Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Won't Play on My Brand Stanking New MacBook P

[amk285nyu]

Just got in today the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speaker system (nabbed an open box return for $96 AFTER shipping, Tonto...Snipe program, awaaaahhhhyyy!!!!!). I hooked everything up and then tried playing a tune on my MacBook Pro. I have the 17" High-Def model with the 2.5Ghz processor. It was a no dice. Initially, I tried the speaker jack, since I'm pretty sure that's what it's for, but when it failed, and just to be sure, I tried the headphone jack, too.

I did do the tiniest bit of precautionary research before purchasing these at eBay, and found this at MacRumors (it's just one guy assuring another he can play the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 on his Mac):
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=127345
Those posts were from 2005 (if you didn't already notice). I figured, if the Macs were capable then, they'd still be capable now. And at the Klipsch website they said "Connects easily to virtually any source: two-channel soundcards, or any stereo mini-plug equipped device." That was good enough for me. I never checked what my audio device was.

Now that I do in my System Profiler (in the "Audio" heading of Hardware), all I see is this:
Speaker Connection: Internal
Headphone Connection: Combo
Microphone Connection: Internal
Line In Connection : Combo
SP/DIF Connection: Combo (both In and Out)

But it doesn't work. Nevertheless, I hear the white noise when plugging in and out. I hear the sub, too. So I run downstairs and grab my brother's uber-crappy Compair. I don't even know what this thing is- wait, let me see...it's a Hewlett Packard Presario 2100 Laptop with a 1.7GHz AMD processor and 512MB of RAM. That's about a generation or two back, right? Right around 2005. Well, predictably enough, the speakers work perfectly with his.

So what's the deal? Has Klipsch really abandoned the Mac market (or, perhaps, vice versa)? In any case, it doesn't seem these speakers will work on my computer, so unless there's something I can do to make that happen, I'm going to give them to my little brother. And in that case, what would be your recommendations for a pair of Mac-compatible speakers in the sub-$250 range?

[Xairbusdriver]

What does your Sound Preference Panel say you are using for "Output?" Do you have any other external speakers you can plug in?

Even though I have external speakers attached to my iMac, my Pref Panel shows "Headphones" connected to the "Built-in Output." If yours doesn't say anything or still says "Internal Speakers" there may be a hardware problem. While you have a song playing on the MBP, with the Sound Pref Panel open, what happens to the output? The internal speaker(s) should silence. That would indicate the internal connection in the jack is working. But if there is no change in the Pref Panel and no sound from the external speakers, there may be other problems with the jack itself.

[amk285nyu]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 12 2008, 03:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What does your Sound Preference Panel say you are using for "Output?" Do you have any other external speakers you can plug in?

Even though I have external speakers attached to my iMac, my Pref Panel shows "Headphones" connected to the "Built-in Output." If yours doesn't say anything or still says "Internal Speakers" there may be a hardware problem. While you have a song playing on the MBP, with the Sound Pref Panel open, what happens to the output? The internal speaker(s) should silence. That would indicate the internal connection in the jack is working. But if there is no change in the Pref Panel and no sound from the external speakers, there may be other problems with the jack itself.

With nothing plugged in:
"Internal Speakers" and "Built-In Output"

When I plug in the Klipsch, this doesn't change.

With headphones plugged in:
"Headphones" and "Built-In Output"
And the headphone jack works.

My little brother has some speakers. I'll try those out later, but if this is a hardware problem with the jack, I think I'm screwed. I didn't get the Apple Care or any other warranty.

[krissel]

They should work with your MacBook according to all these links. They are sold by SmallDog and other Mac sellers.

http://www.macworld.com/article/44514/2005....idgconnect.com

http://www.smalldog.com/product/35624

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wtrvl2yrK8


Several MBP owners have them in this thread:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=331536


Are you sure you are using the miniplug? Try all combinations of connections in the Sound prefs.

[kbeartx]

What happens when you connect headphones to your MacBook?  Unless the Klipsch come w/ an SP/DIF connector, or that strange Apple speaker connector, any external speakers should connect to the headphone jack {at least that's how it worked on my G4 PB}.

 - KB

[Xairbusdriver]

QUOTE

When I plug in the Klipsch, this [Sound Pref Panel indication] doesn't change.

Since the headphones work and the speaker's jack doesn't, I'd suspect a slightly incorrect or wrong plug. Until that Sound Pref Panel 'sees' the plug in the jack, you ain't gonna get 'jack!'

[kbeartx]

QUOTE(amk285nyu @ Aug 12 2008, 09:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

... if this is a hardware problem with the jack, I think I'm screwed.

Not too badly.

If turns out that the jack is really busted, you could get a Griffin iMic*, which will give you high-qual audio in/out via USB.  But if the headphones work through the same jack, it's OK.  I'd suspect the cable [if it's not a separate cable, that is, it's attached permanently to the Klipsch, then you'll need to return the spkrs - maybe that's why they were so cheap?] but you said the spkrs work when you connect them to the HP, so my theory now is that there is a mismatch between the MB's headphone out and the Klipsch's input connector.


 - KB

* I just checked and it looks like the iMic runs between 30 and 40 bucks, and there are several other similar devices available, some of which are even less expensive - dunno if the others work as well or sound as good, but I definitely can and do recommend the iMic from personal experience.

[Xairbusdriver]

I think what amk is looking for is how to get the sound out of the MBP. The iMic is made for getting it in, IIRC. So far it sounds like a miss fit of the Klipsch jack and the receptacle on the MBP. Since it works on the HP, I doubt that Klipsch would honor any request for a replacement, even if the speakers are brand new. How much do you love your Brother?!

Did you try that other set of speakers yet?

Here's a link to some simple speakers I use. I think they are 'Chinese-made' knock-offs but they sound fine to my older ears! <Woofer and two desk speakers, scroll down the page a little.> I'm sure theses are available elsewhere, also. I bought them because he's a member of our MUG and gives us a nice discount for being such nice guys!

[kbeartx]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 14 2008, 03:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think what amk is looking for is how to get the sound out of the MBP. The iMic is made for getting it in, IIRC.

Nope.  The iMic provides both audio IN and OUT on separate 3-Conductor 1/8" mini-jacks via USB.

iMic page at Amazon

[Xairbusdriver]

I "hear" your correction! I have one but haven't used it in years!