[X4U] Using iMac Speakers with Mac Mini

[Stroller]

On 29 Sep 2007, at 18:00, Howard Morgan wrote:

> I've upgraded my iMac (dome base) to a Mac Mini.  I used Apple's  
> spherical "eyeball" speakers and Apple's iSub with the iMac.
>
> Is there an way to use those speakers with the new Mac Mini?

I believe you are referring to the Apple "Pro" speakers, and that  
these take an unusual type of digital audio input.

I gave mine away with my G4 when I sold it, as I read that they don't  
work with G5s <http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86420>.  
I don't believe these speakers work with any device except for a  
small range of Macs that were contemporary with them <http:// 
docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58764>.

I certainly found this frustrating when I upgraded from the G4 -  
especially considering how much I paid for these speakers I came to  
the conclusion that they must've been the product of poor thinking at  
Apple. I thought they had very good sound - especially for their size  
- but I consider it a bit of a balls-up when customers have to throw  
away their peripherals when they upgrade their PC. I guess I did  
console myself with an upgrade to the full-sized Harmon Kardon  
SoundSticks II and with the thought that since these use a standard  
jack-plug I won't ever have to upgrade again (ha!). At the time I  
bought the G4 and the Pro Balls the HK SoundSticks were on version 1  
and used a USB connection, which I considered unsuitable; I don't  
think I realised the Pro speakers' jack was non-standard.

Stroller.