pair of Apple Pro speakers from a few years ago. About 18 months ago I got my dream machine -- a G5 which rocks in every sense of the word.
I am a musician (hence not well-moneyed) and I was wondering if I'm stuck with having to purchase new powered speakers or if there is some way to adapt these Apple Pro Speakers for use with a conventional tuner/amp.
That's the key to my question. I've seen lots of postings about using them with computers, but I'm wondering if I spliced different connectors to them, if they would work with a conventional speaker signal from a tuner/amplifier.
Any tips/hints/thoughts most welcome.
Thanks,
Anthony

Apple Pro speakers are not like any other speakers and can not be used elsewhere simply by changing the plug.
There used to be a device called the iFire which allowed you to use these speakers with any computer which had a FireWire connection. However this device was discontinued some time ago.
KB 25236, Apple Pro Speakers: Compared to Power Mac G4 Cube Speakers

Apple Pro Speakers extension cable? Anyone?

Sorry. Meant to post this in the G4 forun instead, and I don't want to cross-post. Perhaps someone here can help...
Looking to extended the distance from the G4 under my desk to the Apple Pro Speakers sitting on top. I've come up empty on my research so far, other than to find Griffin's discontinued extension cable, variously listed as "17-APSE Griffin Apple Pro Speakers Extension Cable" or "(4012-EXT) APS Extension Cable for Apple Pro Speakers" -- they've been impossible to find anywhere.
That said, are there any other alternatives? Even a makeshift solution that will work with the proprietary jack?
Thanks,
Bill
G4 MDD 2x867 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Nope. Same result. Out of stock.
Thanks for the heads-up anyway. Always worth a try.
And the search continues...
G4 MDD 2x867 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

I have the old clear apple pro speakers, and I want to find an adapter so I can use them as speakers for my iPad

Is there an adapter I can use for the apple pro speakers that will allow me to connect them to my iPad

It would be so much simpler if you'd provide some elementary detail in these sorts of questions, things like what do those speakers use for audio input now? If you're someone who doesn't already know the answer to that question, someone like me for example, then pretty much all I can do is this .....

Using Apple Pro Speakers with MacBookPro - Adapter Help???

I just got a brand new MBP which is awesome! I am having a lot of fun with it.
However a real bummer I noticed is my old Apple Pro Speakers would not connect into my MBP jack. I have done some initial research on this and it seems like the only way to have them connect is get an adapter, Griffin iFire? I looked into that a little and unless I missed something that product isn't being made anymore.
Can anyone offer any other links / ideas on how I get get these speakers to work? They worked great on my G4 and have an iSub so I would hate to not be able to use them anymore and have to outlaw more money for newer speakers.
Thanks again for any help!!!
-C

The iFire adapter by Griffin did the trick, and it works like a charm. Although the iFire is no longer being manufactured, you can still find them on eBay or through some online computer retailers. Thanks everyone for their help.

Apple Pro speakers with mini jack connect to new Intel iMac ?

I would like to be able to connect the pair of perspex globe Apple Pro Speakers with mini-jack that came with my PowerPC G4 Mac to my new Lion desktop Intel iMac.
However, the mini-jack is too small for either the ' audio in / optical digital audio in port ' or the ' headphone out / optical digital audio out port ' (I'm not sure which is the correct one to use !)
Is it possible with an adaptor, or by some other means, to connect them ?
If it is unfortunately not possible, any cheap alternative speakers recommended would be appreciated.

There are no adapters that are readily available to use the old Apple Pro speakers with other computers or newer Macs.
The only adapter that worked but has long been discontinued in the Griffin Technologies iFire.
These are even harder to find now and if you do, indeed find one, you're going to pay an outrageous amount of money just for an adapter that used to sell for $40!!
For the cost of this adapter, you could just buy new speakers.
The big problem with the old Apple Pro speakers is that Apple went out of its way to make sure you couldn't use these speakers with anything else but certain G4 Mac models. The connector and subsequent wiring make these speakers very proprietary and limited use without spending gobs of time altering some of the components and purchasing external computer audio amps and connectors.
Apple simply made these unusable on anything but their own hardware at that time.
It's simply not worth the effort.
Look in the Apple Store online. There are a lot of decent priced, good-looking speakers to use with your iMac.
Good hunting!

Apple Pro Speakers Question???

Hello-
I was recently trying to connect my Apple Pro Speakers to a intel-iMac G5.
They don't seem to fit in to the external speaker port. Is there anyway
to connect the speakers? Your help would be appreciated.
c.coupe

Griffin Tech made a USB based audio system that can be used with the Apple Pro Speakers. It actually has that same connector and provides power for the speakers. Unfortunately, it is no longer offered, but maybe you'll see one on eBay. It's called the PowerWave. I have one.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4969110/
It connects by USB and is powered through USB and through an external power adapter. It has input and output connections galore (an audio Swiss Army Knife). That connection for the Apple Pro Speaker can be used with an included breakout cable for connecting a pair of regular +living room+ audio system stereo speakers (the unpowered type). I have mine connected to decent large speakers with the other RCA connector output connected to a stand-alone sub-roofer. Pretty nice sound.
I bought it back when I was using a G3 iMac, but it still works fine on my Intel iMac.
Note: Griffin also makes a device called FireWave. It does not provide powered output for speakers like PowerWave.

Apple Pro Speakers help

I recently got rid of my flat panel iMac, but kept the little round pro speakers that came with. I went to plug them in to my Mac Mini and discovered the mini plug on these pro speakers is more like a "super" mini size. There is also a sheild around the plug that would appear to make an adapter to convert it to a standard mini plug difficult.
Any ideas?

You'll need an adaptor called iFire to use these with any Mac other than a PowerMac G4 or iMac G4. iFire is no longer for sale but regularly appear on ebay (link). You might find USB versions of the Apple Pro Speakers for less though (which were shipped with the PowerMac G4 Cube).
I have seen a pair of Apple Pro Speakers sold on ebay with a 3.5mm jack soldered on. I contacted the buyer and he was very disappointed. These speakers need a high power port to drive them to a reasonable volume. There is a little ROM chip inside so that a suitable Mac can recognize they are connected.
regards
mrtotes

Can I use my Apple Pro Speakers from my G4 on my Mac Pro?

Hi. I would like to use my Apple Pro Speakers (with iSub) from my old G4 on my new Mac Pro, but the jack is too large for the plug. I spoke to someone at Apple who said that she thought there was an adapter available in the Apple Store, but I have not been able to find it. Does anyone know if it's possible to connect these old speakers to my new machine, and where I might be able to locate this adapter? I'm really trying to avoid having to shell out money for new speakers when I was quite happy with the ones I have. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Mac Pro. 2 x 2.66 GHZ Mac OS X (10.4.8)

What size is the plug, on the speakers? Is it smaller than the 3.5mm jack on the Mac Pro? If so, you could try getting a 2.5-3.5mm adapter from an electronics supplier. Should be really cheap. Alternatively, cut the plug off, and solder on a new 3.5mm plug.
Good luck!

Apple Pro Speakers Dual Query

Hi Everyone,
Wondering if you could help me with the following: I have a set of apple pro speakers connected to my Powermac G4 and would like to connect a second set up that I have at the same time and just wanted to know whetehr this is possible.
Also, would it be possible to connect up and use an external speaker system to the Powermac at the same time as the pro speakers, as I would like some extra bass, without having to use an ifire and a headphone splitter
Hope to hear your feedback
Thanks

I had the same issue a few years ago, I cut the speakers off the cable just above the security box at the bottom the cable and got hold of an old JBL donut type iPod speaker thing.
I gutted the internals of the JBL and wired the pro speakers in... (hint - longer cable!)
Thankfully the jbl also had a remote and a line in so worked a treat! no more wrong connections and as long as your soldering is up to scatch you can make a great sounding system, it was quad internal speaker so one for one they ran fine, a couple were running mids and highs and the others were on mids and lows.
make sure your power is correct, you don't want some nasty tinny little dock as the pro speakers will sound dreadful.
I think they were ~3w each but I could be totally wrong!
good luck if you try it!

Apple Pro Speakers and iFire adaptor

I am using an iBook G4 and hooked it up to external Apple Pro speakers (the clear orbs by Harmon Kardon) via an iFire adaptor.
I have been having problems since I purchased the adaptor in June. Griffin has been VERY helpful, and has replaced the unit three times. The first two worked about two weeks apiece, and then cut out completely. The third worked for about a week and then went quieter than the internal speakers. The one I just received worked for one song, then after I disconnected it and plugged it back in it fails to work.
Is there something wrong with my iBook? I have had it a year and have had no other problems with the computer or peripherals...
Any ideas would be helpful.
Mark

I have successfully cut off the Apple Pro Speaker's jack and connected it to a mini plug. Keep in mind that part of the "trick" with the Apple Pro speakers is that is uses an amp inside the iMac G4 to amplify and drive the speakers.
To compensate you can plug it into an amp
or do what I do.
I have my iTunes audio turned all the way up combined with the software "Volume Logic" which also amplifies the signal further. Lastly, I have the Powerbook's own volume turned all the way up. It works and gives me better sound than the built in speakers and is about as loud as it is on it's own loudest setting, which is loud enough for me.
Also, please don't attempt this if you are not willing to make a mistake and render your speakers useless. I am an audio engineer and not everybody has the patience to play with wire and get them to connect adequately to create a signal.
The right speaker has:
shielding on the outside
a layer of foil
a brown wire
a yellow wire
The left speaker has:
shielding on the outside
a layer of foil
a blue wire
a white wire
Pull the foil away and when connecting these wires MAKE SURE THEY DO NOT TOUCH WIRES THAT THEY ARE NOT PURPOSELY ATTACHED TO.
Get a mini or headphones connector where the left and right wires are easily stripped and separated. I used one where the right wire is clearly red and the left is clearly white and both wires have shielding.
Make sure the stripped wires are stripped at least an inch above the shielding so there is less opportunity to touch.
Twist the shielding of all wires together and cover with electrical tape.
Twist the Brown and the Blue wires from the two speakers together and cover with electrical tape
Twist the white wire from the Apple Pro speaker together with the left (in my case white) wire connected to the mini connector, cover with electrical tape.
Twist the Yellow wire from the Apple Pro speaker together with the right (in my case red) wire connected to the mini connector, cover with electrical tape.

Apple pro speakers. Make them work D.I.Y.

I picked up a pair of apple pro speakers today for five dollars. I didn't realize at the time the 2.5mm jack was just that. Needless to say it didn't plug in, nor could it. I'm an audio technician by trade an decided to delve into rewiring them to work. I cut the cable to find six wires(brown, yellow, blue, white, black and red). I could clearly see the br & y went to one the bl & w to the other, the bk & r look like power but there's nothing inline after the jack the requires power nor do those run to the speakers. I had a pair of usb powered el cheapo speakers on hand, they became the donors. I pulled the i.c. amplifier from the housing and rewired the apple pro speakers to it. After a test drive and rewiring it, it worked. I cut down the original speaker housing for the amplifier, stuffed extra cable in the housing closed it up and viola. The el cheapo amplifier isn't robust enough to drive the apple pro speakers properly, but it sounds really good at low to moderate volume. So for roughly a thirteen dollar investment in both sets of speakers I have one good set and another mostly in the trash.
If you want to try this I can give more detailed info. It took me roughly an hour and simple tools.

Hi, could you send me some detailed information on how you did this.
If you have the time or the inclination, it would be worth putting the information on a site somewhere, as there must be a lot of people with set of these speaker sitting uselessly in their closets.
Cheers
Chris

Apple Pro Speakers w/Mac Mini?

I have two Mac Minis and a set of Apple Pro speakers. The Mini has the minijack slot, and the speakers have a minijack configuration . . . but they're different sizes. Does anyone know if there are adapters out there for such situations?
Thanks.

It means that you cannot simply plug these speakers into a different system wether with an adaptor or not. The speakers need the hardware (the digital amplifier) inside the Mac they were originally designed for. Griffin produced the iFire as a workaround but since these speakers are not in production any longer and are not commonly found, they clearly discontinued production of the iFire too. Without one of those, or something similar if anyone else makes one (which seems very unlikely), these speakers are not usable.

Adapter for apple pro speakers?

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