Audio Out Jack Quality

Does the iMac sacrifice some audio output punch by making the audio/headphone jack double-up as an optical out?
I noticed when plugging in a headset or AC-Powered Logitech speakers with a Sub-Woofer that the loudness is not so loud, not as loud as I would expect.
Interestingly, the same Logitech speakers plugged into my Airport Express and streamed to sound louder. Combined with the multiple speaker option of AE and the built-in speakers sounds the best/loudest.

Bought 5.1 surround sound and turned up the volume

Similar Messages

  • Audio out jack malfunction macbook pro 15-inch (late 2008)

    The audio out jack on my MacBook Pro is functioning intermittently.  I am sure this is a mechanical problem effecting the analog signal (no red light indicating digital output). I have checked the system prefs for sound-- output shows device connection and mute box is not checked. If I jiggle the plug I might eventually get a connection. Did a little research and the problem seems to be occurring in the 15-inch Unibody MBP from late 2008 (my machine) due to faulty design of the jack.  Most sites do not recommend replacement of the jack due to the necessity of resoldering to the logic board. Some suggested inserting a piece of tinfoil to tighten up the loose jack but I am not comfortable with this. Any suggestions out there?
    George
    MacBook Pro
    15-inch Unibody
    (Late 2008)
    Model No.: A1284
    2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
    Apple Memory Module 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3 (PC3-8500) - 2x2GB SO-DIMMs/
    OSX 10.10.1

    Resetting SMC could solve the problem.
    Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
    And you need to install more RAM, I think.

  • Work-around for a broken headphones / audio-out jack on an iMac?

    My late 2012 iMac suddenly refuses to show "Headphones Out" in the sound panel when I insert a 3.5mm stereo plug into the audio out jack on the back of the machine.  Instead, the sound panel will show only 'Internal Speakers."  I'm beginning to accept the necessity ofr a hardware repair, but in the meantime I'm wondering if there's a workaround that would permit me to mute the internal speakers and direct the sound, once again, to my Onkyo receiver with its attached external speakers.
    Any suggestions much appreciated.

    I have tested your utiity, but it does not work with my booklet. Do you have a gudline how to include ?
    Thx

  • Macbook Pro Audio out jack Stereo Phono's ok?

    I'm using the Macbook Pro's built in output (3.5" Jack) due to a messy workaround involving the digital optical out of the same port.
    I record the Macbook Pro (VST's and FX) as Audio to another PC Recorder which is using the Edirol UA-25 (which has optical too)
    Fine, but the downside is that the Edirol will only let you record digitally with the "Digital In" button pressed in, and will only allow monitoring of said recorded signal with the Digital button out! This is obviously annoying, but also you can't monitor playback of the last track whilst recording the next!!
    So to cut a long story short, is the single 3.5" audio out from a Macbook Pro ok to record into the Edirol (analog) with 2 x phonos into the L&R?
    Sounds a bit primitive in theory, but sounds ok, and i suppose many synths etc get recorded this way via analog outs to ins?

    Yes thats the UA-25 I have.
    What I am doing is treating my Macbook Pro (Mac OSX) as one machine running Logic/Ableton, and another 19" monitor running Parallels (windows xp) for my audio editor and VST's
    So what I am trying to do is record from one to the other
    I put the UA-25 USB Soundcard on the Windows/Parallels side to record 'in', and use the Macbook Pro's output/on-board soundcard as an 'output'
    As explained with Digital, you can't monitor whilst recording the next part (due to Digital switch) which you have to keep pressing on/off/on/off to monitor/record
    The easiest way i think is to come out of the analog Macbook Pro out 3.5" and split into 2 x Phono L&R going into the analog of the UA-25
    Seems to work well, but just wanted some thoughts on the quality?

  • Head phone/audio out jack location

    This is feedback for Apple. I was not able to find any specific place on the apple web site to send feedback so I'm putting it here.
    I have new 27 inch iMac. I love it.
    One little niggle: I have a frequent need to plug and unplug my head phones. Having the only jack located on the back is a pain. If you could place a head phone jack discreetly on the lower left or right side, or on the bottom, of the case it would be much simpler to access.
    If it is possible to change the output from internal speakers to headphone (audio out) via software that would also be good. Then I would never have to unplug the headphone, just switch them on and off via preferences as desired.

    iMic Works great.
    I found this web page
    http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20050614171126634
    and used the Applescript by RobLewis to toggle between the internal and iMic system (you need to change the two property items to the words used in your System Preferences Sound Output). I have saved the Applescript as an App so I just need to click on it in the Dock to toggle the sound system.
    Now if only I could toggle Front Row between internal and external displays in the same Applescript...
    I currently use TV Row for selecting the display for Front Row:
    http://sites.google.com/site/robijnx/products/tvrow201

  • Audio out jack only plays sound in the right speaker.

    Whenever I plug anything (speakers, earphones, etc.) into the Audio Output jack, it only plays sound through the right speaker/earphone. The left speaker/earphone hardly has any sound at all.
    How should I go about fixing this problem?
    It ***** and it's annoying. At first, I thought it was just my earphones but they work perfectly fine with my iPod and other devices.

    HI Chris,
    my daughter has the ipod touch 4th generation and it started only having sound come out of the right speakers in both of my vehicles.  I read also it could be a broken socket causing it.  Do you know about this?  How does one break a socket and how would I repair that?  The person on y*hoo answers said to either send it to apple refurbished unit or replace it.  Replace it?  Really?  It's a 64 GB ipod touch that I won at work with reward points which is the only reason I could afford it.  Looking for better solution like your's above but I'm worried I will have to send it in.  I was looking on my iphone 4 and noticed the volume balance was under Settings>General>Accessibility so I guess it's different on an ipod touch?

  • Audio out jack

    When I plug into my audio jack it defeats the sound from my speakers. Can I change this. I want to use the audio jack at the same time as I use my speakers.

    No it's the nature of the beast (the way it's built)
    Alot here use some type of external speaker setup!
    This 2.1 setup is just as an example:
    http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=4&subcategory=27&product=1 4096
    Or out to home stereo receiver with this:
    http://www.monstercable.com/productPopup.asp?pin=432&holder=photoLrg
    Dennis
    17" iMac Intel Core Duo 1.5GB Ram   Mac OS X (10.4.9)   Maxtor 300GB FireWire Creative Inspire 2.1 2G Nano

  • Audio out jack dead

    Speaker sound is OK...using the headphone jack in the back to attach external speakers does not function...no sound emanating from the jack...only the bottom speakers still work...they are not cut off.
    Started about a month ago when the iMac started making horrible loud volume screeching sounds...audio controls no help...had to un-plug...happened 2 or 3 times.

    Go step by step.
    1.Plug in and  remove the headphone.
        If you see red light in the headphone port or not, plug the headphone
        in and out of the port 5 or 6 times to flip the microswitch inside.
        Sound output may be stuck in the digital mode.
        Try this even if you don’t see the red light.
    2. Reset PRAM.  http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14222
    3. Reset SMC.     http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
        Choose the  appropriate method.
    4. Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup
        Audio Devices window
        Side Bar
        Click the Built-in Output.
         Plug in the headphone.
         Does it show up?
        Under Mute any of the boxes checked? If so,uncheck it.

  • Mac Mini Audio out jack - s/pdif coaxial?

    The MAC mini manual says " the headphone port is also a S/PDIF stereo 3.5 mini-phono jack".
    So how do I hook up the MAC mini to my receiver's coaxial S/PDIF ports (standard RCA connector) - not optical Toslink ports.
    Are there three choices:
    1. stereo headphone (analog) output to analog input on receiver
    2. optical Toslink S/PDIF via mini-Toslink adapter
    3. mini 3.5mm S/PDIF jack to coaxial cable to RCA S/PDIF input (google search turned up a report this should be done with a monoaural 3.5mm jack)
    see http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/RCA-mini-spdif.html
    Or is option 3 a misunderstanding of the Apple manual?
    Will plugging a mono jack into a stereo headphone jack short circuit the two audio channels or do some other damage?
    The guys at the local Apple store didn't have a clue about coaxial s/pdif nor did Apple support by phone.
    Thanks.

    You'll need three parts (this is exactly how my Mac mini was plugged into my coaxial digital audio receiver, but with a converter from Radio Shack that doesn't seem to be available):
    1. mini-Toslink to Toslink cable (or Toslink cable with one mini-Toslink adapter)
    2. An optical to coaxial adapter, like this: http://www.smarthome.com/777097rp.html
    3. A coaxial digital audio cable (as you mentioned, could be a standard RCA cable)
    -Doug

  • IPhone Audio out Jack.

    Guys, just got my new iPhone and very nice it is too. Now I want to connect it to my car which has a built in 3.5mm jack for devices like iPods/iPhones. The two plugs, (iPhone headphone plug and my own extension) are identical in length but they differ by the number of sections each has;
    http://www.piccow.com/viewer.php?file=4d3o12_photo.jpg
    A standard stereo jack has 3 sections, one ground and two signal. Why does the Apple one have four? Does the extra part serve another function?
    Message was edited by: gumsie

    http://www.macworld.com/article/132284/2008/02/iphone_adapters.html

  • RX-V471 Receiver Audio Out (R-L) Jacks question

    I purchased this using about two years ago and have been pleased with it so far. I purchased a wireless speaker for out door use which makes use of a trandmitter which can be connected to the audio out jacks. With the V471 these audio out jacks do not have an output when I have my Toshiba BD/DVD player selected. The BD/DVD player is connected to the receiver using the BD/DVD HDMI connection. The same is true when I select the TV. The sound does play through the surround sound speakers when either device is selected but I would have though the Audio Out jacks would also have output as well Under what configurations do the audio out jacks have output? Right now they only seem to be active when I use the V471 AM/FM tuner.
    Solved!
    Go to Solution.

    thloeber wrote:
    I purchased this using about two years ago and have been pleased with it so far. I purchased a wireless speaker for out door use which makes use of a trandmitter which can be connected to the audio out jacks. With the V471 these audio out jacks do not have an output when I have my Toshiba BD/DVD player selected. The BD/DVD player is connected to the receiver using the BD/DVD HDMI connection. The same is true when I select the TV. The sound does play through the surround sound speakers when either device is selected but I would have though the Audio Out jacks would also have output as well Under what configurations do the audio out jacks have output? Right now they only seem to be active when I use the V471 AM/FM tuner.
    Are you trying to play the audio in both locations or just through the wireless speakers? This reciever doesn't do multiroom, so in order you hear sound through the wireless speakers you'll need to manually change the audio output to the audio ports they're connected to.

  • Car charger+Audio out recommendations

    I'm trying to find a good car charger+things for my mother's iPhone in her car, and hoping someone has some advice on the right equipment...I'm not turning up the right thing myself.
    I really want something LIKE the Griffin RoadTrip, or Kensington LiquidAUX, but they just don't do everything right.
    Here's my requirements:
    - Needs to have a shelf (cradle?) that she can sit the iPhone in and remove easily.
    - Needs to have audio out jack or auxiliary cable. My mom's car has a tape deck, and she can connect the iPhone that way.
    - Must fit an iPhone *without removing the case*.
    - Should have as few connections, cords, etc as possible. My mom has bad arthritis and I don't want to have her struggling just to hook the thing up.
    Optional:
    - Should have a power cord as well. If someone is riding in the passenger's seat and using the iPhone, would be good if they can use it and still have it plugged in.
    - Wireless remote that connects to steering wheel?
    - It can have a radio transmitter. She just won't use it. Just as long as it has an auxiliary port.
    The Kensington LiquidAUX comes really close. Ideally, I want something like that, but with an extra power cord for when the iPhone isn't sitting in the cradle.
    I saw something that was perfect at Fry's today. It was only $30, too. It was a charger that had a flexible iPod connector, adjustable width grips to hold the phone in. It had a USB port so you could plug another charger cable into it if you wanted. It even had a transmitter (won't work well with iPhone, but won't be using it). Unfortunately, it only had a Line *IN* port, not Line OUT. Gah!
    Thanks for any tips...

    It seems that your wish for a cradle + a separate power cord might keep you looking. Don't have any recommendation for a unit that I know covers both your requirements and optional considerations.
    I did however drop in to share my experience with the liquidaux (both the deluxe and standard versions). First, either model of the device does what it purports to do well - it charges and connects via aux in. No fuss and no surplus wiring. The audio quality is clear and loud enough without having to mess around with the volume on the phone itself. This makes sense given the audio output is through the pin connector. Second, the remote is one of those items that become indispensable.
    Now - in my experience, the deluxe model's cigarette connector somehow manages to fit tightly as you insert it but then develops a 'wiggle' once you seat it in all the way into the socket. This wiggle leads to intermittent power (and by consequence audio) connections. On the other hand, the standard model (without the gooseneck or dock) fits into the socket securely and does not exhibit the same intermittent connection. Initially, I thought the wiggle in the deluxe model was attributable to the weight of the gooseneck + cradle + phone. That wasn't the case. The wiggle was still present without the phone.
    Since I am going on a road trip tomorrow, I decided to buy the Belkin Tunebase instead. Seems that the most recent model F8Z183 is just as hard to find in retail stores as the 3g iphone. So I settled for the liquidaux standard - thinking I could always return it if it exhibited the wiggle. It didn't - I'm pretty happy with it.
    Of course, given your requirement for a cradle, I would say that the liquidaux standard might not be suitable for your mother. I'm not certain that the tunebase will leave enough room for cradling with a case either. Either way, as I said in my opening, I don't have a specific recommendation but hope that the information regarding the liquidaux deluxe is useful.
    Message was edited by: aleitry

  • MacBook Pro 13" Audio Output sound quality terrible after Lion upgrade

    Hi guys,
    I have recently upgraded my 2011 MBP 13 to Lion, and ever since have had terrible audio out sound quality, i.e. it is 'grainy' and full of feedback - very unpleasant to listen to.
    Is anyone else in the same boat and does anyone have the solution to my problem?
    Thanks,
    Sam

    Sorry for the late reply, yes mine does does recover but I still think it is the same issue with different levels of severity.  This is a guess but possibly my higher spec Retina MacBook Pro can work its way through the issue where your 13" MBP can't or can't in a reasonable amount of time. 
    I have also thought that it is related to window server and was wondering if someone else would bring it up as semi-confirmation since 2 people would have to came to the same conclusion, yes I am weird you don't have to tell me.  I am thinking it is possibly related to the lower priority for background apps; it gets caught thinking every window is in the background, chokes, and does not know what to do which is why the cursor will still move since it never gets "backgrounded".  As for the caps lock, it is pretty much hardware based which is why we can have a virtual machine not read the caps lock on someimes if it is turned on when the VM is started.
    I wish Apple would have more testers so things like this would not slip through.  I see more complaints like this when there are external displays on MacBooks than single display iMacs/Minis.  Something that may not be tested enough since it requires more specific circumstances.
    Sorry, I don't know how to restart window server without the terminal.  I would have loved to test the theory since that would answer the question of what is at fault quickly.

  • IMac Audio-Out Noise

    If I plug headphones into my iMac's audio-out jack, a high pitched electric buzzing noise can be heard.
    It starts to give me a headache after a while, so I've been avoiding using headphones.
    I don't have AppleCare anymore, so taking it to Apple would cost $$.
    I'd like to do anything I can to fix it before having to take it to Apple - any ideas?

    Hi Colin
    Here are a few things to try:
    1. If you open and then close GarageBand it will reset your iMac's Audio MIDI setup to default.
    2. Test that set headphones with another device like an iPod or portable radio/CD player.
    3. Push a little harder to make sure that the headphone jack is fully seated.
    4. Try a different set of headphones.
    Dennis

  • Audio Out Keeps Shorting my Amp

    So a weird problem here - I have a 17inch iMac (my parents') that has been repeated connected to their stero system through the normal audio out jack. When they recently began connecting it, a loud hissing sound or "thump thump thump" would come out over the speakers and the amp would turn off almost as if it was shorted.
    I've reset the PRAM based on some advice but the problem still persists. Strangely enough, I can connect my powerbook to the amp with no problems.
    Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
    -John

    Laast month I bought an iFi speaker kit from Klipsch to connect to my iMac G5 20" (rev B). During the night after a few days I heard loud thumping from the subwoofer. I got up, realized it was coming from there, turned the speaker kit off. In the morning when I tried, a woofer on a satellite was out of commission. They replaced it, I installed it, and 15 minutes later it did the same thing. Loud thumping, loud buzzing, and this time, no more sound, and a test of the speakers on another kit on the PC reveled that again on the same side, the satellite was bust. I just sent back the whole kit today for repair/replacement, but seeing your post now makes me fear that the problem is with the machine. I have also wondered if it was the stereo jack cable that I used (bought brand new, but cheap one).
    The thing is...the first time it happened the iMac was turned off (but I don't know if this means there was no power in the audio jack). Also, I have used a similar subwoofer+speakers kit (different model from same brand) on the same machine before for a few weeks with no problem, and I often use headphones as well...

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