External speakers not listed!

External speakers should show up as Headphones in System Preferences Sound pane Output tab. If there is no mini-stereo jack in the output port, it should change to +Internal Speakers+. It will never say +External Speakers+.

If I plug in headphones, it's recognized.

So if you plug in headphones, it changes to Headphones, but when you plug in the external speakers, it does not change, then the mini-stereo plug on the external speakers is bad.

Try connecting it to something else, like an iPod, to see if it works.

What kind of external speakers are these, analog, digital, USB, or FireWire?

So the speakers are working because it works with your iPod touch, and apparently, the audio output port on the iMac is working because it works with headphones.

The only thing I can think of is that when you plugged it into the iMac earlier, you mistakenly plugged it into the audio input port, which is right next to the output port and looks the same.

So, try it again...

So the "headphones" used USB and not the audio output port on the iMac.

BTW, the port with the two triangles is the audio input port. That will not work with speakers. You plug a microphone or the output of an audio source there.

If the audio output port on the iMac does not work with either headphones or speakers, it may be broken. If your iMac is still under the one-year warranty or AppleCare, you should get it fixed.

I have the same problem. VERY FRUSTRATING. I have a one-month-old 20" imac and I have tried two sets of speakers and neither will work. They work fine with other computers and they worked on the imac until yesterday, all of a sudden. Are you suggesting that the imac I JUST bought is defective?

Thanks.

Open System Preferences Sound pane Output tab.

With nothing in the Audio Output port (the one with the little picture of headphones above it), it should say +Internal Speakers+ on the list.

If you insert the mini-stereo plug from your headphones or external speakers into that port (not the one with triangles next to it), +Internal Speakers+ should change to Headphones on the list.

If it's working so far and it now says Headphones on the list and you have it selected, make sure the +Output volume+ setting is not set too low or muted. Mac OS X stores separate volume settings for +Internal Speakers+ and Headphones so it is possible you had it muted for Headphones.

If the name on the list does not change to Headphones when you plug something in, then you may have a problem with the audio output port.

Well, then, I guess the headphone jack on my imac is broken since nothing happens in the Output tab when I plug in the speakers or OEM ipod headphones. I actually bought new speakers today because I was sure it was the old set and not my brand new mac that was the problem. Pretty frustrating since 1) this is my first mac, having owned PCs for years, 2) I was under the impression that this computer was supposed to be very multimedia friendly, 3) the speakers were never unplugged after they were plugged in last month therefore making it unlikely the jack wore out or something similar, and 4) I never had a similar hardware issue with any PC, ever. This may be a little sour grapes but c'mon...I know that the mac is a fantastic machine with an ever-growing market share (myself now included) but this should be a non-issue in 2008.

Thanks for your help, anyway.

That's why they have one year warranties... because quality control at the OEM suppliers and contracted manufacturers is not perfect.

I don't think there are any Apple-owned Apple Stores in Germany. Just contact the official Apple support people to find out the correct process.

http://www.apple.com/support/contact/phone_contacts.html