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External Speakers for Mac Mini M2 Pro

M

Mac2004

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 17, 2004
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I bought a new Mac Mini M2 Pro last year but I need to get some new external speakers for it for my desktop that look nice. I don’t want any large bulky speakers that take up a lot of desk space. Something small but very good quality, highly rated for Macs, and great sound.

I live in an apartment. Should I get Bluetooth or WiFi speakers for the best quality sound??
 
Using the headphone jack ought to work great.

These are highly rated. Are they the proper size?

www.amazon.com

Edifier R980T 4" Active Bookshelf Speakers - 2.0 Computer Speaker - Powered Studio Monitor (Pair)

Compact in size, the Studio 980T is an efficient 2.0 solution for desktops and small spaces. Producing 21W RMS from the 4 inch bass driver and 13mm tweeter, the Studio 1 can be connected to your audio devices by the two RCA input options. Master volume and bass adjustment dials are located on the...
www.amazon.com
 
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Mac2004 said:
I bought a new Mac Mini M2 Pro last year but I need to get some new external speakers for it for my desktop that look nice. I don’t want any large bulky speakers that take up a lot of desk space. Something small but very good quality, highly rated for Macs, and great sound.

I live in an apartment. Should I get Bluetooth or WiFi speakers for the best quality sound??
Click to expand...

2 options:
1. A TV Sound bar. With undertable subwoofer or not.
2. 2 TWS Bluetooth speakers connected in pair for stereo sound. High mobility. Just have to charge their batteries.
 
Mac2004 said:
I don’t want any large bulky speakers that take up a lot of desk space. Something small but very good quality, highly rated for Macs, and great sound.
Click to expand...
These adjectives are all relative, so it’s hard to really know what you’re looking for. Perhaps as a starting point, you can show an example of the size you want, then people can suggest the best quality/sound for that size that they know of?
Also I don’t know what “highly rated for Macs” means. All computer speakers are platform-agnostic as far as I know.

You probably know, but some monitors come with built-in speakers, some with decent sound, so that would be the most space-saving option.

I don’t like wireless computer speakers, personally, because of generally lower quality sound and/or sound delay, added cost, and having to worry about the battery if it’s battery-powered. But if you don’t care about those things, and if it lets you place the speaker farther away in a more ideal spot, then it might be worth it.
 
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erihp said:
depends on how much the budget is.

speakers dont have to be large to sound good.

maybe you are confusing 'quality sound' with 'loud'?
Click to expand...

If that is your perspective, then apparently, we are on the two 2 edges of opinion.
A speaker driver needs to be big enough to reproduce details at low-frequencies. That's my opinion.
For a near-field listening experience, I would suggest drivers of at least 6 inches in diameter and decent size of box to maintain good resonance at low volume.
How small do you think a speaker can be to reproduce low frequencies sound?

If you can't afford to have that minimum 6-inches size, probably you would just have to be compromise with the aesthetic and save your budget with the 4-inches drives in sound-bar and bluetooth speakers.

Maybe you are confusing "quality sound" with "price"?
Good speakers don't need to be expensive...
I've seen and heard enough bad music from those junks with exquisite price tags to form a hatred against tiny-and-pricey speakers.
 
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If you haven't already done so, I recommend watching a bunch of YouTube videos about computer speakers and portable speakers to get up to speed regarding available popular options. There are one-to-one and group comparisons, rundowns of features, and some questionable opinions and sound tests, but you'll see the speakers in all angles, get some insight for forming your own search criteria, or perhaps find a rabbit hole you didn't expect that will guide your decision in the end.
 
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What kind of sound are you hoping to recreate? If you're hoping for for Dolby'esque surround sound emanating from your computer as you watch movies, play games or use the computer as your primary music playback, then that's one kind of speaker system. If you're hoping for decent quality for background music, the occasional streamed network TV or Zoom calls, and a footprint that doesn't overwhelm, then any basic powered speaker will probably suit.

In my case, I'm perfectly fine with Logitech Z150 speakers (each 3.5" wide x 5.75" tall). Basic computer desk powered speakers - not even a subwoofer - that suits my needs (and I've done all of the above). Plugs into the headphone jack of my M2 Mini, and AC to power speakers themselves. Also comes with independent volume control.

Now there are also products that will digitally enhance any sound output - even when using a laptop's own speakers. One that I am familiar with is Boom 3D (https://www.globaldelight.com/boom/) - and that may help negate the need for expensive speakers.
 
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“very good quality” and blue tooth is an oxymoron. There are few subjects more subjective than audio. Without describing what you listen to and how you prefer your sound (sterile, lean, balanced, fat) it’s highly unlikely you will get input of any value.
 
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I picked up a pair of the PreSonus Eris 3.5BT Studio Monitors from Guitar Center a few months back as part of a bundle that included an audio mixer, mic, studio monitor headphones and all the necessary cables (XLR, RCA, etc.) in addition to a perpetual license for Studio One Pro 7. I get a cleaner overall sound and the flexibility for recording/streaming as needed.
 
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Mac2004 said:
I bought a new Mac Mini M2 Pro last year but I need to get some new external speakers for it for my desktop that look nice. I don’t want any large bulky speakers that take up a lot of desk space. Something small but very good quality, highly rated for Macs, and great sound.

I live in an apartment. Should I get Bluetooth or WiFi speakers for the best quality sound??
Click to expand...
HomePods full size.
 
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Agreed that wired is the way to go. I plug headphone jack into a decent car stereo for amplifier powered by a 12V 5A wall wart. My favorite desktop compact speaker is a Magnepan mini, https://magnepan.com/products/mini-maggie-system, with under-the-desk low-frequency panel. Suitable for a small private office, probably not a cubicle. And nowhere near the bass and imaging of a full size Magnepan in spite of their claims.
 
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