http://www.macbook-speakers.com/index.htmlSpeaker Systems For Mac ComputersenMacGizmoGuyCopyright MacGizmoGuy2011-12-18T08:33:21-08:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:02:53 -0700MacGizmoGuyUSB Speakers2011-12-18T08:33:21-08:00http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/usb-sound-bar-speaker-for-mac.html#unique-entry-id-13http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/usb-sound-bar-speaker-for-mac.html#unique-entry-id-13
Looking for decidedly better music and audio quality for your Apple MacBook Pro or Air? Check out Edifier's design on a 1-piece USB powered laptop speaker system that's engineered better than most. This portable computer speaker features dual 1.25" Tweeters and Midrange drivers as well as a 3 x 1.25" bass driver that's lightyears ahead of the tiny micro-speakers Apple deems good enough for your Mac laptop audio experience.

Edifier USB Soundbar Speaker

Multi Driver Travel Speaker

The Edifier Sound To Go is approximately 10"x1.5" right-sized for even the smallest MacBook Air on up - in a slim design that's easy to carry in your Mac laptop bag. Additional features of this speaker include an on-board volume control button and 3.5mm audio input jack for other devices you may want to connect.
]]>MacGizmoGuyBluetooth Speakers2011-11-20T07:20:15-08:00http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/best-wireless-speaker-for-mac.html#unique-entry-id-12http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/best-wireless-speaker-for-mac.html#unique-entry-id-12
Bose Bluetooth Portable Speaker

Wireless High-Quality Audio

Featuring up to 8 hours of playback time on a battery charge - the SoundLink's Bluetooth supports and remembers up to 6 different Bluetooth pairings for quick connectivity. You can set up your MacBook, iPad, and iPhone - and more - and it instantly remembers it's relationship with all these devices. On-top speaker controls let you easily control power adjust volume and track/playback directly from the unit itself. A 1/8" Aux input for non-Bluetooth audio devices is also supported.


Ah but it's the GUTS of this mobile speaker that set it apart: Here, you see a pair of very high-quality speaker drivers for EACH channel combined with a front and rear bass radiator design that delivers a frequency range no other wireless, portable speaker of this size can match.
]]>MacGizmoGuyMusic Downloads2010-11-18T09:26:38-08:00http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/amazon-mp3s-vs-itunes-songs.html#unique-entry-id-10http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/amazon-mp3s-vs-itunes-songs.html#unique-entry-id-10
There ARE lower-cost alternatives to Apple iTunes Store to build your music library - Affordably.]]>MacGizmoGuyBluetooth Computer SpeakersSpeakers For iPad2010-07-06T09:38:29-07:00http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/bluetooth-speaker-for-apple-ipad-tablet.html#unique-entry-id-9http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/bluetooth-speaker-for-apple-ipad-tablet.html#unique-entry-id-9Ipevo Tubular A2DP Bluetooth Speakers for Apple iPad, iPhone and Mac computers. The Tubular speaker system features a USB rechargable lithium-ion battery, easy Bluetooth Pairing and onboard Volume controls. Integrated cable management for the satellite speaker and USB recharging wire wrap securely inside. A smart snap apart design enables wide stereo separation when needed, and when used as a desktop computer speaker angle towards your ears for optimum listening. It all adds up to a great portable Bluetooth speaker solution - around the house or on the go.

Ipevo Tubular BlueTooth

Charges via USB, 6-8 Hr Playback
3+3 Watt Travel Speakers]]>MacGizmoGuyUSB Speakers2011-11-21T07:27:26-08:00http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/twelve-south-bass-jump-speaker.html#unique-entry-id-8http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/twelve-south-bass-jump-speaker.html#unique-entry-id-8

Macbook users rejoice: There's finally a great full-range portable speaker option to pump out the low-frequency audio you've been missing from your Mac laptop. Twelve South's 2nd generation USB bus-powered sub-woofer recently hit the shelves - the Twelve South BassJump 2. Not since the original Harmon Kardon iSub for slot-load iMacs have we had the missing piece - a separate USB woofer to complement the total sound spectrum your Mac laptop wasn't delivering. I'm really fond of Gay club music remixes, and this lets me enjoy decidedly better bass on my MacBook Air.

Special system software lest you shape your MacBook Pro or Air sound with its EQ Software Control Pref Pane for OSX. Featuring a 3" - 77mm bass frequency driver - it combines audio from your MacBooks internal speakers to provide balanced frequency response from 50Hz to 20kHz - all powered from a single USB cable. The software lets you customize the Bass Jump sound cross-over frequency and volume to your liking and it comes with a neroprene case for safe travel.

The BassJump is compatible with Aluminum iMacs - and styled to match. For some, this may be a solution to extend the already reasonable frequency range of the iMac's built-in speakers. (Which are better than any other Macintosh model.)

]]>MacGizmoGuyMacBook Speakers2009-10-21T16:27:44-07:00http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/new-macbook-speakers-under-keyboard.html#unique-entry-id-7http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/new-macbook-speakers-under-keyboard.html#unique-entry-id-7INNOVATIVE concept of REAR-FACING speakers in the original MacBook wasn't enough? Well, with the recent intro of the new White Unibody $999 MacBook - speaker technology gets buried UNDER THE KEYBOARD and takes barely-audible barely-audio to the next level.


Is this progress?!? Thanks to the disassemblers at iFixit.com - we can see:
1. The new speakers at least face UPWARDS towards the customers ears. That's an advancement.
2. They now live INVISIBLY under the Caps-Lock and Return keys.
3. They're barely the size of a man's thumbnail, to prevent unwanted volume or annoying frequency response.
4. The speakers are over 3" CLOSER to your ears than ever before, that should kinda, sorta help.

http://www.macbook-speakers.com
]]>MacGizmoGuy2.1 Speaker Systems2009-10-20T08:04:00-07:00http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/HK-speakers-old-as-dirt.html#unique-entry-id-6http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/HK-speakers-old-as-dirt.html#unique-entry-id-6
In a world of endless and relentless technology change - it seems few products stand the test of time. So too with speakers for your Mac or PC, with new iterations and meaningless model numbers every 6 months, like clockwork. Suprisingly, MacWorld.com recently (re)did a review of a 2.1 speaker system Mac users have loved for nearly 5 years: The Harman-Kardon Sound Sticks.



Harman Kardon's SoundSticks


Sometimes tech companies GET IT RIGHT the first time around. Like H-K did with the SoundSticks. Its well balanced speaker response comes from 2 satellites with 4 Odessy drivers each for midrange and highs - to the instantly recognizable acrylic subwoofer illuminated by a blue LED. It's quirky styling that has pleased a tens of thousands of ears - and delighted the eyes. And it still does to this day: A well-balanced speaker system that delivers the same great sound and style it did the day it was introduced. Tech, Done Right, in the first place.]]>MacGizmoGuyMac USB Speakers2009-10-07T13:23:04-07:00http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/usb-3-powered-computer-speakers.html#unique-entry-id-5http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/usb-3-powered-computer-speakers.html#unique-entry-id-5USB speakers have been fine for modest listening needs at close range - and a great solution for portable speakers chosen by many laptop owners who need mobile audio.

In the mose basic terms of electronic and audio physics: WATTS = VOLTS x AMPS. So typically, given current USB ports 5v x 500ma output - we typically get 1.5 to 3 watts of audio power from a built-in USB port. Enough for close range speaker listening at your desktop, or on the go with a laptop computer, though not earth-shaking in any sense of the word. The quality and sensitivity of the driver cone and voice coils in a portable USB speaker can make a huge difference in perceived loudness and frequency response that current USB audio solutions provide. And companies like Altec-Lansing, Logitech, Creative Labs and Tritton really work hard to engineer USB speaker drivers that make the most of the power available.


Well, fast forward to 2010 and beyond. The upcoming USB 3.0 SuperSpeed Spec is going to bring many benefits to computer users. Not just in a 10-fold increase in USB bus speed and data transfer rates - but also deliver more POWER - more milliamps to each USB port. This 1000ma USB 3.0 spec will literally allow next generation USB speakers to deliver TWICE THE 'OOMPH!' and VOLUME of it's predecessors - as well as allow faster charging and higher power USB devices.

Oddly, it turns out that hi-fi, pure digital USB audio works pretty well under the aging USB 1.1 standard. So the 4.8Gbps speed of USB3 isn't going to 'benefit' USB speakers any more than USB 2.0 did. But the SuperSpeed spec WILL matter because of the increase in wattage USB 3.0 speakers will be able to output. And that means even better, 1-cable speaker solutions that can have louder sound, larger drivers - and deeper bass - free from batteries or a tangle of wires.



]]>MacGizmoGuySpeaker Response2009-09-23T08:58:09-07:00http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/test-your-mac-computer-speaker-response.html#unique-entry-id-4http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/test-your-mac-computer-speaker-response.html#unique-entry-id-4

Audio Test for Mac OSX is a great little utility for evaluating the frequency response of your Mac's internal or external speaker system. By setting the frequency range from 20Hz to 20,000Hz you can run a slow 30-60 second sweep and ascertain the point where your low bass frequencies start to be audible -- on up to where the high frequencies fade out.

On a Classic White MacBook or Aluminum unibody Mac laptop - you'll find you can't hear any 'bass' until you're around 150Hz whereas on a Tritton SoundBite USB speaker low-frequencies can be heard around 90Hz, and with a Logitech Audio Hub, the woofer is perceptible around 40Hz. A nifty way to find out what your particular speaker system is capable of.]]>MacGizmoGuySound Advice2009-09-20T15:50:33-07:00http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/best-settings-for-speakers-itunes.html#unique-entry-id-3http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/best-settings-for-speakers-itunes.html#unique-entry-id-3


Using, say, a small USB travel speaker as an example; start by dragging ALL your sliders down to the bottom. Fire up a fairly hard rocking or whomping dance tune to have a good steady bass rythmn and set the volume 3/4ths of the way up - in both iTunes AND your System Volume. We're driving the speakers LOUD but not maxed out.

Work from the low 32Hz frequency up. In the case of the MacBooks internal speakers, or the Mac mini internal speaker -- they CAN'T reproduce the lowest bass frequencies, SO DON'T TRY! It'll give you cleaner sound by not sending these electrical signals to the speaker's voice coil. Move up to 64Hz, then125Hz listening close for when buzz and distortion starts to occur. Back off slightly till it sounds 'clean', then move up to the next. Getting these 3 sliders right on the low-frequency end are the most critical with smaller portable laptop speakers - optimizing but not over-driving them is key to full-sound without distortion.

In the 250-4K mid-range we have most vocals and intruments. The sound of distortion here has more a 'hollow', overdriven character. Optimal settings will vary greatly between different speaker systems - and on personal taste.

Lastly, the 8k and particularly 16K frequency range will depend alot on both taste - and the condition of your hearing. Aging ears often become less sensitive to the highest frequencies and you may need to compensate upward here especially to bring out cymbals and percussion.

The 'Preamp' slider is best left alone. Most will find cranking it up anywhere more than even a notch above center will simply result in distortion. It may make the sound louder - but NOT cleaner. Use only if desperate in a very noisy environment.

Finally, Pull down on the Presets Menu and ADD A PRESET to save your custom setting with a good name that means something to you. You may find many of iTune's included presets don't sound good AT ALL, some horrible in fact - so create your own using this bottom-up technique.

]]>MacGizmoGuyBluetooth Speakers2009-09-18T10:17:21-07:00http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/iphone-bluetooth-speaker-pairing.html#unique-entry-id-2http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/iphone-bluetooth-speaker-pairing.html#unique-entry-id-2
MacWorld - Playlist Mag online has a good article on the ins and outs of iPhone 3G and Bluetooth Speaker and Headset Pairing - with insights on how it works, some glitches and gotchas worth reading. The market for Mac wireless speakers has been a long time coming. First, it wasn't till OSX Leopard 10.5 delivered A2DP Stereo Bluetooth profile that something other than MONO audio was possible, then the iPhone 3 OS finally added it in early 2009. With these pieces finally in place - and a much larger market to go after, expect a new wave of Bluetooth audio systems to hit the market in 2010.]]>MacGizmoGuyApple Speaker Systems2009-09-17T12:48:11-07:00http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/speakers-for-apple-macbooks.html#unique-entry-id-0http://www.macbook-speakers.com/apple-speakers/files/speakers-for-apple-macbooks.html#unique-entry-id-0
Hear what you're missing in Apple's woefully under-powered and often tiny built-in computer speakers. Sadly, only the desktop iMac line and 17" MacBook Pro laptop has even quasi-decent built-in stereo speakers. www.macbook-speakers.com will feature stereo audio solutions of interest to Apple Macintosh users: USB bus-powered travel speakers, wireless Bluetooth speakers for Mac, or traditional 2.0, 2.1 with subwoofer, or high end audiophile gaming surround-sound speaker systems that are a great fit for Apple computer users.]]>