Apple Pro Speakers and iFire adaptor

Question

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

Answer 1

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.