Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Mac Mini Speakers?

U

ubinko

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 20, 2020
233
284
I'm looking to update my 2017 iMac, to either an M4 iMac or M4 Mac Mini.

Many monitors don't come with speakers.

My question is - how good are the speakers inside of the Mac Mini? Are they generally as good as the speakers in an iMac/Studio Display, or do people generally buy a set of dedicated speakers? This is relevant as it will affect the desk space and final cost of the setup for me.
 
I just remembered, I actually have an amazon echo dot lying around that I could probably use.
 
The mini has never had more than one, tiny speaker, more for sound effects, with little chance to claim anything musical. And, now in a much smaller case, even less chance of worthwhile audio. External of some type is the plan.
When I want a speaker, I usually listen with headphones, or a bluetooth speaker of some kind. That wireless speaker doesn't need to take up any desk space-- being wireless, it can sit anywhere. I have a small wall shelf, where the speaker shares space with my internet router. (There's a bracket under the shelf, where I hang my headphones)
 
  • Like
Reactions: hobowankenobi and Ericdjensen
I have tried various - now settled on Apple Studio Display. Speakers for general use, music, video are very good for what I want. I had tried pair of HomePod mini (very good), Q-Acoustics Bluetooth/optical/USB bookshelf speakers (superb, a little bulky and now on my turntable). Logitech tend to be good - I have a few packs of V20 USB (DAC, control and power) that are surprisingly good and a Logitech Boombox type thing with line and BT which is really very good.
 
Mac mini speakers are there for you to hear the boot up chime at best. Otherwise, completely unsuitable for anything else. I use either AirPod Pros for headphones or Bose Companion 2 Series III desktop speakers (they have 2 audio inputs, which is very handy when you want to switch between two different audio sources).
 
  • Like
Reactions: August West, 76Nico and hobowankenobi
hobowankenobi said:
The question about dedicated speakers should be more like...

What dedicated speakers are good for [use case here]?

Gaming, general use, music in a cubicle, music in a big room, watching TV, or something else?
Click to expand...
I mostly use my airpod pros.. and the speakers will just be to share youtube videos and the like to family. I think the best option for me is just to ensure I have a monitor with speakers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hobowankenobi
ubinko said:
I'm looking to update my 2017 iMac, to either an M4 iMac or M4 Mac Mini.

Many monitors don't come with speakers.

My question is - how good are the speakers inside of the Mac Mini? Are they generally as good as the speakers in an iMac/Studio Display, or do people generally buy a set of dedicated speakers? This is relevant as it will affect the desk space and final cost of the setup for me.
Click to expand...
The built in speakers are horrible and disgusting. Don't believe rumors and youtube reviews - they simply have nothing to compare them to. As for the quality of Apple Studio Display Pro, iMac, etc. - average, I've seen much better sounding systems. For those who will now shout at the whole city that apple is the best, and that I was stepped on the ear by a grizzly bear, no hearing, etc., I will disappoint you. To determine the quality I used professional binaural sensors of directional type, similar to the binaural head, as well as a licensed plug-in Voxengo SPANPlus.
Buy good speakers, you'll find your budget.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Miles Fu
The Mac mini’s integrated speaker is okay for the notification/alert sounds and activities such as watching YouTube videos, which are mostly dialog with some background music. They are definitely not optimal for primarily music listening, movie watching, and any sound output of a wide range. A 16-inch MBP on the other hand does have a respectable/good sound system.

Mr.Fox said:
The built in speakers are horrible and disgusting. Don't believe rumors and youtube reviews - they simply have nothing to compare them to. As for the quality of Apple Studio Display Pro, iMac, etc.
Click to expand...
I haven’t used an iMac in more than a decade, so I won't comment on the modern models’ sound quality. Anyway… Space and power limits need to be considered. Back to MacBooks for a moment… Even many die-hard PC enthusiasts admit Apple does well at their speaker setup design — that, and the MacBook trackpads put most others to shame.
 
I'm considering a set of Creative Pebble V3 speakers.... Price is peanuts at £30 and reviews say they are quite decent.

And they come in white...
 
They will be bad. But one review out already says that the M4 mini speakers are better this generation than they were in prior generations.
 
MacCheetah3 said:
The Mac mini’s integrated speaker is okay for the notification/alert sounds and activities such as watching YouTube videos, which are mostly dialog with some background music. They are definitely not optimal for primarily music listening, movie watching, and any sound output of a wide range. A 16-inch MBP on the other hand does have a respectable/good sound system.


I haven’t used an iMac in more than a decade, so I won't comment on the modern models’ sound quality. Anyway… Space and power limits need to be considered. Back to MacBooks for a moment… Even many die-hard PC enthusiasts admit Apple does well at their speaker setup design — that, and the MacBook trackpads put most others to shame.
Click to expand...

Strongly disagree. The built in speaker is like nails on a chalkboard. Not suitable for anything except making start up noises so you know your computer isn't dead, and for backup when you have nothing else and need to hear something.

I wish it were like a decent phone speaker so I could use it for podcasts or tts without using external speakers, but nope
 
  • Like
Reactions: hobowankenobi and Chuckeee
ubinko said:
Many monitors don't come with speakers.

My question is - how good are the speakers inside of the Mac Mini? Are they generally as good as the speakers in an iMac/Studio Display, or do people generally buy a set of dedicated speakers?
Click to expand...
The tiny speaker inside a Mac Mini is ok for start up sound effects and the like, but nothing more.

The speakers that come inside some monitors are OK, but better sound quality can usually be had from external speakers.

The Bose Companion 2 Series III have long been reckoned as among the best for reasonable quality sound for a reasonable price. I have had a pair for several years and am generally happy with them. They are fine while sitting at my desk. At 14 wats, they have enough grunt to fill a small room, if a little lacking in bass..

However the Bose Companion speakers connect to the computer using the 3.5 mm jack. Fine for Mac Minis of yore, but it would look a bit untidy with the jack at the front in the front of the M4 Mac Mini. To sort that you could go for a hub, with which you would also get USB A ports, a SD card reader etc, depending on the model you select.

If you could go for Bluetooth connected speakers there is a wide choice of brands and models available. The Audioengine A2+ are reckoned to be among the best available. At 60 watts they are quite powerful, but they don't have the option to add a sub-woofer. For that look to the Audioengine A5+ or other models / brands.

In the end it is up to you, the space you have, the sound quality you want..... and of course, your budget.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back