5.1 Speakers in new MacBook pro

Hi everybody,
I just received my new macbook pro 15,4", and I was wondering if it's possible to use 5.1 speakers with it... is there a way?
Thanks!

 

I believe you would need an adapter of sorts. The MBP has an optical audio output, but you would need speakers that can use it. If you want truly good sound, go with an external sound card like the Creative X-Fi USB soundcard. With built in sound, you'll get noise from the motherboard, which will make your 5.1 setup less awesome

 

Yes their are some logitech speakers that use the optical connection from the mbp.

also potentially you could use a usb soundcard with some sort of 5.1 hookup.

someone else will know the specific logitech model, or you can search their ste for the ones that use optical.

 

That shouldnt happen if you're using optical afaik.

though if you use the normal analog connection, yea it will.

 

I forgot that the MBP has optical out. Yeah I think the best option is to get a USB sound card.

 

Ah. I wasn't positive, since I have not used an optical connection myself, but I have experienced noise with analog of course.

 

I have no clue about anything audio, but I can hook up Logitech 2.1 speakers through my headphone jack ^_^

I was thinking of getting a 5.1 speaker set (Logitech X540), but I got the 2.1 instead (Logitech X240). I think both can be connected using the headphone jack.

 

^^^ No they can't.

 

I was searching the Logitech site and I think I found something you might like. Didn't really know if this was what you are looking for but I thought I might as well tell you about it.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/home_pc_speakers/devices/234&cl=us,en

Speakers + Audio Home + PC Speakers X-540
Intensify your gaming with a uniform soundfield that surrounds you. Get full, rich audio even from 2-channel sources for a 5.1 surround sound experience.

Hardware

Satellites: (2) 2" drivers per satellite
Subwoofer: 5.25" ported driver
Speaker dimensions (H x W x D):
Satellites: 8.4" x 3.2" x 5"
Center channel: 7.8" x 4.75" x 3.75"
Subwoofer: 11.25" x 6.5" x 9.75"
Technical Specifications
Total RMS power: 70 watts RMS
Satellites: 45 watts RMS (2 x 7.4W front, 15.4W centre, 2 x 7.4W rear)
Subwoofer: 25 watts RMS
Total peak power: 140 watts
Frequency response: 40 Hz - 20 kHz
Package Contents
Speakers: 4 satellites, 1 center channel, 1 subwoofer
Control center
Color-coded audio cables
Game console adapter
User manual
2-year limited warranty


USD 99.99
PN 970223-0403

Compatibility: Mac and Windows

 

The ones that i think a few people on these forums have are the Z-5500

They have the optical connection. If you just use the headphones jack from the laptop to connect to 5.1 speakers, you wont get "true" surround sound with independent speakers. You'll get 2 channels spread across all 5.1 speakers, which isnt horrible, itll be surround, but it wont be real surround sound.

Only way to get it is to get a usb sound card with 5.1 output, or those speakers above. Their might be others with surround sound, and optical but i dont know offhand.

 

yeah you'll just need a set of 5.1 speakers with an optical input.

digital audio- no scratchiness. (analog out isn't inherently bad or worse than digital, but on the macbook pro it is)

 

Thank you all for the answers!
Emm then I would need an external sound card because I have the X-530 logitech speakers (I think they're analog), but look what I've found... www.griffintechnology.com/products/firewave/ seems like a good option.
The problem is the sipping cost lol... it's around $80.00 for me.....

 

your regular external usb sound card will only output 2 channels for macs even if its meant to output 5.1. The griffen one might work... its designed just for macs but I heard it was discontinued.

 

if you pay me i'll ship it to you, if that would be cheaper.

 

Do the Z-5500's come with the optical cable, or is that something else that would need to be purchased?

 

connecting it with an optical cable will only broadcast 5.1 sound if the signal is already being sent in 5.1 such as a dvd. your audio coming from non surround sound sources won't be decoded such as itunes music. Non surround sound will be 2 channel =/ i ran into this problem too

 

thanks masterchef, but that would be the same, because the wire transfer is around 50.00 us thanks anyway I'll try to buy it in the UK.

 

You need to purchase a Toslink to minitoslink cable separately.