iSub back in action!!

Just a question.
Since ISub worked with the 10.5.6 update version of AppleUSBAudio.kext, why have you not used that version (as others suggested), and downloaded the older 10.5.3 update, instead?

THX

OS X 10.6 Snow Leoprd & ISUB
Summary:
The Harman Kardon iSub is not always working on Intel Macs without the use of other USB audio hardware. It is NOT working on the latest Intel Quad MAC PRO but is on a Dual G5 under OS X 10.5.8.

Steps to Reproduce:
1. Plug in iSub into any USB port.
2. Check Apple System Profiler. Device is correctly listed in Apple System Profiler, but does not work, and does not have separate volume control in the SOUND Control Panel.

Expected Results:
Expected iSub to work in conjunction with internal speakers, external USB speakers, or with external non-USB speakers, as it should.

Actual Results:
Device is listed in Apple System Profiler, but does not work, and does not have separate volume control

Regression:
This bug does not occur on PowerPC based Macs, just on Intel based Macs. Tested on a Power MAC dual g5 under OS X v10.5.8, Power Mac G4 400 Sawtooth, Power Mac G4 867, Power Mac G5 Dual 2GHz, Intel Mac Mini 1.5GHz Core Solo, Intel iMac 20" 2.0GHz Core Duo, Intel MacBook Pro 17" 2.16GHz Core Duo, Mac Pro Quad 3GHz under OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.

Workaround not working in Snow Leopard:
Attach another USB audio device (sound card, USB headset) and select that for sound output. The iSub and it's volume control will magically appear in the sound control panel. Once you select Internal Speakers or another non-USB output, the iSub and it's volume control will disappear, and will cease outputting audio.

Initially, for bug # 4590777, Apple had listed it as a 'duplicate' bug, so there was some hope of having this fixed. As 10.4.4 was the initial OS X build that shipped on the first set of Intel Macs, maybe 10.4.5 would remedy this. Then the updates kept coming. And still, it wasn't working.

Once 10.4.9 was released, I tried the iSub again on all my Intel Macs. Again, no dice. So I sent in another bug report for Apple to fix. I was hoping this would be fixed prior to Leopard's launch. To my dismay, I received the following email from Apple.

"Hello, This is a follow-up to Bug ID# 5061928. We have received the following update regarding this bug:
<GMT14-Mar-2007 23:41:32GMT> Vanaja Pasumarthi:
Engineering has provided the following feedback regarding this issue:
Unfortunately, we have had to discontinue the support for iSub for built in audio. This is behaves (sic) as expected. Please disable iSub on yellow machines for all configurations.

We have closed this report as resolved. Thank you for taking the time to notify us of this issue.
Best Regards,
Vanaja P.
Apple Developer Connection
Worldwide Developer Relations"

This has been an issue for quite some time. As an owner of a few Intel based Macs, I'm disappointed that Apple has decided to discontinue support for their quickly emerging platform. It sort of goes against the statement from Apple that "Everything just works." Funny how the iSub does work in Windows Vista, however.

Please post this for the other iSub owners who might as well know this now instead of waiting even longer.
-Anthony V."

An iSub owner reply on using an iMic as a workaround. (this was before OS X 10.5/Leopard was released - see top of page for notes on iSub problems in Leopard.-Mike)

"I started trying workarounds (I found one that works!)
Here the setup, done with a pair of klipsches, an iMic and the iSub. First plug your iMic into your USB port on your Tower or USB Hub, Then plug your speakers in to speaker icon side of the iMic then plug in your iMic into another USB port or your USB hub. Check your Sound Preferences and you will have both of the Klispches and the iSub working!
(he later wrote)
I'm using the imic to insure I can use both my klipsch speakers at the same time I'm using the isub not one or the other. Adding another usb device only gives you the option on an intel mac to use your internal speaker on your tower and an isub. By pluging my speakers into the imic I have the ability to use and control the volume for both my external speakers and the isub.
-George H."

The isub issue is not fixed as of OS X 10.6 and the workaround does not seem to work either. Bob.

It is hard to compare the lack of driver support with anything from before the computer age but there would seem to be no question that a purchase represents a contract and that contract implies providing good faith updates. One might compare this to when a company must issue a hardware recall to make a device function properly. Indeed my iSub while perfectly sound mechanically is prefixally useless due to apples lack of support. Am I the only one that feels criminally ripped off. What about a class action suit.

John

No I´m with you on this John - my iSub has been sitting on a shelf gathering dust as the planet warms up! I do check from time to time to see if I can find some new drivers for it and have just spent about an hour on this (including posting on forums) when I saw your post.

This is such a great work of engineering that is wasted. I don't understand discontinuing the use of a speaker.. This just doesn't make any sense. I though Apple had a new environmental stance they were trying to make. Now this thing is landfill.

very disappointed

bump wish i could use my isub in 10.6 😟

Long story, but I got an iSub as a "gift" from Apple a few years ago. It worked great on my G4 eMac and then not so good on my G5 iMac. But when I asked two years in a row at the Apple Service Desk and also at Harman Kardon at MacWOrld in SF, no one could figure out why sometimes it would start up over modulating and as soon as I went into the Sound Control Panel it would work normally. Now with OS 10.6 and my new 21.5" iMac it does not work at all. I'm very disappointed that the engineers at Apple have not been able to get this subwoofer to work on their new OS. There must be more to it that we are not being told?