Can one use old Altec Lansing Speakers (ADA885) with new Intel Imac?

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Level 1

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Can one use old Altec Lansing Speakers (ADA885) with new Intel Imac?

I have used my old Altec Lansing Speakers (model ADA885) with my old G4. But the new Intel Imac won't recognize the older speakers. I called Apple Support and was told to talk with Altec. I called Altec and was told to talk with Apple. A "y" connection does nothing but mute the IMac when plugged into the speaker plug.. Speakers are good and IMac plays other external speakers. Someone mentioned that there might be a "tool" to hook up the 2 Altec Lansing analog speakers and play thru the USB port. Hate to throw away these old speakers, they sure sounded good.

IMac Mac OS X (10.4.8) 2 intel chips, 2 gigs ram

Posted on Jan 24, 2007 7:05 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 24, 2007 7:09 PM in response to jbsquared

Forgive my ignorance, JB, but are these speakers powered? If not, you will need an amplifier. The output of the iMac should just be at line level.
Tim

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jan 24, 2007 7:46 PM in response to jbsquared

Try connecting the speakers to the headset jack on the computer. You will need a cable with a 3.5 mm stereo plug on one end and whatever plugs are required to connect to the speakers. If you are unable to get sufficient volume then you may need to install an amplifier between the computer and the speakers.

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Answer 3

jbsquared Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 25, 2007 4:35 PM in response to Tim McFarland

Sorry, I forgot to mention that the speakers are powered.

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Answer 4

jbsquared Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 25, 2007 4:58 PM in response to Kappy

I do have a ""Y" connector that I have tried to use. When I plug in that connecter in my headphone jack, my 'sound' setting shows that I have switched to headphones, but I get no sound from the Imac or the external powered speakers.

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Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jan 25, 2007 5:33 PM in response to jbsquared

You don't want a Y connector which basically is single channel. If the speakers use a phono jack, then you need a cable that has two phono plugs on one end and a 3.5 mm stereo phone plug on the other end. Then open Sound preferences, click on the Output tab and select the Line Out option. That will re-direct the sound to the headphone jack. Adjust the desired sound level. Be sure you turn on the powered speakers.

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Answer 6

jbsquared Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 25, 2007 5:59 PM in response to jbsquared

I have used my old Altec Lansing Speakers (model
ADA885) with my old G4. But the new Intel Imac won't
recognize the older speakers. I called Apple Support
and was told to talk with Altec. I called Altec and
was told to talk with Apple. A "y" connection does
nothing but mute the IMac when plugged into the
speaker plug.. Speakers are good and IMac plays
other external speakers. Someone mentioned that
there might be a "tool" to hook up the 2 Altec
Lansing analog speakers and play thru the USB port.
Hate to throw away these old speakers, they sure
sounded good.

IMac
Mac OS X (10.4.8) 2 intel chips, 2
gigs ram

Hey ya'll. New development. I bypassed the "Y" connector and plugged one video plug into the Imac via the imike and I have one speaker ( and the woofer) working. Just no stereo. Maybe there is something availble that I can plug both analogs connectors in thru the imike? Anyone heard of anything like that??

thanks

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