[U n i o n 0015]

I might be getting my hands on a G4 Cube (we had an old one at work) but as I was looking at it, I thought "where do I plug speakers in??"

I don't see any inputs for a stereo mini jack or anything! How did the G4 Cubes output sound? Do they even have sound cards inside them? I opened it up and it's pretty clustered in there! Can any Cube owners help me out?

[Lateralus]

The Cube came with a pair of special USB Pro Speakers. There is a headphone jack included in a device mid-way through the cable.

If you don't have or don't want to use the USB Pro Speakers, you'll have to look at an external audio card solution like the M-Audio Audiophile USB.

[U n i o n 0015]

Originally posted by Lateralus:
The Cube came with a pair of special USB Pro Speakers. There is a headphone jack included in a device mid-way through the cable.

If you don't have or don't want to use the USB Pro Speakers, you'll have to look at an external audio card solution like the M-Audio Audiophile USB.

Wow, awesome. Thanks for the info! Do you happen to kno where I could find the USB Pro Speakers?

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Look for some old soundsticks or Creatures speakers on ebay. They are USB and sound awesome.

[Lateralus]

Originally posted by U n i o n 0015:
Do you happen to kno where I could find the USB Pro Speakers?

As with anything that has been out of production for a while, your best bet is eBay.

[Eug Wanker]

I just use an iMic ($39.99), with standard stereo speakers.

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
I just use an iMic ($39.99), with standard stereo speakers.

Can't you just leave the stock speakers plugged in and than put the new speakers into the headphone jack? That is what my friend did.

[Eug Wanker]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
Can't you just leave the stock speakers plugged in and than put the new speakers into the headphone jack? That is what my friend did.

I don't have the stock speakers.

[U n i o n 0015]

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
I just use an iMic ($39.99), with standard stereo speakers.

That seems like a good alternative to finding the old speakers. Thanks!

[Eug Wanker]

Originally posted by U n i o n 0015:
That seems like a good alternative to finding the old speakers. Thanks!

I forgot to mention that the iMic also includes a microphone input, hence the name. (The Cube doesn't have a microphone input either.)



The iMic works great - OS X automatically recognizes it. No drivers to install.

Note though that it doesn't work consistently with one el cheapo hub I have. However, it works perfectly plugged into my Cube directly, or into my Macally USB hub.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
I just use an iMic ($39.99), with standard stereo speakers.

It's cool but I think it is REALLY overpriced. $64 CAN for that!?

[Eug Wanker]

Originally posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker:
It's cool but I think it is REALLY overpriced. $64 CAN for that!?

Well, it's expensive, but at least in the US it's only about $30 online. $39.99 is the MSRP.

Plus, the stock Cube speakers aren't that great anyway. At least the US$30 iMic provides the ability to use whatever speakers you want. One problem with the stock Cube speakers is the power. They're USB speakers, but require I believe 20 Watts. USB power is only spec'd up to 5 Watts, so the Cube has special high power USB ports. This means that it's best to connect the speakers directly to the Cube. If you connect the speakers to a hub you'll run into problems.

Also, the power draw can pose problems for upgraded Cubes, although a stock Cube will be fine.

Oh and it's a heluvalot easier to find the iMic in stores. It's just about everywhere. The Cube speakers require eBaying, and they're often not cheap either on eBay.

And finally, don't forget the iMic adds a microphone port.