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Music setup on Macbook

F

FMX

Gawd
Joined
Dec 31, 2006
Messages
574
I am looking for a good setup that is mainly for music. I don't do any gaming anymore and I generally don't watch many movies so music is my primary concern and, even if my interests change or expand, will be my primary motive in buying a high-end setup.

I did mention high-end. I don't care about the price. However, the marginal differences in the prices must justify the price for me (otherwise I would be buying something I don't need).

Obviously these threads come a million times a year. Mine is no different.

I assume that I will probably need a separate receiver if I want excellent sound quality since I can't exactly upgrade the sound card in my Macbook. Am I right in assuming I will need a good receiver?

Next...will 3-way bookshelf speakers be acceptable or do I need to look into something a little more elaborate to produce excellent sound quality. Where I work at Radioshack, I can get a pretty good deal on some speakers and possibly even a receiver.

I just want a better solution than I have right now. Listening to music out of laptop speakers has finally lost its novelty (ha).

Any suggestions appreciated, thanks.
 
Macbooks will play music??
Just kidding, what kind of signal will you be sending to a receiver? Analog would be the assumption.
 
Analog I guess... through the headphone ports? How would you get a digital signal out of a Macbook?

And would digital even be any benefit with music?
 
I'm no audio expert. But it would seem to me that you might want to get a USB to optical converter so you can do all your sound processing externally. Music would probably sound better that way.
 
i have a macbook. the Headphone jack doubles as an optical out with an adapter.
 
Nerdydave said:
i have a macbook. the Headphone jack doubles as an optical out with an adapter.
Click to expand...

This guy is right.

All you need is a mini optical to optical cable and you've got optical audio out of the MacBook. There isn't any reason to get a cheap USB to SPDIF device.

1. What's your budget? ($1000, $2000, $5000?)
2. Do you know what high end audio might mean to obsessive audiophiles? ;)
3. How much space do you have?
4. The only speakers that I've seen at my local Radioshack that were any good were the Realistic Minimus-7's. I'm not sure if your store still have those old things in stock anymore.
5. I wouldn't recommend buying a receiver at radioshack, unless the discount really is that spectacular. You can get far better for you money by simply buying used on craigslist, eBay, or audiogon. I also recommend getting used speakers. One thing your radioshack discount will be good for is cables. I like Radioshacks upper end (think $15-20/cable) Gold Series line. It's a nice thick cable and if you get it on clearance (I paid $4 for 12 feet stereo) its a fantastic deal.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: You should do this...
Macbook -> Mini optical to optical -> Receiver -> cheap 16/14/12 ga wire (doesn't matter for short distances imo) -> speakers

For me, part of the fun of this hobby is to try out different speakers. If you don't mind browsing craigslist, I suggest looking for some speakers and just trying them to get an idea of what you like and what's good and bad. If you buy/sell your speakers you shouldn't lose any money at all. In my case, I made money.
 
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Sorry that I didn't reply until now. I had forgotten about the thread. I am back with a budget. I also bought an iMac between before and now.+


Okay... $500-1000 max.

Should I just aim for a killer 2.1 system?

Also, how will I benefit by converting ot optical vs just using the analog headphone jack?
 
Now can someone give me a some receiver and speaker recommendations?

Is the receiver equally as important as the speakers? I would think as long as it is a decent receiver, I could spend more on speakers.
 
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Spend $300-ish on the receiver and the rest on speakers. So $700 for speakers.

Receiver quality is important because you want something that has enough power, and enough features.

1. Pick a receiver that has ratings for both 4 and 8 ohm speakers
2. Ideally, the receiver should have at least 3 optical inputs

The reason I suggest 3 optical inputs is because...
a. Macbook
b. iMac
c. Future use (such as airport express)

3. I'd consider some used Magnepan MMG's and a subwoofer if you have the space and money.
 
Can you link to some good receivers on Amazon, and possibly speakers?

I don't expect you to fully explain, but briefly: what is the difference in ohms and watts, as far as music is concerned? The more watts, the better? Just want to know what I am looking for when considering quality and power of the speakers. I assume more power doesn't necessarily equate into better quality, so what do you look for on paper? Also, I know paper isn't everything... it is worksmanship, like you say, that determines quality.
 
ohms -> resistance, less resistance means more power will go to the speaker. However lower resistance speakers are hard on some receivers (they can't provide sufficient current).

More watts isn't necessarily better. I wouldn't really concern yourself over the wattage of a receiver unless you are looking at very power hungry speakers.

I don't really look at paper specs much. I go to listen to the speaker I want, then I buy it if I like the sound.

Receiver: http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...w-X-7ch-Home-Theater-Surround-Receiver/1.html

Speakers: How big is your room and how much room do you have for speakers? 2.1, 5.1?
 
I notice this receiver only puts out 90w per channel?

I know that a lot of speakers are advertised as 150-300w. I just assumed this was the minimum power to drive them, but I guess not?

I have plenty of space. My room is small, but I don't have anything around my desk, and wouldn't mind large speakers as long as the sound justified the physical existence of the speakers.
 
FMX said:
I notice this receiver only puts out 90w per channel?

I know that a lot of speakers are advertised as 150-300w. I just assumed this was the minimum power to drive them, but I guess not?

I have plenty of space. My room is small, but I don't have anything around my desk, and wouldn't mind large speakers as long as the sound justified the physical existence of the speakers.
Click to expand...

90wpc is fine.

150-300w is a maximum, not a minimum.

I like the Infinity Primus line go take a look at those.
 
How do you guys feel about the sub being built in? Is the quality just as good?

Also, I found some Polk TSi200's... how do you think these would stand up to those Infinity's?
 
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