Problems with Audio System and new iMac

[davidleonard]

Hi all, I have bought the 2021 Mac, I am loving it!

I have an issue with my Bose Speakers. Have usually had these wired in directly to the mac via USB-A. Now the new mac only supports USB-C I can get the mac to recognise the speaker system, but no sounds comes out. When I do it lasts like 30 secs. I have a couple of USB-C to USB-A adapters but they don't seem to work. Any ideas? Seems very wasteful having these amazing speakers and not being able to use them.

 

[Ruggy]

The solution I believe is to get a Thunderbolt cable.
It looks the same as USB-C but it isn't and it'll support audio out natively.

 

[davidleonard]

The solution I believe is to get a Thunderbolt cable.
It looks the same as USB-C but it isn't and it'll support audio out natively.

Do they make a cable that has a USB-A adapter? sorry am a bit clueless on what to buy

 

[chabig]

Regular USB-C to USB-A adapters should work perfectly. Are yours Apple or third-party?

 

[davidleonard]

Regular USB-C to USB-A adapters should work perfectly. Are yours Apple or third-party?

I have an apple one - the mac recognises it, I am just not getting any sound - so wondered if it was my settings?

 

[chabig]

I would suspect settings before suspecting hardware, especially since you've tried more than one. Unfortunately, I don't know which settings to check. Do the Bose speakers require their own software? Did you install it in the new machine? Check Bose.com support.

 

[BrianBaughn]

What model speakers? I was under the impression that all the Bose models either connected, sound-wise, to a computer via its audio-out port or by Bluetooth.

 

[theluggage]

The solution I believe is to get a Thunderbolt cable.
It looks the same as USB-C but it isn't and it'll support audio out natively.

That won't make any difference. They're not Thunderbolt speakers so, at best, it will work exactly the same as a USB cable - and you'll still need an adapter for USB-C to USB-B/microUSB/whatever the input on the speakers is.

There is a "native audio" mode for USB-C - but it's fairly obscure and not relevant to USB speakers.

When I do it lasts like 30 secs.

So you *have* had sound out over a USB-C to USB-A adapter, but it cuts out?
Are they battery-powered speakers and, if so, are they charged? Can you give them a good charge from an old Mac or USB-A charger? Could be that they're not charging properly over USB-C.

Knowing which model of speakers and exactly what connection you have (USB-C to USB-A adapter with a USB-A to MicroUSB cable...?) might help.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I have an apple one - the mac recognises it, I am just not getting any sound - so wondered if it was my settings?"

Did you open the "Audio/MIDI Setup" utility and see if the Bose speakers are recognized there?

What kind of Bose speakers?
What kind of INPUTS do you have on the speakers?

Last resort -- have you tried an analog connection from the Mac's headphones out to the analog in on the speakers?

 

[davidleonard]

Thanks all - have sorted... I'd plugged the USB connector into the Thunderbolt port - and now all seems to be working - thanks so much!