What are 27" iMac owners doing for speakers

Ironically I went from using a 2.1 system to the builtins when I went to my new 27" iMac. But I don't ask much of a computer sound system and I was more interested in reducing the clutter.

I wouldn't call the builtins "rich and powerful" mainly because of lack of range (no bass at all).

Why can't you just keep using the current speaker system you have that "rocks" on the new iMac?

If you want to go higher end, you can get a system that has optical digital input or connect using USB. USB has an advantage in that you can connect nice headphones more or less permanently to the audio output mini-jack. When you don't want to wake the neighbors, you can use System Preferences Sound pane to switch the audio output from the USB speakers to Headphones, without physically disconnecting anything. Or (with no headphones connected) you can switch it over the built-in speakers set at a lower volume.

The Apple Store sells these that use USB

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TK760VC/A
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TV282LL/A

Since you live in NYC, you should take a trip to one of the Apple Stores and take a look and listen in person.

I use M-Audio BX5a and they sound great...it is a little bigger speaker/monitor and my wife says they are not as beautiful as the Focal or Bose...but the sound compensates. They can sound really loud if i want so...

There are sub-woofer units, but I don't think you will be able to use them at the same time as the built-in speakers. If you plug it (or anything) into the audio output mini-jack, the built-in speakers will go off.

A long time ago (for the iMac G3), Apple worked with Hardon Kardon for a USB-connected sub-woofer called iSub. It used a special driver that turned down the bass in the built-in speakers. I don't know of any system like that for today's iMacs and current Mac OS X, but it seems like a good idea. Maybe you should suggest it here

http://www.apple.com/feedback/

A subwoofer is supposed to sit on the floor under you desk, so I don't think it would create any clutter. There are any number of decent sounding and affordable analog (not optical digital or USB) "2.1" systems that connect with a mini-stereo jack; two small speakers and a sub. You would just need to go to an electronics store to listen to them, and pick one that looks and sounds good to you. In that case, a general store would be better than an Apple Store, because they will have more of the less costly choices on display.

If you want some ideas, just go to Amazon.com and search on +computer speakers+. The choices seem almost endless. 🙂

[including iSub's descendant|http://www.amazon.com/Harman-SoundSticks-II-Multimedia-Speaker/dp/B0 001DBEM4/ref=sr 116?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1261810538&sr=8-16]

Hi
I use Harman Kardon Soundsticks II. I love them and they aren't cluttery as they stand straight up with very little footprint.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/T9078LL/A

The only thing I did was to add a switch to the power cord in order to turn them on and off instead of either unplugging them from either the power supply or the imac. BUT the warranty is now voided, but no worries in a year of great sound.
M.

I think I kinda understand your question, so I'll give it a shot:
You can probably lean towards either a 2.1 system OR a nice pair of "near field" stereo powered speakers and be very satisfied. Technically, your iMac does have an optical output, so it will pass thru a 5.1 mix to your external AV system or self contained 5.1 system with an optical input.

But you really are not suffering with a nice pair of powered 'stereo' speakers or a nice 2.1 system connected via your headphone output (instead of trying to go 5.1) on your new iMac. I don't game much, so I've never "missed" having a 5.1 system at my homeoffice desk (and I prefer watching 5.1 movies on my THX home theatre). My 5-Year old compact RSL Digital Fidelity 2.1 system still rocks me from 6' away (with a little help from SRS iWow plugin). They fit so perfectly on my desks design.

But a set of reference monitors will be my next upgrade (I am in no hurry);
The M-Audio speaker line mentioned above (ie: BX-5a or AV40)) is a very good idea of what a modern pair of reference monitors, near field, looks like, and what kind of specs they have ('near-field'meaning that you will mostly be sitting near speakers, not trying to power a giant room.

Personally, I am going to see if I can figure out a high quality adaptor and look at the Mackie line.
I like the sound of it too: Mackie monitors for my Mac studio.
http://www.mackie.com/products/studiomonitors/index.html
I am really intrigued by the MR8 and MR5: excellent bang-for-buck reference monitors IMO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpHL4IjbunY

Hi XavierL13,

I totally hear you about the clutter, but I totally understand that sound is an issue as well. I am a professional audio engineer, but I don't need a full blown system in my office. It's just to distracting during work anyways.

I actually recently found a really cool Bass add on made for the iMac. Chech it out. http://twelvesouth.com/products/bassjump/ It's USB powered so you even eliminate a power supply. And while you are at it, the same company that makes the speaker also makes a little mounting bracket that goes right on back of the iMac, so you can even hide the sub behind your screen. http://www.twelvesouth.com/products/backpack/

Again, I garantee this will not create massive sound, but it will ad a lot to your computer totally mac style!

How is that for a solution? Just as a disclaimer, I don't have this system, and I don't have an iMac, but I wish I had it 🙂.

Cheers, Hans

That's a cool product. But the product FAQ itself says that because it is USB bus-powered, it does not provide sufficient sound volume to complement that speakers on an iMac; it is designed for use with a MacBook's smallish speakers.

All they have to do is make one that is somewhat larger with its own power supply, and they would have the old iSub, reborn.

Consider http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1729