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    Sorround Sound on MacBook Pro

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Zentox, Feb 21, 2007.

  1. Zentox

    Zentox Notebook Consultant

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    I have an existing set of Logitech Z5500 speakers in my room that I would like to hook up to my MacBook Pro. From what I know I have two options:

    Creative Xmod
    Optical Digital Audio Cable
    Firewave

    Has anyone had experience with using a set of speakers with their Macbook/Macbook Pro? What would you recommend?
     
    Zentox, Feb 21, 2007
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  2. cashmonee

    cashmonee Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    cashmonee, Feb 22, 2007
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  3. JimyTheAssassin

    JimyTheAssassin Notebook Evangelist

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    Ya, I got a Griffin Optical cable http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/xpresscable/ It cost $15 at jr.com. There are cheaper options if you search, but the griffin is a quality cable. I bought the cable for audio recording though. I have used a generic USB 7.1 external card for my studio monitors. My MBP recognized it instantly and worked fine. I think that cost 10 dollars at Geeks.com some time ago. If you're an audiophile I'd consider something nicer than my solution though.
     
    JimyTheAssassin, Feb 22, 2007
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  4. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    Uhh...
    Connect optical cable from your macbook to the optical in on your speakers.
    It's that simple. Made sure you have the toslink adapter so it goes from teh squareish connector to the long thin one.
    That simple...
    I have my optical from my mbp connected to my onkyo hts-680 (or is it ht-s680) and it works great.
     
    hollownail, Feb 22, 2007
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  5. ltcommander_data

    ltcommander_data Notebook Deity

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    Slightly off topic, but does your connectors go all way in? When I plug in headphones or a mini-RCA to RCA adapter to TV, there is still a little bit of plug exposed, like 2 or 3 mm, between the chassis and the plastic plug. The sound works fine, but I'm just wondering if that's supposed to happen?
     
    ltcommander_data, Feb 22, 2007
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  6. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    hrm, mine go all the ay in i think. but maybe not. i'll try to check that out later.

    **edit**
    Yeah, it sticks out a bit. But it's only like 1 mm or so. So it's not much at all.
     
    hollownail, Feb 22, 2007
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  7. ltcommander_data

    ltcommander_data Notebook Deity

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    Well, as long as it's part of the design and not a defect. I wonder why they would make it stick out? Might just be to accomodate the optical connection I guess.
     
    ltcommander_data, Feb 23, 2007
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  8. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    Yeah, I dunno. Other laptops that I've used are the same way though.
     
    hollownail, Feb 23, 2007
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  9. Starlight

    Starlight Notebook Evangelist

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    It's to accommodate the optical connection, because it supports both normal and optical connectors in the same jack.
     
    Starlight, Feb 27, 2007
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  10. CanadianDude

    CanadianDude Notebook Deity

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    Ive got the same logitech z5500 speakers. Would I be better off getting the monster optical kit or an external usb sound card? Does an optical connection sound better??
     
    CanadianDude, May 29, 2007
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  11. circa86

    circa86 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    it will be much much easier to just use the optical cable to connect, you don't need a kit or any thing, just a Toslink to mini-toslink cable. But the only thing that will truly use 5.1 like it should is DVD Player right? and maybe the professional apps, which should be fine for most peoples needs.

    using a sound card probably won't give you a huge improvement and sound quality and make the setup unnecessarily difficult.

    as music is not 5.1 it should be unconverted or whatever to play through all speakers, etc.

    i'm sure the best setup for someone editing video and producing sound would be an actual amp optically connected, with whatever speakers you wanted setup with the amp, but the Z-5500's are an extremely good option for the money, I might have to get a set when I get a Final Cut Studio workstation up and running.
     
    circa86, May 29, 2007
    #11