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grunty

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 29, 2014
35
2
I'm a bit underwhelmed by the speaker in the mac pro and i'm not likely to be getting the thunderbolt display anytime soon. Any recommendations for external speakers?
 
I'm a bit underwhelmed by the speaker in the mac pro and i'm not likely to be getting the thunderbolt display anytime soon. Any recommendations for external speakers?

I'd say Logitech because although they won't win any awards if you're an audiophile, they've got nice value speakers which are really good quality and well made. Plus their warranty/aftercare sales support is absolutely excellent. Naturally get one with a subwoofer - they do 5.1 kits as well if that's of interest to you.
 
I'm a bit underwhelmed by the speaker in the mac pro...

"For those about to rock we salute you!"
Speakers.png
 
I'm a bit underwhelmed by the speaker in the mac pro and i'm not likely to be getting the thunderbolt display anytime soon. Any recommendations for external speakers?
What monitor do you have? I assume since you're currently using the Mac Pro speaker, you aren't looking for speakers for music listening? Just for OS X and web sounds?
 
I'm a bit underwhelmed by the speaker in the mac pro and i'm not likely to be getting the thunderbolt display anytime soon. Any recommendations for external speakers?

There's a huge range. Your budget and purpose would help.

There are many speakers out there, had many and my preference is Audioengine A5+ including the Audioengine DAC.

Another AudioEngine fan! Yes, the A5+ would be a great choice if it fits OP's budget and space. They look great in bamboo too.
 
I love my pair of KEF X300A. never had better sounding speakers on my desk. if you're on a budget I can recommend the Harman Kardon SoundSticks.
 
I'm a bit underwhelmed by the speaker in the mac pro and i'm not likely to be getting the thunderbolt display anytime soon. Any recommendations for external speakers?
I have been using Cambridge Soundworks as computer speakers for many years. My main desk is using Ensemble II. Alas, I just discovered they seem to have been bought up and are selling nothing but cheap BT speakers. They can plug into analog directly, but I am actually feeding them via a FiiO USB DAC. You may find them used on eBay or Amazon. Very balanced sound with oomph. I also have an Event Opal studio monitor setup fed via a custom DAC connected to balanced output and the speakers on one end and an Airport Express 2 via TOSLink on the other. But that is in another completely different price range :)
 
What monitor do you have? I assume since you're currently using the Mac Pro speaker, you aren't looking for speakers for music listening? Just for OS X and web sounds?
Hello,

Hello,

Yep OS noises / listening to music and watching TV / Films are the requirements - not an audiophile but like a nice rich sound. Don't think I want a 5.1 system though.

Monitors are a pair of Dell U2713HM
 
Thanks for all the suggestions so far - some good looking speakers around.. I'll do some digging tonight and see what i can come up with in the budget i have (around £250)
 
I have the Logitech Z5500 THX speaker setup, and it is awesome. I know they are a few years old, but they are still one of the best packages around.

Music, films, games, whatever I throw at them they perform. They even allow me to connect optically, via the TosLink on the Mac Pro...
 
I have the Logitech Z5500 THX speaker setup, and it is awesome. I know they are a few years old, but they are still one of the best packages around.

Music, films, games, whatever I throw at them they perform. They even allow me to connect optically, via the TosLink on the Mac Pro...
I've actually got the chance of a set of these for a really good price - and i'm not quite sure what to do, anything I read suggests they are good but bulky. I'm not fussed on 5.1 either and quite like the look of 2 x stereo speakers on the desk (looking at some of the other suggestions in the thread.

That said - your not the 1st person to tell me the Z5500's are awesome.
 
I am not even using the 5.1 setup. I use the sub (of course), the center and the two front speakers. That is fine for me, and they are fan... wait for it... tastic:)
 
I am not even using the 5.1 setup. I use the sub (of course), the center and the two front speakers. That is fine for me, and they are fan... wait for it... tastic:)
So i've got the chance of them for £100 - you reckon i should take it?

(worst case i can sell them on i suppose)
 
I actually thought I had toasted my sub a few months ago, and immediately started looking for new speakers for my Mac Pro. However, all my searching brought me back to spending a fortune, or get the Z5500s again. I couldn't find them new anywhere, without major shipping charges (I live in Greenland), and was ready to bite the apple and get them on eBay, when I got the idea to check the fuse. Indeed it was the fuse I had blown, and as soon as I replaced it, the speakers worked fine again...

GBP100? You take it...
 
I actually thought I had toasted my sub a few months ago, and immediately started looking for new speakers for my Mac Pro. However, all my searching brought me back to spending a fortune, or get the Z5500s again. I couldn't find them new anywhere, without major shipping charges (I live in Greenland), and was ready to bite the apple and get them on eBay, when I got the idea to check the fuse. Indeed it was the fuse I had blown, and as soon as I replaced it, the speakers worked fine again...

GBP100? You take it...

OK - Done - I'll update the thread with how I get on with them. (Yep GBP 100)

Thanks
 
I've actually got the chance of a set of these for a really good price - and i'm not quite sure what to do, anything I read suggests they are good but bulky. I'm not fussed on 5.1 either and quite like the look of 2 x stereo speakers on the desk (looking at some of the other suggestions in the thread.

That said - your not the 1st person to tell me the Z5500's are awesome.
I have had those for quite a few years - simply awesome. I am using PCIe SoundBlaster ZX for Windows 5.1 sound via analog inputs and in OSX via optical. The only hassle is to switch inputs. No need to say that MP original sound is kinda crap but does it's job. You won't get 5.1 unless it is encoded in a movie but post processing works fine. Speakers are bulky and subwoofer is huge and heavy. Doubles as footrest :)
 
I understand this isn't a windows forum, but the other day I bought a pair of Logitech z150 speakers for my windows PC.

Work like a charm. (30 AUD)
 
Probably some audiophile is going to slap me for this, but I've always fancied a pair of Harman Kardon Nova's on my desk. I can imagine that the black model would look pretty cool alongside the nMP.

Obviously, being from Harman Kardon, they're not cheap.
 
I'd say skip on 2.1 systems such as the Logitechs. They always sound gash, with a massive hole in the upper bass and overblown lower bass. Especially with a budget of £250, look for a good 2.0 setup, you'll get a much more balanced output.
 
Probably some audiophile is going to slap me for this

Nah, audiophiles don't have Mac Pros or any other computers because looking at pixels for more than a few seconds can throw off the subtlety of the treble on even the best speakers.

Pretend audiophiles like me might start here: http://www.whathifi.com/news/best-desktop-speakers-to-buy-in-2014

Personally, I like using a reasonable stereo amp as a monitor stand and working from there. If I ever get a nMP, I'd be most tempted to get a Fatman valve amp to go with it.
 
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