Ryan J. Bonnell shows how you can use the Griffin iFire to connect your apple Pro Speakers to any Mac using Firewire instead of the Apple Digital Audio Connector.
Introduction
The wait is finally over — for those of us that have been patiently waiting to enjoy the beautiful, crystal clear sound from the magnificent Apple Pro Speakers but don't own a Mac with Apple's Digital Audio connector, the answer is finally here.
Griffin is a well known name and respected name in the Mac Peripheals & Accessories industry. Many of you will recognize their name, as they are the same company that has brought us this Christmas' most popular iPod accessory, the Griffin iTrip, an FM Transmitter which allows you to play your iPod tunes thru your car (or other) radio.
What is the iFire?
The Griffin iFire lets you enjoy the great sound and stunning design of the popular Apple and Harman Kardon co-developed Pro Speakers with any IEEE-1394a FireWire equipped computer in the world.
The iFire is a Stereo Amplifier & Adapter for Macs, PCs, iPods and Apple Pro Speakers. Previously, only owners of Apple iMacs and PowerMacs could use these incredible speakers — until now.
The iFire is an incredible, but simple looking piece of hardware, but how does it work?
The iFire connects through a standard 6 pin FireWire (IEEE-1394a, 400 Mbps)
to any computer (like a PowerBook, iBook or the new G5) with a free FireWire port.
It then provides power and sound to any pair of Apple Pro Speakers (available separately from Apple).
The iFire is Griffin's attempt at bringing the freedom of choice to the masses, and letting them enjoy the Apple Pro Speakers. With the iFire you can:
- Set up a quick mobile sound system with your PowerBook, the Apple Pro Speakers and an iFire.
- Use your Apple Pro Speakers from your PowerMac G4 on your new G5.
- Play your iPod through the Apple Pro Speakers using the iFire (powered by the iPod power supply), making for the perfect compact sound system.
- Connect and use the Apple Pro Speakers on any FireWire equipped PC running Microsoft® Windows®.
- and more more things ...
What's so special about the Apple Pro speakers?
The Apple Pro Speakers use a proprietary, 2.5mm stereo mini-jack connection, (not to be confused with the ubiquitous 3.5 mm headphone output jack.) and are provided a source of amplified power and a digital audio signal thru this unique "Digital Audio" connection found on many of the newer Macs.
The Apple Pro Speakers were co-developed by Apple and Harman Kardon, and based on powerful Harman Kardon technology
The Power Mac G4 delivers 20 watts of floor-thumping sound (10 watts per channel) to the speakers. The Apple Pro Speakers provide excellent sound quality with a frequency range of 70 hertz to 20 kilohertz. And if you�re an audiophile who likes to feel your music through the soles of your feet, you�ll be delighted to hear that the Apple Pro Speakers can be used with the Harman/Kardon iSub Subwoofer system for an even richer audio experience.
"As you know, the personal computer industry hasn�t done a very good job on audio,� Jobs said. �The audio coming out personal computers is pretty bad. We want to change all that with the new iMacs. We�ve worked with Harman Kardon to design some new speakers ... these speakers are amazing, and give you incredible dynamic range. It�s the best sound you�ve ever heard out of a personal computer."
Because the mini-jack connection provides an electrical power source and the audio signal over the same cable, the Apple Pro speakers themselves don't need a bulky external power supply like most other types of speakers, such as the Harman-Kardon SoundSticks.
The Apple Pro Speakers take up less space, uses only one cable, and doesn't require any extra amplified power — not to mention are jaw dropping beautiful. "Pesonally, I can't even count the times people have asked me what "those clear looking globe thingys are." They will definitely turn some heads for people that haven't seen them before.
The Apple Pro Speakers are great for when you're traveling light, doing a mobile product demo / presentation, are just short on power outlets, or you don't want the bulk of lugging around a huge mess of speakers and cables. We are Mac users, right?
How do you know what type of sound output you Mac has? Computers that have the 2.5 mm "Digital Audio" sound output port and don't need to use an iFire with the Apple Pro Speakers are the following Macs:
- Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio)
- Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver)
- Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver 2002)
- Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors)
- Power Mac G4 (FW 800)
- iMac (Flat Panel)
- iMac (17-inch Flat Panel)
- iMac (1GHz Flat Panel)
- iMac (20-inch Flat Panel)
All of the rest of the Macs Apple has manufactured do not have this special 2.5 mm Apple Sound Port, so you will need an iFire if you're wanting to use the Apple Pro Speakers with your computer.
If you're still confused or not sure what type of sound output port your Macintosh computer has or would like to know more about the "Digital Audio" interface, Apple has published a Knowledgebase article discussing which type of sound outputs are offered on their computers.
As a side note, the current line of Apple Cinema displays use a similar means of providing USB, 12V Power, and a Digital Video Signal over the same cable, similar in fashion to what Apple developed for their Pro Speakers.
iFire: Overview & Features
For a lot of people, good sounding speakers at a very reasonable price is the ideal combination. Until the iFire came along, Mac users were limited on choices if visually appealing aesthetics were a concern. If you wanted a great looking and good sounding pair of speakers, the Harman Kardon SoundSticks were most people's recommendation.
The big advantage the SoundSticks have over the Apple Pro Speakers is the Apple Pro Speakers only have one cone (a mid-range), while the SoundSticks have separate mid-ranges and a powered subwoofer.
The SoundSticks are a 3 piece system, consisting of 2 satellite speakers and a powered subwoofer. So technically speaking, the Harmon Kardon SoundSticks are the better of the two, which is indicative in the pricing structure. ($59 retail for the Apple Pro Speakers versus $199 retail for the SoundSticks)
With the iFire from Griffin Technologies, all computer users in the world alike can now enjoy Apple's speakers. Even if you own an older Macintosh, a recent PowerMac, a new iPod, or even a Microsoft Windows PC, you too can enjoy the ease, use, and beauty of the iFire / Apple Pro Speaker combination.
Here's a look at the features the iFire provides:
- Power: Powered only by FireWire, Direct AC power not necessary
- Audio output interface type: IEEE-1394a (FireWire)
- Sound output mode: Stereo
- Ports: 1 (One) 2.5 mm Apple Speaker sound output port (16 bit) for connection to Apple Pro Speakers. 1 (One) 3.5 mm stereo headphone mini-jack. 1 (One) IEEE-1394a 400 Mbps FireWire connection.
- Manufactured in China
The iFire comes packaged with a 3 foot long, high-quality FireWire/Audio multi-cable, and has everything you need to hook up your Apple Pro Speakers to your computer. The multi-cable consists of 6-pin FireWire 400 and a 3.5mm headphone cable joined by four connectors. The multi-cable's connectors are cleanly "joined together" by a plastic piece to reduce clutter, but it may be slid along the cable to provide a wider reach at either end. The iFire draws its power from the FireWire port on a Mac or the AC adapter of an iPod.
About the Companies
Fortunately, Griffin Technology has come to our rescue with the iFire their latest electronic accessory for all things Mac. From my own recollection, Griffin has been making great Mac accessories since the early days when Apple first changed their input peripherals, such as their keyboard and mouse from the ADB (Apple Desktop Bus) to USB. (Universal Serial Bus).
Quoting from Griffin's website:
"Since 1992, Griffin Technology has been an innovator of exciting hardware and software products for the Mac market. Griffin currently manufactures numerous innovative video, audio, serial, and ADB adapters for the Mac."
Apple is widely known as the most innovative company in the technology industry, often providing features in their products years ahead of their competitors.
"Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II, and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple remains committed to creating the best personal computers in the world, and its hardware and software products are widely regarded as being the most innovative in the industry."
Apple Pro Speakers combine Apple's hardware engineering wizardry with cutting-edge Harman/Kardon audio technology. You get the best of both worlds.
Setting everything up
Hooking the iFire up from either my Mac, PC, or my iPod to my Apple Pro Speakers couldn't have been easier. Griffin includes basic set-up instructions with their products, but even if you don't read their instructions, all you really have to do is match up the ends of the cables and plug everything in. Here are the basic steps to connect the iFire with your computer or iPod.
Using the iFire with a Mac:
- Connect the Griffin Multi-Cable to the FireWire and Audio ports of your Mac.
- Connect the other ends of the Griffin Multi-Cable to the FireWire and Audio ports on the iFire.
- Connect your Apple Pro Speakers to the iFire Apple Pro Speaker output, located on the side opposite the FireWire and Audio connections on the iFire.
Using iFire with an iPod:
- Connect your iPod to the iPod's AC Charger, using either your FireWire cable or the Dock to FireWire connector, depending on the iPod model.
- Connect the Audio Out of the iPod to the iFire, using the Griffin Multi-Cable. Depending on the iPod model, the Audio Out could be the Headphone jack on the iPod or the Line O out of the iPod Dock.
- Connect your Apple Pro Speakers to the iFire Apple Pro Speaker output, located on the side opposite the FireWire and Audio connectors.
Trying out the iFire
For the testing part of our review, we hooked up the iFire to each of the following computers: an Apple PowerMac G5, 17" PowerBook G4, a 10 GB 3rd generation iPod, and a Microsoft Windows XP computer.
PowerMac G5: We connected the iFire to the FireWire 400 and headphone ports on the back of our Power Mac G5 and to our Apple Pro speakers. The cord on the Apple Pro Speakers isn't that long, so depending on your set-up, you might have to buy Griffin 's 6 foot Apple Pro Speaker Extension Cable. ($12). Besides the length of the cables, the installation went smoothly, and the sound being output form the speakers was as good, if not better than that from our Power Mac G4.
PowerBook G4: Using the iFire, we hooked the Apple Pro speakers to our 17" PowerBook G4. Because of the layout of the connections on the PowerBook, we the iFire's multi-cable connectors had to be slid, because the FireWire 400 and headphone ports are on opposite sides of the PowerBook.
One alternative to having the cables stretched and tangled up is to use an extra or spare FireWire cable. Regardless, the sound from the Apple Pro speakers is better than from the 17" PowerBook's built-in speakers (as expected).
3rd Generation iPod: Last of the Macs, we tried the iFire and Apple Pro speakers on our iPods, a dockable 30 GB iPod and an original 5 GB iPod. The iFire frees one up from their iPod's headphones or earbuds. Both iPods are actually easy to set up but the printed instructions were a bit confusing to us.
Microsoft ® Windows ® XP computer:
Using the multi-cable to connect the iFire, the multi-cable's headphone pin goes into the iPod's headphone port and the FireWire connector goes into the iPod's AC adapter which has to be plugged into an AC outlet to power the iFire. This setup can be a bit awkward so one may wish to use a separate FireWire cable instead of the one on the multi-cable. The iPod can run on its battery or it can be connected by its FireWire cable to a Mac for power.
One recommendation we would like to pass along to our readers is against connecting the iFire to the headphone port on an iPod dock. Connecting the iFire to the iPod dock this way will not allow you to control the speaker volume of the Speakers from the iPod. You will always get the same loudness coming from the Apple Pro Speakers, regardless of the volume on the iPod.
Summary
Would I recommend using the iFire? Absolutely. Would I recommend buying an iFire? Yes. Is the iFire right for you? Well put yourself in the following situation, and ask yourself these questions:
- If you either have a set of Apple Pro Speakers or will be buying a pair soon, then the iFire is for you.
- If you don't already own a pair or have little interest in buying a set of Apple's Pro Speakers, then the iFire is not for you.
Pro's:
- Easy to use, almost effortless set-up
- Aesthetically pleasing, has the look, feel, and quality of an Apple product.
- Versatile uses: Macs, PCs, iPods
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive at $35.99
- Lack of documentation / troubleshooting for the iFire on Griffin 's website
- Requires at least one IEEE-1394a 400 Mbps FireWire connection (for power)
Open Suggestions to Griffin:
My dealings and interactions with Griffin have all been very positive thus far. However, I would have really liked to see Griffin include a better set-up guide or instructions than what they did. As of this writing, all Griffin includes to assist you in setting everything up is a few bulleted points on the back of their package. You don't get any visual "set-up guides: or schematics showing what plugs go where. For people who are used to documentation and pictures showing the steps for connecting the cables, you will be extremely disappointed.
Since most people don't always immediately read the instructions, Griffin 's gamble for not including any detailed documentation may or may not have paid off. Since I found their iPod set-up instructions somewhat vague, I firmly stand by my suggestion, and would hope Griffin could at least provide a downloadable "visual set-up guide" or similar on their website.
Beyond this minor issue, I was very impressed with the iFire in all respects. Great design, quality craftsmanship, refined "Apple-esque" design, and an ingenious idea.
Conclusions
If you've managed to stay with us and make it this far in the review, you'll be glad to know we're giving the iFire a huge positive "two thumbs up".
The Griffin iFire is an inexpensive, "must have" accessory for people are looking to use their existing Apple Pro Speakers on a different computer, whether it be a Mac or PC or with an Apple iPod.
If you're looking for the best option to play your music from your iPod to a set of external speakers, look no further than the iFire: it's hip, functional, easy to set-up, and just damn sexy; it even looks something Apple would design.
Overall the iFire was fairly easy to install and a real pleasure to use. The sound quality was excellent from all of our brief tests, and sounded as good if not better than using the Apple Pro Speakers hooked up directly from our Power Mac G4.
I would highly recommend the iFire to anyone wanting to use a pair of Apple Pro Speakers, and commend Griffin Technologies for making such a great product.
Where to Buy:
Griffin Store: http://www.griffintechnology.com/store/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00013MRT8/
Resources (FAQ's)
The Griffin iFire itself is fairly easy to explain and troubleshoot, but doing this review we wanted to share with you some issues which we thought would help clarify some questions or problems you might have.
Didn't the Apple PowerMac G4 Cube come with Apple Pro Speakers?
No, the original Apple Cube came with a USB-based version of the Apple Pro Speakers, and requires an external power supply. From Apple's website:
"If you're wondering in what way the Apple Pro Speakers are different from the speakers that come with the Power Mac G4 Cube, here's a quick answer: While the Apple Pro Speakers look very similar to the Power Mac G4 Cube speakers, the Apple Pro Speakers get their power from the computer and thus require a system with an Apple speaker mini-jack (like the one that's on the new Power Mac G4). The Power Mac G4 Cube speakers, on the other hand, are USB-powered and are designed to work only with Power Mac G4 Cube systems. Also, the G4 Cube speakers have an external amplifier, whereas the Power Mac G4 has an internal amplifier that supports the Apple Pro Speakers."
What type of connections does my PowerMac G4 have?
Sound: The PowerMac G4 has a built-in speaker, a headphone sound output port, and an Apple speaker sound output port. (which is what I've been referring to as the "Digital Audio Out" in this review.) More information is available in article 58764: " Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio): Sound Output Ports".
Will the iFire work with my Microsoft ® Windows ® PC?
For the most part, yes — as long as your computer has built-in FireWire or a PCI FireWire Card that can provide a source of power for thru the 6 pin FireWire connector. (The iFire and Apple Pro Speakers need this power since it does not amplication of its own)
Though Griffin's website does not explicitly mention whether or not the iFire will work with a PC, I have had good success using it with two different computers, a Shuttle SN41G2 and a Gigabyte GA-7VAXP running Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
Will the original USB Harman Kardon SoundSticks work with my Microsoft ® Windows ® PC?
For the most part, yes (again). I have been using a pair of the original Harman Kardon SoundSticks between my Mac and PC at home (not at the same time though) and have had excellent experiences. Like Griffin's website, Harman Kardon's does not explicitly mention whether or not the USB Based SoundSticks will work with a PC.
Before I bought my SoundSticks, I wrote Harmon Kardon and they said that the SoundSticks will work with any computer with an Operating System that supports USB Based input and output. Oddly enough, the SoundSticks work perfectly on Windows XP and do not require any special drivers. (I haven't tested them on Windows 2000, but would assume they would work there as well.) Windows' Device Manager recognizes them as "Harmon/Kardon SoundSticks" as shown in the image to the right.
Will the iFire work with my G5?
Yes, the iFire will work with your G5, but the Apple Pro Speakers by themselves (without the iFire) will not.
Apple has changed the Digital Audio Output on the G5 from their own 2.5 mm proprietary connection to the widely popular S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface).
What does this mean? It means you can't use your Apple Pro Speakers plugged directly into the G5, but Apple decision greatly increases what speakers and audio equipment you can use with your new G5.
Since Apple has removed the amplifier included with previous Power Mac G4s in favor of optical audio ports, you can now hook up your PowerMac G5 to many of the high-end Home Theatre receivers.
The PowerMac G5 has the following audio connections:
- On the Front: One (1) 3.5mm stereo mini-jack headphone / speaker output
- On the Back: One (1) Optical digital audio output using Toslink connectors
- On the Back: One (1) Optical digital audio input using Toslink connectors
- On the Back: One (1) Analog 3.5mm stereo audio output (line out)
- On the Back: One (1) Analog 3.5mm stereo audio input (line in)
So to summarize: The G5 now has both Digital Audio and Analog Audio capabilities, as explained in the text below, and shown at the image to the right.
- Analog Audio
The Power Mac G5 also features high-quality, analog stereo audio line in and line out ports. A handily-positioned mini-jack on the front panel makes it easy to plug in your headphones.- Optical Digital Audio
The Power Mac G5 comes with audio capabilities that are not usually found on personal computers. The state-of-the-art optical digital audio in and out ports use the S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) protocol over Toslink cables for connecting to devices such as decks, receivers, digital instruments and even 5.1 surround-sound speaker systems.More detailed information is available from Apple's website in the PowerMac G5 Technical Overview
whitepaper.
Additional Resources:
Apple Pro Speakers: http://www.apple.com/speakers/
Griffin Technologies iFire: http://griffintechnology.com/products/ifire/
Power Mac G5: Optical Audio Port Specifications
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86415
Power Mac G4: How to Differentiate Between Models
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58418
Apple Pro Speakers: Compared to Power Mac G4 Cube Speakers
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25236
iPod: How to Use Headphones or Speakers With iPod
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61133
Power Mac G5: Cannot Use Apple Pro Speakers
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86420
iMac (Flat Panel), Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio) and (QuickSilver): Sound Output Ports
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58764
Mac OS X 10.3: Changing Your Computer's Sound Output Device
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=125172
Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio): Technical Specifications
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58683
Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver): Technical Specifications
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58839
Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver 2002): Technical Specifications
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=88299
Ryan J. Bonnell is a Web Developer, Student, and leading contributor to MacZealots.com. When he is not playing around with his endless amount of toys, he can be reached at .
Reader Comments (19)
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed below are those of their authors and not necessarily endorsed or supported by MacZealots.com. In all cases, the comments provided here are offered as a courtesy and will be moderated. Any content deemed off-topic or offensive will be removed without notice. Posting a comment here boils down to two things: 1.) Think before you type 2.) Respect the thoughts of others. See our commenting guidelines and/or privacy policy for more information.
#1) On January 10, 2004 5:13 PM
Just for the record the slot-loading iMacs have the same speaker sound system.
The speakers were (are) called Odyssey, and the iSub ties into them. I’m not sure if they are digital (the iSub is), but they sound great on this 400DV SE.
The iSub is a must have w/ them.
#2) On January 10, 2004 5:43 PM
I do remember the iMac’s “Odyssey” speakers. I believe they too were developed by Harmon Kardon.
I looked up the specs on the original slot-loading iMac and it looks like your 400MHz DV Special Edition has both 16 bit stereo (analog) Audio Inputs and Outputs.
Glad to hear they still sood great!
#3) On January 17, 2004 2:54 PM
The installation is not as easy and straightforward as described. It did not work out of the box, I had to research until I found the suggestion of resetting the P-ram, which then worked.
On the G4 powerbook, sound quality of the ApplePro speakers through FireWire is tinny and has almost no bass at all. As stated above, it’s better than the internal speakers, but that’s not saying a heck of a lot. I suggest saving your receipt for both products because you’ll want to try something else.
Nice spin on the article above, but still doesn’t excuse Apple for selling speakers with jacks that don’t fit their own computers. That’s really lame.
#4) On January 18, 2004 10:53 PM
I read your review and completely agree. I just received my iFire about 2 weeks ago. I have always coveted the Pro Speakers, and could never use them. I recently bought a 17inch PB, and wanted speakers. I went to the Apple Store to check out what they had. There were only 2 that I wanted. The Soundsticks, and the ProSpeakers. Alas, I was not able to get the ProSpeakers, because there was no adapter. The Soundsticks were out of my price range.
Finally a friend of mine pointed out iFire to me. I bought it and the ProSpeakers. When purchasing the ProSpeakers, the Apple Sales Rep told me the speakers wouldn’t work with my computer. I told him about the adapter, and he said, “You could have gotten better speakers for less.”
Though that maybe true, for me it is all about the design. The ProSpeakers are a timeless design. The other speakers, well they were simply ugly.
Susan Etheridge
s.eth
http://homepage.mac.com/setheridge/
#5) On January 25, 2004 2:06 PM
Griffin actually had a product out before iFire that allows you to use the Apple Pro Speakers through the 2.5 mm connector.
Griffin PowerWavehttp://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powerwave/Here is what I see as the Pros/Cons of the PowerWave vs the iFire:
Pros
This is a complete audio in and out solution with even the ability to play music and do voice over with a microphone (PA system) at the same time;
Wider applicability as it uses USB rather than FireWire;
Connect any stereo speakers using their supplied Speaker Breakout cable or RCA connectors;
Works with both MacOS 9/10 and Windows 98SE through XP;
With various connectors and separate power supply can hook up more than one set of speakers;
Cons
USB solution means it requires a separate power supply for the speakers (more to carry, more to lose, less elegant looking, more wires);
More expensive ($99.99 vs $39.99);
More complicated to set up than iFire if all you are doing is using the Pro Speakers to play audio;
My wife and I have converted our entire vinyl/tape/CD collection to digital format and play it or digital audiobooks from my 12” PowerBook or iPod through the PowerWave and Apple Pro Speakers both at home and on the road. On the road in ours or a rental vehicle I use a power inverter and a powerbar to hook up all the various components (computer or iPod, PowerWave) and set the speakers on the second seat in the back. We love being able to listen to our own choice of music or audio without all the advertising and without all the interference problems of the FM transmitter solution.
With the iFire I could eliminate the power inverter, powerbar, and power supply from the setup which would be great.
#6) On February 19, 2004 10:27 PM
Will the Apple Pro Speakers along with iFire Adapter work with my older iMac G3?
#7) On February 20, 2004 12:18 AM
Yes, to answer Scott (Comment #6) the Griffin iFire will work with your older Apple iMac G3 and will allow you to hook up a set of Apple Pro Speakers to your iMac thru the iFire.
The only thing you’ll sacrifice is losing a FireWire slot for the iFire, but the convenience of not having a messy spiderweb of cables, power supplies, and speaker wire will make the iFire / Apple Pro speakers a great addition to you iMac - not to mention the raw beauty of the combination.
#8) On March 31, 2004 11:42 PM
Just (today) received my iFire. I’ll second all positive comments about this device… and some of the negatives (REALLY weak bass in particular)… but it’s a big improvement over the Powerbook’s internal speakers.
I found this article/web site when I couldn’t get any sound out of my iFire/Speakers. Did a search on Google and this was near the top of the list and looked promising (and was).
The icon on the iFire is the same as the line out jack on the back of my 15” Powerbook… so that is where I plugged it in. The “insert” in the iFire’s “blister” says to plug into the “Audio Out” port, which I again took to mean line out.
WRONG… use the headphone jack.
#9) On April 23, 2004 11:05 PM
I’ve set up my Pro Speakers and iFire with an iSub. It solves the bass problems noted above, and aesthetically it’s great too. I had it set up with my 12” PowerBook G4. The great thing is it should work with any OSX machine.
#10) On July 14, 2004 10:35 PM
Hi Ryan,
I could really use your advice. Music means a lot to me. I Have an iGook G3/500mhz laptop and a pair of prospeakers (my Uncle sent me). Of course I had to go ahead and order the ifire to make them work and am now really tempted to order the isub to complete the system. Only problem is now that I’m spending more money than I oriinally thought when my uncle was giving me the pro speakers I am wondering if I wouldn’t be better off just buying the soundsticks or even the jbl creature system. As you can tell by the choices I’m narrowing in on, aesthetics is important to me too although sound is my cheif concern. So, what do you reccomend for the best sound (and looks!): The ifire/ apple pro/isub combo, the soundsticks 3 piece or the jbl creature speaker. I know I can find the isub for around $50 refurbished these days to complete the direstion I’m already headed but is there anything you know about the sound quality of the other options I mentioned being far enough superior to make me change gears before i order the isub and am stuck with however it sounds? I hope you have a moment and especially the familiarity with what I’m discussing to reply. Thank You!
Jonathan Key
#11) On July 15, 2004 1:38 AM
Hi Jonathan,
I know the situation you’re in, and I’ve been there, as many others have too. Let me say first that each product by itself is wonderful. Together they all make a beautiful combination, but finding the right one may or may not be easy. Let me explain …
The Apple Pro speakers are small, aesthetically pleasing, and sound great. The iFire is a great product that fills a void Apple didn’t, while allowing many people to still use their new and possibly old Apple Pro Speakers.
What the Apple Pro Speakers lack is solid Bass - that deep sounding punch everyone craves from their music. Even with the iFire, the Pro Speakers don’t gain any bass. Some people (including me) describe the Pro Speakers as sounding hollow, and lacking “kick”.
This is due mainly to the Pro Speakers only having one speaker, with that being a midrange. Apple made a compromise in making the speakers, and by leaving out the hi’s and lo’s, they were able to make a small, compact, and attractive speaker. However with any decision there is often a sacrifice.
To give you a background on what I have, and the basis of my opinion, I own both the Apple Pro Speakers and the H/K Soundsticks. I’ve played with the Creatures before but passed them along as gift to a friend and family member. Each set of speakers serve a specific purpose for me.
If I am traveling and need more than Apple’s built-in sound, I opt for the iFire and Pro speaker combination. We often do this when were are giving MacZealots presentations and don’t have access to a full-blow audio system. However, when I am at home and enjoying my music or working and want some soft music playing, I can’t do with out my Soundsticks; they add some much more punch, definition, and body to the music that it’s incredible - far mre than the any of the other two options.
Since you said sound is your chief concern, and if it really is go with a matched solution in either the Soundsticks or the Creatures. You’ll get better sounding acoustics and have less cable clutter to deal with.
The Soundsticks will look just as good (if not better) than the Pro Speakers + iSub combination, but will sound many times better. Trust me on this, the Soundsticks have four smaller speakers in each satellite (left and right) which can produce more accurate sound with less distortion than the Pro speakers can. Remember, that by adding the iSub to your Pro speakers, you basically have the Soundsticks minus the larger satellite speakers - that can be a plus or a minus depending on how you look at it.
If you are under a budget, the Creature speakers will offer you a good-sounding, full bodied delivery, that the Apple Pro speakers can’t do themselves. Only after adding iSub with the Pro speakers can they start to be compared on the same level.
Since you have already have everything except the iSub, that path is of course your least expensive and simplest. By purchasing either the Soundsticks or Creatures, you will have acquired another set of speakers, which will just add more cost to you ultimate goal.
I’ll leave you with these thoughts - and they are just that:
Buy the iSub if you want the easiest solution at the lowest cost
Buy the Creatures if you want the least cable clutter, and to match your iBook. They are great sounding at a very reasonable price.
Buy the Soundsticks if you demand the most of everything from your music and speakers: Good sound, great price, not a lot of clutter, and stunning looks.
I can’t or won’t tell you which set of speakers is best for you, but based on my experience, the price of the Soundsticks is well worth every penny. Luckily enough, you can’t really go wrong with any combination you chose, since all three will be a good looking great sounding combination.
Good luck in any decision you make, and let us know what you decided and why. It’d be interesting to see what you got out of my e-mail and article. We’re glad you’ve enjoyed MacZealots and hope you will continue to do so.
Cheers,
Ryan J. Bonnell
#12) On November 8, 2004 9:53 AM
hihi, i just want to know why your review dont mention much about ifire being able to work any computer. the review just talks about how it will work on ibook and powerbook. but never made me feel 100% that it will work on any computer with a firewire.
#13) On November 8, 2004 9:53 AM
hihi, i just want to know why your review dont mention much about ifire being able to work any computer. the review just talks about how it will work on ibook and powerbook. but never made me feel 100% that it will work on any computer with a firewire.
#14) On November 8, 2004 9:53 AM
hihi, i just want to know why your review dont mention much about ifire being able to work any computer. the review just talks about how it will work on ibook and powerbook. but never made me feel 100% that it will work on any computer with a firewire.
#15) On March 16, 2005 8:11 PM
A couple of quick questions if anyone’s stll listening:
Has anyone compared the bass response from the iFire vs what it was from the computers it was designed (i.e. is there less bass response from the iFire than the original computers) and…
Has anyone tested the effect of the iFire on an iPod’s battery life?
#16) On March 19, 2005 12:36 PM
I’ve tried 3 iFire adapters and so far each one of them either didn’t work out of the box or died within a few days of use. Tech support has been great about sending 2 replacements (but won’t cover return shipping of the defective units). I’ll contact them one more time but I’m surprised that something so simple just quits working.
#17) On March 19, 2005 12:38 PM
Bass response is not significantly different from running speakers directly from the Apple Speaker Port. The iFire is simply an amplifier. It uses power from the Firewire port and boosts the signal from the source to the ApplePro speakers.
#18) On May 7, 2005 6:46 PM
I am looking to purchase a second hand isub, I currently am running apple pro speakers on a G3 powermac (B&W) via a griffin ifire,
Q: will the isub work with this set-up?
#19) On May 14, 2005 8:01 PM
Chris (comment #18),
The short answer is probably “yes”, the iSub will most likely work with your setup. The iSub is powered by your Mac’s USB port, therefore it does not need the functions the iFire provides.
However, the iSub will only work if you are running a modern version of the Mac OS (9.x, 10.x). Since you didn’t list any specifics about the software environment of your computer, I cannot fully comment on whether or not it will work on your computer.
I say things words sparingly since we do not provide technical support thru our website, so we’re unable to give you any more information at this time.
Instead, you should e-mail the vendor of the product you are looking to purchase, download their user manuals, or search thru their support documentation.
You might search around the web to see if other people have experienced your problem and what their resolution might have been.
The Macintosh community has a lot of great forums and websites that have a wealth of information you might try, such as Macintouch, MacFixIt, Mac OS X Hints, and even the Apple Discussion Boards, etc… Best of luck solving your problems.