[Cory Bauer]

Hey All,

Just got a new 20" 2Ghz iMac G5 last week, and was hoping it would work well with my old standalone iSub. To my delight, it does work except for one glaring problem: every time I adjust my computer's volume, the iSub's bass level increases considerably. A trip to the System Preferences>Sound Pane makes the bass level return to what I wanted (even though the "iSub Volume" slider remains in the same position). Needless to say, I can't keep using it if I have to take a trip to the System Preferences every time I adjust my computer volume. Anyone got any ideas? I'm not sure where the sound preference file is stored, or I would try trashing it. Thanks!

[GORDYmac]

Quicksilver G4 here. I've had iSub since it was released with the iMac DVSE. I'm just glad it's still supported in the OS--albeit flaky at times.

[Cory Bauer]

I'm still having the same issues with the iSub and my new iMac G5 - the sub volume bumps way up if I adjust the volume with any other means that with the slider in the system preferences. Anyone got any ideas?

[Fredo]

Sound prefs are in library-preferences-com.apple.soundpref.plist

[Link]

Funny, but every time the OS gets an update it seems iSub support is shoved somewhere, it makes me mad for something they promoted for a while! Either way, hope it's fixed soon!

[Cory Bauer]

Fredo, I found the sound preferences and trashed them - thank you. Unfortunately it didn't fix the problem, and I still have to control my volume through the system preferences to avoid the iSub cranking itself up.

Link, Apple treats the iSub like it's red-headed stepchild. It's so nice not having extra speakers on my desk that I really hate to do away with the iSub and get a new set of speakers, but having to go to the sound preferences pane to adjust the volume everytime to keep the neighbors appeased is annoying as hell.

[Link]

Yeah, my speaker setup USED to be a set of pro speakers and the isub, every time I think about that one I think I shoulda paid the extra $70 for the soundsticks, because to be honest it was a REAL pain in the butt.. the isub drivers didn't actually work right until 10.2 and then the pro speaker driver got screwed up in 10.3, eventually I got so fed up with those because their crappy speaker jack connectors would wear out and screw up

The isub is still fine, sometimes I use it with my PB and that's where I notice these glitches *shrug* not much to be said

[Cory Bauer]

Sixth Months later and I'm still struggling with the same iSub volume-jump issue. I did a google search and stumbled into my own thread, so I thought I'd bump it to the top and see if anyone can offer a new solution. I just sent feedback to Apple, because I can't remember if I did six months ago or not.

And just to re-iterate, the issue I'm having is that the iSub volume boosts dramatically anytime I use the volume buttons on the keyboard or the volume slider in the menu bar (whether it be up or down). I have to go to System Preferences Sound Pane and tap the iSub volume slider to return the bass to a comfortable level. I'm using a 2Ghz iMac G5. Thanks.

[jebjeb]

My iSub works fine with my G5 iMac 1.8 except for it regularly being dead after sleep. I usually just unplug the USB cable and plug it back in and it is fine again. However, I don't have any problems with the level of it varying. As others have said, it is a pretty poorly supported product.

[wuzup101]

If you are looking for a nice pair of speakers/sub to compliment your powermac, klipsch has refurb iFI systems from time to time. They are marketed as iPod speakers, but will work with a computer also. They are very nice looking and compliment the apple design... and of course... sound great. Normally the 2.1 set runs $400 but they regularly have refurbs for $200 which is a good deal. Currently I believe they are out of stock, but I'll include a link anyway.

http://www.klipsch.com/product/produ...ue&rmore=False

[kevinashworth]

Same problem here, with an iMac G5 20". The volume problem doesn't seem as simple as cropping up when I modify the volume elsewhere -- the too-strong iSub comes back all the time after some alt-tabbing, Front Rowing, or who knows what.

Let's find a solution! Aarrgh.

[dk2006]

I just purchased a new intel G5 (20") and my iSub will not work. It does not even show up under sound in System Preferences. Does anyone know of a fix for this? Thanks.

DK

Originally Posted by Cory Bauer

Hey All,

Just got a new 20" 2Ghz iMac G5 last week, and was hoping it would work well with my old standalone iSub. To my delight, it does work except for one glaring problem: every time I adjust my computer's volume, the iSub's bass level increases considerably. A trip to the System Preferences>Sound Pane makes the bass level return to what I wanted (even though the "iSub Volume" slider remains in the same position). Needless to say, I can't keep using it if I have to take a trip to the System Preferences every time I adjust my computer volume. Anyone got any ideas? I'm not sure where the sound preference file is stored, or I would try trashing it. Thanks!

[kevinashworth]

It's slightly maddening, isn't it? I hope Apple or Harmon Kardon will do the right thing. But meanwhile....

I've made an applescript that I activate via a keyboard shortcut to reset the iSub to 25% volume. (The keyboard shortcut I do via Key Xing, which is no longer for sale. There are other ways, I'm sure.)

This applescript can probably be improved, but it works for me:

Code:
tell application "System Preferences"
	activate
	set current pane to pane "Sound"
	reveal (first anchor of current pane whose name is "Output")
end tell

tell application "System Events"
	launch
	tell process "System Preferences" to tell slider 1 of group 1 of tab group 1 of window 1 to set value to 0.25
end tell

quit application "System Preferences"

[kevinashworth]

Oh, sorry. iSub not even showing up -- can't help you. But I'd been meaning to post that applescript for a while now....

[joe]

I'm having the exact opposite problem with my iSub. I recently upgraded from an MDD G4 Tower to a dual 2.5Ghz G5 Tower. The combination of Apple Pro speakers and USB iSub worked so well on my G4 Tower that I wanted the same sound system on my G5 Tower. After lucking out and locating a Griffen iFire (recently discontinued), my Apple Pro speakers work great with my G5 Tower. Hoiwever, my iSub keeps resetting to a LOWER sound level any time I adjust the G5 Tower's volume level. I'm guessing the reason this works opposite the G5 iMac above is that the Apple Pro speakers are quite a bit louder than G5 iMac's built in speakers. So the iSub has to be set at a higher level to compensate.

The strange part is that all I have to do to get around the problem is open the sound prefs. The iSub sound level then instantly returns to the proper setting. What I'm getting at is that I don't actually have to touch the iSub slider or anything else in the Sound prefs. All I do is open the Sound prefs and everything returns to normal. Of course if I decide to adjust the master volume later on I'll have to open up the Sound prefs again to get the iSub back to the correct level.

This is extremely frustrating as this setup still works great on my MDD G4. So the problem seems to be limited to my new/used G5 Tower - or possibly Tiger (my G4 is still at Panther). Since audio levels levels can vary quite a bit between apps or files, a simple volume adjustment is commonplace. Judging by the initial date at the top of this thread (5/19/05), Apple still hasn't figured out how to fix this problem I hope they're still working on it <fingers crossed>.

[grendel99]

I've got the same problem in my imac intel duo as you have in your imac G5 (doesn't even appear in the sound preferences area). If anyone figures out the solution please post!

[Anrev]

I have the same problem so I emailed HK and got this response.

Good morning and thank you for your inquiry. I can understand
the concern regarding your iSub, but, you may need to contact the
manufacturer of the soundcard, as this may pertain more to them. Please
make sure you have the iSub selected in your "output" tab, under "sound"
in your system preferences. If the iSub does not show up in your
"output" tab, make sure you have it plugged directly into the computer
and restart. For more information, again, would suggest that you
contact Apple for assistance.

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Mark Tirotta

Internet Support Specialist

Lotta help he was....

[SpeedRacer]

Same issue here (bumped iSub vol on volume changes). Just keeping S/P pane open when in use only easy workaround so far...

[entropy]

I just got a used iSub 2000 on eBay, and so far it seems to be working fine with my 20" iMac G4, Pro Speakers, and 10.4.5. The volume changes correctly when I use the keyboard controls and the sub works after waking from sleep.

~ Kiran <[email protected]>