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Subwoofer to pair with AppleDesign Powered Speakers I
Posted by: Lia the Cat on 2024-05-22 11:48:53
Hi all, newbie here indulging in a very overdue retro kick for all the Apple gear I used as a kid. Most recently, I snagged a pair of AppleDesign Powered Speakers with the subwoofer port! I'm wondering what era-appropriate subwoofer would match with these. Also hoping it's not too big/powerful, otherwise my neighbors might not like it 😉 - thanks for the advice!
Posted by: olePigeon on 2024-05-23 10:27:51
I'm thinking that since Apple partnered with Bose in the past (Apple IIgs speakers), perhaps a white 1990s era Bose Accoustimass?

Finding a matching subwoofer in Platinum-esque color will be extremely difficult.
Posted by: Lia the Cat on 2024-05-23 11:07:09
Ah, good idea! Fortunately it's the first gen speakers, so they're white/beige. At least, they will be after I retrobrite them. Should be easier to find aesthetically matching speakers in that color I'm hoping.
Posted by: Fizzbinn on 2024-05-23 11:39:05
I went down this exact same rabbit hole a couple years ago via eBay and couldn't find a Platinum-esque subwoofer I was willing to pay the price for, I only wanted to pay something under ~$30. There was at least one model by "Advent" that I had my eye on, I think it might have been "Advent AV009SUB"

...new in box for $80 shipped:
Posted by: aladds on 2024-05-23 13:53:53
Isn't the best companion the one integrated into the 6400/6500?
Posted by: Fizzbinn on 2024-05-23 16:11:12
Isn't the best companion the one integrated into the 6400/6500?

I think that's the reverse question, what would be some nice "matching" speakers for a 6400/6500 which has a built-in subwoofer?

As far as I know this one specific early/original version of the AppleDesign Powered Speakers are the only Apple external speakers that will work with any Mac, that have the ability to drive a separate subwoofer (that Apple itself never sold). Later AppleDesign Powered Speakers and AppleDesign Powered Speakers II lack the subwoofer out port.
Posted by: 4seasonphoto on 2024-05-24 19:54:16
Subwoofers are common items in my local thrift stores, but many are not ideal for what you have in mind, as they may have only a single input connector, or none at all, as in the case of wireless subwoofers. Ideally, you want one which has both line-in and line-out connectors. Here are a couple of examples (which admittedly don't match the Apple Design aesthetics, but you can always paint the Parts Express kit!)

https://fostexinternational.com/docs/products/PM-SUBmini2.shtml#content-4-tab-tab (I one one of these)
https://www.parts-express.com/Dayto...ith-2.1-Channel-Amplifier-300-7161?quantity=1
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