The first and only FireWire Surround Sound for Mac
•
Powered by FireWire connection, no extra cables
•
Features an extra FireWire port for chaining devices
•
Small size makes it easy to incorporate into any computer setup
Editorial Reviews:
Product Description With the multitude of 5.1 surround sound speakers for PCs readily available, FireWave gives Mac users the ability to 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 mobile convenience, FireWave gets its power through its FireWire connection to the computer no separate cables or power supplies to carry. FireWave features an extra FireWire port so you can chain other devices through it. With 5.1 surround sound, you'll experience music, movies, and games 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. Unit Dimensions - 5.2 x 2.83 x 0.98 inch (132mm x 77mm x 25mm)
Griffin FireWaveSeptember 13, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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. As a 2-channel, stereo replacement it works without any problems. 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.
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. 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). They do list its big brother the Rane HC-6 Headphone Amplifier, although that is now upgraded to the HC 6S. There are cheaper options, e.g. 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 Griffin FireWave is a "Desktop Solution" for OSX 10.4 and 10.5 and may be in the process of being discontinued. 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.
Late-model MacBook Pro owners: don't botherJuly 23, 2008 While 5.1 output might be enticing for many, you'll suffer a definite loss in quality. Low frequency response definitely suffers in music, as many critical listenings revealed for me. At times cellos would sound nearer to trombones and ProLogic II is pretty much bunk.
Does the jobJune 24, 2008 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.
Surround Sound for the Mac MiniFebruary 17, 2008 Love this product! 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! The Griffin unit is a nice compliment to the Mac Mini's appearance as well. If you want better that ordinary 2 speaker sound from your Mac, this is the way to go! Price was nice too here on Amazon, and a lot less hassle than trying to score one on Ebay!
Great option for existing speakers and a MacMiniDecember 14, 2007 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I recently switched over to a MacMini from a PC which had an audio card. My surround sound speaker system only had the three plug input...no optical which meant they were useless with the MacMini. After some searching around, I found the FireWave which allows me to use my old speakers with my new MacMini. It works great and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
Radio-Audiophile.com review- For hardcore Radio Audio machine ,buy cheap IPOD , accessories , speakers , electronic gadgets , mobile , iphone , garmin GPS , sound cards,digital audio interface,computer sound machine ,software , radio exciter ,broadcast ,audio power amplifier,RF power amp,AV systems ,DVD player ,HDTV, home theatre , sound effects ,mixer , DJ and accessories.Discount and lowest price "special promotion" everyday.
sponsored links
Onkyo HT-SR800 Black Home Theater System $335.96 - $499.00 from 2 stores. User rating:4.0 out of 5.
Neatly Covering All A/V Formats, Precisely Tailored for Your Home
When it comes to all-in-one home theater, the HT-SR800 has made a clean break from the pack. You're looking at packaged home theater that neatly integrates your high-definition entertainment and your HDTV through an HDMI channel that transports video with a resolution all the way up to 1080p. Ably supported by component video switching, the HT-SR800 will handle most of the A/V components or formats currently available, as well as the spectacular quality of high-definition discs. Also, reinforcing the convenience of matched components, this package is the first to use an Audyssey room-correction technology specifically designed for integrated systems. The options - XM Radio (including 5.1 surround sound radio with Neural Surround decoding) and iPod integration-can really extend your reach, making the HT-SR800 one of the more complete home theater packages available.
Special Features-
HDMI Pass Through (2in/1out , 1080P compatible) - A separate audio connection is necessary
"Audyssey 2EQ" Auto room calibration w/Microphone
XM and Sirius satellite radio ready
Sony HT-7100DH Home Theater System $349.95 - $378.08 from 2 stores. User rating:3.0 out of 5. Grab your popcorn and revel in the intense movie-watching experience that is the HT-7100DH home theater system. Take your entertainment to new aural heights as 900 watts of surround sound fill your room while you watch high definition DVD media or listen to XM satellite radio. For fast and easy setup, the HT-7100DH automatically calibrates the included speakers for an optimal sound field and the most dramatic effects. The Digital Media Port (DMP) is also great for when you want to listen to external sources like Bluetooth devices or Walkman music players in powerful 5.1 channel digital surround sound.
Bose 3-2-1 Home Theater System $948.00 - $999.98 from 2 stores. User rating:3.1 out of 5. If you've been looking for a surround sound solution that doesn't require hours of setup and creative ways to hide the wires, the search is over. Introducing the Bose 3-2-1 system, a revolutionary advancement in home entertainment that's much easier to live with. Designed to provide performance and simplicity unmatched by conventional component or all-in-one solutions, this system delights the ears and the eyes.
Five speakers are replaced by two. A stack of electronics is replaced by a single media center that includes an integrated DVD/CD player, AM/FM tuner, amplification and signal processing. A patented Acoustimass module hides easily in a corner or behind your furniture. And everything is easily connected with just three wires and a power cord, making setup a snap. The 3-2-1 system combines an Articulated Array speaker design with proprietary signal processing to give you much of that same performance. Hear the roar of a train from left to right from just two visible speakers positioned in the front of your room. Enjoy a spacious soundstage and lifelike surround effects whether you're watching the game, listening to a favorite CD or enjoying the latest on DVD.
Philips HTS3555 Home Theater System $146.95 - $250.81 from 2 stores. User rating:4.9 out of 5. This state-of-the-art digital home entertainment system delivers powerful surround sounds and a theater-like audio/video experience. The ultimate in both style and performance.PRODUCT FEATURES:Dock included for GoGear and iPod;USB Direct plays photos and music from USB flash drives;MP3 Line-in for music playback from Portable Media Players;1080i HDMI with high definition video upconversion;DTS, Dolby Digital and Pro Logic II surround sound;12-bit/108MHz video processing for sharp, natural images;DivX Ultra for enhanced playback of DivX media files;Plays CD, (S)VCD, DVD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R DL;Plays DivX, MP3, WMA and JPEG digital camera photos.
Bose 3-2-1 GS Series II Graphite Home Theater System $798.00 from 1 store. User rating:3.0 out of 5. The Bose 3ท2ท1 GS II DVD home entertainment system puts you at the center of exciting home theater with greater simplicity and fewer wires. Just two visible Gemstone speaker arrays - the smallest, most powerful 3ท2ท1 speakers - and a hideaway Acoustimass module deliver enhanced sound performance from almost anything you watch. Setup is simple: no center or rear speakers means no wiring to the back of your room. An elegant media center features a progressive scan DVD/CD player with AM/FM tuner. And an easy-to-use universal remote control is programmable to run most of your entertainment devices together with your system.
