Insufficient Sound from a Mac Mini

christieeckardt · 14th October 2006, 17:56

I have a Mini and the sound that comes out isn't enough to really hear it clearly when there is ANY kind of background noise so I bought these Altec Lansing XT1 speakers today at the Abu Dhabi Mall after being assured they'd work. Well they "work" but the sound is barely louder than the Mini itself! I've upped to speaker volume to maximum and the iTunes sound to maximum but it is still barely audible. What am I doing wrong? Or are these speakers NOT compatible after all? What speakers are recommended? HELP! frustrated, Christie

Zaid Al Hilali · 14th October 2006, 18:32

I presume you bought it from Macstore at Abu Dhabi Mall! If so they should be compatible with Macintosh.
Open your System Preferences window, click on the Sound icon, then press the Output tab. I beleive you should see the name of your device in the list there with USB connection. Even if you don't see it they still should work fine.

Did you check if there is any software that comes with your speakers?

Magnus · 14th October 2006, 18:35

Welcome to the site!

Can you tell us what model Altec Lansing speakers they are?

I'm asking because if they are not amplified speakers they may not produce much higher volume than the mini. If they are amplified (and chances they are if you have to plug them into a power source) then they should make the mini sound louder.

This may sound silly, but have you tried the speakers with some other input to make sure they are okay? Something like a different computer, an iPod, or something.

I'll ask like Zaid, you bought them at the MacStore?

christieeckardt · 14th October 2006, 22:43

Yep I bought them at the Mac store in AD Mall. The speakers are Altec Lansing XT1. They do not plug into the wall in any way but when I heard them hooked up to the laptop in the store, they sounded WAY louder.

HEY! I just checked the system prefs and adjusted the output volume and it worked. I think I just killed the neighbors! Nah, just kidding but it is much louder - loud enough for me! Thanks you guys!

I'm a new convert from PC (been wanting a Mac for years but only just got one) so I didn't know how to access this option!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Christie

14th October 2006, 17:56	#1 (permalink)
christieeckardt Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE Posts: 5	Insufficient Sound from a Mac Mini I have a Mini and the sound that comes out isn't enough to really hear it clearly when there is ANY kind of background noise so I bought these Altec Lansing XT1 speakers today at the Abu Dhabi Mall after being assured they'd work. Well they "work" but the sound is barely louder than the Mini itself! I've upped to speaker volume to maximum and the iTunes sound to maximum but it is still barely audible. What am I doing wrong? Or are these speakers NOT compatible after all? What speakers are recommended? HELP! frustrated, Christie

14th October 2006, 18:32	#2 (permalink)
Zaid Al Hilali Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Mirdif-Dubai Posts: 1,403	Tips I presume you bought it from Macstore at Abu Dhabi Mall! If so they should be compatible with Macintosh. Open your System Preferences window, click on the Sound icon, then press the Output tab. I beleive you should see the name of your device in the list there with USB connection. Even if you don't see it they still should work fine. Did you check if there is any software that comes with your speakers?

14th October 2006, 18:35	#3 (permalink)
Magnus Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Dubai Posts: 8,397	Welcome to the site! Can you tell us what model Altec Lansing speakers they are? I'm asking because if they are not amplified speakers they may not produce much higher volume than the mini. If they are amplified (and chances they are if you have to plug them into a power source) then they should make the mini sound louder. This may sound silly, but have you tried the speakers with some other input to make sure they are okay? Something like a different computer, an iPod, or something. I'll ask like Zaid, you bought them at the MacStore? Last edited by Magnus : 14th October 2006 at 19:17. Reason: corrected one question

14th October 2006, 22:43	#4 (permalink)
christieeckardt Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE Posts: 5	Answer to questions Yep I bought them at the Mac store in AD Mall. The speakers are Altec Lansing XT1. They do not plug into the wall in any way but when I heard them hooked up to the laptop in the store, they sounded WAY louder. HEY! I just checked the system prefs and adjusted the output volume and it worked. I think I just killed the neighbors! Nah, just kidding but it is much louder - loud enough for me! Thanks you guys! I'm a new convert from PC (been wanting a Mac for years but only just got one) so I didn't know how to access this option! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Christie

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