Apple Pro Speakers and MacBook Pro

Is this what you're looking for?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00013MRT8/103-5370647-8453461?v=glance&n=17228 2

Sorry, but there's no way to adapt the Pro speakers to your system other than with the iFire or the older Griffin PowerWave, both of which have been discontinued. It's more than just the connectors; the Pro speakers used a special digital amplifer Apple included only in a few Mac models, so attempts to convert the connector by some means not only wouldn't work, it would risk damage to your system.

Given the expense and hassle of trying to find either an iFire or PowerWave used at a reasonable price, it would probably be better to just get another set of speakers.

I wouldn't give up too quickly.

Take a look at this.

http://www.mac-pro.com/s.nl/it.A/id.3100/.f?sc=2&category=41

Also, you could perhaps get a headphone extender cable from radio shack or elsewhere - try headphone extender cable in froogle

grado are a good brand, but you want the shortest cable you cab find,

http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-manufacturer/grado/grado-headphone-extension-c able-15ft.php

or if you can find an adapter that does the same thing without the cable in between ( would be cheap)

Lastly, if the metal collar doesn't serve any function you could cut it off - or cut the plug off the end and replace it with a new one - it's only 2 wires - but you potentially lose some structural integrity - it's not hard though and cheap - radio shack sells the bits.

Best of luck.

$40 bucks would go a long way towards a new set of powered speakers, maybe even with a subwoofer, so decide if you need to get the older speakers working because they look cool, or if you want to spend your money on new ones, I bought a set of altec lansing , there are dozens of sets in the 25-50 dollar price range http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2010370060+4025&Submit=ENE&SubCa tegory=60

Rajesh, neither of your suggestions will work with the Apple Pro Speakers, which use a unique circuitry. Nor will just cutting off the connector and attaching another one work, for the same reason, and doing so might damage her MacBook Pro's audio output.

First of all, i've noticed that the speaker jack for my speakers never goes in all the way. it goes in part of the way, then won't go in any further. They still work perfectly with iTunes, though, which makes me think that Apple didn't make the audio output jack (the place where you put the speakers) deep enough.

If all you need to do is find an adapter, go to RadioShack, show them the speakers, and ask them. They usually have a pretty large selection of adapters, and will probably have the one that you need. If you can't find anything there that fits, then you should probably go to the apple store and ask them about it (assuming that thats not what you meant by "Mac repair store"). From your description, it sounds like your speakers have an RCA plug, and you need to get something that converts it to a stereo jack plug, in which case, what you're looking for should look something like this (you could also buy it from there, but I personally trust radioshack more).

Thanks Dave,

You make some good points. But...

I think you're correct about cutting off the adapter and replacing it, but as I understand it the Pro speakers are just normal analogue audio speakers with a 2.5mm or Apple proprietary plug on the end, but without the sensitivity to allow them to be powered directly from the headphone port - hence the need for an amplifier - either on board a imac through an audio card or by way of griffin ifire getting power from the firewire port. There isn't any special circuitry on the speakers themselves, they just need more power than most small speakers.

So whilst I agree that cutting off the jack will not work and just plugging in with an adapter will not provide enough power to drive the speakers, I would have thought that plugging the pro speakers to a 2.5 to 3.5 mm converter and then into an amplifier would be fine.

It doesn't appear that the griffin ifire is doing anything other than amplifying an analogue signal to power the speakers and sporting a 2.5mm socket for the speakers to plug into.

Anyway, given the cost it's pretty academic. It seems that they are analogue speakers requiring an amplified input and sporting a slightly non standard jack - the boostaroo I suggested would work if they were plugged in as it offers an amplified signal but it's battery powered.

Cheers.

I am also interested in a good set of speakers for my new MacBook Pro...Anyone have any ideas, or suggestions? My next thing will be looking for speakers for my Ipod.. If you have any suggestions for that I would appreciate it too:)

Kallie

as I understand it the Pro speakers are just normal analogue audio speakers with a 2.5mm or Apple proprietary plug on the end, but without the sensitivity to allow them to be powered directly from the headphone port - hence the need for an amplifier - either on board a imac through an audio card or by way of griffin ifire getting power from the firewire port.

You could be correct, though that's the first I've heard that. But I wouldn't want to risk it. If something's not correct, it could damage the audio circuitry in the Mac, and that's not worth it for the sake of old speakers, IMHO.

I have successfully cut off the Apple Pro Speaker's jack and connected it to a mini plug. Keep in mind that part of the "trick" with the Apple Pro speakers is that is uses an amp inside the iMac G4 to amplify and drive the speakers.

To compensate you can plug it into an amp

or do what I do.

I have my iTunes audio turned all the way up combined with the software "Volume Logic" which also amplifies the signal further. Lastly, I have the Powerbook's own volume turned all the way up. It works and gives me better sound than the built in speakers and is about as loud as it is on it's own loudest setting, which is loud enough for me.

Also, please don't attempt this if you are not willing to make a mistake and render your speakers useless. I am an audio engineer and not everybody has the patience to play with wire and get them to connect adequately to create a signal.


The right speaker has:
shielding on the outside
a layer of foil
a brown wire
a yellow wire

The left speaker has:
shielding on the outside
a layer of foil
a blue wire
a white wire

Pull the foil away and when connecting these wires MAKE SURE THEY DO NOT TOUCH WIRES THAT THEY ARE NOT PURPOSELY ATTACHED TO.
Get a mini or headphones connector where the left and right wires are easily stripped and separated. I used one where the right wire is clearly red and the left is clearly white and both wires have shielding.

Make sure the stripped wires are stripped at least an inch above the shielding so there is less opportunity to touch.

Twist the shielding of all wires together and cover with electrical tape.

Twist the Brown and the Blue wires from the two speakers together and cover with electrical tape

Twist the white wire from the Apple Pro speaker together with the left (in my case white) wire connected to the mini connector, cover with electrical tape.

Twist the Yellow wire from the Apple Pro speaker together with the right (in my case red) wire connected to the mini connector, cover with electrical tape.

Whoops PLEASE READ

forgot the add that the blue and brown wires, now connected, need to be connected to the shielding wire.

Sorry for not being complete before.
🙂


Dual G5, Powerbook G4 1.5, iMac G4, Wallstreet Mac OS X (10.4.4) House networked with a variety of Macs and PeeCees