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deedar · Mar 14, 2000, 05:49 PM

I want to get some speakers for my imac DVSE - my mp3s are growing! Which ones? Will an iSub suffice? I would like one cause it's cool. Or, should I opt for a three-speaker system, e.g. Cyberacoustics or Cambridge? What would you folks recommend? Thanks.

drewman · Mar 14, 2000, 07:02 PM

Just remember that you are using up USB bandwidth to run an iSub.

Not as much a problem now that the two connectors on the iMac are their own channels.

But, if you are using many USB periperhals and both channels, your sub could cut out occasionally.

drewman

Mar 15, 2000, 03:27 AM

The amount of bandwidth the iSub uses is very little. If you use more that three USB devices (keyboard, mouse, and other), you should consider getting an inexpensive USB hub (~$25) anyway. I don't anyone has even half of the 127 devices on their computers that USB can handle.

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-Eliott Wolfe
Winnetka, Calif

allmodconz · Mar 15, 2000, 05:03 PM

Got my iSub 2 days ago and I have to say I was impressed with it's performance. It thumps! I have to keep it turned down so I don't wake my downstairs neighbors. The thing is loud. It will be fine for MP3's, although if you live in an apartment and aren't on the ground floor, you may want to get a different set up. The iSub shakes my floor when it's cranked.

deedar · Mar 15, 2000, 05:55 PM

allmodconz - you find the quality to be acceptable? does the combo of the internal speakers and the isub produce quality sounds? no need for another set of speakers in leu of the internals?

drewman · Mar 16, 2000, 02:51 AM

Getting an USB hub does not expand the amount of bandwidth available on a USB port - it in fact uses some of the bandwidth available.

Just because you can hook up 127 devices to a port doesn't mean that all of them can run full bore. It means that all of them will function.

I agree that the iSub only needing low frequencies doesn't use much of the USB bandwidth - but while playing music it requires a constant amount of bandwidth that activities like scanning, CD-ROM burning, modem activity, etc could cause a moment of bandwidth starvation to the iSub.

It all depends on how you use your machine.

drewman

allmodconz · Mar 16, 2000, 09:09 AM

My only complaint thusfar(once I got it working) is that there is no way to adjust the bass(like an EQ or something) so it is distorted on some CD's and movies. Also I just noticed the popping this morning when I had my CD player and e-mail programs going at the same tiome. I'm gonna download Audio Update 1.2 tonight to see if that helps.
One thing I like is that the iSub sounds good when I'm in another room. The sound quality is really good(other than the bass distortion).
I know there are some other speaker sets out there that are cheaper, and I looked at a few long and hard but held off. I'm glad I did. I guess it depends on what you use the iSub for. I bought it because of Harmon Kardon's reputation(I knew it would sound good) and quite frankly, it looks cool as HELL beside my iMac DVSE!

Misha · Mar 16, 2000, 10:34 AM

You can adjust the amount of bass in the Sound control panel... go to speaker setup...

deedar · Mar 16, 2000, 11:18 AM

thanks allmodconz - sold! i'm getting one today!

oscar · Mar 16, 2001, 02:42 AM

I got mine recently, and it rocks. The pops are annoying, but i can stand it. iSub is only 49$ now, what a bargain!

mavapa · Mar 16, 2001, 11:29 PM

I just hooked up an isub to my G4 466 (Apple says it works with the new G4s as well as iMacs). But although it shows up on the speaker control panel, no sound comes out. Am I overlooking something? I haven't spent much time fiddling with it yet.

marusin · Mar 20, 2001, 09:06 AM

I just picked up an iSub for my Summer 2000 iMac DV SE and I can honestly say that I could never go back to a speaker system without a subwoofer..

For $59, the price cannot be beat... The sound is fantastic! Anyone with an iMac, pick one of these up at such a low price... You'll be very happy you did...

-Mike

LauraJ · Mar 20, 2001, 03:13 PM

Originally posted by Misha:
You can adjust the amount of bass in the Sound control panel... go to speaker setup...

What!!!! Really? Is this only with iSub? or other speakers with a subwoofer? I have the Altec Lansing and If I really want to raise the volumn the bass is annoying. I've tried to see if I could control this through the speaker setup but didn't see anything for that kind of adjustment.

PS. I have an imac. my os is 9.1. I don't know if that makes a difference.

[This message has been edited by LauraJ (edited 03-20-2001).]

zigzag · Mar 20, 2001, 04:44 PM

A sub will add fullness and dimension to almost any sound sysytem, even an iMac. The sound quality depends more on placement than the sub itself - the closer it is to floor and wall surfaces, the more bass you'll get. But it won't necessarily be smooth bass. If you have trouble controlling it, move the sub away from the walls, and even away from the floor if necessary.