Audio on iMac in target display mode.

Question

Level 1

94 points

Audio on iMac in target display mode.

Here's my problem:

I have a macbook pro with retina display that is hooked up to an imac via thunderbolt. The imac is in target display mode so that I can use it as a second monitor. I have some external speakers attached to the imac which I use when I'm using the imac by itself. I'm trying to make it so that I can use these speakers when in target display mode.

When in system preferences I can set the sound output to the imac but the audio plays through the internal speakers instead of the external. Anyone know a way to make this work?

Thanks in advance!

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion

Posted on Aug 14, 2012 7:27 PM

Reply

Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

91,660 points

Aug 14, 2012 7:46 PM in response to GideonShils

Not sure if this will work, but go to: Applications > Utilities and open the Audio MIDI setup. Once there select the Output tab and see if you can locate or select the External speakers connected to the iMac.

Reply

Answer 2

GideonShils Author

Level 1

94 points

Aug 14, 2012 7:49 PM in response to den.thed

I tried that. I can select "DisplayPort" but that still only plays through the internal speakers.

Reply

Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

91,660 points

Aug 14, 2012 7:54 PM in response to GideonShils

How are those External Speakers connect to the iMac, USB or 3.5mm to the Audio Output (headphone) jack?

Reply

Answer 4

GideonShils Author

Level 1

94 points

Aug 14, 2012 7:56 PM in response to den.thed

Theres a USB connection to a fasttrack pro which is connected to two krk rokit 5s through TRS.

Reply

Answer 5

den.thed

Level 10

91,660 points

Aug 14, 2012 8:13 PM in response to GideonShils

Humm... I might go TosLink between the iMac and the FastTrack and then run the USB connection to the MacBook Pro when your using it in Target Display Mode.

Or vise Versa, leave the USB connected to the iMac and use the TosLink connection for the MacBook Pro.

See > NewerTech CBLAOPTMT Toslink to Mini Toslink Optical... in stock at OWC

Reply

Answer 6

GideonShils Author

Level 1

94 points

Aug 14, 2012 8:46 PM in response to den.thed

Thanks! I'll try it out. I'm sure that will work so I'll say you solved it 🙂

Reply

Answer 7

den.thed

Level 10

91,660 points

Aug 14, 2012 9:21 PM in response to GideonShils

Your welcome!

Reply

Answer 8

david125

Level 1

0 points

Feb 1, 2014 10:05 AM in response to GideonShils

I have almost the exact same setup (but using a MBP 2012 without retina, a mini display port cable - because my imac is 2009 and doesn't have a thunderbolt socket- and an audio engine DAC rather than a fastlink) and after finding this answer, I also tried den.thed's suggestion and it works:

Go to Audio MIDI Setup App and right click (or option click I guess) the DisplayPort output option. Select the "use this device for sound output" option and it plays sounds through the external speakers that are connected to your display that is in target mode (in my case an iMac 2009).

Reply

Answer 9

david125

Level 1

0 points

Feb 1, 2014 11:24 AM in response to david125

Actually, ignore this, I was wrong it doesn't work. Turns out it was only coming out of internal speakers. Doh!

Reply