[tether]

i have one of the imacs thats like a half-ball with a swivel thing for the flat screen.
the speaker jack doesnt seem to be standard. i'm going to get rid of the imac but i really like the speakers and i want to keep them for my new powerbook and ipod. the powerbook and ipod (i think) have a port for a standard sized speaker jack. would there be any problems changing the jack on the speakers to a standard one to fit the powerbook and ipod?

thanks.

[SoBayJake]

The Pro Speakers can't be used with a regular headphone jack as they need to be powered. Griffin Technology makes (or made) a device called the iFire which would handle it. It needs a firewire port to get power, or an iPod Firewire power adapter.

Looks like its not made anymore, but you can still buy it:
eBay or http://thinkdifferentstore.com/produ...roducts_id/323

[harrisjamieh]

i believe this is what you are looks for

http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObje...amp;nplm=T9399

[tether]

thanks, at that second link from harrisjamieh, i got a timed out message (but is that link for the same product as sobayjake's link?)

just to check i'm understanding the way it connects up: you plug the iFire into a firewire port (i only have firewire 400) into the powerbook, then the speakers into the iFire? and for the ipod, i'd get another similar thing which i'd plug into the headphone jack, then the speakers into it?

and a few quick questions:

1. do the pro speakers - and connecting them up this way - produce a better quality sound than plugging speakers into the headphone jack?

2. are there other ways of plugging other types of speakers or other sound output devices into the powerbook or ipod?

3. am i right in thinking that the headphone port on my powerbook (new) and ipod (nano) are standard? - and so i could pick up speakers from any shop and plug them straight in, no hassle?

thanks

[harrisjamieh]

Whoops, sorry about that link, but yes i think it is the same product, except my link was to the apple store.

Im not familiar with the pro speakers, but from what I understand, yes, the set up you described should be how it needs to be done.

1) I cant imagine you will get a better sound than plugging jacked speakers straight into the headphone port, because as I see it, the whole firewire thing is so that the speakers can get power - making them 'active' instead of 'passive' giving a better sound, but if you bought a pair of active speakers with a headphone jack (and as long as specs are similar) then there will probs not be much quality difference.

2) The other option for your powerbook would be USB speakers, but i've never used them, and dont see the need to if you can buy a standard set of speakers and use them, as the USB speakers would not work wit something like an iPod.

3) You could just go out and buy a standard pair of PC speakers and they will work with almost everything. So yes, you could just plug them into the mains power, plug them into the powerbook's (or iPods) audio out ports, and voila!

[afterglow]

Originally Posted by tether

i have one of the imacs thats like a half-ball with a swivel thing for the flat screen.
the speaker jack doesnt seem to be standard. i'm going to get rid of the imac but i really like the speakers and i want to keep them for my new powerbook and ipod. the powerbook and ipod (i think) have a port for a standard sized speaker jack. would there be any problems changing the jack on the speakers to a standard one to fit the powerbook and ipod?

thanks.

I'm using the iFire at the moment to power the Pro Speakers from a Powerbook. Work well but it does take up one of your firewire ports as well as the headphone jack. Only annoying thing is that it seems to pick up that incoming phonecall interference an awful lot. Then again the cordless phone sitting beside them might have something to do with it.

Stupid move on Apple's part to make these speakers only work with the last gen iMac. More connector/adaptor crap to clog up the desk.