Connecting speakers to a Mac

Clanket · 31-08-2009 02:28PM #1

Hi all,

I'm looking to hook up a set of speakers to my Imac. I'm planning on starting with a set of hi-fi speakers (about 2 years old) as I'm smashed and cant afford a decent set of monitors.

I have two questions:-

1) I'm fairly sure it's a usb audio interface I need but am not 100%. There's another thread here about these but am wondering can you connect sepakers to these (there's only a wire from the speakers). Can anyone confirm that this is what I'm after and maybe recommend a cheap interface (that will take wires from the speakers).

2) Is there a massive difference between a decent enough set of hi-fi speakers and a decent set of monitors. Am I wasting my time with the hi-fi speakers?

Thanks for any help given.

PaulBrewer · 31-08-2009 03:17PM

I think you'll need an amp too by what you're describing.

Clanket · 31-08-2009 03:45PM

Damn it. Thought this would be easy and cheap enough.

Do monitors have an amp built in?

ICN · 31-08-2009 04:17PM

Yup.. Paul is right.. You'll need somthing to power the hifi speakers.

Maybe if your stereo has an Aux channel.. that might be the best way. Take the output from the soundcard in through your stereo.

As for Audio Soundcard.. Firewire is best with Macs.

I've had problems with USB power in the past - FW is cool.

This is what I have - Saffire LE. Its sold out at the moment, but you could probably get it from Thomann or somewhere else.. http://www.musicstore.com/en_EN/IEP/Focusrite-Saffire-LE-Firewire-Audio-Interface/art-PCM0005441-000

Best bet is to have a look through the FW Audio Interfaces in your price range.

http://www.musicstore.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/en_EN/-/IEP/ViewParametricSearch-SimpleOfferSearch?SearchParameter=%26%40QueryTerm%3D*%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%252Fq0DVqHzpgQkAAAEZWnktK5qL%252F57TVqHzp3h0AAAEZr2tFop5D%3D5iHVqHzpP88AAAEZKGxFop5D%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%252Fq0DVqHzpgQkAAAEZWnktK5qL%3D57TVqHzp3h0AAAEZr2tFop5D%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%3Dq0DVqHzpgQkAAAEZWnktK5qL%26%40Sort.ProductListPrice_IEP%3D0%26%40Sort.Ranking%3D0%26%40Page%3D1&expandTrail=

I'd also do a check for compatibility issues with your mac & os.

Clanket · 31-08-2009 04:30PM

Thanks ICN. I might use the stereo as you said and see what it sounds like. If it's pants I'll look at getting a set of monitors.

Connecting speakers to a Mac

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