Apple Pro-Speakers & Intel iMac...

Will the original Pro-Speakers work with newest iMac's or should I make sure that I buy the newer USB type Pro Speakers from Apple?
Please advise...
Thanks in advance...
Rich

Hi,
FWIW, the PowerMac G4 Cube came with speakers that looked much like the Apple Pro Speakers but which had a USB connector. As you say the actual +Apple Pro Speakers+ only worked with +iMac G4+ and certain +PowerMac G4+ tower models.
There is an adaptor (no longer on sale) called the Griffin iFire which allowed any Firewire-equipped Mac to use the Apple Pro Speakers. I thought the Pro Speakers were very good but tracking down a pair and the very rare iFire isn't worth it IMHO.
Lacie make a pair of bus-powered Firewire speakers:
http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10880
Bets regards to both.
mrtotes

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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.

AUDIOPHILES: How would Apple Pro Speakers work with newer equipment?

I LOVE my G4's Apple Pro Speakers and want to use them on my new Intel iMac - Ideally to plug them into my JBL Creature Speaker bass.
My theory is to simple cut the wire before the Y junction and put on a RCA plug that would plug into my JBL Bass.
Have any audiophiles done this or have an opinion on if this would work?
Would the JBL Bass recognize the Apple Pro Speakers?

The Apple Pro speakers do not work with any computer other than an iMac G4 or a Power Mac G4 with the mini-plug. It is a different plug because they are powered by the computer, while a standard 1/8-inch plug is not.
If you really want to use those speakers (they are not very good, the JBL Creatures that you speak of are much better), Griffin Technologies used to make something called the iFire which let you do that. It was box that had the mini jack and used the audio and one FireWire port of your computer to power it. I am not exactly sure why they do not sell it anymore. Look on eBay or something like that.
I am not sure how well your solution will work, because it is a thin cable, probably twisted together. And these speakers are far from audiophile quality.
Ian

Apple Pro Speakers

I've recently noticed that I am not able to choose the audio output to my Apple Pro Speakers through System Preferences. They are obviously plugged into the minijack, but I only have the option of Line Out. Are these speakers not supported in Tiger anymore?
Thanks in advance.

"Apple Pro Speakers" require a proprietary digital audio connection not found on the Airport Express, and (I suspect) not found on iMac G5 models either.

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 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

Apple Pro Speakers Minijack Plug to 3.5mm???????

I would love any suggestions anyone has as to making Griffin's Pro Speaker Breakout Cable compatible with the iMac G5.
I just made the very foolish mistake of purchasing Griffin's Pro Speaker Breakout Cable for my iMac G5, which I am sure others, more up to speed on their apple products, realize are not compatible. The Pro Speaker Breakout Cable, as its name would suggest, connects to the Apple Pro Speakers Minijack available in G4s and G3s.
I need someway to connect this Apple Pro Mini plug (2.5mm plug) to my audio-out 3.5mm output jack on my iMac. I have found this connector http://www.mpja.com/productview.asp?product=11298+AD but I am not sure if the 2.5mm Apple jack is the same as other 2.5mm jacks. Does anyone know if the two are compatible???
I guess the other option is the iFire - or, conversely, to just forget the whole thing and get some new speakers.
Any suggestions on the best/ most cost effective option would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks in advance,
Chris

If you are trying to connect Apple Pro speakers to your iMac G5, the iFire is the only method.
It is not a matter of simply changing the plug. The headphone output jack on the iMac G5 is electrically different than the Apple Pro Speaker output on the iMac G4.

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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 .....

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Couldn't alloc class "AppleUSBTrinityAudioDevice"

It's a problem with Mac OS X 10.6.4:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2467178
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Apple Pro Speakers Dual Query

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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
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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 specs?

can anyone tell me the specifications of the apple pro speakers (the clear round things)?
im having to upgrade from them and wanted to get something with at least the same output as these great little speakers so would love to know the specs to match them with others...
thanks all

http://www.welovemacs.com/speakers-pro.html
 Cheers, Tom

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

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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.

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)

Apple Pro-Speakers & Intel iMac...

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