2017 iMac 5.1 surround sound?

[DanMumford]

Hey! We have just upgraded from a windows PC to a 2017 27" iMac, we've been using these speakers with the PC - https://www.trust.com/en/product/21738-gxt-658-tytan-5-1-surround-speaker-system

These are the connections on the back, and the cables that went to to computer -

I was wondering if anyone knew what we would need, or what needs to be done to try and get the same speakers working with the iMac? Thanks!

 

[priitv8]

I use this, for example: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B003TO3KHY/

 

[mikehalloran]

I use this, for example: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B003TO3KHY/

It's hard to tell.

Does it do the straight USB to 5.1 without drivers?

 

[mikehalloran]

If it works, there are other devices that will also. Problem is that no one seems to have tested these on a 2017 or later iMac.

 

[priitv8]

It's hard to tell.

Does it do the straight USB to 5.1 without drivers?

Yes. Its a standard USB sound device.
If you want to enable the TOSLINK ports, then you might need to fiddle with https://www.dr-lex.be/software/cm6206.html

If it works, there are other devices that will also. Problem is that no one seems to have tested these on a 2017 or later iMac.

I used it on my 2013 MBP, now with my 2019 iMac.

 

[mikehalloran]

Yes. Its a standard USB sound device.
If you want to enable the TOSLINK ports, then you might need to fiddle with https://www.dr-lex.be/software/cm6206.html
View attachment 846072
I used it on my 2013 MBP, now with my 2019 iMac.

Great.

I don't see a US Amazon link but there are a number of similar units including this:

https://www.amazon.com/VAlinks-Exte...1+audio&qid=1562091623&s=gateway&sr=8-2-fkmr2

I'm going to assume that it's Class Compliant. If so, it should just work by opening Audio in System Preferences, selecting the device and assigning channels as needed.

 

[Fried Chicken]

I thought apple discontinued Toslink on their iMacs?

Mine still has it. Hah.

 

[mikehalloran]

I thought apple discontinued Toslink on their iMacs?

Mine still has it. Hah.

Well good for you. My 2009, 2010 & 2011 have it also.

Optical output was discontinued beginning with some MacBooks in 2016 and continuing with the iMac in 2017. The current Mini and iMac Pro don't have it either.

It will be interesting to see if the new Mac Pro has it in September.

 

[priitv8]

The 2006 MacBook not only had optical output, but also the optical input!

 

[mikehalloran]

The 2006 MacBook not only had optical output, but also the optical input!

Till 2017, they all did.

 

[priitv8]

Till 2017, they all did.

My early 2013 MacBook Pro definitely does not. It has only one 3.5mm connector which supports iPhone headset (incl. remote and mono mic input) but the single connector is being used as digital optical output. So the input has been dropped.

 

[DanMumford]

Well I ordered this - https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07L9WTL5R/

...and it worked, but not very well (maybe I got a dodgy unit as the connections do seem a bit loose) the audio wasn't great, everthing sounded crackly and the levels were different for each speaker, and it seemed to keep changing back to just the front speakers.

I'll order a different type and see if it works any better!