Griffin 4019-FIRESS FireWave Surround Sound for Macs
The Griffin FireWave gives you what you have been missing in your Mac experience - Surround Sound. FireWave has Dolby Digital processors to bring Surround Sound to Macs for gaming, DVD players and iTunes. With the multitude of 5.1 surround sound speakers for PCs readily available, FireWave gives Mac users the ability to affordably upgrade their sound systems, with spectacular results. FireWave's small size makes it easy to incorporate into any computer setup, and portable enough to use on laptops. For the ultimate in mobile convenience, FireWave gets its power through its FireWire connection to the computer - no separate cables or power supplies to tote. And FireWave features an extra FireWire port so you can chain other devices through it.With 5.1 surround sound, you'll experience music and movies on your desktop like never before. FireWave brings DVDs to life, unleashing their full audio potential. FireWave's Dolby virtual surround sound technology makes any audio source come alive, whether from iTunes, QuickTime, or streaming audio. FireWave is a must-have for gamers and DVD enthusiasts. With FireWave's support for OpenAL, the cross-platform 3D audio standard, games like World of Warcraft and Unreal Tournament 2004 will come alive in a way you've never heard before.
Griffin 4019-FIRESS FireWave Surround Sound for Macs Accessories
 Logitech Z-5500 THX-Certified 505-Watt 5.1 Digital Surround Sound Speaker System
Mac OS X Version 10.5.4 Leopard
Logitech Z-5300e THX-Certified 280-Watt 5.1 Surround Sound PC and Gaming Speaker System
Logitech 970223-0403 X-540 5.1 Speaker System (Black)
Mac OS X Leopard: The Missing Manual
VMware Fusion [OLD VERSION]
Logitech 931689-0403 MX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse (Black)
Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station (Gigabit) MB053LL/A
Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Student and Teacher [OLD VERSION]
Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac [OLD VERSION]
Griffin 4019-FIRESS FireWave Surround Sound for Macs Reviews
As a 2-channel, stereo replacement it works without any problems. So this is a cheap setup. The FireWave drives the Philips headphones well enough for iTunes, but nearly needs to be at full volume for DVDs. They do list its big brother the Rane HC-6 Headphone Amplifier, although that is now upgraded to the HC 6S. the PreSonus HP4 4-Channel Compact Headphone Amplifier. I hope to replace the Harmon Kardon speakers with a pair of Adam Audio A5 Monitors, which are priced per single monitor. The audio went out on my G4 Quicksilver, so I got this to recover sound on the Mac.
I'm using it only for stereo, so I can't grade it on its 5.1 surround sound capabilities. My speakers are Dell issued (1999) Harmon Kardon HK195 speakers, and my headphones are 32 ohm Philips SHP2500/37 Full Size Headphone w/ Volume Control. The Griffin FireWave is a "Desktop Solution" for OSX 10.4 and 10.5 and may be in the process of being discontinued. There are cheaper options, e.g. Griffin offers it at a deep discount and there is only release 1.0 software on the included CD or available from Griffin as a download. I intend to upgrade the headphones significantly, to the 80 ohm version of Beyer Dynamic DT 770 PRO Closed Dynamic Headphones, so in anticipation, I've ordered a headphone amp not listed on amazon (Rane HC 4S).
Low frequency response definitely suffers in music, as many critical listenings revealed for me. While 5.1 output might be enticing for many, you'll suffer a definite loss in quality. At times cellos would sound nearer to trombones and ProLogic II is pretty much bunk.
Works nicely, great sound out of a MacBook and Logitech 5.1 speaker system. I had to go around twice on the installation to get everything to work, but may have been operator error.
Price was nice too here on Amazon, and a lot less hassle than trying to score one on Ebay. If you want better that ordinary 2 speaker sound from your Mac, this is the way to go. Love this product. The Griffin unit is a nice compliment to the Mac Mini's appearance as well. Install was quick and easy, just had to tell the Mini to play through The Griffin instead of the speaker jack, plugged in the Logitech surround speaker system that I was using on my Windows PC, and what great sound I had.
I recently switched over to a MacMini from a PC which had an audio card. After some searching around, I found the FireWave which allows me to use my old speakers with my new MacMini. My surround sound speaker system only had the three plug input.no optical which meant they were useless with the MacMini. It works great and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
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