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Subwoofer on Alu Imac
- Thread starter mreg376
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I think it would be a GREAT idea for Apple to "upgrade" the audio-out jack. Let us switch it in software from "disable internal speakers" to "leave internal speakers on" when something is in the jack. The iMac speakers aren't great, but they could be easily improved for music playback if some low frequency output was added. Heck, provide an "Apple iWoofer" and make even more money off of us!
If I recall correctly, this happened inadvertently when people were hacking their Intel Mac's to run Windows (prior to Boot Camp). People were running into a problem that caused the internal speakers to remain on while headphones were plugged in.
So, perhaps the OP's goal can be accomplished with a driver change.
They did... my iMac G5 has one... its a mini optical out through the headphone jack
Take a look at the audio specs...
Audio
Built-in stereo speakers
Internal 24-watt digital amplifier
Headphone/optical digital audio output (minijack)
Audio line in/optical digital audio input (minijack)
Built-in microphone
http://www.apple.com/uk/imac/specs.html
The jack on the imacs does the exact same thing. Its just a different port type so you need a converter cable.
The audio in/out ARE optical ports. I use them to connect my iMac to my SB Extigy. 5.1 and it blasts like gangbusters.
I use the external box for both input and output since I have better control over it with my extigy.
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A lot of the optical cables you buy from Apple come with the adapter. I bought my cables from the local Apple store and each one came with 1 adapter each which is all I need since the device I was going to and coming from were standard optical ports, but the Apple products aren't they are that TOS_Link.
One way to look at it is 1/4 phono jack adapter to 1/8 phono jack.
Yeah yeah yeah i do that all the time. I just never knew about the apple audio jacks
Take a look at the audio specs...
Audio
Built-in stereo speakers
Internal 24-watt digital amplifier
Headphone/optical digital audio output (minijack)
Audio line in/optical digital audio input (minijack)
Built-in microphone
http://www.apple.com/uk/imac/specs.html
But the bottom line is still that once you plug anything into that audio out jack it shuts off the internal speakers, correct?
Yes. You can't have both, it's one or the other.
Like in my case it's perfect since there's no need (since it would go against the 5.1 surround sound) to have the 2 internal speakers since I already have the 5 speaker setup including the center channel.
Your case, you might need a 3 speaker setup with a subwoofer and 1 mids. Staples has a similar setup (getting one for my wife's MB, that has 2 speakers and a floor woofer for 20 bucks.
I believe it's not possible through the headphones output as the switching between headphones output and speakers is done physically by a relay switch (which can only go to one connection or the other).
I'd happily be proved wrong though.
You *could* always look for an apple iSub, but I believe they haven't worked properly since Tiger...
I'd happily be proved wrong though.
You *could* always look for an apple iSub, but I believe they haven't worked properly since Tiger...
Actually that sounds perfect. But they are really nowhere to be found. Are/were they that bad?