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Do iMacs have sound cards?

I tried searching for info, but the word "Sound" is pretty generic.

I want the ability to listen to music on an iMac, in addition to doing my graphics work.

I don't see much of a product description of the iMacs... at least not one that tells me if I can do this without buying extra stuff.

Help?!

n/a, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Feb 17, 2007 1:49 PM

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20 replies

Feb 17, 2007 2:08 PM in response to Altered_Ego

They have sound chipsets on the logicboard. Depending on your model iMac, you either have one that is hooked up to a minijack Toslink, or a minijack standard analog stereo connector, or a digital audio for Apple's Pro Speakers (now discontinued), as well as internal speaker support which all iMacs have.

Please identify your Mac model here:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301724

Feb 17, 2007 3:34 PM in response to Altered_Ego

Depends on the iMac model and the ports available on the iMac. Please identify your iMac, so we can tell you which of these are compatible:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=506627&tstart=0

There are in fact three different kinds of minijacks speakers come with. So knowing the iMac type, and the minijack the speakers have is important.

Feb 17, 2007 3:44 PM in response to a brody

For more clarity:

User uploaded file type soundcard compatible speakers are compatible with the Griffin Firewave on iMacs with Firewire. That includes all iMac G4, iMac G5, Intel iMacs, and iMac G3s in Apple's article 58207 that have Firewire.

5.1 speakers systems that come with a SPDIF port are compatible with
http://www.monstercable.com/computer/productPageComputer.asp?pin=2809

and the minijack found on the back of iMac G5s and iMac Intel Core Macs.

Speakers that can work with:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102970

Will work wtih any iMac. Radio Shack offers RCA adapters to that cable that will work with practically any two-channel speaker system.

Feb 17, 2007 5:00 PM in response to Altered_Ego

For crying out loud, all computers have sound cards. How else does sound come out of computers?

In the case of the iMacs, they have speakers built in, though not killer speakers, they're manageable. If you need anything better, get any pair of computer speakers and plug them into the headphone jack. You don't need to buy an external sound card.

Feb 17, 2007 6:52 PM in response to Altered_Ego

You will need a powered speaker set up, as you will be using the mini headphone jack for external's. I have this Creative Inspire external speaker set, here is the link so you can look at the spec's.
http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=4&subcategory=27&product=1 4096

Dennis

17" iMac Intel Core Duo 1.5GB Ram Mac OS X (10.4.8) Maxtor 300GB FireWire 2G Nano

Feb 17, 2007 7:19 PM in response to den.thed

For crying out loud, the product description of the current iMacs leaves much to be desired. That's why I decided to finally ask the question(s). I don't even recall any mention of speakers etc.

You may not know that not all PC computers come with built-in sound cards. Some are included in the motherboards. Sometimes you have to buy one.

I currently have powered computer speakers, for my PC. So it appears they should work just fine.

Just a friendly tip: some people come to this forum because they need answers to questions.

If you're not willing to help, why not find something else to do for amusement?!

Feb 17, 2007 8:16 PM in response to Altered_Ego

No the spec's realy don't tell what's inside!

Audio
Built-in stereo speakers
17-inch and 20-inch models
Internal 12-watt digital amplifier
24-inch model
Internal 24-watt digital amplifier
Headphone/optical digital audio output (minijack)
Audio line in/optical digital audio input (minijack)
Built-in microphone

I was just using my set up as an example, so you might compare it to your current external set up.

Feb 18, 2007 4:25 AM in response to a brody

It seems some answers here are contradictory. Maybe some folks choose to be confused by the terminology?!

I've read and re-read the iMac product descriptions in the store. There is very little detail... My question is not answered.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=C12 11F78&nclm=iMac

To repeat my question, in different words:

Do I need a soundcard in order to hook up external powered computer speakers?

Do iMacs have sound cards?

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